Tips for Preparing Students to Respond to OAT OGT Constructed Response Questions

1. Tips for Preparing Students to Respond to OAT & OGT Constructed Response Questions Source: The Ides of ODE Offices of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment December 2007

2. Constructed Response Questions Ask students to� Communicate understanding of important information by focusing on key ideas presented Use information for a variety of tasks Solve problems, analyze data, support conclusions Compare and contrast, make connections

3. Constructed Response Strategy #1 Read each question carefully Some students may need to read the question �out loud� in their heads. Watch for key words Focus on specific content A different version of the read �out loud �in their heads, is the �whisper read�, a technique used with students that need to read the question out loud, but in a soft voice.A different version of the read �out loud �in their heads, is the �whisper read�, a technique used with students that need to read the question out loud, but in a soft voice.

4. Constructed Response Strategy #2 Pay attention to the language used in the item Key or Trigger Words Performance Verbs Explain, identify, compare, etc� Signal Words for Multiple Tasks First, then, next, etc� Examine practice tests and identify key words, signal words and performance verbs

5. Constructed Response Strategy #3 Paraphrase the question when designing the answer PPQIA = Please Put the Question in the Answer Use this strategy to help think through the organization and structure of the response Remind students this does not earn them extra points Helps students focus on the concept or ideas being assessed and serves to organize and structure their responses. It is very important to clarify that students DO NOT receive at least one point for paraphrasing the question.Helps students focus on the concept or ideas being assessed and serves to organize and structure their responses. It is very important to clarify that students DO NOT receive at least one point for paraphrasing the question.

6. Constructed Response Strategy #4 Use information from the provided test materials to frame or support answers Examples: Reading Selection Laboratory Scenario Mathematical Problems Geographical Discussions

7. Constructed Response Strategy #5 & #6 Label answers Use specific nouns (instead of pronouns) when referring to concepts, characters or ideas Especially helpful with multi-layered questions Re-read responses when done Is it complete, thorough and accurate? Does it make sense?

8. Resources Visit the D3A2 Resource Exchange ODE Released Test Items NAEP Items Cleveland Municipal Assessment Items

9. Resources Visit the ODE Web site, Testing and Assessment, Released Tests Practice Tests Visit the Success Web site Practice Tests ODE Released Test Items

10. References Burke, Jim. (2001). Illuminating Texts: How to Teach Students to Read the World. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Cole, Ardith D. (2006). Right-Answer Writing: An All-in-One Resource to Help Students Craft Better Responses. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Cole, Ardith D. (2002). Better Answers: Written Performance that Looks Good and Sounds Smart. Portland, ME: Stenhouse.

11. Tips for Preparing Students to Respond to OAT & OGT Constructed Response Questions Source: The Ides of ODE Offices of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment December 2007