Preparing for PARCC
Creating PARCC-Like English Assessments – Part 2 TECRs
This post is part of our blog series on PARCC. In this series, we offer tips and strategies you can use to ensure that your students perform at their very best on the PARCC tests.
One way to assist students to perform at their personal best
on PARCC is to simulate the test-taking experience, both in terms of the test
content and the testing conditions. This two-part blog post covers how to
create a PARCC-like English assessment. Part 1 addressed how to select text,
how to identify what is special or unique about the text, and how to write
Evidence-Based Selected Response (EBSR) items. This blog will present ideas and
templates for creating the assessment’s Technology-Enhanced Constructed
Responses (TECR).
What is a TECR?
“This ELA/literacy item uses technology to capture a student’s comprehension of texts in authentic ways that have been historically difficult to capture using current assessments. Examples include using drag and drop, cut and paste, and highlight text features.” (parcconline.org)
What types of technology-enhanced
items does PARCC utilize?
The PARCC assessments include several types of
technology-enhanced items:
- Multiple Select: These items are similar to multiple choice questions, except that students can select more than one correct answer.
- Highlight Text: Students highlight sections of the text to identify evidence that answers the question.
- Reorder Text: Students rearrange text selections to place them in chronological order, or to display theme, supporting details, etc.
- Drag and Drop Text: Students drag blocks of text to tables to display attributes of the text: setting, characterization, chronology, etc.
At this time PARCC only has a few sample online practice
tests. However, instructors can make their own TECR items and integrate the
concepts as paper and pencil experiences. It’s a matter of identifying what the
question types are requiring of students. By providing additional opportunities
to practice TECR items in class, students will be more familiar with the
construct of the TECRs. Additionally, the TECRs assess students’ ability to
meet Common Core ELA Standards.
Below are several templates you can use in your classroom.
Download the template, and fill in the blanks based on the text you use. Students
can either cut and paste the items or draw lines to the correct space. Either
way, students will have a chance to apply the Standards as well as practice
using the TECR formats.
Informational Text TECR Templates
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Standards Solution’s president, Victoria Pagonis, would be
happy to review your work. Email your TECR to victoria.pagonis@standardssolution.com
along with the text, your reason for choosing that text, and the standards that
you wish to assess with the item. She’ll reply with feedback and suggestions
for improvement.
Judy.cataldi@standardssolution.com or call 908-223-7202
Standards Solution Holding, LLC is not owned by or affiliated in any fashion with PARCC, Inc.
