CMT PARENT
INFORMATION NIGHT
February 8, 2012
BIELEFIELD SCHOOL
Presented by
Bielefield Teachers Grades 3, 4, 5
Lynne Ramage, EIST
Jeff Fournier, Principal
WHAT IS THE CMT?
• NCLB requires testing for each student in
grades 3-8 (CMT) and grade 10 (CAPT)
• CMT4 is administered in March to coincide
with CAPT testing
• The CMT covers reading, writing, math and
science (since March 2009 in Grade 5)
• CMT has been used to measure growth and
achievement since 1985
WHAT DOES THE CMT
ACCOMPLISH?
• Sets high performance standards
• Provides information regarding student
achievement
• Promotes better instruction by
providing reports on student, school and
district strengths and weaknesses
• Helps identify students who are in need
of additional assistance
• Accountability
DETAILS ABOUT THE CMT4
• Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) is
scheduled for March 5-22
• Make-up days.
• CMT has been used to measure growth
and achievement since 1985.
• The CMT4 scores are reported by
strand.
READING
Reading score is based on a combination of scores:
• Degrees of Reading Power (DRP)
(50%)
• Reading Comprehension
(50%)
CMT measures four areas:
Forming a General Understanding
Developing Interpretation
Making Reader/Text Connections
Examining Content and Structure
Contexts for reading:
Reading for Literary Experience
Reading for Information
Reading to Perform a Task (grade 5)
READING
(Reported as a combined score)
DEGREES OF READING POWER (DRP)
45 minutes
Grades 3 & 4
Grade 5
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•
•
•
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one session
6 passages (42 multiple-choice items)
7 passages (49 multiple-choice items)
measures how well students understand the meaning of text
non-fiction passages and multiple choice items
sentences with blank spaces
students choose correct word for blank
must read whole passage
READING COMPREHENSION
45 minutes
2 passages per session
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•
•
•
two sessions (90 minutes total)
(4 passages total)
requires students to read passages and respond to questions
uses authentic, published passages which vary in length
multiple-choice, open-ended questions
must read, reconsider or reread certain sections to answer
WRITING
The Writing score is based on a combination of scores:
• Direct Assessment of Writing (DAW)
(60%)
• Editing and Revising
(40%)
WRITING
(Reported as a combined score)
DIRECT ASSESSMENT OF WRITING
45 minutes
Grades 3 & 4
narrative
Grade 5
expository
•
•
•
students write a story in response to a prompt
emphasis is on how well students communicate messages rather than
spelling or punctuation
six-point holistic scale used to score
EDITING & REVISING
60 minutes
•
•
•
1 writing prompt (60% weight)
4 passages (40% weight)
each passage combines editing and composing/revising items in a multiple
choice format
items written to include the sentence in the stem so that students are not
forced to go back to the passage
focuses on the student's ability to proofread another student's writing
MATHEMATICS
The Mathematics test assesses students in a variety of
ways so that they may show their mastery of basic
skills and concepts along with their ability to solve
realistic problems.
• 25 content strands are tested and scores are
reported by strand
• The strands are organized by four standards:
–
–
–
–
numerical and proportional reasoning
geometry and measurement
working with data: probability and statistics; and
algebraic reasoning: patterns and functions.
MATHEMATICS
Grade 3 & 4
2 sessions
calculators)
Grade 5
3 sessions
60 min. each session (no
60 min. each session
• address basic skills, concepts, ability to solve real
problems multiple choice, open-ended (short
answer)
• grid items at grade 5 only; rulers for some
sessions
• calculators allowed for grade 5 in sessions 2 & 3
SCIENCE
The Science score is based on a combination of scores:
• Science Knowledge
• Inquiry
(57%)
(43%)
SCIENCE
The SCIENCE test assesses students in a variety of
ways so that they may show their mastery of basic
factual knowledge, conceptual understanding, and
application of knowledge and skills.
• B.1 to B.25 Framework Expected Performances (21
items)
• BINQ 1 to BINQ 10 Framework Inquiry Performances
(18 items) – 3 to 6 or these are related to curriculumembedded tasks
• 3 short written response items assess CONTENT
HINTS FOR SUCCESS
•
•
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Practice testing procedures with teachers so familiar with format.
Ask teacher questions if unclear about something.
Talk to your parents or teachers about concerns you might have.
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•
Relax and stay focused during the test period.
Remember that you may underline or take a margin note as you
read.
Grade 5 may use calculators during math sessions 2 and 3.
Pace yourself – don’t spend too much time on one question. Do your
best, then move on.
Fill in bubbles fully, write neatly, and erase stray marks, but don’t
spend too much time worrying about neatness.
If your arm tires, relax the grip and give those muscles a break.
It’s okay not to know everything – just do your best and keep
going.
TestPrepFun practice
Think positive thoughts. Be confident – you can do it!
• Get a good night’s sleep and eat a good breakfast.
• Attend school and come to school on time.
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Multiple Choice Items:
• Read the questions and all answer choices before
marking anything.
• Do not change answers unless you are very uncertain
about your first answer choice.
• Try to answer every question.
• Make the most intelligent guess you can.
• Use process of elimination – after you have been
through all the questions once, eliminate choices you
know are incorrect.
• Find key words or phrases in the question that will
help you choose the correct answer.
• If you finish early, check to make sure you have
answered all questions.
• Make sure you understand what the question is asking.
Be sure to respond to the question that is being asked.
Reading Passages
Read questions before reading the passages, so you
know what you are looking for as you read.
Look for clues in the other questions.
Math Computation
• When using scratch paper, double check to make
sure you have copied the problem correctly from
the test booklet.
• Line up place value correctly on your scratch
paper or the answer will be incorrect.
• If your answer does not match one of the choices,
reread the problem, recopy the numbers, then try
again.
• If any time remains, spend it on questions about
which you are most unsure
Test, Prep, & Fun
Online CMT practice
http://www.testprepfun.com/
Working Together
Thank you, parents & students for
coming!