what parents are asking about west virginia educational standards test () what parents are asking...
DESCRIPTION
Descriptions of the Tests WESTEST is a test of West Virginia’s Content Standards and Objectives (CSOs) in the following grade levels and content areas: GRADES 3 – 8: Reading/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies GRADE 10: Reading/ language arts, mathematics, and scienceTRANSCRIPT
What parents are What parents are asking about asking about West Virginia West Virginia
Educational Standards Test Educational Standards Test ((WESTEST) )
Office of Student Assessment ServicesOffice of Student Assessment ServicesWV Department of EducationWV Department of Education
The Purpose of WESTEST
• West Virginia Educational Standards Test (WESTEST) is an assessment that measures student achievement of the West Virginia Content Standards and Objectives (CSOs).
• The test provides information about your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses by performance level descriptors.
Descriptions of the Tests
WESTEST is a test of West Virginia’s Content Standards and Objectives (CSOs) in the following grade levels and content areas:
• GRADES 3 – 8: Reading/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies
• GRADE 10: Reading/ language arts, mathematics, and science
Reading/Language Arts The test measures vocabulary and
reading comprehension skills for gaining information, performing tasks, and reading for literary experience. Additionally, the test measures writing skills to include language mechanics and language expression.
• Number of questions by grade level.
3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 7TH 8TH 10TH
70 75 76 75 75 75 80
Mathematics TestThe test measures conceptual understanding, procedural knowledge, problem solving, and mathematical skills in the areas of number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability.
• Number of questions by grade level
3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 7TH 8TH 10TH
52 52 52 52 52 52 49
Science The test measures conceptual
understanding, scientific investigation, and practical reasoning in the following areas: history and nature of science, science as inquiry, unifying themes, science subject matter, scientific design and application, and science in personal and social perspectives.
• Number of questions by grade level
3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 7TH 8TH 10TH
50 50 50 50 50 52 50
Social Studies
The test measures conceptual understanding and skills in the areas of citizenship, civics, economics, geography, and history.
• Number of questions by grade level
3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 7TH 8TH 10TH
50 50 50 50 50 50 50
Preparation for WESTEST
• Preparation for WESTEST is conducted by teachers on the following daily basis:– teaching the content standards and
objectives (for both academic and WESTEST success).
– preparing students to respond to both multiple choice/and constructed response questions in their classroom assessments.
2. According to the story, why does Toby sit like a stone when the chicken pecks at his toe?
(A) He is tired after chasing the chicken.
(B) He is afraid the chicken will hurt him.
(C) He wants the chicken to leave him alone.
(D) He does not want to scare the chicken away.
What types of questions will students be asked?
Sample Question
Reading/Language Arts - Grade Three
The student reads a passage and responds to a question.
What kinds of questions will students be asked?Constructed Response Questions require the student to create an answer. This type of question is scored by trained personnel using a rubric.
What types of questions will students be asked?
Sample Question
Mathematics - Grade Three
The student responds to the question.
1. Which of these is the same as 8,576?
(A) 8 + 5 + 7 + 6
(B) 800 + 57 + 6
(C) 8,500 + 700 + 6
(D) 8,000 + 500 + 70 + 6
What types of questions will students be asked?Sample Question
Mathematics - Grade Four
The student estimates the length and answers the question.
What types of questions will students be asked?
Sample Question
Mathematics - Grade Five
The student reads the information and responds to the question.
Mike had a box of 12 cookies. There were 5 chocolate chip cookies, 3 oatmeal cookies, and the rest were vanilla cookies. Mike picked a cookie from the box without looking. What is the probability that he picked a vanilla cookie?
(A) 1/3 (B) 3/8 (C) 5/12 (D) 2/3
What types of questions will students be asked?
Grade 3 Science constructed response question.
What types of questions will students be asked?Grade 4 Science Multiple Choice type question.
What types of questions will students be asked? Grade Three Social
Studies Constructed Response Question
What types of questions will students be asked? Grade four Social
Studies Multiple Choice Question
What types of questions will students be asked? Grade five Social
Studies
Multiple Choice Question
Exchanging a personal item for another item of equal value without using money is called
(A) loan
(B) credit
(C) barter
(D) savings
Understanding WESTEST• WESTEST is a custom designed test
which measures student mastery of the West Virginia CSOs.
• WESTEST identifies students’ level of performance in the content areas of reading/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.– Levels of performance are based on the
clearly defined standards, objectives, and skill levels as determined and defined in Policy 2520. For further information, please visit http://wvde.state.wv.us/csos/.
Understanding WESTEST
Your child’s performance is compared to academic standards rather than to the performance of a national sample population of students.
Results of the tests will be used by your child’s teachers and principal(s) to improve student achievement.
Understanding WESTEST Reports
Using WESTEST Reports
Results of the tests will be used by your child’s teachers and principal to improve student learning.
The ITEM RESPONSE RIGHT RESPONSE (IRRR) will provide the school the information about your child’s performance on WESTEST.
What parents can do to help P.A.R.E.N.T.S.
Participate in your child’s school
learning activities. Studies have shown that parental participation and influence have long-term positive effects.
Assist the teacher by discussing with your child the importance of listening to and following directions.
P.A.R.E.N.T.S.
• Reassure your child that this test measures learning and shows strengths and accomplishments, as well as areas needing improvement. Assure that your child gets a good night’s rest before testing.
• Encourage your child to work to his/her potential and strive to complete each part of the test.
P.A.R.E.N.T.S.
• Nutrition and nurturing are both important. Provide your child with a nutritional breakfast as hunger can have a negative effect on performance.
• Test Taking is a part of your child’s educational process. Remind your child of the different tests he/she will take during his or her educational years and, later, in the work place
P.A.R.E.N.T.S.
• Stay Involved by shaping good study habits, encouraging reading activities, checking homework and other completed schoolwork.
West Virginia Department of Education
WESTEST QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE KAREN HALL 487-1551AT THE MERCER COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.