Spot Challenge

Did you know that the Joshua Eaton School is in the middle of a spot challenge? Spots are our student recognition system that has been in place for at least 8 years now. Students are recognized for behavior that is outlined through PAWS - practice compassion, act responsibly, work towards success, and shows respect. These are the core values that are identified on our behavioral matrix and that we spent time introducing at the beginning of the year. We have been keeping track of the spots that are given out at each grade level. We are proud of the behavior that is being displayed by our students. Wonder what grade level will get the most spots!! Good luck Jaguars and keep up the good work!!

No school tomorrow

There will be no school on Wednesday January 28th. Stay safe and for those who "want to build a snowman" share pictures ⛄️⛄️ 

Additional information about the Diagnostic Field Test

I have heard back from customer service from the Diagnostic Field Test. They have indicated that the questions on the field test are multiple choice and fill in the blanks. The test is not timed but usually runs between 30-45 minutes. Please let me know if there are additional questions.

Response to some questions about the diagnostic field test

Hello! I have received a few questions about the Diagnostic Field test and after a call to the Help Center I was able to gather some of the information:

QUESTION: What is the length of time for the testing blocks?

The lengths of the testing blocks are shorter than the PARCC assessment. The Math Fluency, which will be given in grades 2- 4, will be 20 -30 minutes. The ELA Decoding, grade 2, will be 35-45 minutes.

Are second graders too young to be taking this test?

The Diagnostic Test will be a tool that will be available for districts in the 2015-2016 year. When the tool is used its primary purpose for these tools is to provide educators with instructionally useful information related to how students demonstrate CCSS proficiencies (including in relation to content progressions), and to provide that information at an appropriate level of detail and specificity to supplement a teacher’s current understanding of student proficiency (taken from PARCC website). The information will be used for instructional purposed and will not have the accountability of the PARCC test. We will implement this in a relaxed manner for students.  

What will the questions on the Diagnostic Assessment look like?

I was unable to find sample questions on line. I do have an email into the support center about this. As soon as information is provided to me I will post that information.

Please continue to ask questions. I want to keep everyone as informed as possible. 

PARCC Information

As you may remember last year the DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) had some schools pilot the PARCC assessment. There were a few classes in Reading that were part of this pilot. This year the DESE was looking for schools to pilot the PARCC Diagnostic Field Test.  In early December I applied for students in grades 2-5 to take part. The DESE randomly selects schools and grades to take part, this is what happened last year with the PARCC pilot. This February students in grades 2, 3, 4 will have the opportunity to take part in the PARCC Diagnostic Field Test. Students in grade 2 will be assessed on ELA Decoding and Math Fluency. Grades 3 and 4 will be assessed in Math Fluency. This is an opportunity to ‘test the questions’. We are looking forward to students having the opportunity of taking the field test prior to PARCC. Below is some general information about the PARCC Diagnostic Field Test.

General Information

The PARCC Diagnostic Assessment is designed to provide data to help inform instruction with up to four unique administrations at any time during the school year. When operational, the Diagnostic Assessments will provide educators with the kind of snapshot and progress-monitoring data they are seeking to inform and adjust instruction in real time. Aligned to the Common Core State Standards and designed to maximize flexibility, the Diagnostic Assessments will provide easy-to-use and actionable reports.

Benefits of Participation in the Field Test

By participating in the voluntary field test, schools and districts will benefit in a variety of ways:

·         There will be a cost reduction if districts choose to purchase the Diagnostic Assessments (available in school year 2015–2016).

·         Teachers who participate will be considered for future opportunities related to PARCC tool development and item review.

·         The assessments will provide students with an opportunity to practice online test-taking skills within classroom instruction.

·         Schools will receive an early preview of the Diagnostic Assessments and associated tools.

Please note that no score reports or feedback will be provided, as the field test is designed to “test the test,” not the students.

   http://www.parcconline.org/parcc-begin-development-diagnostic-assessments

Last week the staff of Joshua Eaton, along with Kathy Santilli our Technology Integration Specialist,  took time to look at the PARCC assessment. We took the PARCC tutorial which is a walkthrough of the layout of the test. Teachers were able to see the tools that will available for students during the assessment. We also took a practice PARCC assessment. This allowed us to look at questions in the format that the students would be seeing. It was a great opportunity to ask questions and have open conversations about the assessment. Here is the link to the tutorial and practice test http://parcc.pearson.com/#

Here are some take aways from that training:

·         Students will be prompted if there are unanswered questions before submitting their tests

·         Students can go back to questions once they move forward on their screens.

·         Students will be using laptops at Joshua Eaton and not iPads.

·         There is no Long Composition section for 4^th grade. Students will be asked to respond to pieces of literature.

Just a reminder that the PARCC Parent Nights will be held on February 3^rd at Coolidge Middle School and on February 4^th at Parker Middle School, both sessions will begin at 7:00PM

Update 1/8/15

Happy New Year!! I hope that 2015 is off to a great start!! The students have made a smooth transition back to school.

Tonight the Superintendent will begin presenting the recommended budget for the FY16 school year to the School Committee. An overview of the proposed budget can be found on the Superintendent’s blog ( www.readingsuperintendent.wordpress.com ) An item to note is the potential addition of a 1st grade teacher at Joshua Eaton for the 2015 school year.

On Monday night Superintendent Doherty went to Town Meeting to ask for a special town meeting to look at adding modular classrooms for the beginning of the 2015 school year. In the proposal Joshua Eaton would receive either 1 or 2 modular classrooms. This would help address the potential additional 1st grade class however, there is no determination as to the assignment of the modular classrooms. If Joshua Eaton is to receive modular classrooms they would be located on the side of the building near the library door, this is where the old swing set and funnel ball were located. It is important to note that the modular classrooms would not take up any of the student play space. I encourage parents to google images of modular classrooms to get an idea of what the design and layout would be. They have come a long way!

On Edline you will find the schedule for the March sessions of PARCC.  During the month of March students in grade 3, 4, and 5 will take what is called the PBA – Performance Based Assessment. This is a mid- year assessment that will cover 75% of the grade level standards. In May, the students will take the EOY – End of the Year assessment that will cover 95% of the grade level standards. The staff has spent time taking part in tutorials for PARCC and becoming familiar with the layout of the assessment. Students will have time during school to take some practice assessments.  In early February there will be parent information sessions held to provide an overview of PARCC. More details will follow.