Aspire

toc =ACT Aspire Documents=

Summative Assessment Information Scroll down to find Technical Bulletin # 1, which contains content descriptions and test specifications.

Exemplar Math Test Items PDF file containing the sample questions that are used in the sample online test. Each question is annotated with CCSSM Standard, Math Practice Standard, DOK level, Justification and Explanation level, appropriate grade level(s), and a detailed explanation of correct response.

ACT College and Career Readiness Standards for Math Describes what students who score in specific score ranges on the Math Test of the ACT are likely to know and be able to do.

Connecting College Readiness Standards to the Classroom - Mathematics PDF document from ACT (83 pages) that discusses how to prepare students to succeed on the ACT. Topics addressed include:
 * The Need for Thinking Skills
 * The Assessment-Instruction Link
 * Using Assessment Information to Help Support Low-Scoring Students
 * Instructional Activities (most of these would be appropriate for middle school students)

@http://actaspire.avocet.pearson.com/actaspire/home This site has an indexed list of many documents related to the Spring 2015 Administration of the Aspire.

Interpretive Guide for ACT Aspire Summative Reports

Calculator Usage Policy

Handouts from Aspire workshop presented by ACT

=Alabama Assessment Information=

[|www.act.org/aap/Alabama]

Purpose of Assessment - SDE handout

=Technology Tips= Articles about keyboarding skills to help with test-taking
 * http://edsource.org/2015/third-graders-take-on-keyboard-challenge/74704#.VQBzh3zF8oo
 * @http://www.educate1to1.org/ipad-vs-pc-typing-speeds-students/
 * @http://www.doe.mass.edu/parcc/CommTool/Keyboarding.pdf
 * @http://mamaot.com/2014/07/13/keyboarding-programs-to-help-kids-with-typing-practice/
 * @http://www.smarterbalanced.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SmarterBalanced_Elementary-Writing.docx

=Depth of Knowledge=

Circle with chart below Career and Technical Subjects Guide from 2009. 13 pages

Using Webb's Depth of Knowledge to Increase Rigor (Edutopia article) A Guide for Using Webb's Depth of Knowledge with Common Core State Standards Applying Webb's DOK to Math Depth of Knowledge Examples for Secondary Mathematics (Robert Kaplinsky) Depth of Knowledge Levels for Four Content Areas Depth of Knowledge Guide for Career and Technical Education DOK Question Stems

=More Practice Items=

= = The links below are not from assessments that Alabama will be using, but they have great information about the standards and how they might look on a Common Core assessment.

Alabama's Quality Core Resources Correlations and other resources for the ACT tests that Alabama is using. [] Username: alstateuser (//generic password for Alabama teachers)// Password: ACT001 (//these are zeroes//)

[|Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium]

//"The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (Smarter Balanced) is a state-led consortium working to develop next-generation assessments that accurately measure student progress toward college- and career-readiness. Smarter Balanced is one of two multistate consortia awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Education in 2010 to develop an assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) by the 2014-15 school year." (from their home page)//

Links to sample items are found [|here]. Be sure to scroll down the page to find
 * content specifications
 * item/task specifications
 * technology-enhanced items
 * performance tasks
 * guidelines

[|Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)]

//"The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is a consortium of states working together to develop a common set of K-12 assessments in English and math anchored in what it takes to be ready for college and careers. These new K-12 assessments will build a pathway to college and career readiness by the end of high school, mark students’ progress toward this goal from 3rd grade up, and provide teachers with timely information to inform instruction and provide student support. The PARCC assessments will be ready for states to administer during the 2014-15 school year." (from [|About PARCC])//


 * Model Content [|Frameworks]
 * Item and Task Prototypes
 * Practice Tests by Grade Level
 * New Sample Items

Engage New York - Annotated 2013 State Test Questions, Grades 3-8 On this page you will find links to access a representative sample of questions used on the 2013 state test. There are questions available in every grade (3-8) for both ELA and Mathematics. These questions have been annotated to display the kinds of thinking students are required to do in the new Common Core Tests. These documents will be helpful for better understanding the requirements and expectations of the Common Core state tests.

Illustrative Mathematics We collaborate at illustrativemathematics.org, sharing carefully vetted resources for teachers and teacher leaders to give our children an understanding of mathematics and skill in using it. We provide expert guidance to states, districts, curriculum writers, and assessment writers working to improve mathematics education.

[|Mathematics Assessment Project]

The project is working to design and develop well-engineered assessment tools to support US schools in implementing the [|Common Core State Standards] for Mathematics (CCSSM).
 * Project goals**

Tools for formative and summative assessment that make knowledge and reasoning visible, and help teachers to guide students in how to improve, and monitor their progress. These tools comprise:
 * Products**
 * **Classroom Challenges:** lessons for formative assessment, some focused on developing math concepts, others on non-routine problem solving.
 * **Professional Development Modules:** to help teachers with the new pedagogical challenges that formative assessment presents.
 * **Summative Assessment Task Collection:** to illustrate the range of performance goals required by CCSSM.
 * **Prototype Summative Tests:** designed to help teachers and students monitor their progress, these tests provide a model for examinations that may replace or complement current US tests.

[|Educational Testing Service] "//The K–12 Center at ETS offers a variety of resources on the assessment consortia, including summaries of their designs and future plans, videos and presentations."//

Test Prep Ideas

The Thoughtul Classroom Teacher Effectiveness Framework has some free Tools for Improving Practice. Scroll down to TIP 3 to find suggestions and tools for preparing students for Common Core assessments. <span style="background-color: transparent; url("data: image/png; border: medium none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;">