Raising the NYS ELA test scores at P.S. 128M The Audubon School

A WebQuest for Grades 4^th -5^th (Technology/Writing)

Designed by

Lissette Ureña

Introduction:

After teaching for many years 4^th and 5^th grade, I noticed that the students on grades 3-5 are performing poorly on NYS ELA (English Language Arts) standardized test at P.S 128M The Audubon School.

These days, if a school's standardized test scores are high, people think the school's staff is effective. If a school's standardized test scores are low, they see the school's staff as ineffective. In either case, because educational quality is being measured by the wrong benchmark, those evaluations are suitable to be in error. However, the administration and teachers are constantly concern about the standardized test scores, and in this case the ELA.

The teachers are always searching for different test taking techniques and strategies in order to improve the students’ test scores. However, the students are still scoring low. The school’s inquiry team and the data committee are in the search for meaningful ideas in improving our test sophistication skills that can benefit the student’s test performance. In order to find a solution, we decided to ask for student’s involvement by having them figuring out some possible solutions that can raise their test scores.

Task:

Your task is to figure out what can be affecting the scores from a student’s point of view. In order to demonstrate the possible solutions you will work in a group of 2-3 classmates. With your partner/s create a six-slide PowerPoint presentation that demonstrates effective ways for your school to help students understand what they can do to help raise their test scores. Each slide should focus on one solution to the problem. Your team will need to use the PPA steps in order to complete the PowerPoint presentation. You will then, as a group will stand a deliver an oral presentation to our 4^th and 5^th graders in an assembly program.

Process

You will be assigned to a group of 2-3 students.

Step 1: Your group is to use the six steps of the PPA that we have discussed during our technology/writing classes.

· Define the Problem

· Gather the Evidence

· Identify Causes

· Evaluate Existing Policy

· Develop solutions

· Select the best policy

Step 2: Each student will play a role in creating the presentation. They will research information using the Internet, interview students, teachers and parents about their opinion on the topic.

¶ Student “A” will access the on line resources about: What are State tests?

¶ Student “B” will access the on line resources about: Reasons of students’ Scoring Low on the ELA

¶ Student “C”* will access the on line resources about: Helpful Tips that can be used to improve the Scoring

· (If there is not a 3^rd student in the group, students A&B will do this step together)

Step 3: After accessing to the on line resources, and gathering the information following the six steps of the PPA the students will create their presentation using the given Rubric as a checklist.

Resources

What are State test?

Ø New York State Standardized Tests

Reasons of students’ Scoring Low on the ELA

Ø Is Standardized Testing Failing Our Kids?

Ø How will Changes to the 2012-13 State Test Impact Accountability?

Ø Surviving the Test: English Language Learners in Public Schools

Helpful Tips that can be used to improve the Scoring

Ø Helping Students Deal with Test Anxiety

Ø How are the state tests changing in 2012-13?

Ø How to Pass the ELA in New York City 8 Ways To Fight High-Stakes Testing Infographic

Evaluation

Student Presentations: PowerPoint

Students: ______________________________________________________________________

Topic ___________________________________ Actual Time: _______

Presentation Grading Rubric

Topic:	5 highest	Total
Title Page w/ group members names	5 4 3 2 1
Organization	5 4 3 2 1
Followed Directions	5 4 3 2 1
Curriculum Alignment:
Subject Knowledge /Content Based	5 4 3 2 1
Evidence of Research x 2	5 4 3 2 1
Depth of Content	5 4 3 2 1
Accuracy and Clarity of Information	5 4 3 2 1
All Questions Addressed	5 4 3 2 1
Works Cited/ Resources	5 4 3 2 1
Mechanics & Structure:
Includes PPA six steps to Support Research	5 4 3 2 1
Photos Support Content	5 4 3 2 1
Oral Presentation – Delivery/ voice projection	5 4 3 2 1
Length/Timing (3 to 5 min)	5 4 3 2 1
PowerPoint x 2 Neatness & completeness	5 4 3 2 1
Group Participation/ Teamwork x 4	5 4 3 2 1
Total		/100

Teacher Comments:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Conclusion:

After creating this PowerPoint presentation the students will be able to identify different factors that are affecting the students’ performance on the ELA New York State test. They will gather helpful guidelines and test taking strategies that can be used in order to improve their test score. By using many different sources and data collection they not only will help themselves, but also the teachers and school staff. They will also be able to analyze existing policies, and will have the power to create their own policy in order to solve the school’s problem.

Standards:

Standard 1: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding.

Standard 3: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation.

Standard 4: Students will read, write, listen and speak for social interaction.

Math, Science and Technology

Standard 2: Students will access, generate, process and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

Standard 5: Students will apply technological knowledge and skills to design, construct, use, and evaluate products and systems to satisfy various needs.

Standard 7: Students will apply knowledge and thinking skills and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.

Credits & References

Ø Music: Orinoco by Enya