PARCC Testing
ASSESSMENT BULLETIN
The ongoing assessment program provides students, parents, educators, and the general public with valuable information about student and school performance. Assessment is a crucial part of the instructional program.
Often parents and guardians ask what they can do to help their children perform well on assessments. Parents/Guardians should make sure that their children come to school on time every day. It is imperative that all students be present and on time on assessment days. Please encourage your children to get proper rest, and to eat well-balanced, nutritious meals. Also, please avoid scheduling appointments or trips during assessment days. Lastly, encourage your children to do their very best work on assessment days.
PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) Reading and Math Testing
The English/Language Arts (ELA) and Math PARCC testing administration begins on Monday, March 2nd through Friday, March 27th. We will administer the paper-pencil version of the ELA tests; however, the mathematics tests will be administered online. Please see your Math teacher for your child’s specific testing days. Please see the general schedule below.
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Date
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Grade and Content
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3/2
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Grades 6, 7, 8 ELA Unit 1
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3/3
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Grades 6, 7, 8 ELA Unit 2
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3/4
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Grades 6, 7, 8 ELA Unit 3
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3/5 and 3/6
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Make-Up Testing
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3/9-3/12
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Grade 7- Math Online
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3/13-3/18
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Grade 6- Math Online
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3/19-3/24
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Grade 8- Math Online
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3/25-3/27
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Make-Up Testing
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Included in this bulletin is important information about important assessment procedures, including test taking skills and strategies and the prohibited use of cellular phones and other electronic devices during a testing session.
We are further required to tell you that visitors will not be permitted in the school building during the PARCC testing. This is necessary in order to diminish distractions for test takers; and, to ensure the security of the testing materials. We thank you in advance for your cooperation with this temporary procedure.
Please take a moment to review the contents of this bulletin with your child as we work together to ensure his/her success.
Cellular Phones and Other Electronic Devices
During PARCC Testing
Each year, the state of Maryland (MSDE) releases lists of those things that are prohibited in schools during the actual administration of state-mandated assessments. MSDE has released the following list of items that are strictly prohibited during the test administration:
- Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) such as Palm Pilots
- ALL cellular telephones (including camera phones)
- iPods and other MP3 players
- Cameras (all types)
- Other personal electronic equipment
- Any electronic equipment capable of performing computations, providing assistance in either content area, or making a physical representation of the assessment materials
What this means for students and teachers is that no one may have any electronic equipment of any kind, including cellular telephones, in the testing locations during any PARCC test. If students bring cell phones, or other electronic devices to school on those days, they MUST be turned off (not put on vibrate) and placed in hall lockers before the assessment.
As you know, students in Baltimore County may have cellular telephones as long as they are turned off and out of sight during the school day. Therefore, students may get their phones from their lockers after they complete the assessment.
Please work with us to ensure an efficient and successful test administration by explaining this temporary, but necessary, telephone and electronic device restriction during PARCC testing. Again, all cell phones and other electronic equipment must be turned off and stored in HALL LOCKERS during the PARCC test administrations. We thank you for your continuing support.
General Study Skills Information for Parents
Test-Taking Skills and Strategies
By discussing the following strategies, parents can support their children in improving their test-taking skills.
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Before the Test
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During the Test
- □Listen to or read all directions.
- □Set a pace that will allow time to complete the test.
- Survey the test to sense the length of the test and types of questions.
- Answer the easier questions first. Statements within the test may refresh your memory.
- Use your time wisely when answering difficult questions.
- □Carefully read test items.
- □Record your best answer to each question.
- Follow directions when marking the answer sheet. Check to be sure that the item number and response on the answer sheet match.
- Answer all of the questions. Make informed guesses rather than omitting items or leaving sections blank.
- If time permits, go back and check your answers.
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Hints for Specific Types of Questions
Matching
- Examine both lists to determine the types of items and their relationship.
- Read all of the items before making any matches.
- To organize your thinking, use one list as a starting point and go through the second list to find a match.
- Cross off items on the second list when you are certain that you have a match.
- Do not guess until all absolute matches have been made.
Multiple Choice / Selected Response
- Read each question with the intention of answering it without the answer choices.
- Read all of the answer choices before selecting your answer.
- Use the process of elimination if you are unsure of the correct answer.
- Do not look for patterns. Rely on your knowledge.
Essay / Brief Constructed Response / Extended Constructed Response
- Be sure to read the whole question before attempting to answer.
- Often essay-type questions have multiple parts. Numbering, lettering, or bulleting may indicate these parts. Answer each part of the question.
- Identify and highlight or underline the verbs that give you direction. These are the words that describe the task that you are expected to complete.
- Plan your response before you write.
- Answer the question, citing evidence to support your answer and using supporting details to elaborate your response.
- If there is a narrative passage that accompanies the question, read it carefully and highlight or underline key information that you can use as support when you write your answer.
- Use standard English composition principles as you compose and write your answer.
- In problems requiring mathematics or calculations, show your work.
- Always proofread your answer.
March Newsletter
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Please note that archived newsletters are found under the News Tab at the top of the home page.
Yearbook Sales
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Volunteer Opportunities for Parents!
- School Store – Daily at 7:45 a.m.
- Ben Carson Reading Room – Daily, throughout the day
- Library – Daily, Flexible
Contact Amy Felton at afelton@bcps.org for more information. All volunteers need to complete training.
School Supply List
Please click here to see our suggested supply list for students.
BCPS One-card System
Please click here to see an explanation of the BCPSOne card system.