2006 MARS Exam

1
2006 MARS Exam

• Instructions and Timelines

2
Practice Tests/ 1999 Exams

• Now available on website
• Use a few interesting tasks
• Become familiar with format/ rubrics/ showing
  work
• Not meant to be a replica of exam - Covers same
  core ideas but may be a different piece of the
  sample space

3
Testing Instructions
Students should be told that they are being
presented With some interesting and challenging
problems. This is an opportunity to show all
they know.
Students should have access to tools Normally
available in their classroom.
4
Time should not be an issue.
Students have plenty of opportunities to work
when time is a factor. This is their chance to
show what they know when time is not an issue.
Middle and high school to give test over 2 days.
5
Teacher Comments

• Teachers may make comments about the tests
  directly on a blank test. Those comments should
  be sent to me and Melissa.
• Their ideas help direct professional development.
• Many of their ideas are communicated to the test
  makers or are considered in task selection for
  future years.

6
Testing - One Step in the Learning Cycle

• Teachers are encouraged to go over the tests and
  rubrics with students. This process is meant to
  be part of the learning process.
• Tests should be saved for
• further discussion in grade
• level planning in the fall.

7
Duplicating Instructions

• MAC District number on front cover of exam
• Back page of exam in packet
• Run off tests with page 1 on right side, except
  for grades 2, 6, 8, alg., and geo.

8
Check for Clarity

• 2nd Grade- Our Class graphs, Pams Shopping
• 4th Grade - Cookies, Brownies
• 5th Grade - Fig Pudding
• 6th grade - Sorting Shapes
• 7th Grade - Square Tiles, Photographs
• 8th Grade - Aarons Design

9
Policy Review

• Security of Exams
• 8th, Alg, Geo - Middle School Options
• Special Needs Students
• Inclusion

10
Timelines and Data Collection

• Good Data starts with the
• Student ID - which matches the ID for STAR
  testing

11
Testing Window

• Feb. 27th through March 10th
• All of one grade should be on the same day(s).

12
Data Collection Designee

• Person to receive and send data files
• Form in your packet.
• Fill out before you leave or get the information
  to me by Friday, Feb. 10th.

13
Data Templates

• MAC data template - sent to districts by Fri.
  March 10th
• Data should be entered as soon as papers are
  scored and returned to EDDATA by April 23rd.
  Check spring break schedule in case this needs to
  be revised to an earlier time for your district.

14
Scoring

• Scoring to take place between March 17th and
  April 19th
• Materials needed for scoring sessions listed in
  Administrative Instructions
• Also Master copy of Green Sheet in handouts

15
Next Steps in Data Process

• Templates will be returned to you no later than
  May 24th for individual student reports.
• Between June and July or August, updated template
  will be sent for merging STAR data.
• August 23rd deadline for data merge.
• Eddata available for technical assistance.

16
Questionnaires

• Questionnaires for Scoring Sessions -
  Professional Development and Reflection
• What are students having difficulties with?
• What are the strategies used by successful
  students? What experiences would help other
  students develop or have access to those
  strategies?

17
Pulled Papers

• Pulled 13th tests sent to Melissa and Linda for
  use in writing Individual Student Reports,
  establishing cut scores, and writing Tools for
  Teachers. Speed is of the essence.
• Deadline April 22nd.

18
Scoring Sessions

• Division into North/ South
• Locations
• Sorry, no Trading Spaces!

19
Cut Scores/Preliminary Results

• Our next meeting will be May 10th.
• You will receive cut scores and preliminary
  graphs on data.
• Presentation of trends and big ideas.