Directions for Using the Georgia Milestones Pre-Assessment

Directions for using the Georgia Milestones Pre-Assessment

1. Documents

1. Assessment with Cover Page and Key (Pre-Test)
2. Milestones Levels (Same as the Achievement Level Descriptors with the exception that the document is color coded and divided up by domain (Life, Physical, Earth)

1. 3rd Grade:

1. 4th Grade:

1. 5th Grade:

1. Directions

1. Give the assessment after covering material (you must manage your pacing so that you can use a block of time to give the assessment.)

• If you give the assessment without covering the material, data from the uncovered material may be obvious (i.e. not covered = deficiency)
• This needs to be given, scored, and analyzed prior to spring break so that when students return the review can be domain/indicator focused.

1. Look at the domain alignment in the answer key and score the assessment based on the % of questions correct in each domain.

• There are 12 Life Science, 8 Physical Science, and 4 Earth Science questions for a total of 24 questions).
• Do the percentages for each domain.

1. There are 2 days after spring break for review. I advise using the data from the domain analysis to review.

• If a student does well on physical science but poorly on life and earth science then focus one day on life science and one day on earth science.
• Prioritize the review based on data (domain based) and the exam blueprints (percent of domains on the test and the levels document).
• Be specific. Use the indicator guide to focus your remediation.

1. If you need additional support reach out to us.

1. Understanding the format and grading of the Test

1. Summary: Out of 75 questions only 55 will count toward the score. 10 Items are field tested and have no impact on the score. There are 20 Norm Referenced Items, of which only half (10) are aligned to Georgia’s standards. The 10 that are aligned will count toward the score we see. The other half (10) of the items will be used to compare Georgia to the rest of the nation. This “other half” will not impact the student’s score. The 45 aligned items are criterion referenced

1. Norm Referenced – Compares students to a hypothetical average student (either below, at, or above the norm)

1. Criterion Referenced – measure a student’s performance against a fixed set of criteria. This is the bulk of the students’ scores so use the indicators to help your students.

Description / Number of Items / Points for CR1 Score / Points for NRT2 Feedback
CR Selected-ResponseItems / 45 / 45 / 0
NRT Selected-ResponseItems / 203 / 104 / 20
CR Field Test Items / 10 / 0 / 0
TotalItems/Points5 / 75 / 55 / 20

1CR—Criterion-Referenced: items aligned to state-adopted content standards

2NRT—Norm-Referenced Test: items that will yield a national comparison; may or may not be aligned to state-adopted content standards

3Of these items, 10 will contribute to both the CR scores and NRT feedback. The other 10 of these items will contribute to NRT feedback only and will not impact the student’s Achievement Level designation, scale score, or grade conversion.

4Alignment of national NRT items to course content standards was verified by a committee of Georgia educators. Only approved, aligned NRT items will contribute to a student’s CR Achievement Level designation, scale score, and grade conversion score.

5Total number of items contributing to CR score: 55; total points: 55; total number of items contributing to NRT feedback: 20; total points: 20