Grades 6-8
• To measure student performance
• To track student progress
• To meet state and federal accountability
requirements
Test Overview
• Sections
Language Arts
Literacy
 (Reading and Writing)
Mathematics
Science
 (only grades 4 and 8)
Grades 7-8
April 28 – May 1, 2014
Day 1 – Monday, April 28, 2014 – Language Arts Literacy
Day 2 – Tuesday April 29, 2014 – Language Arts Literacy
Day 3 – Wednesday, April 30, 2014 – Mathematics
Day 4 – Thursday, May 1, 2014 – Mathematics (Grade 7 only)
Science (Grade 8 only)
Grade 6
May 5 – May 8, 2014
Day 1 – Monday, May 5, 2014 – Language Arts Literacy
Day 2 – Tuesday, May 6, 2014 – Language Arts Literacy
Day 3 – Wednesday, May 7, 2014 – Mathematics
Day 4 – Thursday, May 8, 2014 – Mathematics
Writing
Writing Tasks
Students will have 2 writing tasks to
complete:
• Explanatory/ Speculative
• Argument/ Persuasive
Grades 6-8
Sample Argument Writing Prompt
Writing Situation
Educational researchers claim that student learning will
improve if all printed textbooks are replaced with electronic
textbooks, known as e-textbooks. Based on the researchers’
findings, students in your school will be issued an e-textbook
reader, which is a device that displays electronic books.
Writing Task
Write an essay either supporting or opposing the claim
that student learning will improve if all student textbooks are
replaced with electronic reading books. Use your knowledge
and your own experience or observation to develop your essay.
Use reasons, facts, examples and/or other evidence to
support your position.
Grades 6-8
Sample Explanatory Writing Prompt
Consider how the following quotation is related to you.
“Even you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”
-Will Rogers
Cherokee-American, cowboy,
comedian, and actor
Write an essay for your language arts teacher explaining what this
quotation means to you. Use details, reasons and examples in your
explanation.
Reading
Sample Multiple Choice in the Reading
Section
After reading an informative article, a student might be asked a
questions like:
Which sentence best states the central idea of the
article?
A. Asimov’s short stories are still read today.
B. Asimov had an exciting and adventurous life.
C. Asimov’s childhood helped him succeed as an
author.
D. Asimov preferred reading to working in his
father’s candy store.
Sample Open Ended Question
Isaac Asimov became a popular science fiction writer.
• Based on the article, identify one reason why
Asimov’s stories were popular.
• Based on the article, would scientists be interested
in reading Asimov’s science fiction stories? Explain.
Use specific information from the selection and any
additional insight to support your response. Write
your answer in your answer folder.
Mathematics
Mathematics: Grades 6-8
Students will have to answer
multiple choice questions, short
constructed responses and
extended constructed
response.
Mathematics
Mathematics
Science
Science – Grade 8
Science assessments include multiple
choice questions and open ended items
broken down into the following categories:
Life Science – 40% of the test
Physical Science – 30% of the test
Earth Science – 30% of the test
Ethanol (C2H5OH) reacts with oxygen (O2) to form carbon dioxide
(CO2) and water (H20).
The reaction is represented by the chemical equation:
C2H5OH + _?_ O2  2CO2 + 3H20
How many molecules of oxygen are required in this reaction?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
Two different bars of soap are being investigated by a group of
students. They measured the mass and volume of each bar and
recorded the results in the table below.
Soap
Mass (g)
Volume (cm3)
A
110
100
B
95
100
a) Calculate the density of each bar of soap. Show your work.
b) The diagram below represents a container of water. Draw
and label the positions that soap bar A and soap bar B
would occupy if they were placed in this container.
c) Explain why you drew each bar of soap in the position
selected.
What Can You Do
For Your Child?
Essential Daily
Routines
Check and sign your child’s homework by
verifying assignments by viewing the
homework websites.
Ensure that your child is in school every
day and on time.
• District Policy = 100% attendance
• Make up any work that is missed
when the child is absent.
Keep track of your child’s progress by
keeping constant communication with their
teachers and signing Grade Reporting
Sheet
A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP…
Limit use of technology such
as phones, video games and
social media to ensure that
your children are getting the
rest they need in order to be
alert, productive and focused
in school.
HABITS FOR SUCCESS!
• Read at least 30 minutes
per night.
• Study notes in all areas
daily.
• Seek additional help in and
out of school.
• Eat healthy meals daily.