PARCC Phase 1 Benchmark Test Creation Guide

Table of Contents

PARCC Phase I Overview………………………………………………………………………..PARCC Guide

Shared Benchmark Formatting……………………………………………………………… Page 2

Shared Benchmark Criteria for Success……………………………………………………Page 3-4

Shared Benchmark Steps for Creation and Revision…………………………………Page 5

Shared Benchmark Suggested Resources for Test Creation ……………………..Page 5

Shared Benchmark Action Plan and Assignments by Grade …………………....Page 6- 7

Additional Resources

PARCC Grade Level Guides (for EBSR and PCR question stems)PARCC Sample Released Tests (to model formatting and rigor)

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Format of Shared PARCC Benchmark Tests

Test Layout

The format should align to the PARCC released practice tests, with the following specifications:

Text 1 (Long text. See Text CFS for specifications) 2 EBSR (4 questions total) aligned to Text 1

Text 2 (Short text. See Text CFS for specifications) 2 EBSR (4 questions total) aligned to Text 2

PCR prompt 4 pages of lined paper

Formatting

Font: Calibri; Size: 14 (Grade 3-5), 12 (Grade 6-8) Page number bottom right Bold directions Answer choices A-D unless questions with more than 1 correct answer, in which A-E or A-F For questions with more than 1 correct answer, indicate and bold number of answers required

Naming and Saving Conventions

Save tests in Google Folder as GradeX.ELAPB.TestDate Save exemplars in Google Folder as GradeX.ELAPB.Exemplar.TestDate Enter answer in Answer Key in Google Spreadsheet

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Text Selection CFS

Meets the demands of the PCR task prompto Is rich enough in content so that students can adequately answer the PCR prompt o Shares significant points of comparison with paired text(s) beyond superficial observations

Falls within appropriate grade level Lexile band (Lit texts can fall below band, use best judgment)

Grade Lexile Band3 500 – 800

4-5 700 – 10006-8 900 – 1180

Falls within appropriate grade level word count

Grade Long Text Word Count Short Text Word Count3-5 400 – 800 words 200 – 400 words*6-8 600 – 1000 words 400 – 600 words*

*Poems may include fewer words

Reflects diverse range of texts across genres and disciplines o Literature benchmarks must include at least 1 poem, 1 folktale or myth, 1 drama o Nonfiction benchmarks must include at least 1 scientific text and 1 history/

EBSR Question Creation CFS

Reflect language of PART A and PART B stems from the grade level specific PARCC Phase I Guide (page 2) Includes answer choices A-D Includes at least 1 PART B EBSR per test that requires more than 1 correct answer

o Indicates # correct required in bold o Ex: Which two sentences from the text best support the answer to Part A?

Answer choices A-F Includes at least 1 of each type of PART B EBSR per test

o PART B Type 1: Evidence Ex: PART A What character trait does character x reveal when character x does y?

PART B Which sentence from the text best supports the answer to Part A? o PART B Type 2: Additional Evidence

Ex: PART A: What theme is developed in paragraph x? PART B: Which additional paragraph shows the same theme as PART A?

Distractor answers meet the following criteria: o Must be plausible responseso Style (length, syntax) of distractors must similar to correct answer(s) but not necessarily parallel o In PART B, answer choices must be same type of citation (ie. All quotes or all paraphrase)

PCR Question Creation CFS

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Reflect language of PCR prompt stems from the grade level specific PARCC Phase I Guide (page 3)

PARCC Question Creation Practice

Steps:

1. Read the text 2. Use the CFS and PARCC Guide to create an EBSR question (5.RL.2) and a PCR (5.RL.3)3. Swap with a partner. Use the CFS and PARCC Guide to provide feedback. 4. Group Reflection on Process

My Questions My Partner’s FeedbackEBSR PART A

EBSR PART B

PCR:

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Steps for Creation – AM Session

1. Use the Action Plan to Identify the PCR focus of your first assigned test(s)2. Use Suggested Resources to identify texts that align to the CFS 3. Revise or create EBSR that align to the CFS 4. Format the test according to the Format Guide 5. Complete the answer key in the Google Spreadsheet 6. Write an exemplar response to the PCR7. Repeat Steps 1-8 for remaining tests according to your action plan

Steps for Revision – PM Session

1. Select a partner 2. Swap your tests with your partner 3. Proofread and check content and format of the tests against the CFS4. Record revisions and comments by tracking changes5. Swap back and share feedback6. Revise your own tests and necessary

Benchmark Test Resource List

Illuminate Measured Progress Item Bank https://kippneworleans.illuminateed.com Username: lriley Password: workhardbenice

KIPP Foundation Q3 and Q4 Benchmarks https://share.kipp.org/

Smarter Balance Assessment http://www.smarterbalanced.org/smarter-balanced-assessments/

Released NY State Tests https://www.engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-common-core-sample-questions (2014) http://www.edinformatics.com/testing/ny.htm (2010 – 2013)

Released MA State Tests http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/2014/release/ (2014) http://www.edinformatics.com/testing/mass.htm (2010-2013)

Rally Test Prep Books

Read Works www.readworks.org Username: lriley Password: workhardbenice

Achieve 3000 www.achieve3000.com Username: Hilah.barbot password: teacher

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