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Johnson County Schools Writing Benchmark Initiative
Statement of Beliefs
Every teacher is accountable to teach the writing component of the
state English/language arts curriculum for their grade-levels/subject
areas, and to prepare students for the TCAP Writing Assessments that are
given in grades 5, 8 and 11. The TCAP Writing Assessment measures
students’ writing skills that have been developed and built-upon through
every grade in school, not just the grade in which they are tested by
the state. In Johnson County Schools, every teacher is expected to
provide relevant opportunities for their students to write in every
subject and every course.
Purpose of the Writing Benchmark Initiative
The purpose of the Writing Benchmark Initiative is two-fold:
- • To measure progress toward improved student achievement on
the TCAP Writing Test
- • To drive follow-up lesson planning and writing instruction
based on student needs
Types of Writing for Benchmarks
Because writing skills are continually developed each year, the
following types of writing will be used for Benchmarks:
- • Grades K-5: Narrative
- • Grades 6-8: Expository
Administration of Benchmarks
The administration of Benchmarks will
be the same as the administration of the TCAP Writing Assessment with a
35 minute time-limit for all grade levels. There will be no teacher
assistance/help for students during the Benchmark, except for students
with required accomodations. Students in grades 9-11 will be required to
use an ink pen for the Benchmarks, just as they are required on the
Grade 11 TCAP Test.
Benchmark Schedule
Writing Benchmarks will be administered
two times (with a two-week window) each school year in grades K-11:
Distribution of Benchmarks
The week prior to the Benchmark window,
Paula Norton will email the Benchmarks to principals who will forward
them to teachers. The Benchmarks will be in official test form with
lined paper similar to the actual TCAP Writing Test in grades 3-11.
Designated writing paper will be provided to each school to be used for
Writing Benchmarks in grades K-2.
Make-Ups for Absent Students
It is expected that every student will
be administered the Benchmarks. Make-up Benchmarks will be given to
students who are absent on the day Benchmarks are administered to the
class.
Rubric
To maintain consistency throughout the
grades, the TCAP Test rubric will be used by all grade levels to
holistically score the Benchmarks. Anchor papers will be used with the
rubric to facilitate scoring.
Anchor Papers
Every teacher who administers Writing
Benchmarks will receive a set of anchor papers for his/her grade level.
Teachers will use the set of anchor papers and the state rubric to score
Benchmarks.
Score Reports
Teachers will have one week to score
their students’ Benchmarks and complete a Score Report Form. Teachers
will submit their Score Report Form to their principal who will forward
the forms to Paula Norton at the central office. The due dates for the
Score Report Forms are:
• October 23
• January 22
Benchmark Papers
Each school’s Writing Benchmark
Initiative Committee (WBIC) member/s will collect the original Benchmark
papers immediately
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