Assessments

In addition to classroom assessments, students will also be regularly assessed on the following:

Grades K - 2

DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) - DIBELS are a set of procedures and measures for assessing the acquisition of early literacy skills. They are designed to be short (one minute) fluency measures used to regularly monitor the development of early literacy and early reading skills.  DIBELS are comprised of several developmentally appropriate measures to function as indicators of phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, accuracy and fluency with connected text and reading comprehension. DIBELS are designed for use in identifying children experiencing difficulty in acquisition of basic early literacy skills in order to provide support early and prevent the occurrence of later reading difficulties.

DIBELS are used to helped staff identify students who may be at risk for reading difficulties, and monitor K-5 at-risk students while they receive additional, targeted instruction in Tier 2 and 3 for reading support.

Grades 3 - 5

MAP (Measures of Academic Progress®  - The MAP test is administered twice a year to assess individual student growth in Reading and Math. MAP test results are shared with parents after each assessment.  Your student’s MAP results are reported in RIT scores. This is a different type of score than a typical test that provides a percentage correct. It is also different from many tests that provide results based on your student’s score compared to others in his or her grade. Instead, the RIT score is an equal-interval scale, like feet and inches, that is independent of grade level. As a result, we can easily measure growth in learning. This type of score increases the value of the tests as a tool to improve student learning because it enables teachers to identify needed instruction. 

State Assessments

In 2010, Kansas adopted new standards, which are more rigorous and focused on the mastery of skills such as critical thinking and problem solving. Each spring, students take state assessments in Reading, Math (and every other year Science for 5th grade only), which provide feedback related to each student’s progress toward achieving the Kansas standards.  When results become available, the school will send an individual report home for each student. State assessment results will provide an opportunity for students, teachers, and parents to review individual student progress. As stated, we do not believe state assessments to be the only indicator of academic success, however, they do provide a critical piece of information.

For information on the Kansas College and Career Ready Standards, visit http://kap.cete.us/kccrs  
For information on the Kansas Assessment Program, visit http://ksassessments.org
For the 2017 Interpretive Guide for score reports, visit
http://www.ksassessments.org/sites/default/files/documents/kap_parent_guide_2017.pdf
http://www.ksassessments.org/sites/default/files/documents/kap_parent_guide_2017espanol.pdf