What Does the Ideal Secondary English Classroom Look Like?

VASSP 2014

• Vocabulary development text-based• Reading – fiction & nonfiction

• Emphasis on paired passages on similar topic• Offer Student Choice

• Writing – emphasis on expository, persuasive, analytical modes

• Emphasis on writing process• Peer revision and editing• Regular writing conferences• Use of Writing Portfolios

• Research• Media Literacy

Look-fors in SuccessfulSecondary English Instruction

• Use questioning without a definite number of correct responses

• Move away from multiple choice• Offer ‘cold reads’ on formative assessments• Ask text-dependent questions• Study text-based vocabulary• Add writing components in every lesson• Research components

Look-fors in SuccessfulSecondary English Instruction

Teach Nonfiction Reading StrategiesOrganizational Patterns

Organizational Patterns• Chronological or Sequential• Comparison/Contrast• Cause & Effect• Fact & Opinion• Problem/Solution• Concept/ Definition• Process• Order of Importance• Spatial• Classification• Question/Answer• Explanation/Generalization

Teach Nonfiction Reading StrategiesSignal Words in Organizational Patterns

Cause / Effect or Problem / Solution• As a result• Because• Solution• Outcome is

Comparison / Contrast• Either /or• But also• As well as• Similarly• Not only / but also

Sequence / Chronological• First, next, after, then, initially• Last, later• Meanwhile, finally• Following, concluding

Teach Nonfiction Reading Strategies

Text features

Boldface

Italics

Color

Captions

Headings & Subheadings

Graphics

Reading Resources

English Resources

Assessment PowerPoint Presentations

Provides examples of most commonly missed content. Items do not replicate question format.

Example: Students need additional practice selecting multiple answers for words using similar affixes.

Which words have a suffix meaning state or quality?

antiquated composure detrimentirrelevant obstinate precarious

Sample: Reading Data Power Point

Example: Students need additional practice selecting more than one correct synonym for a given word using informational reading selections.

In 1813 the famous naturalist John Audubon observed a vast flock of passenger pigeons as he traveled through Kentucky. The flock took three days to pass above; in such a black cloud, they obliterated the sun at times. Conservatively, he estimated their numbers at 1.1 billion birds. How could a bird that was the most prolific in North America become extinct?

Identify synonyms for obliterated. Possible answers: concealed, eliminated, obscured

Sample: Reading Data Power Point

Example: Students need additional practice using context clues to determine word meaning.

During the competition, the lithe gymnast rolled and tumbled across the mat on the gym floor. Her graceful bends and nimble acrobatics displayedher exceptional abilities. She had clearly spent countless hours practicingher rigorous routine. The result was a polished performance that won herfirst place.

Which phrases help you understand the meaning of lithe?graceful bends, nimble acrobatics

This kind of item is easily replicated on formative assessment.

Sample: Reading Data Power Point

Example: Students need additional practice identifying the main idea and author’s purpose when using texts with more complex sentence structureand vocabulary.

Tibet is a vast area in Central Asia full of towering, majestic mountains andhome to many monasteries where monks live and work together. Tibetanmonks practice Buddhism, a religion founded on principles of peace and understanding. For these Buddhist monks, sand painting represents animportant part of the core of their lives and works. They create thesedesigns in an effort to bring about healing for both their bodies and minds. Using colored sand and sometimes small stones and powdered flowers, themonks work in collaboration to craft their paintings. ……..

Sample: Reading Data Power Point

• Students need additional practice summarizing text. • Suggestions:

•Which sentence is the best summary of paragraph __?

•Which sentence is the best summary of the selection?

•Which information should be included in a summary of . . . ?

•Which three details should be included in a summary of . . .?

•Which detail is NOT essential to a summary of the article?

•Which detail is most (or least) important to include in a summary of the

article?

Sample: Reading Data Power Point

Paired Passagestested in 6, 7, 8, & EOC

Reading Resources

Text-Dependent Questions

Stand-Alone DirectionsSOL Reading Tests

English Sample Lesson Plans

English Sample Lesson Plans

Writing Resources

Writing Resources

SOL Progression ChartsWriting

Instruction Writing Checklists

Instruction Anchor Sets

Understand Scoring

Understanding ScoringOpportunity for Teachers to Practice Scoring

Understanding ScoringAnchor Papers with Annotations

Understanding ScoringFeedback on Accuracy of Scoring

Writing Prompts

• All student papers are read by two readers; their scores are added together

• Composing/Written Expression score counts twice = 2/3

• Usage/Mechanics score counts once = 1/3

• If judges scores are more than 1 point apart, papers are read by a third judge

Scoring with the SOL Writing Rubric

Online Writing Web Page

Assessment

Assessment Stand-Alone Directions

• Fall Writing (EOC) – October 20- November 7• Term Graduates & Project Graduation EOC Writing

• October 20- October 31- 1st attempt• November 17-December 12 – 2nd attempt

• Fall- EOC Reading – December 1- February 27

• Spring Writing – March 2-April 3, 2015

• Spring – SOL Reading -April 13 - June 26

2014-2015 SOL Testing Schedule

Use of Automated Scoring for the SOL Writing Tests

• Currently two human readers score the SOL short papers

• Feasibility studies conducted summer 2013 • Studies successful; scoring engine trained on all current SOL prompts

• Fall 2014 “automated scoring” to be used as the second reader for grade 8 writing and EOC writing.

•Should reduce turnaround time for delivery of scores

• A student obtaining an “advanced/college path” score should have the necessary knowledge and skills for enrollment, without remediation, in an introductory credit-bearing college course with a substantial reading load, assuming that the student continues to demonstrate a comparable level of achievement in subsequent high school English courses prior to high school graduation.

Definition of “Advanced/College Path” for EOC Reading

Why You Cannot Ignore Technology (Thinking) Enhanced Items (TEI)

Practice15% of SOL tests

Why You Cannot Ignore Technology (Thinking) Enhanced Items (TEI)

Practice15% of SOL tests

Technology-Enhanced Items (TEI)Technology-Enhanced Items (TEI)All grades (3- EOC) include TEI that do not specify

number of correct answers.All grades (3- EOC) include TEI that do not specify

number of correct answers.

AssessmentAssessment

Cause/ EffectCause/ Effect Fact/OpinionFact/Opinion

AssessmentAssessment

NOTNOT EXCEPTEXCEPT

Assessment

Choose the best graphic Corrections to the sentence

English Language Learners

Assessment

Demographics(Based upon September 30, 2013, Student Record

Collection)

Number of Languages Reported in Virginia Schools

214

ELL Growth349% over the past 15 years

1998 (26,525)

2001 (43,535)

2003 (60,990)

2006 (78,216)

2009 (86,751)

2012 (92,420)

2013 (92,457)

010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00060,00070,00080,00090,000

100,000

Division-wide ELL Distribution

No ELLs (8 )

1-25 (44) 26 - 59 (20)

60-100 (10)

101-500 (27)

501-1,000 (12)

1,001-5,000 (8)

5,001- 36,054

(3)

05

101520253035404550

Fairf

ax (3

6,054)

Prince

Willi

am (1

3,610)

Loudoun (5

,234)

Arlingto

n (4,559)

Alexandria

(3,243)

Chesterfi

eld(2,903)

Henrico (2

,703)

Man

assas(

2,317)

Harriso

nburg (1,727)

Richmond (1

,173)0

5,00010,00015,00020,00025,00030,00035,00040,000

Largest ELL Student EnrollmentTop 10 Divisions

Manass

as City

(33%)

Harriso

nburg (3

2%)

Manass

as Park

City (3

0%)

Alexan

dria (2

7%)

Arlingto

n (20%)

Fairfa

x (20%)

Winch

ester

(19%)

Prince

Willi

am (1

6%)

Accomac

k (15%)

Galax (

14%)0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Largest Percentage of ELL Students(Compared to ALL Student Enrollment)

Top 10 Divisions

English SOL Institutes

October 2

•Abingdon

October 3

•Roanoke

October 16

•Dulles

October 20

•Richmond

October 22

•Newport News

October 30

•Staunton

English SOL Institutes

Registration now open. Each School Division may send a team of 4.

• Morning Sessions:• Nonfiction/Fiction reading & Vocabulary Development• Writing

• Elementary Focus- Writing Across the Curriculum• Secondary Focus- How to Build an Effective Argument

• Afternoon Sessions• Successful Strategies for English Language Learners

• Elementary or Secondary Focus

• Successful Strategies for Students with Disabilities Sessions by Higher Ed Training and Technical Assistance Centers (TTAC)

• Elementary or Secondary Focus

English SOL Institutes

QuestionsQuestions

Contact InformationContact Information

Tracy Fair RobertsonEnglish Coordinator

Tracy.Robertson@doe.virginia.gov

804-371-7585

Thomas SantangeloElementary English Specialist

Thomas.Santangelo@doe.virginia.gov

804-225-3203

Assessment OfficeStudent_assessment@doe.virginia.gov

804-225-2102

Tracy Fair RobertsonEnglish Coordinator

Tracy.Robertson@doe.virginia.gov

804-371-7585

Thomas SantangeloElementary English Specialist

Thomas.Santangelo@doe.virginia.gov

804-225-3203

Assessment OfficeStudent_assessment@doe.virginia.gov

804-225-2102Virginia Department of Education