Testing and Assessment…
Those are two big time education buzz words in this day and
age. As parents I know you hear a lot
about testing and assessment. There are two main types of assessment formative
assessment and summative assessment. Formative
assessment is a type of informal assessment used by teachers in the
classroom. Anytime a teacher is
assessing the learning of a student it is considered a formative
assessment. It can be something as
simple as a problem on a whiteboard with the teacher quickly assessing
understanding. This is an easy way for
teachers to gather data to drive the instruction of the whole class, small
groups, or individual students on a daily basis. Summative assessment is a more formalized way
of assessing understanding. Quizzes and
tests would be considered examples of summative assessments.
At Eagle Ridge three main tests are given, the MCA tests in
the spring, NWEA, and DDI (data-driven instruction). The one you may be the
most familiar with is the MCA test. It
is the state of Minnesota’s Comprehensive Assessment. MCA testing is done in the Lower School for
grades 3-5. It is a test of academic proficiency. Students in grades 3 and 4 take reading and math MCA tests. students in grade 5 take reading, math, and science. The tests usually occur in April or May and may
involve paper/pencil or online testing. Results
are not usually available until summer and may be sent home during the summer
or after the start of the new school year.
The NWEA test is a test that is given online and is to
measure academic growth of students. It
is a nationally normed test that can be given three times a year. Last year students at ERA took the test in
the spring. This year the plan is to
have them take it in the fall and again in the spring. The school will be able to see spring to spring and
fall to spring growth. The results of
this assessment will be sent home to parents once the reports are available at
the end of the testing window. You
should receive the fall NWEA testing reports in November. The students are taking their NWEA tests this
week in math and next week in reading.
DDI stands for "data-driven instruction." Teachers use their DDI assessments to help them make sure
they are covering all of the standards for each grade level in math and
reading. The DDI assessments are just
for classroom use and the results are not sent home with students. Teachers create and grade the tests. They meet as a grade level with an administrator to analyze the data and chart a course of action for the whole class, small groups, or individual students. Teachers analyze the results and see where
they may need to change or repeat instructional topics or adjust the pace of
instruction. The benefits of using DDI
in the classroom are phenomenal for student achievement. DDI assessments are generally given quarterly
leading up to the MCA tests in the spring.
I hope this brief overview helps you understand the
different types of assessment typically used at Eagle Ridge Academy.
Notes and Reminders
-Picture Retakes are on Wednesday, October 24th. Please make sure your student wears formal
uniform dress. The requirements for
formal uniform dress are on the website.
-Friday, October 26th is a Spirit Wear Day for
the entire Eagle Ridge Community.
-There will be a Coffee with Administrators for Lower School
parents on Tuesday, October 30th at 8:00 a.m.
- Students may wear Halloween socks on Wednesday, October 31st. The rest of their outfits must be regular
uniform dress.
Have a great week!
Mrs. Baier
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