Test scores are only ONE measure of educational excellence.
Assessment of student performance is an important component of instruction and is accomplished in ways that measure both the quality of the learning process and outcomes. Attitudes, motivation, caring, and a positive environment are also essential factors in a total education.
Assessment methods include student portfolios, teacher observations, long-term projects, anecdotal records, writing samples, student interviews, teacher-made tests, standardized norm reference tests, and criterion reference tests.
BCSD Student Assessments
| PK | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
| F.A.S.T | ||||||||||||||
| GOLD | ||||||||||||||
| I.G.D.I.s | ||||||||||||||
| Iowa Assessments | ||||||||||||||
| MAP |
Test scores are only ONE measure of educational excellence.
Assessment of student performance is an important component of instruction and is accomplished in ways that measure both the quality of the learning process and outcomes. Attitudes, motivation, caring, and a positive environment are also essential factors in a total education.
Assessment methods include student portfolios, teacher observations, long-term projects, anecdotal records, writing samples, student interviews, teacher-made tests, standardized norm reference tests, and criterion reference tests.
F.A.S.T.
F.A.S.T. (Formative Assessment System for Teachers) helps automate the assessment process so teachers spend 50-90% less time assessing and more time teaching.
FAST tools are designed for:
- Reading, Math and Behavior
- Screening
- Progress monitoring
- Program evaluation
- Response to Intervention (RTI) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
- Informed instruction
ADMINISTERED: Three times a year: Aug. - Sep. | Dec. - Jan. | May
GRADES: Preschool-5th Grade
INFORMATION: http://www.fastforteachers.info
GOLD
With Teaching Strategies GOLD teachers know what to look for and how to support children's continued development and learning. The assessment system helps teachers be intentional in their teaching by accurately pinpointing where children are in their development and learning by conducting an authentic, observation-based assessment with objective that are aligned with the Iowa Early Learning Standards for Preschool.
ADMINISTERED: Throughout the school year (Reports are shared quarterly at home visits and/or conferences and also in report cards.)
GRADE: Preschool
INFORMATION: http://www.teachingstrategies.com/page/GOLD.cfm
IGDIs
IGDIs (Individual Growth & Development Indicators) are early childhood assessments for screening and monitoring the growth & development of preschoolers
ADMINISTERED: Three times a year
GRADE: Preschool
INFORMATION: http://www.myigdis.com/
Iowa Assessments
Formerly know as ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) & ITED (Iowa Tests of Education Development)
Iowa Testing Programs (ITP) is a research, development, and outreach unit in the College of Education at the University of Iowa. Virtually all Iowa school districts-both public and private-have voluntarily participated in this program annually since its inception.
ADMINISTERED: Grades 9-11 - Fall, Grades 3-6 - Spring
GRADES: BCSD currently uses Iowa Assessments for Grades 3-11
INFORMATION: http://itp.education.uiowa.edu
MAP (Measures of Academic Progress)
Created by educators for educators, MAP assessments provide detailed, actionable data about where each child is on their unique learning path. Because student engagement is essential to any testing experience, NWEA works with educators to create test items that interest children and help to capture detail about what they know and what they’re ready to learn. It’s information teachers can use in the classroom to help every child, every day.
Adapting the Test to the Student
MAP dynamically adapts to a student’s responses – as they take the test.
- Answer a question correctly and the test presents a more challenging item
- Miss a question, and MAP offers a simpler item
In this way, the test narrows in on a student’s learning level, engaging them with content that allows them to succeed.
ADMINISTERED: Three times a year - Fall | Winter | Spring
During each testing period students will spend a total of about three hours completing these tests.
GRADES: 6th-9th Grade
INFORMATION: Parent Tool Kit | 12 Good Reasons | NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association)