PARCC Phase 1 Benchmark Test Creation Guide

Table of Contents
PARCC Phase I Overview..PARCC
Guide
Shared Benchmark Formatting Page 2
Shared Benchmark Criteria for SuccessPage 3-4
Shared Benchmark Steps for Creation and RevisionPage 5
Shared Benchmark Suggested Resources for Test Creation ..Page 5
Shared Benchmark Action Plan and Assignments by Grade ....Page 6- 7

Additional Resources
PARCC Grade Level Guides (for EBSR and PCR question stems)
PARCC Sample Released Tests (to model formatting and rigor)

Format of Shared PARCC Benchmark Tests

Test Layout
The format should align to the PARCC released practice tests, with the following
specifications:
Text 1 (Long text. See Text CFS for specifications)
2 EBSR (4 questions total) aligned to Text 1
Text 2 (Short text. See Text CFS for specifications)
2 EBSR (4 questions total) aligned to Text 2
PCR prompt
4 pages of lined paper
Formatting
Font: Calibri; Size: 14 (Grade 3-5), 12 (Grade 6-8)
Page number bottom right
Bold directions
Answer choices A-D unless questions with more than 1 correct answer, in which A-E or
A-F
For questions with more than 1 correct answer, indicate and bold number of answers
required

Naming and Saving Conventions

Save tests in Google Folder as GradeX.ELAPB.TestDate
Save exemplars in Google Folder as GradeX.ELAPB.Exemplar.TestDate
Enter answer in Answer Key in Google Spreadsheet

Text Selection CFS

Meets the demands of the PCR task prompt
o Is rich enough in content so that students can adequately answer the PCR
prompt
o Shares significant points of comparison with paired text(s) beyond superficial
observations
Falls within appropriate grade level Lexile band (Lit texts can fall below band, use
best judgment)
Grade
3
4-5
6-8

Lexile Band
500 800
700 1000
900 1180

Falls within appropriate grade level word count

Grade
3-5
6-8
*Poems may include fewer words

Long Text Word Count

400 800 words
600 1000 words

Short Text Word Count

200 400 words*
400 600 words*

Reflects diverse range of texts across genres and disciplines

o Literature benchmarks must include at least 1 poem, 1 folktale or myth, 1
drama
o Nonfiction benchmarks must include at least 1 scientific text and 1 history/

EBSR Question Creation CFS

Reflect language of PART A and PART B stems from the grade level specific PARCC
Phase I Guide (page 2)
Includes answer choices A-D
Includes at least 1 PART B EBSR per test that requires more than 1 correct answer
o Indicates # correct required in bold
o Ex: Which two sentences from the text best support the answer to Part A?
Answer choices A-F
Includes at least 1 of each type of PART B EBSR per test
o PART B Type 1: Evidence
Ex: PART A What character trait does character x reveal when character x
does y?
PART B Which sentence from the text best supports the answer to
Part A?
o PART B Type 2: Additional Evidence
Ex: PART A: What theme is developed in paragraph x?
PART B: Which additional paragraph shows the same theme as PART
A?
Distractor answers meet the following criteria:
o Must be plausible responses
3

o Style (length, syntax) of distractors must similar to correct answer(s) but not
necessarily parallel
o In PART B, answer choices must be same type of citation (ie. All quotes or all
paraphrase)

PCR Question Creation CFS

Reflect language of PCR prompt stems from the grade level specific PARCC Phase I
Guide (page 3)
PARCC Question Creation Practice
Steps:
1. Read the text
2. Use the CFS and PARCC Guide to create an EBSR question (5.RL.2) and a PCR
(5.RL.3)
3. Swap with a partner. Use the CFS and PARCC Guide to provide feedback.
4. Group Reflection on Process
My Questions
EBSR PART A

My Partners Feedback

EBSR PART B

PCR:

Steps for Creation AM Session

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Use the Action Plan to Identify the PCR focus of your first assigned test(s)
Use Suggested Resources to identify texts that align to the CFS
Revise or create EBSR that align to the CFS
Format the test according to the Format Guide
Complete the answer key in the Google Spreadsheet
Write an exemplar response to the PCR
Repeat Steps 1-8 for remaining tests according to your action plan

Steps for Revision PM Session

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Select a partner
Swap your tests with your partner
Proofread and check content and format of the tests against the CFS
Record revisions and comments by tracking changes
Swap back and share feedback
Revise your own tests and necessary

Benchmark Test Resource List

Illuminate Measured Progress Item Bank https://kippneworleans.illuminateed.com
Username: lriley Password: workhardbenice
KIPP Foundation Q3 and Q4 Benchmarks https://share.kipp.org/
Smarter Balance Assessment http://www.smarterbalanced.org/smarter-balancedassessments/
Released NY State Tests https://www.engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-common-coresample-questions (2014)
http://www.edinformatics.com/testing/ny.htm (2010 2013)
Released MA State Tests http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/2014/release/ (2014)
http://www.edinformatics.com/testing/mass.htm (2010-2013)
Rally Test Prep Books
Read Works www.readworks.org
Username: lriley Password: workhardbenice
Achieve 3000 www.achieve3000.com
Username: Hilah.barbot
password: teacher