Coffee with the Principal

1. Coffee with the Principal MS Assessments Regents examinations Common Core Standards (CCS) Q/A

2. MS Assessments The construct/item difficulty/item numbers have all been changed over the past two years, with most changes occurring last year. NYSED predicted that these changes would cause over 1,200 new schools across NYS to NOT make AYP. Despite all of these changes, Seward did make AYP.

3. How did this happen? Students needed to perform at a higher level, on more challenging assessments. Teachers and schools did not have a solid view of what would be tested. Tests contained curricular inconsistencies. Example-math skills expected at seventh grade level and curriculum appeared on grade six exam.

4. Cut score changes: ELA Grade 2 3 4 2 3 4 Grade 3 616 650 720 643 662 694 Grade 4 612 650 716 637 668 720 Grade 5 608 650 711 647 666 700 Grade 6 598 650 696 644 662 694 Grade 7 600 650 705 642 664 698 Grade 8 602 650 715 627 658 699

5. Cut score changes: mathematics Grade 2 3 4 2 3 4 Grade 3 624 650 703 661 684 707 Grade 4 622 650 702 636 676 707 Grade 5 619 650 699 640 674 702 Grade 6 616 650 696 640 674 699 Grade 7 611 650 693 639 670 694 Grade 8 616 650 701 639 673 702

6. What are we doing? More depth in instruction. More extensive writing/reading instruction with emphasis on writing and reading for a purpose. Data analysis showed that students have difficulty with: directions, writing for purpose, using supporting details from text, reading & interpreting graphs & tables, inferential questions & estimation/prediction. Master schedule changes: period four common prep for core teachers, weekly meetings with Principal to review data, common core standards, student progress. As well, grade seven students attend an ELA prep class that focuses upon areas identified by data collection.

7. What can you do? Stress READING! Reading is the single largest factor in improving comprehension, writing, vocabulary and communication skills. Students who are avid readers do significantly better in school. Stress STUDYING: completing homework is not enough. Studying notes each night for � hour will improve grades by 5-15 points! Model and talk about education being the ticket to a bright future.

8. Questions? Next topic: Regents examinations and PARCC tests.

9. Regents examinations The following Regents examinations are no longer given: All foreign language. There will be January Regents examinations this year. We do not know if they will be offered in years to come. This impacts upon students that require more than one administration of the examinations to pass. All students must pass five Regents examinations with a score of 65% or better to graduate. (only exception: classified students)

10. Required examinations Regents diploma: Integrated Algebra (gr. 9), a science (Living Environment/Earth Science, gr. 9 or 10), Global Studies (gr. 10), US History (gr. 11), ELA (gr. 11) Must have score of at least 65% We typically have 85-100% of students pass each test on first try, 100% pass after 2 or more tries. Graduation rate of 96-99% each year. https://reportcards.nysed.gov/

11. Twenty four state system. Developing tests that will be administered across all twenty four states. Would replace Regents examinations in NYS. Scheduled for release in the 2014-15 school year, as of now. Are measures of college & career readiness, anchored in ELA and mathematics. Other subjects being developed, as well. http://www.parcconline.org/about-parcc

12. Questions? Next topic: Common Core Standards

13. CCS EngageNY website http://engageny.org/

14. Questions?