NC State Testing Program

NC State Testing Program

Gateway Year

Grade 3 Pretest

Suspension of the Pretest–Grade 3

Due to the economic situation, the Pretest–Grade 3 in Reading Comprehension and Mathematics is suspended for the 2009–10 school year. The North Carolina K–2 Literacy and Math Assessment data, given to grade 2 students during 2008–09 and placed in students’ cumulative folders, may be used to inform teachers and parents about how well students mastered the grade 2 reading comprehension and mathematics goals and objectives.

• What is the North Carolina Testing Program?

Each year, our 3rd graders take the state EOG test. This test is multiple choice and has three parts:

Reading

Math – Calculator Active

Math – Calculator Inactive

- These curriculum-based achievement tests are specifically

aligned to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study

and include a variety of strategies to measure the

achievement of North Carolina students.

What does the Testing Data represent?

-Testing Data allows teachers, administrators, and the

state to determine each child’s

Percentile – allows you to compare your child’s performance on the test this year to all North Carolina students who took the test in the norming year. The higher the percentile, the better the student performed.

Developmental Scale Score – comparison of your child’s scores by subject from one grade to the next. (like a ruler that measures growth in reading and math from year to year). These scores are expected to grow each year.

Achievement Levels– are performance standards that allow your child’s performance to be compared to grade level expectations.

Table 2. Achievement Levels for North Carolina End of Grade Test—Grade 3 Mathematics

Level / Description / Scale Score Range
1 / Achievement Level I:
Students performing at this level do not have sufficient mastery of knowledge and skills in this subject area to be successful at the next grade level.
Students performing at Achievement Level I show minimal conceptual understanding and computational accuracy and often respond with inappropriate answers or procedures. They rarely use problem-solving strategies.
2 / Achievement Level II:
Students performing at this level demonstrate inconsistent mastery of knowledge and skills in this subject area and are minimally prepared to be successful at the next grade level.
Students performing at Achievement Level II typically show some evidence of conceptual understanding and computational accuracy and sometimes respond with appropriate answers or procedures. They demonstrate limited use of problem-solving strategies.
3 / Achievement Level III:
Students performing at this level consistently demonstrate mastery of grade level subject matter and skills and are well prepared for the next grade level.
Students performing at Achievement Level III generally show conceptual understanding, compute accurately, and respond with appropriate answers or procedures. They use a variety of problem-solving strategies.
4 / Achievement Level IV:
Students performing at this level consistently perform in a superior manner clearly beyond that required to be proficient at grade level work.
Students performing at Achievement Level IV commonly show a high level of conceptual understanding, compute accurately, and respond consistently with appropriate answers or procedures. They demonstrate flexibility by using a variety of problem-solving strategies.

• How is the testing data used?

Used to determine student proficiency.

• What is being done to help ensure my child’s success on state testing and throughout the year?

-Monitored student progress throughout the year through classroom assessments, benchmarks, and teacher evaluations.

- Monitored attendance and involvement

- Remediation and Enrichment (Intervention)

• What if my child does not reach a Level III or IV?

In-school Intervention

Retest

• What if my child does not pass the retest?

Summer School Session

Possible Retest

• What if my child attends summer school but does not pass the retest at the end of the session?

Administration, teachers and parents conference

• What if I do/do not want my child retained?

Important that students participate in all provided interventions and

retests.

-Attendance

-Homework

-Student participation

• Why is it important for my child to score a III or IV on the End of Grade Test?

- proficiency

- student growth

Key Features of the Reading Comprehension Test

? Reading and knowledge of vocabulary are assessed by having students read selections and then answer questions related to the selections.

? The reading comprehension test at grades 3–5 consists of 52 items.

? The selections on the test are reading materials chosen to reflect the variety of actual reading done by students in and out of the classroom.

? Students read literary selections (i.e., fiction, nonfiction, and poetry) and informational selections (i.e., content and consumer).

? The variety of selections allows for the assessment of reading for various purposes: for literary experience, to gain information, and to perform a task.

Key Features of the Mathematics Test

? The mathematics test assesses student achievement in the five strands of the mathematics curriculum: (1) Number and Operations, (2) Measurement, (3) Geometry, (4) Data Analysis and Probability, and (5) Algebra.

? The 82-item test (including field test items) is administered in two parts: Calculator Active (54 questions) and Calculator Inactive (28 questions).

? Students are allowed to use calculators during the Calculator Active part (66%) of the test. Students are not allowed to use calculators during the Calculator Inactive part (34%) of the test.

? The mathematics tests are administered on two consecutive days.

Questions

Meeting with your child’s teacher on a regular basis provides you with the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress. The teacher can also provide you with ideas for supporting your child’s learning in the home. It is appropriate for students to know what is expected of them and to be sure they are involved in the process. Students also need to be involved in setting goals and developing plans for their education.

Being active in your child’s education will allow for success in school and at home!!!