A new era of assessment will begin the second half of April as we administer the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, or ISASP. More than just the name has changed from this test that was formally known as the Iowa Assessment, or the test many of us grew up with: The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. Unlike the version that has been the mainstay of Iowa testing for generations and included the dreaded 'Number 2 pencil', these new assessments will be administered entirely online. Another key change is the timing of the test. In the past, school districts had the option of testing either in the fall, winter, or spring. In Hudson, we have traditionally given the test in February, so if you have been wondering why we haven't tested yet it is because this test can only be given during the final quarter of the school year. Speaking of timing, another change in the test is that it is no longer a battery of timed tests. Instead, we will be administering un-timed tests in Reading, Language and Writing; and Mathematics in grades 3-11. Grades 5,8,10 will also be taking a Science test.
Perhaps the biggest improvement of all is how proficiency will be calculated. Previously, the Iowa test was norm referenced, which meant that student proficiency was determined by comparing a students' performance against typical performance of grade level peers. In other words, we didn't really know how well a student did on the test, but rather we knew how they compared to other students around the state. Unsurprisingly this isn't a very good way to gauge whether or not pupils have mastered subject area content. With this new test, proficiency will instead be criterion referenced. This simply means a student score will be determined based on grade level skill expectations. In other words, how many questions did the student correctly answer. Because of this, we will not only know how well the students perform on the test, but where skill deficits exist. This is good news for students and schools across Iowa.
This is a monumental change in Iowa testing. For generations we have administered relatively low rigor, multiple choice tests under a very standardized format. You all know the drill and likely participated yourself as a youngster. Because of this sea change, we have spent a lot of time this year testing our system to make certain our network infrastructure is adequate. We have trained our teachers on the testing procedures and completed quality assurance measures to ensure validity in our administration. At the same time, our teachers have taken tests themselves to become familiar with the testing interface and the universal supports available to students. Faculty have been trained in starting, stopping, and pausing sessions. They have also prepared our students by administering practice tests. Now, finally comes the actual administration of the tests!
Our testing window opens on April 15th and will close on April 26th. A detailed and more precise testing schedule is included below. Albeit a brand new and more rigorous test, this is an important measure of academic achievement for our school district. It will serve as a measure of how our students stack up against their peers and will be used to determine how well we are progressing on both statewide and federal measures within the Every Student Succeeds Act.
As we make final preparations for this test, I would encourage you to have a conversation with your child about the importance of giving the test their best effort. Paying attention to the little things can make a huge difference; getting a good night's sleep, eating a quality breakfast, and ensuring all our students are ready for school are great ways we can work together. Since the students will be using their computers, please make sure their computer is charged and they have earbuds if they have an accommodation that allows certain portions of the test to be read aloud.
If you have any questions about the administration of the test, accommodations that are available both universally and targeted, please contact your building administrator.
Perhaps the biggest improvement of all is how proficiency will be calculated. Previously, the Iowa test was norm referenced, which meant that student proficiency was determined by comparing a students' performance against typical performance of grade level peers. In other words, we didn't really know how well a student did on the test, but rather we knew how they compared to other students around the state. Unsurprisingly this isn't a very good way to gauge whether or not pupils have mastered subject area content. With this new test, proficiency will instead be criterion referenced. This simply means a student score will be determined based on grade level skill expectations. In other words, how many questions did the student correctly answer. Because of this, we will not only know how well the students perform on the test, but where skill deficits exist. This is good news for students and schools across Iowa.
This is a monumental change in Iowa testing. For generations we have administered relatively low rigor, multiple choice tests under a very standardized format. You all know the drill and likely participated yourself as a youngster. Because of this sea change, we have spent a lot of time this year testing our system to make certain our network infrastructure is adequate. We have trained our teachers on the testing procedures and completed quality assurance measures to ensure validity in our administration. At the same time, our teachers have taken tests themselves to become familiar with the testing interface and the universal supports available to students. Faculty have been trained in starting, stopping, and pausing sessions. They have also prepared our students by administering practice tests. Now, finally comes the actual administration of the tests!
Our testing window opens on April 15th and will close on April 26th. A detailed and more precise testing schedule is included below. Albeit a brand new and more rigorous test, this is an important measure of academic achievement for our school district. It will serve as a measure of how our students stack up against their peers and will be used to determine how well we are progressing on both statewide and federal measures within the Every Student Succeeds Act.
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| Tentative Test Schedule |
If you have any questions about the administration of the test, accommodations that are available both universally and targeted, please contact your building administrator.
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