K-2nd Grade English/Language Arts Resources
The How to Create an Assessment Item ELA job aid is an easy to use, step-by-step guide for creating assessment items which reflect the rigor of CCSS and the format of PARCC.
The Word Count Guidelines for the PARCC assessment for 3rd grade are listed on page 2 of the Grade 3 Common Form Specifications (PBA). Here you will find the minimum/maximum passage length for literary and informational text/literary nonfiction in a table at the bottom of the page. For example, grades 3-5 require texts to have between 200-800 words.
Per PARCC, please note that a text that is closer to the end of the word count range for a listed grade band is considered an extended text, and text that is closer to the beginning of the word count range for a listed grade band is considered a short text.
The Grade 3 Common Form Specifications (PBA) is also helpful in specifying which CCSS to measure on the assessment. Direct your attention to the column labeled Task Models Applicable: Standards measured. This column will give you an idea of which standards will be specifically measured on the PBA. The Grade 3 EOY Form Specifications on page 3 of the document also provides information about which standards will be specifically measured on the EOY in the Standards to Measure column.
The Grade 3 Common Form Specifications (PBA) and the Grade 3 EOY Form Specifications are also helpful in understanding the types of tasks that will be used on the two different assessments. On the PBA blueprint, note that the Task Type column includes all three of the task types (literary analysis, narrative writing, and research simulation); however, the EOY blueprint does not specify the type of task, only the item types. This means that the EOY assessment will not require the various tasks included on the PBA assessment.
The Grade 3 Common Form Specifications (PBA) and the Grade 3 EOY Form Specifications will help you to understand the types of items that will be used on the assessments. On the PBA blueprint, the Item Types column provides information about how many of which type of item will be on that particular assessment. For example, on the literary analysis task, students will be expected to complete 7 items, 6 of which will be a combination of EBSR and TECR items and 1 of which will be a PCRS item.
Per PARCC, please note that a text that is closer to the end of the word count range for a listed grade band is considered an extended text, and text that is closer to the beginning of the word count range for a listed grade band is considered a short text.
The Grade 3 Common Form Specifications (PBA) is also helpful in specifying which CCSS to measure on the assessment. Direct your attention to the column labeled Task Models Applicable: Standards measured. This column will give you an idea of which standards will be specifically measured on the PBA. The Grade 3 EOY Form Specifications on page 3 of the document also provides information about which standards will be specifically measured on the EOY in the Standards to Measure column.
The Grade 3 Common Form Specifications (PBA) and the Grade 3 EOY Form Specifications are also helpful in understanding the types of tasks that will be used on the two different assessments. On the PBA blueprint, note that the Task Type column includes all three of the task types (literary analysis, narrative writing, and research simulation); however, the EOY blueprint does not specify the type of task, only the item types. This means that the EOY assessment will not require the various tasks included on the PBA assessment.
The Grade 3 Common Form Specifications (PBA) and the Grade 3 EOY Form Specifications will help you to understand the types of items that will be used on the assessments. On the PBA blueprint, the Item Types column provides information about how many of which type of item will be on that particular assessment. For example, on the literary analysis task, students will be expected to complete 7 items, 6 of which will be a combination of EBSR and TECR items and 1 of which will be a PCRS item.
On pages 20 and 21 of this document, you will find the Text Complexity Analysis Worksheet for both literary and informational texts. You will use this document to ensure that the passages chosen for assessment meet the guidelines for text complexity as determined by CCSS.
On the Text Complexity Analysis Worksheet, you will also find the Lexile range that aligns with the appropriate CCSS grade band. For example, grades 2-3 require texts to be within the 420-820 Lexile range to be appropriately complex.
On the Text Complexity Analysis Worksheet, you will also find the Lexile range that aligns with the appropriate CCSS grade band. For example, grades 2-3 require texts to be within the 420-820 Lexile range to be appropriately complex.
The Literary vs. Informational Text document provides information about what constitutes literary text and what constitutes informational text.
The English/Language Arts Content Standards document provides the full range of ELA standards for 3rd grade. You will need this document to specify which CCSS to measure.
The Grade 3 PARCC ELA Performance Level Descriptors document will be helpful in choosing appropriately complex texts for high levels of student performance, as well as providing information about what constitutes Level 5 ELA performance for Reading and Writing sub-claims. For example, a Level 5 student demonstrates distinguished command of the grade-level standards. This document will help you to specify the performance level of the items on the assessment(s) you create.
The 3rd Grade ELA Summative Assessment Table will help you to identify and create assessment items for each of the three different task types: literary analysis, narrative writing, and research simulation. It provides a description of each task, as well as examples for some of them.
The Types of ELA Items document will assist you in identifying and creating assessment items for each of the three different item types: evidence-based selected response (EBSR), technology-enhanced constructed response (TECR), and prose constructed response (PCR).
The 3rd Grade PARCC ELA Practice Test will provide examples of the types of tasks and types of items on the 3rd Grade PARCC PBA ELA Test.
The Assessment Item Checklist will help you to ensure that the stems and responses that make up your assessments are clear and effective.
Use the Assessment Evaluation Rubric to evaluate the assessment item(s) you have created to ensure proper rigor and formatting.