From the Classroom to the Test: How to Improve Student Achievement on the Summative ELA Assessments

Adele T. Macula

Jul 2015 · Capstone

About this ebook

Today, it is more essential than ever that students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become college and career ready. There is a nationwide focus on the skills and strategies students need in order to be successful. At the core are the assessments currently in circulation. From the Classroom to the Test: How to Improve Student Achievement on the Summative ELA Assessments is a comprehensive book to help educators of grades 3-8 support students in these efforts. It provides information for adjusting instruction to enhance reading comprehension, close reading, vocabulary development, writing and media skills, speaking and listening, and much more. Sample test items for each grade level round out this resource.

About the author

Dr. Adele T. Macula is an educational professional focused on creating highly effective schools through a commitment to excellence. She spent her professional career serving in New Jersey's second largest school district as an elementary teacher, District Supervisor for Programs that Maximize Potential, Special Assistant for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, and Associate Superintendent-Curriculum and Instruction for grades K-12. Additionally, Dr. Macula was an Adjunct Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Seton Hall University. Presently, as part of the NJ Principals and Supervisors Association/Foundation for Educational Administration, she is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for NJ EXCEL (Expedited Certification for Educational Leadership) and also serves as a faculty member. Dr. Macula is also a consultant, providing professional learning opportunities for administrators and instructional staff members and has presented numerous workshops on Common Core State Standards, PARCC, formative assessment, teacher evaluation and effective feedback, and promoting data-informed instruction. Dr. Macula has received several awards, including the Brian C. Doherty Community Service Award, the Dr. Ernest L. Boyer 2009 Outstanding Educator Award, the "Service Above Self" Community Service Award, the Women's History Month "Award for Contributions to Multicultural Education," and New Jersey City University's "Inaugural Distinguished Education Alumni Award." She continues to present at local, state, national, and international conferences