We use multiple measures of assessment at the Elementary School to gauge student progress and inform teaching practice. Twice each year every student from grade 2 to 5 takes the Measures of Academic Progress assessment, a computer-based, adaptive test that determines each individual’s progress in math, reading and language.
Additionally, students in kindergarten through grade 5 take schoolwide reading and writing assessments twice each year. Teachers use the 6+1 Traits of Writing to assess how well student writing addresses the traits of Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency and Conventions. We use the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System through one-on-one assessments to determine each student’s independent and instructional reading levels. This helps teachers determine instructional approach and placement of students in leveled reading groups.
For entrance and some placement decisions, we use the Maculaitis Assessment of Competencies II (MAC II), which assesses students in English language reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Through these and regular assessments in specific subject areas, teachers are able to determine the best approach for each student and keep both the student and their parents informed about how best to meet every need.