Assessment System
The Assessment System is a collection of assessments aligned to FWCS and Indiana academic standards in reading/language arts and mathematics and includes assessments at the district, state, and national level. Designed as a critical component of a strong instructional program, the assessments are used to measure student learning and to identify student, class, school, and district strengths and weaknesses. Results of the assessments are used to modify instruction as necessary. Conscientious use of the Assessment System will lead to an alignment of the written, taught, and tested curricula which will result in improved student learning. Key components of the assessment system include:
Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) K-3 Kit and 4-8 Kit
The DRA provides a full Running Record analysis and comprehensive comprehension rubric to determine a reader's independent reading level, comprehension, and fluency (4-8). The primary purpose of the DRA is to confirm or redirect ongoing instruction and to group students effectively in order to address needs, fluency, retelling, etc. The DRA also documents changes over time in reading performance, identifies students who may be working below proficiency, and identifies students who may be gifted. The secondary purposes of the DRA are to inform parents of their children's current reading levels, to gather data related to specific goals in a school's School Improvement Plan, to identify areas for further professional development, and to assess the impact of the district's literacy instruction.
- Grades K-5
- Teacher-administered twice per year
- Running record analysis and comprehension rubric
- Measures independent reading level, comprehension, and fluency
- Results used to confirm or redirect ongoing instruction
Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI)
The SRI is a computer-adaptive reading assessment and progress monitoring for Grades 6-12 in FWCS. In a computer Lab SRI administration time is approximately 30-45 minutes. Results from the SRI help with progress monitoring, provide actionable information for determining reading level (Lexile), comprehension, and instructional needs. Student scores include criterion- and norm-referenced results, percentile rank, NCE score, grade level standard, performance standard, and Lexile.
- Computer-adaptive reading assessment
- Grades 6-12
- Measures reading level, comprehension
- Criterion- and norm-referenced student results
- Results used to confirm or redirect ongoing instruction
Administered at the beginning and end of each term in high school English classes and in August-September, December, and May in grades 6-8. Results are shared with all teachers through Grade Quick to guide instructional decisions in all classes
DIBELS
DIBELS assessments are used to assess phonemic awareness, knowledge of phonics, and oral reading fluency. DIBELS assessments are administered in the fall, winter, and spring for the K-2 program, INSIG program, and in Reading First schools. Weekly progress monitoring may also be completed in these programs. The FWCS Writing Prompts are designed to provide a common writing measure which can be used to guide future instruction, become a dialogue topic in collaboration around effective writing instruction and assessment, and create a consistent expectation for grade level writing. The prompts are based on the genres covered in the Quarterly Skill Sequence for each grade and align with the developmental sequence of each course.
- Mandatory
- Stand alone assessments in Grades K, 1, 10, 11, and 12
- Kindergarten is administered twice a year
- All other grades administered quarterly
- Grades 2-9 are included on the Quarterly Exams
- Genres based on grade level standards
- Used to assess writing achievement
- Scored using FWCS and state writing rubrics
ISTEP+
ISTEP+ is a required criterion-referenced assessment including a basic skills assessment with multiple choice questions and an applied skills assessment containing short answer or essay questions along with the solving of arithmetic or mathematical problems. It is given in grades 3-9 for Language Arts and Mathematics and in grades 5 and 7 for Science. Go to the ISTEP+ Info Center at the link below for more information: http://doe.state.in.us/istep/welcome.html
GQE
The NEW GQE measures English/Language Arts skills through Grade 9 and Mathematics skills through Grade 8 and Algebra I. The NEW GQE tests Indiana's Academic Standards that were adopted in 2000. The new standards are grade and course level specific and are more rigorous than previous standards. Perhaps the biggest difference between the NEW GQE and the one given in the past is that it contains test items based on the content of Algebra I. All students -- general education, special education, and Limited English Proficiency -- must meet the GQE standard in order to qualify for a high school diploma. Please contact your school's guidance counselor for more specific information.
ISTAR
All students are required to participate in Indiana's Academic Assessment System, and no student can receive an Indiana diploma without attempting GQE. In Indiana, nearly every student participates in ISTEP+. A small portion of students who are unable to demonstrate mastery of standards on ISTEP+ are eligible to participate in an alternate form of assessment [NCLB, Title I, section 1111(a)(3)(C)(x)].
Who is eligible to participate in the alternate assessment? Students with severe cognitive learning disabilities (Proposed rule limits participation of this population assessed on non-grade level standards to 1%). The web-based Indiana Standards Tool for Alternate Reporting (ISTAR) technology is a teacher rating tool. ISTAR is an optional alternate assessment for those who cannot demonstrate their skills on ISTEP+. ISTAR does NOT...
- Replace the Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE). High school students must attempt GQE in order to pursue a diploma or waiver. Students attempting GQE may also be assessed with ISTAR as a supplement for waiver evidence. Since ISTAR does not replace GQE, students will need practice for the exam. If ISTAR is given in addition to the GQE, the GQE score will be counted and any ISTAR data will be informational and supplemental only.
- Allow students to be assessed partially with ISTEP+ and partially with ISTAR. If using ISTAR, data must be inputted for both English/Language Arts and Math.
Contact the Special Education Department at 467-1110 for more information.
Terra Nova/CTBS
Standardized, norm-referenced battery of achievement tests
- Grades 3, 6, and 8 for all schools - reading, language, and mathematics
- Grade 1, 2 and 3 for Reading First schools - reading and language
- Multiple choice items
- Scored by CTB/McGraw-Hill
- Classroom, school and district-level reports
Test of Cognitive Skills/2 (TCS/2)
Standardized cognitive abilities test
- Grades 3, 6, and 8
- Produces scores for verbal, nonverbal and memory
- Age- and grade-appropriate norms
- Scored by CTB/McGraw-Hill
- Classroom, school and district-level reports
For more information contact School Improvement Systems at 260-467-2100.
SAT
The ACT Test is a college entrance exam required by all 4 year and some 2-year colleges. This test compares students with all other students in the nation taking the test at the same time. It is one of the indicators that colleges use to determine if a student will fit into the curriculum at their particular college.
The test is given 5 times a year on nationally set date, at sites approved for ACT Testing. Students may choose anywhere in the United States to take the test. Students must register for this test themselves. Registration packets are available from August through May in the guidance office, or you can register online. Guidance counselors can assist with registration. Many colleges and scholarship agencies recommend that students take the ACT during the spring semester of their junior year. By this time, students typically have completed most of the coursework covered by the ACT. There are a number of advantages in taking the ACT during the spring of your junior year. You will receive test scores and other information that will help you plan your senior year in high school. Many colleges begin contacting prospective students during the summer before the senior year. If you do not score as well as you believe you can, there will be opportunities to retake the ACT in the early summer or fall of your senior year and still have the new information available in time to meet admission and scholarship deadlines.
It is the responsibility of the student to pick up a packet, read the registration directions, fill out the form, and send in the form and a $25 check or money order to ACT before the individual mailing deadlines. THERE is a LARGE LATE FEE for mailing after the deadlines. Go to the ACT site to view the test dates and deadlines. Click on Registration, and then click on Test Dates and Deadlines at the link below.
Click the link below to find out about the Advanced Placement Courses and AP Exams which award college credit through the College Board:
You can contact a high school's guidance department to find out which AP courses are available at each school or view them in the FWCS Course Description Handbook.
PALS
- Optional mini assessments
- English/language arts and mathematics
- Based on Safety Net Indicators
- Aligned with Indiana Standards
- Grades 2-9
- Format similar to ISTEP+
- FWCS teacher-developed items and released ISTEP+ items
- Basic skills (multiple choice) and applied skills (open-ended) items
- Teacher scores
- Results shared with parents
- Teachers discuss results identifying strengths and weaknesses
- Analysis of results identifies professional development and curriculum development needs
District Assessment System Schedule
Click the appropriate link above to find the dates of administration for the assessments below:
- Quarterly examinations
- Mandatory
- English/language arts and mathematics
- Aligned with Indiana Standards
- Grades 2-9
- Format similar to ISTEP+
- FWCS teacher-developed items and from released ISTEP+ items
- Basic skills (multiple choice) and applied skills (open-ended) items
- Emphasis on Safety Net Indicators
- Basic skills items machine scanned
- Applied skills items teacher graded
- FWCS-developed software scores basic skills items, tabulates scans applied skills scores, tabulates results and produces summary student, teacher and school reports. (FWCS pre-bubbles student demographic information on all student answer sheets.)
- Results shared with parents
- Teachers discuss results identifying strengths and weaknesses
- Analysis of results identifies professional development and curriculum development needs
End-of-Course Assessments
As part of Indiana 's school accountability system under Public Law 221, Core 40 End-of-Course Assessments (ECAs) are designed to ensure the quality, consistency, and rigor of Core 40 courses across the state. Aligned with Indiana 's Academic Standards, End-of-Course Assessments are final exams measuring what students know and are able to do upon completion of targeted Core 40 courses. In addition, the End-of-Course Assessments are an integral component of Indiana's P-16 Plan for Improving Student Achievement. As a part of this vision, these exams would serve an additional purpose of providing valuable information for college placement. Currently, FWCS administers the English 11 exam and will be piloting the Biology and United States History exams. For more information on the Core 40 End of Course Exams, click the link below: