Instruction & Assessment

We administer the state-mandated assessments in grades 3-12. Students take a state assessment in Reading and Math each year in grades 3-8. There is also a state science assessment in grades 5 and 8. In high school, students participate in state end-of-course exams in Algebra, Geometry, English (10th grade), Biology, American History, and US Government.

We administer benchmark assessments in Math and Reading three times a year in grades K-8.  Benchmark assessments provide a different perspective on student growth than district-designed assessments.  For math, we administer Acadience Learning in grades K-2, i-Ready in grades 3-5, and STAR in grades 6-8.  For reading, we administer mCLASS DIBELS in grades K-3, i-Ready in grades 3-5, and STAR in grades 6-8.  These assessments also help inform decisions around the need for additional student support.

Teachers administer assessments at key points in student learning to determine whether students have met the learning goals for a given unit or topic.  By comparing classroom assessment results with benchmark and state assessments, we can continue to calibrate our own assessments to ensure they yield reliable, accurate results.