ASSESSMENTS OFFERED AT THE GARRETSON SCHOOL DISTRICT

Smarter Balanced Assessment: (SBA)

Approximately 360-450 minutes. State-mandated Grades 3-8 &11.

Measures student achievement in relation to our state standards in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics. The assessment is administered on the computer. Provides meaningful feedback and data that teachers and other educators can use to help students succeed.

South Dakota Science Assessment: (SDSA) Grades 5-8-11, content areas: Science, testing times vary, but anywhere from 60-240 minutes. State-mandated assessment administered on the computer.

South Dakota Science Alternate Assessment: (SDSAA) Grades 5-8-11, content areas: Science, testing times vary, but anywhere from 60-240 minutes. State-mandated assessment administered on the computer.

The SDSAA has been developed to ensure that all students with significant cognitive disabilities are able to participate in an assessment that is a measure of what they know and can do in relation to the grade-level South Dakota Core Content Connectors. The SDSAA is one component of a system of curriculum, instruction, and professional development that allows students with the most significant cognitive disabilities to access grade-level content aligned to the South Dakota Core Content Connectors. The long-term goal is to ensure that students with the most significant cognitive disabilities achieve increasingly higher academic outcomes and leave high school capable of pursuing postsecondary options. A well-designed summative assessment alone is insufficient to achieve this goal. The SDSAA is designed to meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These laws mandate that all students participate in assessments that measure student achievement on grade-level Core Content Connectors.

Multi-State Alternative Assessment: (MSAA) Grades content areas: Math, Reading, testing time varies. State-mandated grades 3-8 & 11.

Alternative assessment in the areas of English language arts and Mathematics. Assessment is designed for students with cognitive disabilities. The overall goal of the MSAA is to make sure that all students achieve increasingly higher academic outcomes and leave high school ready for such post-high school options as college, technical schools, a career, and (or) community participation.

WIDA-Screener: Identifies/qualifies students for EL services, Grades 1st-12th, content areas: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking, approximately 70 minutes.

ACCESS: Administered to EL students, grades 1st-12th, content areas: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking, approximately 170 minutes.

National Assessment of Educational Progress: (NAEP) Also referred to as “the National’s Report Card” is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America’s students know and can do in various subjects. Its two major goals are to measure student achievement and to report a change in student performance over time. The NAEP for Math and Reading will be administered to many South Dakota students in 2019. The NAEP is given to a sampling of students across the nation. Results are not available for schools or individual students. Grades 4 and 8 are tested. approximately 120 minutes. State and federal mandated. The test is administered by the DOE every 2 years.

National Career Readiness Certificate: (NCRC) The South Dakota Department (DOE) and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) offer juniors and seniors the opportunity to participate in the NCRC program.

The NCRC is an industry-recognized, portable credential certifying essential skills needed for workplace success. To earn certification, students must attain at least the lowers certification level on three WorkKeys assessments: Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and locating information. The vital initiative is part of the DOE’S goal to ensure that, “All students graduate college, career, and life ready. The state recommended and district required to juniors. This initiative can help students demonstrate they are ready for the workplace as they enter the workforce immediately after graduation of pursuing further post-secondary education. Time is 55 minutes per session. (3 sessions).

Home School Assessment: This is offered to grades 4, 8, and 11. Students are assessed in Reading and Math. A State provided assessment is available.

MAP Testing: Grades K-12 take this test. Math, Reading, and Language Arts are all tested to see what level students are currently.

IXL Testing: Grades K-12

Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Batter: (ASVAB) - Consists of eight tests: General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Work Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Mathematics Knowledge, Electronics Information, Auto and Shop Information, and Mechanical Comprehension. Three special career exploration scores — Verbal Skills, Math Skills, and Science and Technical Skills are derived from these tests which students use to explore the world-of-work. The student is allowed to complete the battery of tests at your own pace. (approx. 90 minutes). The ASVAB is a career exploration program and can help students make big decisions, either military or civilian.

The ASVAB program helps students;

Identify, understand, and organize information about their interests, skills, and work-related values;

Identify suitable occupations to investigate and pursue based on their own interests, values, skills, and competencies; and

Use career information resources to explore further occupations.

Military personnel administers the battery as well as interprets the test scores to the students.

Test date varies.

Elementary Smarter Balance Testing Schedule (2024):

Garretson School District