In keeping with my series on the Common Core State Standards, I thought it would be helpful to talk a bit about the assessments that will accompany them. As many of you know, our students currently begin their statewide assessments in third grade, and they test in Reading & Math. By fifth grade, we add the Science Assessment. The testing window begins in October, but we typically do not test students until after Winter Break to give them the benefit of as much instruction as possible. Using the current assessment system (Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills or OAKS), we have the opportunity to retest students who do not meet the standard in any area. This decision is made on a student by student basis with parent input.
Beginning next year, our students in 3rd through 5th grade will participate in the Smarter Balanced Assessment in English Language Arts and Math. It will be geared towards the newly adopted Common Core Standards rather than the Oregon Statewide Standards, and there will be just one opportunity, most likely in May. The assessments will be interdisciplinary and will require more short answer responses rather than the current multiple choice format. To get a sense of what the tests and performance tasks look like, please click on the following link and take a look at the sample items. Scroll partway down the page for the links. As always, we are available for your questions!