• Information on the Georgia Milestone Assessment.

    GSE Algebra 1

    Every student in the state of Georgia enrolled in GSE Algebra 1 will take the Georgia Milestone Assessment. 

    More info on the Georgia Milestone Assessment System: http://bit.ly/2LFMjGl

    I expect my students to do well - proficient or distinguished.  Below I provide a description level that I anticipate for all of my students.

    Proficient Learners demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students are prepared for the next grade level or course and are on track for college and career readiness.

    The scale score for proficient is 525 to 593.

    Distinguished Learners demonstrate advanced proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students are well prepared for the next grade level or course and are well prepared for college and career readiness.

    The scale score for distinguished is 594 to 785.

    Taken from GA DOE: http://bit.ly/2va1U6L

    I do understand that all students may not well prepared for doing well in mathematics.  That is why I'm a strong supporter and believer in the student growth model we use across the state of Georgia that provides data and insight associated with both a students achievement and a students growth that is compared to students that performed at the same level as my students - your child.  Moreover, when a student doesn't earn a proficient or distinguished rating, I get equally excited about seeing high levels of growth.  The goal in those instances is to continue learning and improving on weaknesses so that my students can work towards the proficient or distinguished rating on future assessments - milestone assessments, SAT, ACT, ASVAB, and other achievement tests.

    More info on the Georgia Student Growth Model: http://bit.ly/2va2qBJ

    Check out the Algebra 1 Milestone Study Guide: https://bit.ly/2K4utYY

    In class, formative and summative assessments will be the majority of grades entered in the gradebook.  In preparation for these assessments that will be frequent, students will have practice every day.  To review the practice from class and related examples, please check out OneNote.  Formative assessments (quizzes) will be no more than 6-8 questions.  Summative assessments (tests or exams) will be no more than 40 for a 90 min period. The question count resembles what students will experience when they sit for the milestone assessment.

    Both types of assessments will be created with problems that demand student engagement at varoius levels of understanding - mostly levels 2-4.  An explanation on the levels is below:

    Level 1

    Level 1 generally requires that you identify, list, or define . This level usually asks you to recall facts, terms, concepts, and trends and may ask you to identify specific information contained in documents, maps, charts, tables, graphs, or illustrations . Items that require you to “describe” and/or “explain” could be classified as Level 1 or Level 2 . A Level 1 item requires that you just recall, recite, or reproduce information .

    Level 2

    Level 2 includes the engagement (use) of some mental processing beyond recalling or reproducing a response . A Level 2 “describe” and/or “explain” item would require that you go beyond a description or explanation of recalled information to describe and/or explain a result or “how” or “why .” 

    Level 3

    Level 3 requires reasoning, using evidence, and thinking on a higher and more abstract level than Level 1 and Level 2 . You will go beyond explaining or describing “how and why” to justifying the “how and why” through application and evidence . Level 3 items often involve making connections across time and place to explain a concept or a “big idea .”

    Level 4

    Level 4 requires the complex reasoning of Level 3 with the addition of planning, investigating, applying significant conceptual understanding, and/or developing that will most likely require an extended period of time . You may be required to connect and relate ideas and concepts within the content area or among content areas in order to be at this highest level . The Level 4 items would be a show of evidence, through a task, a product, or an extended response, that the cognitive demands have been met .

    Additional Resources:

    Algebra 1 Formula Sheet: http://bit.ly/2LsVCtO