We've just started our year together at WHS, and yet it is time to begin our annual fall assessment activities. Why do we subject our students to testing almost as soon as they step through our doors to begin a new school year? Although we use this student achievement 'baseline' to measure growth over the coming months against the results of future test administrations, the greatest power of this assessment data is in its application to help inform teachers relative to individual student learning needs. It provides another perspective or 'data point' that teachers can use to inform their instructional decision-making in the weeks and months ahead. The data is analyzed by teachers individually, and as a member of a grade level team through our Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings. School Administration also analyzes this testing data to measure our progress toward acheiving school performance goals and our progress in the effective implementation of powerful school improvement initiatives. In short, testing in schools is a big deal, and a common practice / student experience in the modern public school.
So which tests do we use at Woodland Heights? Although there are more than what will be listed here, the key assessments administered at our school include AIMSWeb testing for students in Kindergarten through Grade 2, and the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA-MAP) for students in Grades 3-5 (students in Grades 3-5 must also take an annual state-wide assessment called NECAP in early to mid-October). These assessments include subtests in various areas of reading literacy and mathematics. The assessments (AIMSWeb & NWEA-MAP) are administered in September, and then again in January and in May. The data that we are able to obtain through these testing experiences help us to create a composite for individual student, grade level, and school-wide growth in performance toward high standards for student schievement. Most imprtantly, though, the data helps us to make better decisions about what we do for students and how we do it here at WHS. Without assessment data, we'd be guessing and working on a 'hunch' when planning instruction for students. Student assessment data gives us a specific point on the road map to higher student achievement. Knowing precisely where we are right now allows us to more effectively chart our course to our ultimate destination in the days and weeks ahead.
Our assessment practices are not unlike the way Patriots Head Coach, Bill Bellichick, and his coaching team collects data by taping games on Sunday and then analyzing the results in meetings beginning on Sunday evening. The cadre' of coaches then conduct meetings with specific individual players and groups of players to coach/teach/lead them to more effective performance during the next game. In a similar fashion, our teachers obtain and use assessment data with colleagues and students to foster ongoing improvement in academics and everything else that we do -- hopefully leading us all the way to victory in our own 'Big Game'.
To learn more about the assessments we use at Woodland Heights, you can go to the following websites for AIMSWeb, NWEA-MAP, and NECAP. As always, we welcome your questions and feedback. Do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher or school administration at your convenience if we can assist you in any way.
