DISTRICT TESTING CALENDAR

RLAS District 116

Promoting achievement and success for all students is part of the mission of District 116.  To assist with students’ academic development, assessments are used for a variety of purposes.  State, local and classroom assessments help evaluate programs, identify students with academic needs, monitor academic progress and assist with instructional planning.  The assessments are also part of screening programs, identify areas for school improvement and provide direction and planning for professional development for faculty.  Assessments take time to administer, but the information is constantly used by staff to help individualize instruction and provide specific support for students.

District 116 utilizes the following types of state and local assessments:

• Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) is used with students in grades 3-9.  MAP Assessments are computerized adaptive tests that measure the student’s general knowledge in reading and mathematics.  Students will take MAP Tests beginning in grade 3 and again every year through grade 8, and, if needed, in grade 9.
  
• Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) is a District assessment that measures critical reading readiness skills and reading fluency.  All students in kindergarten through third grade are assessed three times each school year. 
  
• Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) is a required state test for students in grades 3-8.  ISAT, which is required by Illinois law, is reported in the Illinois School Report Card.
  
• The Illinois Alternate Assessment (IAA) is the yardstick the state uses to measure the learning of students with significant cognitive disabilities.
  
• Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE) is required by Illinois State Law for students in grade 11. PSAE scores are reported in the Illinois School Report card. 
  
• The ACCESS TEST (Assessing Comprehension and Communications in English State to State) is administered to students who are English language learners. This test is a criterion referenced English language proficiency test.
  
• EXPLORE Testing prepares students in grade 8 not only for their high school coursework, but for their post-high school choices as well. 
  
• PLAN Testing, as a "pre-ACT" test, is a good predictor of student success on the ACT.  The PLAN test Focuses attention on both career preparation and improving academic achievement. 
  
• The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is often called the nation’s report card.  As a result of NCLB legislation, all states are required to participate in NAEP.