VCS ASSESSMENT HANDBOOK (COMING SOON!)

BENCHMARK ASSESSMENTS: NWEA

• Administer twice a year: in first 9 weeks of school and again before the last day of the school year

• Administer to all students in grades K-8 Benchmark assessments must:

  • measure proficiency in reading and mathematics

  • be aligned to Michigan’s academic content standards

  • complement Michigan’s summative assessment system

• Assessment results must be shared with parents within 30 days of test administration

STATE OF MI ASSESSMENTS:

• College Board - The College Board assessments consist of a series of standardized tests designed to evaluate students' academic readiness for college. These assessments include the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and SAT.

  PSAT 8/9: This assessment is intended for students in grades 8 and 9. It measures skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, helping students understand their college readiness while providing practice for future assessments.

  PSAT 10: Administered in grade 10, the PSAT 10 is similar to the PSAT 8/9 but is tailored for older students. It assesses the same areas—reading, writing, and mathematics—and offers insights into academic performance and potential.

  SAT: The SAT is a college admission test typically taken by high school students in their junior or senior year. It evaluates a student's readiness for college through sections on reading, writing and language, math, and an optional essay. SAT scores are used by colleges and universities as part of the admission process.

• MSTEP - The Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) is a standardized assessment administered to students in grades 3 through 8 in Michigan. It measures proficiency in key academic areas, including English language arts and mathematics, as well as social studies and science for certain grades. The M-STEP is designed to evaluate student understanding of Michigan's academic standards and inform instruction and educational decisions. The assessments are typically conducted in the spring, and results are used to gauge student performance, school effectiveness, and guide curriculum development.

• WIDA - WIDA, or the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment, is a consortia aimed at supporting the academic achievement of multilingual learners. It provides resources, assessments, and professional development for educators to ensure that English language learners receive the necessary support to succeed in their educational environments. WIDA's framework focuses on language development as a critical component of learning across all subjects and grade levels, facilitating a comprehensive approach to teaching diverse student populations.