Third graders are encountering this testing format for the first time, so we are spending time in class familiarizing ourselves with all the features. Last week students took an interim assessment in 'Listening' as this has a unique format. Students listen to a short piece but they do NOT have the written text - it's all listening. The big takeaway for us last week was: We can listen to the recording as many times as we want! There is no reason for a student to 'guess' because they don't remember. CAASPP Listening is NOT a memory test. Please impress this upon your child.
I suggest that you sit down with your child at some point over Spring Break. From this link, click on:
- Student Interface Practice and Training Tests (the green box on right)
- Leave the setting as "Guest" - not student
- Choose grade level (3)
- Choose one of the PINK Smarter Balanced Practice Tests or Performance Tasks - ELA (English Language Arts) or Math at the top
- (You have access to the purple and turquoise buttons, but the PINK sections are the best practice for us)
- Click through the next screens - default settings are fine