May at Chariho Regional High School is a month full of high stakes assessments. While our move to semester exams has alleviated some of the stressors, at each grade level, students will be asked to provide evidence of their learning during this month.
Chariho’s diploma system includes a Standardized Assessment Requirement, that demands each student show proficiency in Math and Reading on one of multiple assessment opportunities we offer. These assessments include PARCC (9th Grade), PSAT (10th Grade), SAT (11th/12th Grade), ASVAB (Military Service Exam 11th/12th Grade) and Accuplacer (College Entrance Exam 12th Grade). By meeting the benchmarks in any one of these exams, students can fulfill this graduation requirement.
Last year, Chariho 9th Graders had one of the highest performance improvement rates in the state on the PARCC Assessment! We are looking for similar results this year.
The structure of the PSAT and SAT Exams has changed in the past year, and the Department of Education now provides the opportunity for all students to take these college readiness assessments in 10th and 11th Grade. Chariho students continue to perform above the state average on these assessments.
In addition to these standardized tests, students enrolled in Advanced Placement Courses are scheduled during this month. Students (10th, 11th, 12th Grade) enrolled in theses courses can earn valuable college credit by scoring a 3, 4, or 5 on their AP Exam. All AP teachers met earlier in the year to discuss strategies for ensuring student success and to consider obstacles to best student performance. Last year’s results show a 12 point increase in the % of students who scored a 3 (proficient) or better on their AP assessments:
Finally, students in 11th Grade will take the NECAP Science Exam. Students can earn a free lab report for the portfolio if they score a 3 or a 4 and a Golden Pass (access to leaving class without a written pass) if they score a 4.
At home, you can support your students’ performance by encouraging them to get a good night’s sleep prior to exams and having a good breakfast on exam days. Teachers and student have been preparing for these exams all year, through instruction, practice exams, and analysis of the types of questions posed. Students are encouraged to set goals for their performance and work to their fullest potential. When scores come in, our support systems provide interventions to students with identified gaps in their learning.
Attached HERE is a calendar of the exams administered in May. Outlined below are the upcoming assessment dates by exam type:
PARCC testing (GRADE 9):
- ELA testing: May 2nd - May 5th
- Math testing: May 9th - May 11th
SAT Testing (GRADE 11/12): May 6th
Advanced Placement Exams:
- AP Art History & AP Physics I Exams: May 2
- AP English Lit & AP Physics II Exam: May 3
- AP US History & AP Computer Science Exam: May 5
- AP Biology Exam: May 8
- AP Calculus Exam: May 9
- AP English Lang. Exam: May 10
- AP Statistics Exam: May 11
- AP Economics & AP European Exam: May 12
