Carl Stuart Middle School

Note to Parents and Guardians:

The state-mandated testing program will be administered during the month of April. It is extremely important that your child/children be present all days of this testing event.

PLEASE DO NOT schedule events (doctor's appointments, out of town activities, etc.) that will cause student absences during any part of the test schedule.

We want everyone to note the following considerations:

• State-mandated testing is arguably the single most important event of the school year, so every student must be in school and prepared to do his/her very best. The individual results carry with them implications for the direction of each student's individual course of study, with definitive remedial interventions for those failing to show proficiency in Literacy and Mathematics. 

• Students should get a good night's sleep (at least 8 hrs.) before each day of testing.

• Students should have a good breakfast the morning of each day of testing.
 
• Because of testing security issues, students should not bring cell phones to school during the week of testing. Cell phones will be taken from students during testing, and the school will not assume responsibility for phones that are taken.

Other items of interest:

• Students may bring snacks to eat during break times. Snacks must be kept in lockers and cannot be taken into testing rooms.

• Parents will receive an informational postcard during the month of March.

• The testing schedule for 2010:

     o April 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 - Benchmark Examinations
     o April 19, 20 - End of Course Geometry
     o May 10, 11 - End of Course Algebra

If you have questions about the testing, you may call Carl Stuart Middle School for Mr. Benton, Principal, Mr. Scroggin  or Ms. Middlebrooks, Assistant Principals; Mr. Johnson, Counselor/testing coordinator or Ms. Claunch, Counselor. The number is 329-2782

Students cannot share calculators during testing and may only have one calculator.

Calculators that may NOT be used:

• Pocket organizers
• Hand-held or laptop computers
• Electronic writing pads or pen-input devices
• Calculators built into cellular phones or other wireless communication devices
• Calculators with QWERTY (typewriter-like) pads
• Calculators with paper tape
• Calculators that “talk” or make unusual noises
• Calculators that require an electrical outlet
• Calculators with built-in capability to simplify algebraic expressions, multiply polynomials, or factor polynomials (often designated Computer Algebra Systems)
• Calculators that can communicate wirelessly with other calculators

Specific calculator models that may NOT be used:

• Casio CFX-9970G, Algebra FX 2.0, and ClassPad300
• Hewlett-Packard HP-40G, HP-48gll, HP-49G, and HP-50G
• Texas Instruments TI-89 and TI-92
• Voyage 200
• TI-nspire calculators without CAS are allowed only in the following two cases:
 1. with the TI-84 Plus keypad
 2. with the nspire keypad using operating system 1.7 or higher with both "Limit geometry  functions" and "Disable function grab and move" invoked in Press-to-Test mode. Press-to-Test mode must be invoked at the beginning of each session and exit Press-to-Test mode at the end of each session.

Students may use any four function, scientific, or graphing calculator, as long as it does not have any of the features listed above.

1. Read the instructions carefully. Never assume you will know what they will say!  2. Answer the easiest questions first, then focus on the ones that are more difficult. You don't want to spend 20 minutes trying to figure out a single problem!

 3. Keep busy! If you get stuck on a question, come back to it later. The answer might come to you while you are working on another part of the test.

 4. If you aren't sure how to answer an open-response question fully, try to answer at least part of it. You could get partial credit.

 5. Need to guess on a multiple-choice test? First, eliminate the answers that you know are wrong. Then take a guess. Because your first guess is most likely to be correct, you shouldn't go back and change an answer later unless you are certain you were wrong.

 6. On an open-response item, take a moment to plan your writing. First, jot down the important points you want to make. Then number these points in the order you will cover them.

 7. Keep it neat! If the grader can't read your writing, you might lose points.  Make sure your open-response answer is IN THE BOX.  Credit cannot be given for work or answers outside the space provided.

 8. Don't waste time doing things for which you will not receive credit, such as rewriting test questions.

 9. Don’t panic. PLAN! Use your time wisely, monitor the clock and conquer!

10. Leave time at the end to look over your work. Did you answer every question? Are the bubbles filled in correctly - no stray marks?  It is easy to make careless mistakes while taking a test. Did you proofread for errors?

  These items are needed to complete enrollment. Please bring all necessary documentation with you to insure a smooth and speedy registration process.

• Completion of Record of Entry and Health registration form
• Completion of Elective Course Survey options
• Birth Certificate
• Immunization Records
• Recent norm-referenced and criteria-referenced test results
• Records of grades for the 2008-2009 school year
• Information regarding Special Education placement (IEP)
• Information about the type of math course taken during 2008-2009
• Information you would like the counselor to review prior to arranging a class schedule

Note: All Gifted & Talented inquiries must be made to Donna Whiting This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , GT Supervisor. She can be reached at 450-4845 ext. 250. Gifted & Talented decisions will be made prior to scheduling. You are urged to call the coordinator ASAP if this program applies to you.