Parent Resource for PARCC Testing

PARCC Testing:

What the Changes Mean for Students

Beginning in the spring of 2015, PARCC Testing will be computer-based. The assessments will require students to not only use technology to access thequestions, but also to answer them.

We are aware and need to help prepare our students with the following:

• Technology skills that are required to take computer-based, online assessments.

• Students also need some keyboarding skills to complete certain tasks on the assessments.

- All written responses, at all levels, must be typed using a computer or other input device (such as an iPad)

How will students use Technology on the new assessment?

Here are the kinds of 21st century skills your students will need to master in order to successfully demonstrate their learning on PARCC. Students will beexpected to know the following:

• Fundamental computer skills

Mouse Basics

Using the computer desktop

Basic web browsing skills

• Keyboarding and word processing

Keyboarding and word processing basics:

How to use proofing tools to edit and revise text.

Keyboarding is a skill that Parents can help children strengthen at home. By encouraging a child to practice their keyboarding skills, the child will be more keyboard proficient. There are many great websites your children can use to strengthen their keyboarding skills. Click below for a few examples:

Click here to go to a full page of fun and educational sites to learn about keyboarding.

• Creating and analyzing charts and graphs

Create graphs, collect data, and express data visually.

• Conducting research and evaluation

Examine and evaluate information for validity in order to find and use in test answers.

How will our Berkeley Heights schools help prepare our students to master these necessary technology skills?

1. KEYBOARDING: An overview for each grade level about keyboarding:

• *3^rd Grade: Students are introduced to the home row of keys (asdf jkl; ei gh'). They practice these keys using several websites and a software program (either Sticky Bear or Mavis Beacon). These sites and programs provide feedback on how well they did for teacher to monitor progress.

• *4th Grade: Students review and are tested on home row keys. They are then taught and tested on top row keys (ru ty qwop).

• *5th: Students review and are tested on home and top row keys. They are then taught and tested on bottom row keys (vbnm zxc ,.).

Test results include accuracy and speed. We look for 90% accuracy or better. 4th graders' goal speed is 10 words per minute and 5th graders' goal speed is 13 wpm. We stress accuracy over speed, ergonomics and allow them to look down as necessary until they are able to type comfortably without looking at the keys.

2. Looking to the PARCC: Tech skills to re-inforce

Using the mouse, touch pad or touch screen to do the following tasks: manipulate objects on screen/monitor
Select/deselect responses (check-marks/drop-down menus,etc.)
Click and drag ("drag and drop").
Input, edit, format and manipulate text via peripheral, integrated or an on-screen keyboard.

We plan to prepare students to perform the above tasks through regular computer lessons and also special lessons that utilize various websites or programs that feature the necessary tasks. For example, students will access the activity "Keyboard Challenge" on www.abcya.com to practice the drag and drop skill or a social studies activity on www.eduplace.com/geonet to practice clicking to make selections. Students will also be given more opportunities to type their responses directly into a word processing program, rather than writing on paper and then copying into program.

To see exactly how Common Core assessment questions will require all of these technology skills, visit the following website for examples or click below on a specific grade level:

PARCC http://www.parcconline.org/samples/item-task-prototypes

SAMPLES - MATHEMATICS

SAMPLES - ELA/LITERACY

DRAFT RUBRICS -

Google Sites

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