Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) Testing
The Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) Writing tests will be administered to students in Greenville County Schools in grades 3 through 8 on March 19 and 20. The writing test consists of extended response item administered on Day 1 (March 19) and multiple-choice items administered on Day 2 (March 20).
PASS has been designed to assess higher levels of learning as well as basic skills. Students are asked questions that test their knowledge and skills in a variety of ways. PASS tests are untimed for each day of testing; however, each session must be completed during a single day unless the student has an IEP, 504 Plan, or ESOL accommodation plan specifying administration of a single test over several days. During the March Writing Day 1 assessment, all students must complete the extended-response portion test in one day.
Help us help your child perform to the best of his or her ability. For more information about testing or your child’s progress, please call your child’s school.
TESTING TIPS
Parents can be a great help to their child by following these suggestions:
- Please see that your child gets rest on the nights before these tests.
- Please see that your child eats a nourishing breakfast on the morning of these tests.
- Make every effort to have your child in school and on time, except in cases of illness.
- Meet with your child’s teacher as often as possible to discuss his/her progress. Ask the teacher to suggest activities for you and your child to do at home to help prepare for tests and to improve your child’s understanding of schoolwork.
- Please see that your child brings at least two #2 pencils to school. They are required for marking test answer documents.
- Do encourage your child to listen attentively to the teacher’s test directions so he/she will know exactly what to do.
- Do encourage your child to read each test question and each response carefully before marking an answer choice.
- Do encourage your child to stay calm if there are questions that seem difficult.
- Encourage your child to mark his/her best answer.
- Provide positive feedback by praising your child for what he/she does well.
- Students may not bring any electronic device that can be used for communicating, timing, or imaging into the testing location.