Fact Sheet: Grade 9 Practice Literacy Test

What is the Grade 9 Practice Literacy Test?

·    developed by a committee of local educators

·    consists of two booklets of prepared materials

·    uses the same format as the Grade 10 Literacy Test (OSSLT)

·    has the same types of tasks as the OSSLT

What is the purpose of the Grade 9 Practice Literacy Test?

·    students are exposed to the format of the OSSLT

·    students practice the tasks required by the OSSLT

·    educators can use practice test as a diagnostic tool

·    identified students will have access to remediation

·    parents will be informed of results

What tasks are required on the Grade 9 Literacy Test?

·    same types of tasks as the OSSLT

reading tasks:

·    various styles eg. narrative, graphic, informational

·    accompanying multiple choice comprehension questions

·    short answer main idea or summary paragraphs

writing tasks:

·    opinion paragraph

·    newspaper article

·    series of paragraphs (essay format)

How will Grade 9 students prepare for the Practice Literacy Test?

·    reading and writing tasks will be covered specifically in English classes

·    all subjects will require students to practice literacy tasks

·    a trial run will be held with the Grade 10 students approximately one month before the test date (in 2009, trial run will be Wednesday, March 4)

·    Booklet One of prepared materials will be used

When does the Practice Literacy Test take place for Grade 9 students?

Booklet Two of the prepared materials will be written at the same time as the OSSLT in March (in 2009 the tests will be written on Thursday, April 2) Accommodations will include extra time only.

What happens to Booklets One & Two?

Booklet One will be used for the trail run approximately one month before the test date. The Literacy Committee will review the booklets to help identify students who may need assistance and/or accommodations.

Booklet Two will be used for the Practice Literacy Test and will be written at the same time as the Grade 10 Literacy Test (OSSLT). Accommodations include extra time, computer or scribe access, large print or auditory tapes. The multiple choice answer sheets are sent to the School Board Office for marking. The Adam Scott Literacy Committee members mark the writing tasks under the close guidance of the marking schemes laid out for the OSSLT by EQAO (body that develops, monitors and evaluates literacy testing in Ontario).

Results are collated and communicated to parents and students. Results are divided into three categories: student is prepared for the OSSLT; student needs assistance; student needs significant remediation.

 NOTE: The Literacy Committee cannot predict the pass score of the OSSLT as this score changes every year, therefore results will not be communicated in the form of percentages.

How can you help?

·    encourage students with homework

·    be aware of tasks required for literacy tests

·    practice tasks at home with student- practice materials can be found on

      school web site and link to EQAO website

·    practice workbook available for remediation

·    encourage students to be well rested and on time for testing days

Contacts:

Adam Scott website:  www.adamscott.ca

EQAO website:          www.eqao.ca

Literacy Committee Head

Linda Hancox

743-7373 ext 194