Understanding the Understanding the TerraNova TestTerraNova Test

Testing Dates: May 11-15 2015Testing Dates: May 11-15 2015

Kindergarten to Grade 2Kindergarten to Grade 2

What is TerraNovaWhat is TerraNova

Terra Nova is a norm-referenced nationally Terra Nova is a norm-referenced nationally standardized Achievement test.standardized Achievement test.

Nationally standardized means that the test was administered Nationally standardized means that the test was administered to students across the country. Norms are also set for the time to students across the country. Norms are also set for the time of year the tests are taken.of year the tests are taken.

Achievement vs. ProficiencyAchievement vs. Proficiency

The TerraNova is an achievement test, not a The TerraNova is an achievement test, not a proficiency test such as the state administers. proficiency test such as the state administers. Proficiency tests are those in which students Proficiency tests are those in which students have been taught all of the content and are have been taught all of the content and are now being tested on whether or not they now being tested on whether or not they ““gotgot”” it. Achievement tests include content students it. Achievement tests include content students may not have been specifically taught, but that may not have been specifically taught, but that they could be expected to have mastered they could be expected to have mastered according to their cognitive ability.according to their cognitive ability.

Why the TerraNova?Why the TerraNova?

TerraNova is one of the most respected and widely used TerraNova is one of the most respected and widely used achievement tests, measuring mastery in the core subjects. achievement tests, measuring mastery in the core subjects. Its design is fresh and user-friendly, and its content Its design is fresh and user-friendly, and its content current.current.

TerraNova provides detailed diagnostic information, TerraNova provides detailed diagnostic information, norm- and criterion- referenced scores, and performance-norm- and criterion- referenced scores, and performance-level data.level data.

Tests results are available online just a few days after Tests results are available online just a few days after submitting them for scoring. submitting them for scoring.

TerraNovaTerraNova’’s alignment to state and s alignment to state and national standardsnational standards

TerraNova aligns to state standards and the National TerraNova aligns to state standards and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) framework.Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) framework.

TerraNova, Third Edition, for reading, language, math, TerraNova, Third Edition, for reading, language, math, science, and social studies, features a carefully researched test science, and social studies, features a carefully researched test blueprint that reflects today's challenging standards for blueprint that reflects today's challenging standards for content and performance. With customized research studies, content and performance. With customized research studies,

TerraNova, Third Edition can report student achievement TerraNova, Third Edition can report student achievement relative to state standards and can be used to predict likely relative to state standards and can be used to predict likely outcomes on a state's NCLB exam.outcomes on a state's NCLB exam.

TerraNova ComponentsTerraNova Components Kindergarten: Complete Battery:Kindergarten: Complete Battery: All multiple choice All multiple choice

items.items. Includes subtests: Reading, Language, Includes subtests: Reading, Language, Mathematics. Mathematics.

70 questions/ 1:3570 questions/ 1:35

Grades 1 and 2: Complete Battery: All multiple choice Grades 1 and 2: Complete Battery: All multiple choice items. Includes subtests: Reading, Language, Mathematics. items. Includes subtests: Reading, Language, Mathematics. Grade 1: 107 questions/ 2:40Grade 1: 107 questions/ 2:40

Grade 2: 142 questions/ 3:00 Grade 2: 142 questions/ 3:00

What does this tell us about a What does this tell us about a childchild’’s learning?s learning?

The TerraNova achievement scores indicate how well the The TerraNova achievement scores indicate how well the child is doing in relation to students across the country. child is doing in relation to students across the country.

These tests are commonly used to provide valid, reliable, and These tests are commonly used to provide valid, reliable, and unbiased information about students' knowledge in various unbiased information about students' knowledge in various areas. areas.

"Standardized" means that the test is always given and scored "Standardized" means that the test is always given and scored the same way. The same questions are asked and the same the same way. The same questions are asked and the same directions are given for each test. Specific time limits are set, directions are given for each test. Specific time limits are set, and each student's performance may be compared with that of and each student's performance may be compared with that of all the other students taking the same test.all the other students taking the same test.

How will we know how students How will we know how students performed on the Terra Nova?performed on the Terra Nova?

Information pertaining to studentsInformation pertaining to students’’ test results will be test results will be provided in an online report. This report gives an overview of provided in an online report. This report gives an overview of how a child is doing in all areas tested when compared to how a child is doing in all areas tested when compared to students across the nation.students across the nation.

The scores are returned in National Percentiles The 50The scores are returned in National Percentiles The 50 thth percentile means that a student is on grade level.percentile means that a student is on grade level.

““Average scoresAverage scores”” follow a bell-shaped curve, with most follow a bell-shaped curve, with most students falling between the 25students falling between the 25thth (low average) and 75 (low average) and 75thth (high (high average) percentiles.average) percentiles.

What types of reports will we receive? What types of reports will we receive?

TerraNova 3TerraNova 3 reports include the following features: reports include the following features: A clear description of the intended purpose and audienceA clear description of the intended purpose and audience An explanation of how to interpret the reportAn explanation of how to interpret the report Comparative data on how students or groups are performing Comparative data on how students or groups are performing

with respect to other students or groups (locally and with respect to other students or groups (locally and nationally)nationally)

A statement about what the test data suggestA statement about what the test data suggest Information about how students are performing with respect to Information about how students are performing with respect to

instructional objectivesinstructional objectives State Proficiency reports featuring item-by-item alignments to State Proficiency reports featuring item-by-item alignments to

your state standardsyour state standards

How can I help my students do their How can I help my students do their best on the test?best on the test?

Explain the purpose of the test to your students. Let them Explain the purpose of the test to your students. Let them know that the test will be useful in identifying the skills and know that the test will be useful in identifying the skills and knowledge that they have already mastered and those they knowledge that they have already mastered and those they need to learn.need to learn.

Convey a positive attitude about the test and encourage your Convey a positive attitude about the test and encourage your students to do their best. Let them know that some of the students to do their best. Let them know that some of the items on the test may cover material they have not yet studied, items on the test may cover material they have not yet studied, and they are not expected to know all of the answers.and they are not expected to know all of the answers.

Encourage them to try all of the items, to pay careful attention Encourage them to try all of the items, to pay careful attention to directions, to use their time efficiently, and to review their to directions, to use their time efficiently, and to review their work if time allows.work if time allows.

Next Steps…Next Steps…

Introduce your students to the mechanics of test taking and Introduce your students to the mechanics of test taking and give them an idea of the kinds of questions they will be asked. give them an idea of the kinds of questions they will be asked. Share the practice activities you were given a day or two Share the practice activities you were given a day or two before testing.before testing.

A Parent Letter will go home within the next two weeks A Parent Letter will go home within the next two weeks sharing the schedule and suggestions for testing week. sharing the schedule and suggestions for testing week.

Remember: There is no Remember: There is no ““reviewreview”” of information for the test, of information for the test, just tips to help students to do their best. just tips to help students to do their best.

Faculty Meeting: April 27, 2015- Grid Student Information.Faculty Meeting: April 27, 2015- Grid Student Information.