|
Testing!
JHMS is continually
striving to be better, and one of the tools we have to help us in this quest is
by using test data to monitor student growth as well as our instruction and
curriculum. Here’s a rundown
of the tests we give beyond the regular and important classroom tests:
MAP, Measure of Academic Progress: All students. PURPOSE: This nationally normed
test measures growth in student
achievement in reading and math.
Students receive a “RIT” score which is an instructional level that helps
teachers identify skills and concepts students need for growth. Students will set goals based on this
score, and parents receive a report each spring that shows the fall and the
spring score. This test is dynamic
in that the more questions a student answers correctly the harder the questions
become, so there is no limit as to how high a student can score. ADMINISTERED: Sept., Jan. & May
EXPLORE:
Eighth grade only. PURPOSE: This is designed to help
8th grade students and their parents gain an understanding of their
readiness for college, make the most of their opportunities in high school and
guide them as they start thinking about future educational and career
planning. Explore is part the ACT
College Readiness System. EXPLORE
contains four academic tests – English, Mathematics, Reading and Science, as
well as an interest inventory. Results provide students with information that can help
them begin making plans for high school and beyond. These testes are based on
College Readiness Standards.
These standards can be found at www.act.org/standard ADMINISTERED: October. 2009
is the first year we are offering this to students.
PAWS: All students. PURPOSE: Most of you are familiar with PAWS. This assessment is used to show if students
are proficient in math, writing, reading state standards. Eighth graders are also assessed in
science. Tied to the federal
law “No Child Left Behind,” PAWS is used each school has met a target number of
students proficient in language arts (a combination of reading and writing, and
math). This target number goes up
over time with the goal of all schools reaching 100% proficiency by 2014. ADMINISTERED: During the
three weeks before spring break.
|