THANK YOU KWELLER PREP

new PSAT

About the New PSAT:

The New PSAT will be a longer test than the old one: It is now 2 hours and 45 minutes. Evidence-Based Reading and Writing in the Reading Test, followed by a Writing and Language Test. There will also be heavy math testing. Bye-bye calculator! The Math Test is now divided into two portions: Math Test – Calculator and Math Test – No Calculator.  Do well on this test and you’ll qualify for some amazing college scholarships!

The New PSAT will have a greater emphasis on the meaning of words in extended contexts and on how word choice shapes meaning, tone, and impact. There will be no guessing penalty. The new PSAT will have a rights-only scoring (a point for a correct answer but no deduction for an incorrect answer; blank responses have no impact on scores)

Scores will be reported on a shared common score scale with the SAT: The scale ranges for the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 scores are 320–1520 for the total score, 160–760 for each of two section scores, and 8–38 for test scores. There will also be subscores for every test, providing added insight for students, parents, educators, and counselors

ELA sample test scores released 2015

2015-2016 DOE Public School Calendar and Holidays

2015-2016 DOE Public School Calendar and Holidays

Sept 9- First Day of School.

Sep 14-   and September 15, 2015- Rosh Hashanah/ Jewish New Year (school closed)

Sep 23- Yom Kippur Jewish Day of Atonement/ Mourning/ Sadness (school closed)

Sep 24- Eid al-Adha/ Muslim Feast of Sacrifice (schools closed)

Oct 12 - Columbus Day/ Celebrating Columbus Discovering the New World (schools closed)

Nov 3- Election Day/ Vote for the next US President! (No School)

Nov 4-5- Elementary School: Parent-Teacher Conferences*

Nov 9-10- District 75- Parent-Teacher Conferences*

Nov 11- Veterans Day/ Last day of WW1/ remembering those who served US (schools closed)

Nov 17-18- Middle School: Parent-Teacher Conferences

Nov 19-20- High School: Parent-Teacher Conferences

Nov 26-27- Thanksgiving Recess (schools closed)

Dec 24-Jan1- Winter Recess/ Christmas to New Year (schools closed)

Jan 18- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day/ Civil Rights Leader (schools closed)

January 26 - January 29, 2016- NY State Regents Exams

Feb 2 Spring Term begins for high school students.

Feb 8 – Chinese New Year/ Lunar New Year (schools closed)

Feb 15-19 Mid-winter Recess (schools closed)

Mar 2-3 - Elementary School: Parent-Teacher Conferences*

Mar 7-8 Parent-Teacher Conferences in some schools

Mar 10-11 High School: Parent-Teacher Conferences*

Mar 16-17 Middle School: Parent-Teacher Conferences*

Mar 25 Good Friday (schools closed)

April 5 - April 7, 2016- NY State English Language Arts (ELA) grades 3-8 Common Core Exams

April 13 - April 15, 2016- NY State Math grades 3- 8 Common Core Exams

April 25-29 Spring Recess/ Passover week (schools closed)

May 30 Memorial Day/ remembering those who died in Active Military service (schools closed)

Jun 9- No School (Teacher/ Staff Development Day)      

Jun 14- No school for elementary and middle school students

June 14 2016- June 22, 216 – Regents Exams Test Dates for High School Students

Jun 23- Regents Scoring Day, High School students do not attend school

Jun 28 Last Day for All Students.

Please confirm these dates with your school calendar/ Dates May Vary

2015 Summer SAT/ACT/ PSAT Week MONDAY to THURSDAY Essay homework

2015 Summer SHSAT/ TACHS/ HSPT/ BARD/ ISEE/ SSAT / ACT Aspire

2015 ACT essay homework

ACT ESSAY HOMEWORK

*These are Real, Released, ACT Essay Prompts*

#1

Some teachers and administrators believe that extra-curricular involvement plays an important role in a high school student’s social development. Therefore, our school district is considering an additional graduation requirement that students must participate in a school-sponsored club or sport for at least one season or year. Some students and parents are concerned that this requirement could create conflicts with personal obligations outside of the school day. In your opinion, should the district implement this graduation requirement?

In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

#2

To motivate students to do well on state tests, some schools have offered rewards such as iPods, parking permits, and gift certificates for high achievement on these exams. Some students believe that these incentives encourage them to take the tests more seriously. Others feel that this policy is unfair to students who struggle academically. In your opinion, should school districts offer rewards to students for high performance on state tests?

In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Time Limit: 30 minutes

# 3

Community service is an important element of good citizenship. Therefore some schools mandate that students perform ten hours of community service during each year of high school. Parents and civic leaders feel that volunteering strengthens the bonds between the school and the community. Others believe that this requirement interferes with students’ commitments outside of the school day. In your opinion, should community service be required for each year of high school?

In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Time Limit: 30 minutes

#4

To increase communication with parents, schools offer online parent access to student grades and attendance. Parents believe this access allows them to monitor their children’s academic progress and to help them succeed. Some students feel that parent access to student grades invades their privacy and discourages personal responsibility. In your opinion, should parents have online access to student grades and attendance?

In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Time Limit: 30 minutes

#5

Because of increasing academic standards and of the average student’s abilities and commitments, colleges are now considering using the contents on Facebook and other social media as part of the criteria for a student’s admission. Many see this as a way to learn about parts of a student that are not part of the normal application and resume, such as their personality, friends, and social habits. Others, however, see this as a breach of privacy and argue that Facebook in no way gives an accurate or complete portrait of a student’s academic promise at a university. Should colleges be permitted to use applicant’s Facebook content in their considerations?

In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Time Limit: 30 minutes

#6

Recently there have been complaints about negative student behavior off campus during lunch hours. Some community members would like off campus privileges revoked. Yet many teachers and students feel that going off campus can be beneficial for students. In your opinion, should schools eliminate off campus privileges?

In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Time Limit: 30 minutes

#7

There are a wide variety of academic and extra-curricular activities that many high school students just miss because of the time constraints they face in the four years of high school. As a result, students permanently miss out on unique opportunities because they are compelled to focus on their academic requirements. To increase student opportunity, the state is considering increasing the length of high school from four years to five. This, according to supporters, will allow students to complete their required courses as well as undertake more academic and extra-curricular choices. Many students and parents, however, feel that adding a fifth year of high school will only add more requirements and pressures. In your opinion, should the state increase the length of high school from four years to five?

In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

#8

With the many technological advances that have been made within the last decade, many school districts are considering how they can better incorporate these new technologies into the classroom. Most recently, districts have been promoting the use of iPads by both students and teachers. While some technological advocates claim that using iPads in the classroom will help improve student learning and train students on appropriate use of technology, detractors claim that iPads will be more of a distraction than an aid to learning. In your opinion, should schools try to incorporate iPads into the classroom curriculum?

In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Time Limit: 30 minutes

Extra Essay Prompts:

#9

Many religions have different requirements for their followers, and often these requirements can interfere with the day-to-day responsibilities individuals might have. In schools, students may have certain religious restrictions that grant them special privileges that may include getting out of swimming class, ordering from a unique menu in the cafeteria, and even having a lighter academic schedule to allow time for prayer during the school day. Proponents of these privileges claim that religious requirements should take precedence over academics; however, opponents argue that if an individual wants to attend a certain high school, then they must conform to the expectations of that school’s academic requirements regardless of personal belief. In your opinion, should religious students receive unique treatment because of their beliefs?

In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Time Limit: 30 minut