q & a
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Q & A. Assessment NEWS. Instruct students to read all text on a test page. 2010 English Standards of Learning Web Page. Writing Questions. Will the writing prompts change this year? - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Q & AQ & A
SOL Institutes
October 2013
Assessment NEWS
Instruct students to read all text on a test page
SOL Institutes
October 2013
2010 English Standards of Learning
Web Page
SOL Institutes
October 2013
Writing Questions• Will the writing prompts change this year?
• The released prompts will still be used in 2013-2014. Additional prompts will be released for EOC sometime this fall. Other prompts may be released as they become available.
• Will students be penalized if they don’t write 5 paragraphs?
•Direct writing must be multi-paragraphed. . . No specific number is required.•Is there a specific mode for SOL writing?
•Yes, Grade 5: Expository or narrative; Grade 8: Expository or persuasive; EOC: Persuasive
SOL Institutes
October 2013
Writing Questions•Does DOE require a separate paragraph for
counterclaims?•No, there is not a required template/formula
• Will an online dictionary be provided? The spell check tool does not do everything a dictionary does.• At this point, there is not a plan to provide an
online dictionary or to change the online writing tool.
•Exactly how is the writing score calculated?• See blueprint slide
SOL Institutes
October 2013
SOL Writing Blueprints
SOL Institutes
October 2013
Writing Questions
•Why can’t students have a choice of prompts?• Research shows that providing a choice is more confusing to students. Younger students have more difficulty when given a choice.
• Can students used 1st person point of view to answer prompts• Yes
SOL Institutes
October 2013
Writing Questions• Are there effective artificial intelligence computer
grading programs for writing?•There is not a program that is aligned with the two-domain 4 point scoring of Virginia’s rubric.
• What are some ways to integrate mathematics and writing in the primary grades?
•Mentor texts, is one example
• If not 5 paragraphs, then what is the suggested structure for SOL writing?
•Must be multi-paragraphed with a definite introduction, body, and conclusion.
SOL Institutes
October 2013
Writing Questions• Can prompts be tied to a literature passage?
• No, the prompts are written to offer wide engagement and not be tied to a student understanding a reading passage. The direct writing is not scored for accuracy of content.
• Should paragraphs be double spaced? Indented?• Limited amount of space. Either way will work,
as long as scorers can determine multi-paragraphs. 52 lines of text available.
SOL Institutes
October 2013
Understand Scoring
To Create an Account, use key word- Virginia
SOL Institutes
October 2013
Understand Scoring
Practice sets and verification sets now available
SOL Institutes
October 2013
Paired PassagesPair fiction & nonfiction passages
Tabbed passage demonstration on Sample SOL Item pageGrade 8 Assessment Sample
SOL Institutes
October 2013
Reading Questions
• Will paired passages appear on reading 3-5 this year?
No. Paired passages are on EOC & 6-8.
• Is there any fiction on EOC reading?See blueprint slide
SOL Institutes
October 2013
4-12 Reading Blueprints
SOL Institutes
October 2013
Reading Questions
• Is there a list of affixes, Greek & Latin roots to be tested?Best place to find a list is www.readwritethink.org See Enhanced Scope and Sequence Lesson Plans
• Will English provide Word Wall cards like math did?No
SOL Institutes
October 2013
General Questions• When will tests be released?
2015
• Will TEI questions have fill-in-the-blank?Not this year. No plans yet for future
• Can partial credit be given for TEI?NoWhat percentage of the test is TEI?15%
• How are practice items/tests scored?They aren’t scored. Answers are the last pages of the manual.
SOL Institutes
October 2013
General Questions• Are the passages longer now?
There are more passages now. Some are shorter, some are longer. Increased rigor.
• Is Media Literacy tested?NO
• Will the state provide funding for all divisions to issue laptops for students?
NO
SOL Institutes
October 2013
General Questions
• Where can we access TEI-type activities?Available “apps” for tablets, Text boxes in MS WORD.
• When will new practice questions be released?• EOC Reading and SOL Writing practice items are
now available. Grades 3-8 Reading will be released this winter.
• Will the Enhanced Scope & Sequence be expanded?• No, additional resource links are provided on VDOE
Web site (e.g., ReadWriteThink.org)
SOL Institutes
October 2013
Contact Information
Virginia Department of Education
Tracy Fair RobertsonEnglish Coordinator
[email protected] 804-371-7585
Thomas SantangeloElementary Reading and English
Jackie KelleyEnglish Specialist
Assessment [email protected]
804-225-2102
SOL Institutes
October 2013
VDOE Contact InformationFor Questions about: Please Contact:
Secondary English Instruction
Tracy Robertson, 804-371-7585, [email protected]
Elementary English & Reading Instruction
Thomas Santangelo, 804-225-3203, [email protected]
Special Education Instruction
Special Education & Student Services Office, [email protected]
SOL Testing Program Office of Assessment Development, [email protected]
Accreditation Status, Focus and Priority Schools
Office of School Improvement, 804-225-2865