Students to take PASS exam in Beaufort Co.

The writing portion of the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) exam will be administered to Beaufort County School District students in grades 3 – 8 on March 10 and 11.

According to Casey Newsome, BCSD Test Coordinator, PASS is a new program aligned to the state academic standards and includes tests in writing, English, language arts (reading and research), mathematics, science and, social studies. PASS test results are used for school and school district accountability purposes as well as federal accountability purposes (No Child Left Behind).

All students in grades three through eight will take the PASS writing, English language arts, and mathematics tests. Students in grades 4 and 7 will take both the science and social studies tests. Students in grades 3,5,6, and 8 will take either the science or the social studies test with approximately half of the students in each grade taking each test.

One change made in PASS from the preceding test, PACT, is that the writing portion of the test is given separately from the other sections. PASS English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies tests will be given in May on a similar schedule to PACT.

The PASS writing test will include multiple choice items, editing passages, and an extended-response item. No portion of PASS is timed.
In preparation for PASS writing, parents are urged to go over the following checklist for the test:
WRITING CHECKLIST
Does your writing…….
• Present a clear central idea about the topic?
• Develop the central idea with specific details?
• Sustain focus on the central idea?
• Have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion?
• Provide a smooth progression of ideas?
• Use precise and vivid vocabulary appropriate for the topic?
• Use effective phrasing and a variety of sentence structures?
• Show awareness of the audience and use an appropriate tone?
• Show strong command of grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling?

Remember to reread your final draft.

“Moreover,” Ms. Newsome explained, “we hope that our students come to the test well rested and ready to do their best. Parents need to tell their children that the most important thing to remember before taking a test is to arrive at school on time ready to learn. Parents can help their child have a positive testing attitude by making sure they go to bed on time, eat a hearty breakfast, and leave home feeling happy. Parents should encourage their child and assure them that as long as they do their best they will do just fine on the test. Parents should help build their child's confidence through praise, recognition of any small gains and successes and reassure them that they can and should do well!”