Middle School Parent College 2016 GEORGIA MILESTONES

Middle School Parent College 2016 GEORGIA MILESTONES

GEORGIA MILESTONES

GEORGIA MILESTONES What? Georgia Milestones Assessment System is a comprehensive summative assessment program spanning grades 3 through high school. (GA DOE) When? Who? Why? How? Georgia Milestones End of Grade (grades 3-8) are given at the end of each school year. All students in grades 3 through 8 take the Georgia Milestones End of Grade assessment The GA Milestones assessment helps the school, students, and parents understand the level of mastery of the standards that are taught throughout the year. Georgia Milestones will be given on the computer for all students this year.

GEORGIA MILESTONES Grades 3 8 End of Grade (EOG) in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies End of Course (EOC) in 8 th grade physical science and Algebra I in lieu of EOG High School End of Course (EOC) in 9 th Grade Literature & Composition, American Literature & Composition, Algebra, Analytic Geometry, Physical Science, Biology, US History, and Economics

GEORGIA MILESTONES Features include: inclusion of constructed-response items in ELA and mathematics, in addition to selected-response items inclusion of a writing component (in response to text) at every grade level and course within the ELA assessment; inclusion of norm-referenced items in every grade and content area to complement the criterion-referenced information and to provide a national comparison; and transition to online administration over time, with online administration considered the primary mode of administration and paper-pencil back-up until transition is completed. Addition of technology-enhanced items beginning in 2016-2017.

GEORGIA MILESTONES General Test Parameters ELA will consist of 3 sections, 1 of which will focus mainly on writing Mathematics will consist of 2 sections Science will consist of 2 sections Social Studies will consist of 2 sections Each section will be between 50 to 70 minutes.

GEORGIA MILESTONES ELA General Test Parameters: ELA Total Number of Items: 60 / Total Number of Points: 55 Breakdown by Item Type: Criterion-Referenced 30 Selected Response (worth 1 point each) 2 Constructed Response (2 points each) 1 Constructed Response (worth 4 points) 1 Extended Response (worth 7 points) Norm-Referenced Total Number of Items: 20 (10 of which contribute to CR score) Embedded Field Test Total field test items: 6

GEORGIA MILESTONES ELA Writing at Every Grade All students will encounter an extended constructed-response item allowing for narrative prose, in response to text, within first or second section of the test (contributes to the writing score). Within the writing section of the test, students will read a pair of passages and complete a series of warm-up items: o o o 3 selected-response items asking about the salient features of each passage and comparing/contrasting between the two passages 1 constructed-response item requiring linking the two passages 1 writing prompt (allowing for an extended writing response) in which students must cite evidence to support their conclusions, claims, etc. Warning: Students who simply rewrite excerpts from the passage(s) to illustrate their point(s) will not receive favorable scores. Genres Writing prompts will be informative/explanatory or opinion/argumentative depending on the grade level. Students could encounter either genre.

GEORGIA MILESTONES MATH General Test Parameters: Total Number of Items: 73 / Total Number of Points: 58 Breakdown by Item Type: Criterion-Referenced 41 Selected Response (worth 1 point each) 2 Constructed Response (worth 2 points each) 1 Constructed Response (worth 4 points) Norm-Referenced Total Number of Items: 20 (9 of which contribute to CR score) Embedded Field Test Total field test items: 9 Total number of items taken by each student: 73

GEORGIA MILESTONES CALCULATOR POLICY Content Area Grade Level/Course Type of Calculator Mathematics Grades 3-5 Not Allowed Grade 6 Basic 1 Grades 7 and 8 Coordinate Algebra Analytic Geometry Algebra I Geometry Basic 1 or Scientific Scientific or Graphing Scientific or Graphing Scientific or Graphing Scientific or Graphing Science Physical Science Basic 1 or Scientific Social Studies Economics Basic 1 or Scientific 1 The online calculator will be a basic four function calculator; a hand-held basic calculator can have square root and percentage functions Calculators are not permitted on Section 1, Part A, of each mathematics test in grades 6 8 and high school. Calculators are not permitted at all in grades 3 5 mathematics.

ONLINE BASIC CALCULATOR Note: Where Basic calculators are allowed, hand-held models are permitted to contain % and Square Root functions (since it s very difficult to find Basic models for purchase without these functions).

GEORGIA MILESTONES SOCIAL STUDIES General Test Parameters Total Number of Items: 75 / Total Number of Points: 55 Breakdown by Item Type: Criterion-Referenced 45 Selected Response (worth 1 point each) Norm-Referenced Total Number of Items: 20 (approximately 10 of which contribute to CR score) Embedded Field Test Total field test items: 10

GEORGIA MILESTONES SCIENCE General Test Parameters Total Number of Items: 75 / Total Number of Points: 55 Breakdown by Item Type: Criterion-Referenced 46 Selected Response (worth 1 point each) Norm-Referenced Total Number of Items: 20 (approximately 9 of which contribute to CR score) Embedded Field Test Total field test items: 9

GEORGIA MILESTONES RESULTS Will be returned in the spring There is a brochure A Parent s Guide to the Individual Student Report for Elementary and Middle School End of Grade Assessments which provides additional information about the student report. Will include criterion- and norm-reference scores

ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS Beginning Learners do not yet demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia s content standards. The students need substantial academic support to be prepared for the next grade level or course and to be on track for college and career readiness. Developing Learners demonstrate partial proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia s content standards. The students need additional academic support to ensure success in the next grade level or course and to be on track for college and career readiness. Proficient Learners demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia s content standards. The students are prepared for the next grade level or course and are on track for college and career readiness. Distinguished Learners demonstrate advanced proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia s content standards. The students are well prepared for the next grade level or course and are well prepared for college and career readiness.

PROMOTION AND RETENTION POLICY State Board Rule 160-4-2-.11 Promotion, Placement, and Retention OCS Local Board Policy IHE Promotion and Retention Retests in ELA and Mathematics are given after the scores are received in May.

GEORGIA MILESTONES: RESOURCES Ancillary support resources, such as Assessment Guides Student Study Guides Informational videos [parents & public /educators] Online Practice Center (to aid students in gaining familiarity with the online test administration system)

GEORGIA MILESTONES Thank You for Attending Tonight Amy Perry Director of Secondary Education/CTAE aperry@oconeeschools.org 706-769-5130 x1306