Assessment Overview

ES Training 2010-2011

WRAT4

Wide Range Achievement Test

• The WRAT4 is a brief achievement test measuring reading recognition, spelling, and arithmetic computation.
• All K-2 students must take the WRAT4.  The test can be used as needed for all other grades.  After the initial testing window closes, students must be tested within 30 days of enrollment.
• Total test time is 15 to 30 minutes, depending upon age. Scoring by hand takes less than 5 minutes.
• The WRAT4 is a valuable instrument to assist in diagnosing levels of academic achievement, learning disabilities, and checking progress in academic remedial programs.
• This is a tool that is readily available for use with all ages of students in assisting the parents and ES with curriculum choice.
• Any student that has been given permission from the Assessment Director to be exempt from Scantron must take the WRAT4.
• Scores need to be entered into FRED. The grade level equivalent will be added after they had been converted.

SCANTRON

• Assessment tools from Scantron provide the standards-based data (aggregated in a variety of ways) that our school needs to meet the requirements of state and federal agencies.
• Scantron is a powerful web-based assessment platform with a content-neutral structure and multiple delivery capabilities.
• You can use Scantron to administer tests, develop study guides, and report results immediately.
• Entrance testing of students is a requirement of our charter for all 3^rd - 12^th grade students.  Exit testing for grade 12 students is a requirement for graduate check-out.  Scantron can be given as often as needed for new students added.
• If you have a non-reading student that would not be able to complete Scantron, e-mail the Assessment Director and request to have them exempt from Scantron.  If the request is granted then you must give the student the WRAT4.
• ES’s must make arrangements to have new students entrance tested within 30 days of their enrollment (their first day of school.)
• Directions on how to give Scantron are on our school web-site at http://www.ieminc.org/Assessment/index.htm.
• ES’s must check their class list on Scantron before scheduling to test a student.  If the student is not on the Scantron list, e-mail scantron@ieminc.org at least two days before the testing appointment to have them added. 
• To access Scantron, go to www.edperformance.com and log-in.  Your log-in information is in FRED under ES Detail and then use the Password tab.  Please remember that your password is CONFIDENTIAL- do not give it out to your families. 

CELDT

California English Language Development Test

• CELDT is a state mandated test that school districts are required to administer to students whose home language is not English. The purpose of CELDT is to identify students who are English Learners in Kindergarten through grade 12, to monitor their progress in learning English, and to document their English proficiency.
• All students whose home language is not English must take the test within 30 calendar days after they are enrolled in a California public school. The CELDT must be given once each year to English Learners until they score proficient in English.
• The parent/guardian or adult student identifies their home language in the Language Survey section of the Student Enrollment Application.
• The CELDT covers listening/speaking, reading, and writing skills for grades K-12.
• OG ONLY: Unless notified by the assessment department, the ES must contact the parent/student and make arrangements to administer the test.
• The CELDT test takes approximately 2 hours for your student to complete.
• There are five levels of proficiency:  Beginning, Early Intermediate, Intermediate, Early Advanced, and Advanced.  To be re-designated, the student needs to be Early Advanced in all levels.

CAHSEE

California High School Exit Exam

• The California State Board of Education (SBE) requires that high school students must pass the CAHSEE in order to receive a high school diploma. 
• The SBE has extended for one additional school year (10-11) the excemption for special ed students stating that they must attempt the CAHSEE atleast twice but do not have to pass both parts in order to receive a diploma.
• Special Ed students may use accomodations and modifications per their IEP but still must score a 350 or higher to pa 
• All public schools are required to test 95% of 10th grade students.
• The exam is given over two days. The first day is for English Language Arts, the second day is for Math. These tests cannot be made up on another day.
• The tests are un-timed. The average time is two hours per session and there are two sessions per day with a break in between. 
• Students must show a photo identification of some kind to be able to take the test.
• Test site locations and schedules are online as we get them.  The test dates are pre-set and on the Assessment Calendar online.
• Grade 10 students may only attempt one time per year and it must be in the spring. Grade 11 students may attempt two times per year.  Grade 12 may attempt three times per year.
• Any student that did not pass the CAHSEE after their first attempt is required by law to participate in intervention.

PFT

Physical Fitness Test

• The PFT is a state-mandated test to be administered annually to 5th, 7th, & 9th grade students in California public schools, including charter schools.
• 95% student participation is required for our school.
• Students who are physically unable to take all elements of the test are expected to take as many as their condition permits.
• This test is given while the student is STAR testing.  Check your specific STAR test site schedule for dates and times.
• The following exercises will be assessed: 
• one mile run/walk (if student cannot run total distance, walking is permitted)
• height and weight documented confidentially
• curl-up
• trunk lift
• push-up
• shoulder stretch
• The estimated time for finishing this test is an hour and a half.

STAR

Standardized Testing and Reporting

• The STAR is an annual standardized test that is California state mandated and in compliance with NCLB.  A 95% student participation is required for grades 2-11.
• Upon enrollment, parents/students sign a School Charter Summary which states they are required to participate in state mandated assessments.
• Grades 4 & 7 have a separate, additional exam date (in March) for a writing portion of STAR testing.  Please check your school calendar for specific dates and locations.
• Dates for the grades 2-11 multiple choice portion of the test are within the state mandated test window.  Please check your school calendar for the test window and your specific test site schedules for specific dates and times as they become available.
• Students must test at the grade level indicated on their student agreement.
• Individual test scores are confidential and are sent directly to the parent/student by their school, usually in August, after they are received.
• Scores collected by the state are aggregates, merged into group grade level reports by subject.  Individual scores are confidential and are not collected by the state.       
• STAR study resources can be found online at the following link: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/resources.asp.  You can also find sample questions for the STAR at www.starsamplequestions.org.
• Students will need to bring a lunch, snacks, water, and a quiet activity to keep them occupied if they finish earlier than other students.

• Common problems with STAR
• Proctors and/or coordinators show up late to the testing site. Late and stressed out = not a happy site for proctors, students, or parents.
• Demographics are not completed and/or not completed correctly.  Bring your STAR proctor training to the test site and follow the directions exactly.
• Students get waivers.  It is legally allowed, but if we don’t make our 95% participation, then we won’t have a school.  Every child counts. 
• Parents and students change test site at the last minute.  This leads us to believe that they didn’t know where the testing site options were.  Please make sure to have them take a look at the sites as soon as they are posted, usually late fall.
• Professionalism at test sites.  We have gotten reports that teachers are not acting professionally.  This looks bad on our school and discourages parents from taking their kids to the testing sites. 
• Notes are not entered and/or read in FRED about students testing situations.  We need to make sure to communicate as best as possible so that we don’t frustrate the parents and/or students.