Schoolwide Benchmark Assessment Information

 

1. Why have a school assessment system?

• Validates parent choice
• We can know when to give interventions
• Test out of grade level and see progress
• More frequent feedback
• It was a WASC recommendation that we do so
• NCLB requires all subgroups meet their targets
• Poor or non-performance on assessment may result in negative consequences toward charter renewal
• Choose proper curriculum for our students to plan for school year
• To make sure we are meeting the needs of our students
• Know how students are doing
• Help remove test anxiety

 

We understand that there are several ways to assess our students: portfolios, demonstrations, observations, etc.  However, the state considers the STAR to be the determining factor as to the success of our charter school.  Since this is the case, it would be wise for us to provide an assessment system that will prepare our students for the STAR.  The STAR/ CST is based on mastery of the California State Standards.  Therefore, our assessment will be standards based.  It would be very difficult to teach every California standard in each subject by the STAR test period, therefore our benchmark assessment system will be based on the “essential” standards. 

 

2. What should we assess?

• Math and Language Arts for 2005 
• Addition of Social Science and Science in 2006
• Addition of Visual and Performing Arts and Foreign Language in 2007

 

3. Who will we assess?

• 2005: grades 2-11 in math and language arts
• 2006: add grades k & 1 for math and language arts.
• 2007: add 12th grade students in math, language arts, and science.

 

4. How often should we assess?

Four assessments per grade level will be available in Edusoft. For 2006, while the assessments are under development, new assessments should be posted and available for use on:  

• Sept. 19-23
• Nov. 14-18
• Jan. 23-27
• Feb 27 - March 3

For the greatest benefit to the student, it is recommended that assessments be completed prior to the STAR testing dates. 

 

5. How many items should we include in the assessment?

There will be 6 questions on each standard in our schoolwide benchmark assessment.

Studies show that 5 or more questions per standard would show whether student has mastered a given standard. 

 

6.  How else can the assessment information be used?

It can be used by the ES to counsel the parents and to determine if another curriculum or grade level of material would be a better choice for the student for the following school year. 

 

7. How good is good enough?

There will be two bands, proficient and non proficient:

• 80-100% = proficient
• 0-79% = non proficient

 

8. Are these assessments required for our students?

These benchmark assessments are provided to our students as a service to prepare them for the state required STAR and CAHSEE assessments. Participation in these Edusoft assessments are parent choice, but strongly encouraged.

 

9.  Does this schoolwide benchmark assessment take the place of the WRAT test for our K, 1^st , and 12^th grade students?

Not at this time. The WRAT test is still required per school policy, as well as the Scantron test for 12^th graders.