Field Tests …
Tests of the test questions
Jeff Nellhaus, PARCC, Inc.
Louisiana Common Core Implementation Conference
February 19, 2014
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Purpose of the session
• Provide information about the …
– PARCC consortium
– Design of the PARCC assessment system
– Spring 2014 Field tests
• Hear your comments and suggestions
• Answer questions
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Handouts
•
•
•
•
3
PPT Presentation
Understanding the PARCC Field Test (2-pager)
List of Field Test Training Modules
Checklist for Getting Read
The PARCC Consortium
• 17 states and the
District of
Columbia
• Led by Chief State
School Officers of
governing states
• 11 million
students in tested
grades
2
PARCC’s Priorities
Develop and Implement a High Quality Assessment System
• Measure
–
–
Student performance on the full range of the Common Core Standards
All students with precision, including high- to low-performing students,
students with disabilities and English learners
• Report
–
–
Whether students are ready for college & careers or on track
Comparable data across schools, districts & states
• Provide
–
–
Actionable information & tools to support instruction
Reliable data for accountability uses
• Innovate
–
By using technology to engage students & create efficiencies in all phases of
the assessment process from test development to reporting
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The PARCC Assessment System
more than just a test
Beginning of School Year
End of School Year
Flexible scheduling
Diagnostic
Assessment
Mid-Year
Assessment
Speaking and
Listening
Assessment
PerformanceBased
Assessment
End-of-Year
Assessment
Legend
Formative
optional
Summative
required
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Focus of Summative
Assessment Components
Performance-Based Component
End-of-Year Component
ELA/Literacy
Writing essays drawing evidence
from sources, including multimedia
ELA/Literacy
Demonstrating comprehension
(including vocabulary) of literary
and informational texts
Math
Solving multi-step problems that
address reasoning and real world
situations
Math
Demonstrating conceptual
understanding, fluency, and short
applications
PBA and EOY Combined = Total Score
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Focus of Formative
Components
Diagnostic Assessments
• Grades 2-8
• Reading, Writing,
Mathematics
• Computer-based, adaptive
• Designed to pinpoint
strengths and weaknesses
Mid-Year Assessments
• Grades 3-11
• ELA/Literacy and Math
• Computer-and paper-based
modules comprised of
released PARCC items
• Designed to serve a variety of
purposes:
– interim assessments
– classroom assignments
– practice with new item types
and computer-based
interactions
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Purpose of Field Tests
The field tests are
designed to generate
data to evaluate the
quality of the test
questions
• They will also
provide an
opportunity for a
number of
important
research studies
• But are not
designed to yield
individual
student, school, or
district results
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Schools in 14 States & DC
are Participating in the Field Tests
• Over 1 million
students will
participate
• Nearly 16,000 schools
• In most cases , 1-3
grades per school, 2
classrooms per grade
• Most student take
one component in
one content area
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Field Tests Benefits
• Students become familiar with new item types and
the test delivery platform
• Teachers provide feedback on the administration
• Technology Coordinators evaluate their schools’
technology systems
• Parents learn more about PARCC
• Administrators evaluate overall staff, student and
community readiness
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PARCC is Developing Both
Computer- and Paper-Based Tests
• Field Tests
– Most students will use PARCC’s computer-based
platform
– Paper-and-pencil versions of the field tests will
also be administered
• Tests in 2014–2015 and onward
– Paper versions will be available for schools still in
the process of gearing up
– Goal is for all students to take PARCC assessments
on computer within a few years
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Timeline 2014
January
Feb
March
Support for School
Staff
• Regional workshops
• On-Site Visits
• Manuals & Training
modules
April
May
PBA
Field Test
EOY
Field Test
March 24–
April 11
May 6–
June 6
June
July
August
Sept
• Call Center
• Tools to check
computer systems &
conduct “dress
rehearsals”
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Practice Tests
Research Findings
Sample Items and Practice Tests
• Sample items available now!
– For students and educators
– www.parcconline.org/computer-based-samples
• Practice tests coming soon!
– For the general public
– Available this spring
• Both sample items and practice tests are designed to help
students familiarize students with the item types and with the
technology platform before taking a full test in spring 2015
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Tutorial for how to use
TestNav8
A tutorial for using TestNav8 is available now for
students and educators
www.parcconline.org/computer-based-samples
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What’s Next for PARCC
2014
Spring
Summer/Fall
2015
Winter/Spring
Summer
2016
Fall
Students
take field
tests
PARCC
Mid-year
begins
assessments
building tests available
Performance Diagnostic
level cut
assessments
scores set
available
PARCC
releases
practice
tests
Findings
from
research
reported
Results of
first
operational
assessments
released
Students take
operational
tests
Fall
Colleges &
universities
use scores to
place
student into
creditbearing
courses
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Transparency and Capacity
Resources and On-the-Ground Supports
• Model Content Frameworks
– www.parcconline.org/parcc-model-content-frameworks
• Test Specifications and Blueprints
– http://www.parcconline.org/assessment-blueprints-test-specs
• Sample items and tutorials for every tested subject and grade
– http://practice.parcc.testnav.com/#
• Educator Leaders Cadres
– Public ELC portal for educator resources!
– http://parcc.nms.org/
• Test Administration Training Modules
– PowerPoint and voice recorded guidance to guide test administration
– Register here: parcc.pearson.com/tms
• Practice Test
– Spring 2014: PARCConline.org
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In conclusion …
• PARCC aims to develop tests worth
taking, made up of texts worth
reading and problems worth
solving
• Full of the kinds of questions that
great teachers routinely ask
students
• Your involvement in implementing
the new system is critical and
greatly appreciated!!
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More Information
For further details, please visit PARCC online at:
www.parcconline.org/field-test
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