Student Assessment

A great deal of time is spent discussing and reporting on student learning. Standardized tests such as the ISAT, MAP testing, and Prairie State Achievement Tests, are a part of the school year for every student. Additionally teachers test the students in their classes to determine knowledge and mastery of skills, strategies and information. As a parent, it is difficult to understand all of the assessment that is taking place and what the purpose behind all this is.

To begin to understand the evaluation process it is important to note there are several types of evaluation. Some are informal assessments used by the classroom teacher to quickly determine how well students are grasping a concept, skill or strategy. This may be done in the form of a classroom test, a project, or simply classroom observation to name a few options. These quick tools allow the teacher to evaluate instruction and revise as necessary to ensure all students grasp the main ideas.

Formal assessment tools that you may have heard about such as the MAP, ISAT, IMAGE, etc. are tests developed by the state or other testing companies to compare the progress of U-46 students with a much broader group of students. These tests are usually base on state learning standards. The ISAT, for example, is a one-day test that compares the students in the district with students across the state to determine how well they are meeting Illinois State Learning Standards. This test is the basis for the report cards that are provided for each school and district in the state.

The purpose of all assessment is to determine students' understanding and mastery of grade-level material. It is then used to define instruction so each student in each school receives the instruction necessary to master the learnings necessary to succeed at their grade level.

Links:

The U-46 web site "Assessment" section provides information on all the assessments given in the district.

Understanding standards - a summary of the development of current standards and links to the Citizens' Advisory Council "parent friendly standards".

Additional Information:

Illinois State Standards - The Illinois Learning Standards (ILS) define what all students in all Illinois public schools should know and be able to do in the seven core areas as a result of their elementary and secondary schooling.

Illinois State Assessment - This is the Illinois State Board of Education site that provides information on all tests given for the state. Links on this page provide information on each of the tests as well as a FQA section to explain terms.

ISAT sample tests - samples of what is on the ISAT test at various grade levels providing a better understanding of what is expected of students on this state assessment.

PSAE - Prairie State Achievement Examination

The Prairie State Achievement Examination is given to high school juniors (Grade 11). The test takes two days and includes three components: (1) ISBE-developed science assessment; (2) the ACT Assessment , which includes reading, English, mathematics, and science tests; and (3) two WorkKeys assessments ( Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics ).

NWEA - Information on the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test that is given several times each year at U-46 schools. Students take the MAP at a computer and the teacher is able to obtain results quickly. This information is used to determine the best course of instruction for each class and student. MAP can be given several times a year to track progress and intervene to improve learning where necessary.


	Home Early Learners Elementary Middle School High School Beyond High School Contact Guidelines Additional Contacts and Information Volunteering Glossary Español StudentAssessment	Student Assessment A great deal of time is spent discussing and reporting on student learning. Standardized tests such as the ISAT, MAP testing, and Prairie State Achievement Tests, are a part of the school year for every student. Additionally teachers test the students in their classes to determine knowledge and mastery of skills, strategies and information. As a parent, it is difficult to understand all of the assessment that is taking place and what the purpose behind all this is. To begin to understand the evaluation process it is important to note there are several types of evaluation. Some are informal assessments used by the classroom teacher to quickly determine how well students are grasping a concept, skill or strategy. This may be done in the form of a classroom test, a project, or simply classroom observation to name a few options. These quick tools allow the teacher to evaluate instruction and revise as necessary to ensure all students grasp the main ideas. Formal assessment tools that you may have heard about such as the MAP, ISAT, IMAGE, etc. are tests developed by the state or other testing companies to compare the progress of U-46 students with a much broader group of students. These tests are usually base on state learning standards. The ISAT, for example, is a one-day test that compares the students in the district with students across the state to determine how well they are meeting Illinois State Learning Standards. This test is the basis for the report cards that are provided for each school and district in the state. The purpose of all assessment is to determine students' understanding and mastery of grade-level material. It is then used to define instruction so each student in each school receives the instruction necessary to master the learnings necessary to succeed at their grade level. Links: The U-46 web site "Assessment" section provides information on all the assessments given in the district. Understanding standards - a summary of the development of current standards and links to the Citizens' Advisory Council "parent friendly standards". Additional Information: Illinois State Standards - The Illinois Learning Standards (ILS) define what all students in all Illinois public schools should know and be able to do in the seven core areas as a result of their elementary and secondary schooling. Illinois State Assessment - This is the Illinois State Board of Education site that provides information on all tests given for the state. Links on this page provide information on each of the tests as well as a FQA section to explain terms. ISAT sample tests - samples of what is on the ISAT test at various grade levels providing a better understanding of what is expected of students on this state assessment. PSAE - Prairie State Achievement Examination The Prairie State Achievement Examination is given to high school juniors (Grade 11). The test takes two days and includes three components: (1) ISBE-developed science assessment; (2) the ACT Assessment , which includes reading, English, mathematics, and science tests; and (3) two WorkKeys assessments ( Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics ). NWEA - Information on the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test that is given several times each year at U-46 schools. Students take the MAP at a computer and the teacher is able to obtain results quickly. This information is used to determine the best course of instruction for each class and student. MAP can be given several times a year to track progress and intervene to improve learning where necessary.
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