Question: Will Expository Prompt Change

Question: When Tyson Kane was talking about proceeding forward with expository/informational, did he give a specific answer regarding the language that will be used on the test, specifically composition, during the overlap years? The people sitting around me were certain we would see “informational” rather than “expository” on composition this year, but then a group behind me heard the exact opposite. 

I copied the exact words in the notes. (I recorded and transcribed the whole thing.) I think Ramos was the one that actually addressed it. Here’s what they said: (I’ll tell you what I think below.)

Expository/Informational: (Ramos) “As you know, we are currently assessing the composition in the expository genre. When I mentioned that we met with a lot of teachers since July, they indicated a strong alignment between expository and informational. So, at this time, unless there is some significant concern that we hear, we are going to proceed with aligning expository to informational on both the composition and the reading passages/genres. Argumentative/Persuasive: Informational/Expository: What language should we be using? (Ramos) “One of the things we did as we were working on identifying the overlap document was to conduct meetings from educators from across the state to get their input on the overlap standards that we were recommending. We asked a very similar question. Overwhelmingly, every grade level said that they don’t see an alignment between persuasive and argumentative for the terms of assessment. So you won’t be seeing either one for the transition years. We had the conversation with four different groups. So, in that sense, you won’t see language on the assessment for persuasive or argumentative. It won’t show up on the exam. Students won’t be assessed on persuasive. Students won’t be assessed on argument. For two years. For English II, that’s still a question that we’re in the stage of trying to finalize an answer on. Question is English II persuasive prompt…we are working on final answers for that and we hope to have that for you, probably in the month of October.”

So here’s what I think from previous conversations with Chelaine and from what Ramos said here. TEA doesn’t see a problem with the expository prompt. Last conference, they were surprised that we thought the prompt would change at all.

This is my prediction: they will call the essay Informative. I don’t think they can change the actual wording of the prompts because they haven’t had time to field test an informative prompt. They could – but it is unlikely – change the verbs from something like “Write an essay explaining the importance of new technology to teens” to “Write and essay to inform the reader about the importance of new technology.” But I don’t think it will be anything more than calling the essay Informative vs Expository. What we need to watch for is what they are doing with English II next year. Just my two cents.

I sent an email to Ramos to confirm.