Understanding the Individual Student Report for North Carolina - Grades 6, 7 and 8 (continued)

Key Features of the Reading Comprehension Test

• Reading and vocabulary skills are assessed by having students read selections and then answer questions related to the selections.

• The selections on the test are reading materials chosen to reflect the variety of actual reading done by students in and out of the classroom.

• Nine selections are included on each test; there are 56 questions on each test at grades 6–8.

• Selections include both literary and informational texts. Literary texts include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama.

• Informational texts include content areas (art, science, health, mathematics, social studies, etc.) and consumer/practical selections (pamphlets, reviews, recipes, projects, etc.)

• Four categories of items are on the reading test. The categories include cognition, interpretation, critical stance, and connections. Cognition requires the reader to apply such strategies as using context clues to determine meaning, summarizing to include main points, and identifying the purpose of text features. Interpretation requires the reader to make inferences and generalizations. Students may be asked to clarify, to explain the significance of, to extend, and/or to adapt ideas/concepts. Critical stance requires the reader to apply processes, such as comparing/contrasting and understanding the impact of literary elements. Connections require the reader to connect knowledge from the selection with other information and experiences beyond/outside the selection.

• The reading comprehension test is timed. The estimated time for students at grades 6–8 to complete the reading comprehension test is 115 minutes.

How Can I Help My Child with Reading?

• Establish time for your child to read.

• Provide your child with a variety of suitable reading materials.

• Read aloud to and with your child.

• Take time to discuss interesting books you and your child have read.

• Model reading by reading a variety of materials yourself, such as newspapers, magazines, schedules, etc.

• Discuss the purpose of different text types, such as fiction, letters, newspaper articles, journals, etc.

• Share and discuss articles, diagrams, charts, illustrations, and maps with your child.

• Ask your child open-ended questions that cannot be answered with a simple word, a single phrase, or sentence. (Why?How do you know? Explain … Tell me about ... Give me examples.)

• Ensure that your child reads independently each day at a comfortable reading level. (Reading materials should not be too hard or too easy in terms of subject matter and content).

Key Features of the Mathematics Test

• The mathematics test assesses student achievement in the five strands of the mathematics curriculum: (1) Number and Operations, (2) Measurement, (3) Geometry, (4) Data Analysis and Probability, and (5) Algebra.

• Some of the mathematics items at grades 6–8 are field test items. The field test items do not count toward or against the student’s score.

• At grades 6 and 7, the 82-item test (including field test items) is administered in two parts: Calculator Active (54 questions) and Calculator Inactive (28 questions). Students are allowed to use calculators during the Calculator Active part (66%) of the test. Students are not allowed to use calculators during the Calculator Inactive part (34%) of the test.

• At grade 8, the 80-item test (including field test items) is all Calculator Active. Students are allowed to use calculators for the entire test.

• The minimum (“at least”) calculator requirement for grades 6–8 is any four-function calculator with a square root function, yx, π(pi), and algebraic logic.

• Students at grades 6–8 are given blank paper and graph paper. Rulers, protractors, and formula sheets are not distributed to students.

• The mathematics tests are not timed. Students are to be allowed ample opportunity to complete the tests. As long as students are engaged and working, they must be allowed time to complete the mathematics test. The estimated time for 95% of students at grades 6 and 7 to complete the mathematics calculator active test is 135 minutes. The estimated time for students to complete the mathematics calculator inactive test is 60 minutes. The estimated time for 95% of students at grade 8 to complete the mathematics test is 150 minutes.

How Can I Help My Child with Mathematics?

• “Do math” with your child at home as problem-solving partners. Use word problems. Have your child explain how he or she is solving the problems.

• Make a list of all the ways your family uses mathematics at home:
  • Newspapers and weather reports include charts, graphs, data, and statistics.
  • Weather reports include charts, graphs, data, and statistics.
  • Sporting events provide data and statistics.
  • The grocery store affords an opportunity for practicing measurement and estimation.
  • Recipes can be modified.
  • The changing seasons give an opportunity to examine temperature.
  • Road trips encourage map reading and distance, time, and gasoline mileage problems.
  • By “doing math” together, you will demonstrate that learning mathematics is fun.

Additional Information

For additional information on the end-of-grade tests, visit the NCDPI Division of Accountability Services/ North Carolina
Testing Program Web site at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/eog/.

In compliance with federal laws, NC Public Schools administers all state-operated educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination because of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, disability, or gender, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to: Dr. Elsie C. Leak, Associate Superintendent, Office of Curriculum and School Reform Services, 6307 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6307. Telephone (919) 807-3761; Fax (919) 807-3767.