Goals for Tonight

• Present the new Georgia Milestones Assessment System

• Discuss Our Instructional Strategies• Discuss Your Role in supporting your child• Answer Questions

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Georgia Milestones• Grades 3 – 8– End of Grade (EOG) in language arts,

mathematics, science, social studies

• High School– End of Course (EOC) in 9th Grade Literature &

Composition, American Literature & Composition, Coordinate Algebra, Analytic Geometry, Physical Science, Biology, US History, and Economics

Georgia MilestonesTransition to Online – Online administration will be the primary mode of

administration for Georgia Milestones, with paper/pencil serving as back-up• transition will occur over time

– Administration procedures will change– Online practice center will be available for

students

Georgia Milestones: Unique FeaturesItem Types•Selected-Response [aka, multiple-choice]

– all content areas– evidence-based selected response in ELA

•Constructed-Response– ELA and mathematics

•Extended-Response– ELA and mathematics

Constructed response is a general term for assessment items that require the student to generate a response as opposed to selecting a response. Extended-response items require more elaborate answers and explanations of reasoning. They allow for multiple correct answers and/or varying methods of arriving at the correct answer. Writing prompts and performance tasks are examples of extended-response items.

Examining Georgia Milestones

Item Types

Example – Grade 3 Mathematics – Fractions

Multiple ChoiceWhich fraction is largest?

AA

BB

CC

DD

The content and presentation of these items are for illustrative purposes only.

Constructed ResponseGeorge and Ana each had a 12-inch pizza. Both pizzas were split into 8 equal pieces. The shaded pieces are the portion of their pizzas that George and Ana ate.

Express in fractions how much pizza George and Ana ate. Use the symbol <, =, or > to show who ate more pizza.

>The content and presentation of these items are for illustrative purposes only.

George Ana

George Ana

Constructed Response

12 inches

George Ana

9 inches

12 inches

George

12 inches

Carlos

The

cont

ent a

nd p

rese

ntati

on o

f the

se it

ems

are

for

illus

trati

ve p

urpo

ses

only

.

Georgia MilestonesGeneral Test Parameters

•ELA will consist of 3 sections, 1 of which will focus mainly on writing•Mathematics will consist of 2 sections•Science will consist of 2 sections•Social Studies will consist of 2 sections

Each section will be approximately 70 minutes.

Criterion-Referenced vs. Norm-Referenced

Criterion-Referenced Assessment- test questions are based a set of pre-determined criteria. For CCSD, test questions are based on the Georgia Student Performance Standards.

Norm-Referenced Assessment- test questions are developed to compare a student’s knowledge with the general population of like students across the nation.

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Georgia MilestonesGeneral Test Parameters: ELA

Criterion-ReferencedTotal Number of Items: 44 / Total Number of Points: 55

Breakdown by Item Type:–40 Selected Response (worth 1 point each; 10 of which are aligned NRT)–2 Constructed Response (2 points each)

–1 Constructed Response (worth 4 points)–1 Extended Response (worth 7 points)

Norm-Referenced–Total Number of Items: 20 (10 of which contribute to CR score)

Embedded Field Test–Total field test items: 6

Total number of items taken by each student: 60

Georgia MilestonesWriting at Every Grade

–All students will encounter a constructed-response item allowing for narrative prose, in response to text, within first or second section of the test.–Within the writing section of the test, students will read a pair of passages and complete a series of “warm-up” items:

o3 selected-response items asking about the salient features of each passage and comparing/contrasting between the two passageso1 constructed-response item requiring linking the two passageso1 writing prompt in which students must cite evidence to support their conclusions, claims, etc.

GenresWriting prompts will be informative/explanatory or opinion/argumentative depending on the grade level. Students could encounter either genre.Warning: Students who simply rewrite excerpts

from the passage(s) to illustrate their point(s) will not receive favorable scores.

Georgia MilestonesGeneral Test Parameters: Mathematics

Criterion-ReferencedTotal Number of Items: 53 / Total Number of Points: 58

Breakdown by Item Type:–50 Selected Response (worth 1 point each; 10 of which are aligned NRT)

–2 Constructed Response (worth 2 points each)

–1 Constructed Response (worth 4 points)

Norm-Referenced–Total Number of Items: 20 (10 of which contribute to CR score)

Embedded Field Test–Total field test items: 10

Total number of items taken by each student: 73

Georgia MilestonesGeneral Test Parameters: Science

Criterion-ReferencedTotal Number of Items: 55 / Total Number of Points: 55

Breakdown by Item Type:–55 Selected Response (worth 1 point each; approximately 10 of which are aligned NRT)

Norm-Referenced–Total Number of Items: 20 (approximately 10 of which contribute to CR score)

Embedded Field Test–Total field test items: 10

Total number of items taken by each student: 75

Georgia MilestonesGeneral Test Parameters: Social Studies

Criterion-ReferencedTotal Number of Items: 55 / Total Number of Points: 55

Breakdown by Item Type:–55 Selected Response (worth 1 point each; approximately 10 of which are aligned NRT)

Norm-Referenced–Total Number of Items: 20 (approximately 10 of which contribute to CR score)

Embedded Field Test–Total field test items: 10

Total number of items taken by each student: 75

Georgia MilestonesGeorgia Milestones represents a significant change and importantly – an opportunity – for our state.

This opportunity allows us to recalibrate, as a state, and refocus on teaching and learning as a primary emphasis with assessment and accountability serving a supporting role.

Instructional Strategies

• Teachers will model the “thinking process” of answering constructed response questions.

• Formative Assessments used in unit lessons will follow the format of new assessments.

• Students will have opportunities for practicing these types of assessments.

• The rigor of academic expectations will increase.

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Your Role

• Support your child by asking thought provoking questions. Ask “why do you think that is the answer?”

• Check understanding by reviewing assessments that are sent home.

• READ with your child and then talk about what you have read.

• Let your child assist you in problem solving activities.• Reassure your child with confidence to lower any

stress concerning the assessment.

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QUESTIONS

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