Testing at 308
Oswego Community Schools are committed to
educating students to their highest level of academic
performance. One way the school district supports sound
decision-making for school improvement as well as planning
for the needs of individual students is through the
collection and analysis of test data.
2008-09 Testing Dates
NWEA MAP Testing
Parent ToolKit
Proctor Administration Guide
Student PowerPoint
| Grades |
Dates |
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 |
September 8 - 26, 2008 |
| Make-up & At-Risk/SpEd |
January 19 - 23, 2009 |
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 |
March 30 - April 21, 2009 |
Check with your school for exact test administration
dates/schedules
ISAT will be held March 2-13, 2009 for Grades 3 through 8
PSAE will be held April 22-23, 2009 for Grade 11
Philosophy of Testing
The District expects all assessments to
provide accurate information about student achievement. Each
assessment must meet the standards of quality.
The standards of quality are:
-
Assessment must arise from a
clearly articulated set of achievement expectations
-
(Illinois State Standards, Benchmarks,
and Descriptors).
-
Serve an instructionally relevant
purpose.
-
Rely on proper assessment method
(selected response, essay, performance, personal
communication).
-
Sample student achievement in an
appropriate manner.
-
Control for all relevant sources
of bias and distortions that can lead to inaccurate
assessment.
Any assessments that cannot be
specifically linked to student academic well being
through effective decision making or instruction should
be discarded.
All assessments will be linked to
specific instructional uses and thus to student academic
well being. Two types of uses are considered
appropriate:
-
Assessment as a soured of
information for decision making
-
Assessment for the purpose of
promoting higher levels of student achievement.
There are several levels of decision
making and decision makers that are considered important
to student academic well being:
-
Classroom level (students,
teachers, and parents)
-
Instructional support level
(principals, curriculum coordinators, support
teachers, and guidance personnel).
-
Policy level (superintendent,
school board, citizens, and tax payers)
The district will allocate assessment
resources and devise assessment, evaluation, and
communication programs to meet the information needs of
all users.
What is the purpose of testing?
For students and Parents…
Assessments help us track student’s
individual progress and allows us to build on strengths
and helps us develop weaknesses.
For Teachers…
Assessments provide useful
information for instructional grouping of students,
differentiation of instruction, developing mastery, and
allows them to reflect on the effectiveness of their
curriculum.
For Administrators…
Assessments provides useful
information about curricular gaps, professional
development needs, and goals for improvements.
How Can I help prepare my child for
these assessments?
-
Make sure your child gets a good
night’s sleep the night before testing;
-
Providing breakfast on the
morning of testing;
-
Reminding your child to ask the
teacher questions if he/she does not
-
understand the directions;
-
Letting your child know that you
have confidence in his/her ability to
-
do their best;
-
Advising your child not to worry
about the test- just do the best he/she can.
Additional Links
www.act.org
www.isbe.state.il.us
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