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Student Assessments
Informational Parent Newsletter

Standardize testing for No Child Left Behind

NCLB supports standards-based education reform, which is based on the premise of setting high standards and establishing measurable goals in order to improve individual outcomes in education. NCLB Act requires states to develop assessments in basic skills to be given to all students, grades 3-8, in order to receive federal funding for schools. Illinois administers the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) standardized test annually to all students. The students scores determine whether the school has taught the students well, and have met the Adequate Yearly Progress rate in test scores in order to continue receiving the funding.

What are assessments, and why do teachers use them?

Believe it or not: tests are given for the students sake, not for the teachers benefit! The purpose of an assessment is to determine if a student has mastered the objectives of the assignment, not to give a grade. An assessment is undertaken to determine levels of functioning in areas that may be impacting students performance negatively. Once these areas have been identified teachers are able to provide support so that students are able to reach their highest possible level of achievement!

Save the Date!

MAP testing
October 2012, January 2013 April 2013

ISAT testing
March 2013 Illinois Learning Standards, standardize testing 4-15th,

Classroom testing
September-June 2013
Illinois Learning Standards for Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies

Common Core Standards, standardized testing

ASSESSMENT NEWSLETTER

SEPTERMBER 2012

Helping Students Succeed

Parents and Teachers working together to ensure the success of their child

Response to Intervention
RTI is aimed at improving outcomes for all students. Before any intervention can occur teachers need to use some type of universal screening process so that the students who are targeted as at risk for poor learning outcomes can receive immediate support. The screening process in our classroom consists of classroom and standardized assessments that are valid, reliable, and demonstrate diagnostic accuracy for predicting learning or behavioral problems. Using these assessments is the first step in order to target students so that they can receive the appropriate intervention and support they need in order to succeed.

Using Standardized testing scores

Based on the students ISAT and MAP scores, we will be able to see how the student compares to other students in the school and in the state. This comparison is also beneficial in determining what areas the student is struggling in and how we can improve instruction in those areas in order to help the student improve.

Students will be given grades only for the classroom assessments they take, not any standardized tests. These assessments will cover material that we are currently learning in class, and the grades given on them will reflect how well the students mastered the material. Grades will be based upon standards, and should be used as a tool in order to encourage students to strive for their best.

Grading Students

Sharing Results

In order to provide the support your student needs in the classroom, it is important that you are informed of your students progress. Report cards will be sent home at the end of each quarter, and grades can be accessed online through the school website at any time. Standardized test results will be mailed home. These grades and scores do not tell the whole story behind each student, but I would be more than happy to go over them with you and help to better explain your students progress. I want your student to be successful and with your support we can make it a reality! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns at martell1@illinois.edu

ASSESSMENT NEWSLETTER

SEPTERMBER 2012

ASSESSMENT NEWSLETTER

SEPTERMBER 2012

ASSESSMENT NEWSLETTER

SEPTERMBER 2012