Testing and Assessments
Data-Driven Decision Making
Data analysis takes place at all levels in District 7 – the district level, the school level, the classroom level, and the individual student level. The District has implemented a variety of diagnostic instruments and assessments that together provide a rich source of information that is used when planning for instruction for students. Results from multiple assessments are used when making educational decisions, whether it is at the curricular level, the school level, or the individual student level.
Data-driven decision making ensures that the identification of skill deficits, the action plans that are developed to address those deficits, and the instruments used to monitor the academic progress of children receiving interventions are accurate and based on objective, not subjective, information. This use of multiple data sources instead of a single source of data ensures that the most accurate conclusion is drawn when determining whether or not a curricular weakness or student skill deficit exists and whether or not the solution is working.
Using a medical analogy, a diagnosis is made based on accurate data from reliable tests, a course of treatment is prescribed, regular monitoring of the treatment occurs by the professionals, and changes made to the treatment plan if the problem is not resolved. In District 7, we are approaching curricular and student academic and behavioral problems in much the same way.
LEARN MORE
Below is a listing of the standardized assessments and diagnostic tools used in District 7:
PRIMARY LEVEL (GRADES K-2)
- FastBridge
- KIDS (Kindergarten assessment)
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL (GRADES 3-5)
- FastBridge
- Illinois Assessment of Readiness
- Illinois Science Assessment (Grade 5)
- Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
MIDDLE SCHOOL (GRADES 6-8)
- FastBridge
- Illinois Assessment of Readiness
- Illinois Science Assessment (Grade 8)
- Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test
HIGH SCHOOL (GRADES 9-12)
- Illinois Science Assessment (Biology-based)
- SAT
- PSAT
COGNITIVE ABILITIES TEST (CogAT)
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is an assessment designed to measure a student’s learned reasoning abilities in the three areas most linked to academic success in school: Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal.
| WHAT IS TESTED: | Verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal skills. |
| WHO TAKES THE ASSESSMENT: | 3rd – 5th grade students recommended for the District 7 gifted and talented program (Challenge). |
| WHY IS IT ADMINISTERED: | To determine eligibility for the gifted and talented program. |
| WHEN IS IT ADMINISTERED: | In the spring of a student’s 3rd grade year or any time during a child’s 4th or 5th grade year if the student is recommended for gifted services. |
| HOW ARE THE RESULTS USED: | To determine eligibility for the gifted and talented program. |
| SCORE REPORTING PROCESS: | Parents are notified of eligibility for the program in early summer. |
Illinois Assessment of Readiness
The Illinois Assessment of Readiness is the state assessment and accountability measure for Illinois students. The I.A.R assesses the New Illinois Learning Standards and is administered to students in English language arts and mathematics in grades 3-8.
| WHAT IS TESTED: | Language Arts and Math |
| WHO TAKES THE ASSESSMENT: | 3rd – 8th grade students and select high school students. |
| WHY IS IT ADMINISTERED: | The Illinois Assessment of Readiness test is the accountability measure for Illinois students enrolled in public school districts. |
| WHEN IS IT ADMINISTERED: | In the spring of each school year. |
| SCORE REPORTING PROCESS: | Student scores will be shared with families as they become available from the State of Illinois. |
| HOW THE INFORMATION IS USED: | Student I.A.R scores are used in the school improvement process and curriculum analysis. |
| Grades and Subjects Tested on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness | ||
| English Language Arts | Mathematics | |
| Grade 3 | x | x |
| Grade 4 | x | x |
| Grade 5 | x | x |
| Grade 6 | x | x |
| Grade 7 | x | x |
| Grade 8 | x | x |
Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test
| WHAT IS TESTED: | Basic pre-algebra skills are assessed through four subtests – pre-algebraic number skills and concepts, interpreting mathematical information, representing relationships, and using symbols. |
| WHO TAKES THE ASSESSMENT: | 6th grade students |
| WHY IT IS ADMINISTERED: | To assess the student’s level of mastery of algebra skills |
| WHEN IT IS ADMINISTERED: | April |
| HOW THE RESULTS ARE USED: | To place students in either 7th grade Accelerated Algebra or 7th grade Math |
Illinois Science Assessment
The Illinois Science Assessment will be administered to students in grades 5, 8 and once in high school. The high school assessment will be course-based and aligned to the content of Biology I. This assessment is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
| WHAT IS TESTED: | Science |
| WHO TAKES THE ASSESSMENT: | 5th and 8th grade students, and select high school students. |
| WHY IT IS ADMINISTERED: | The Illinois Science Assessment is the science accountability measure for Illinois students enrolled in public school districts. |
| WHEN IT IS ADMINISTERED: | In the spring of each school year. |
| SCORE REPORTING PROCESS: | Student scores will be shared with families as they become available from the State of Illinois. |
| HOW THE INFORMATION IS USED: | Student scores are used in the school improvement process and curriculum analysis. |
Acceleration
Accelerated Placement Program (APP)
Early Entrance to Kindergarten is the admission of an eligible student to kindergarten who will not yet be five years old by September 1st of that school year and whose 5th birthday falls between September 2nd and October 31st, as documented by a certified copy of the birth certificate. Children being considered must demonstrate academic readiness skills, emotional and behavioral regulation skills, attention, gross and fine motor skills, cooperative play, and expressive and receptive language skills that mirror that of children age-eligible for kindergarten. In addition the child must score in the Superior range on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (most recent edition). If you would like to pursue Early Entrance to Kindergarten, please contact the principal for the school in which your child will attend. All components of the Early Entry process must be completed no later than May 1.
Early Entrance to 1st Grade is the admission of a student to 1st grade who will not yet be six years old by Sept. 1st of that school year and whose 6th birthday falls between September 2nd and October 31st, as documented by a certified copy of the birth certificate. Children being considered must demonstrate academic readiness skills, emotional and behavioral regulation skills, attention, gross and fine motor skills, cooperative play, and expressive and receptive language skills that mirror that of children age-eligible for kindergarten. In addition the child must score in the Superior range on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (most recent edition). If you would like to pursue Early Entrance to 1st grade, please contact the principal for the school in which your child will attend. All components of the Early Entry process must be completed no later than May 1.
Full Grade Level Acceleration Process – Elementary and Middle School
Definition:
The District provides an Accelerated Placement Program (APP) for those children who qualify through a screening process. The APP advances the District’s goal of providing educational programs with opportunities for each student to develop to his or her maximum potential. The APP provides an educational setting usually reserved for students who are older or in higher grades than the student participating in the APP.
Referral Procedure:
Any student residing in the District who meets the eligibility criteria may be considered for an Accelerated Placement Program. The parent/guardian must send a written request for acceleration to the building principal no later than April 15th and testing must be completed and results received no later than May 1.
Deadlines:
The Accelerated Placement Program process should begin no earlier than March 1 and must be completed no later than May 1. Any evaluations received by the Central Office after May 1 will not be accepted.
