Palmetto Assessment of State Standards Writing Tests March 18-19
The South Carolina’s Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (SCPASS) Writing Tests will be administered to students in Greenville County in grades 3 through 8 on Tuesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 19. The writing test consists of extended response item administered March 18 and multiple-choice items administered on March 19.
SCPASS 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. SCPASS 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.
Testing Tips
Parents can be a great help to their child by following these suggestions. For more information about testing or your child’s progress, please call your child’s school.
Students:
- Rest on the nights before these tests.
- Eat a nourishing breakfast on the morning of each test.
- Be in school and on time, except in cases of illness.
- Bring at least two #2 pencils to school. They are required for writing the extended response essay and for marking test answer documents.
- Listen attentively to the teacher’s directions so he/she will know exactly what to do.
- Read each test question and each response carefully before marking an answer choice.
- Stay calm, if there are questions that seem difficult.
- Mark his/her best answer.
- Refrain from bringing any electronic device that can be used for communicating, timing, or imaging into the testing location.
Parents:
- Meet with your child’s teachers as often as necessary to discuss his/her progress.
- Check or review your child’s homework, projects, or other school work.
- Ask teachers 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.
- Talk with your child about school.
- Provide positive feedback by praising your child for what he/she does well.