Assessment of Student Progress
What is the purpose of assessment?
- Information gathered through assessment helps teachers measure how students are learning and growing
- Assessments are used to guide instructional, curricular, and placement decisions
- One assessment does not provide a complete picture of student learning and growth so a variety of assessments are needed throughout the year
- Screening assessments provide a snapshot of student performance
- Diagnostic assessments provide a more complete picture of student performance
- Some assessments are required by our local township, the Illinois State Board of Education, and federal mandates
- In addition to the assessments included here, teachers and teams use classroom assessments throughout units of study
What are some of the assessments students complete?
To support families in understanding some of the assessment results shared at different times, the district has created videos share information on the most common assessments given by the district and how parents can read the information presented. Visit our Family Assessment Walkthrough Videos to view this resource.
Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State “ACCESS”
- State mandated assessment given to students who are identified as English Language Learners
- Diagnostic assessment used for a more in-depth measure of English Language (EL) skills
- Administered one time a year (typically in January/February)
- Content areas tested include social and academic language
Cognitive Abilities Test “CogAT”
- Diagnostic assessment used for a more in-depth measure of student ability
- Administered in the spring of 3rd and 5th grade
- May be given at other times based on placement needs
- Content areas tested include verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative
- This assessment is ONLY used as part of our qualification matrix for ELP
Formative Assessment System for Teachers FastBridge “FB”
- Screening assessment used for a quick check of progress
- Typically administered three times a year
- Content areas screened may include social emotional, literacy and math
Fountas and Pinnell Assessment System “F&P”
- Diagnostic assessment used for a more in-depth measure of student instructional level in reading
- Typically administered three times a year
- Content area tested is literacy
Illinois Assessment of Readiness "IAR"
- State mandated assessment as part of federal regulations
- Diagnostic assessment used for a more in-depth measure of student achievement
- Administered once a year (typically in the spring)
- Content areas tested include literacy and math
Illinois Fitness Assessment "IFA"
- Screening assessment used for a quick check of progress
- Typically administered two or three times a year
- Content area tested is physical education
Illinois Science Assessment "ISA"
- State mandated assessment as part of federal regulations
- Diagnostic assessment used for a more in-depth measure of student achievement
- Administered once a year
- Content area tested is science
Kindergarten Individual Development Survey “KIDS”
- State mandated assessment
- Observational tool to determine kindergarten readiness
- Typically administered one time per year
- Content areas screened may include social emotional, literacy, math, and science
Measures of Academic Progress “MAP”
- Diagnostic assessment used for a more in-depth measure of student achievement
- Administered three times a year
- Content areas tested include literacy and math
Which grade levels take these tests?
Please see our Assessment Guide for Families for an overview of assessments by grade level.
What is a Multi-Tiered System of Support?
Student success increases when parents and caregivers partner with schools to support student’s learning. Multi-Tiered System of Support, or MTSS, is designed to meet student academic and behavioral needs through a process that includes the use of assessment information. Learn more about MTSS by visiting the district’s MTSS information page.
