2012-13 Assessment Calendar

DIBELS – Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills

DIBELS assessments are given to students in grades K-5 three times per year. They are designed to give us a quick snapshot of students’ skills. Through analyzing the data, teachers can then determine the best course of instruction for individual and groups of students. Please read the parent letter for more information.

Parent Letter

MAP – Measure of Academic Progress

MAP and MAP for Primary Grades are given to students K-11 three times per year. These computer-based assessments are designed to show student growth over time. With over 10,000 test items, no student will see a question more than once. The computer pulls items based on how a student answered the previous question. When a student answers an item correctly, the computer chooses a more difficult item. When a student answers incorrectly, the computer chooses a test item from a lower level. The assessments give us indications as to what students are ready to learn next and help as educators differentiate instruction for all of our students.

Northwest Evaluation Association website - www.nwea.org

Iowa Assessments

Formerly known as Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and Iowa Tests of Educational Development, the new Iowa Assessments are an updated version of the classic tests. We are required to give these assessments to every student in grades 3-11 and to report out on student performance. Tests give students and families a once-a-year update on performance compared to other students at their level across the state and nation. They give the district information on system effectiveness, on how well we are educating our students on the information tested. These assessments are given in the spring at Panorama and scores are shared with families at the end of the school year.