Assessments

In addition to district summative and classroom formative assessments, students participate in district-wide assessments. The frequency and types of tests used in the district vary by grade level and purpose. The charts below lists those assessments and the students that would be assessed with each.

The district's decision to use district-wide assessments, such as the DIBELs and MAP, is intended to identify evidence of student learning to guide instructional decisions. At all levels, assessments used throughout the district are used to inform instruction and to guide educational decisions for students.

Elementary Level

Assessment	Content Area	Dates	Students Assessed	Purpose / Information about Assessment
DIAL-4	Pre-K concepts	June-August	Pre-K	Pre-Kindergarten Screener – measures motor skills, kindergarten concepts and language skills
DIBELs	Reading	October / May	Grade 1	Inform teachers for instructional decisions and academic support needs
Accuracy Check (DIBELs Passage)	Reading	October / May	Grade 2	Inform teachers for instructional decisions and academic support needs
SAGES	Reasoning	October	Grade 1	Gifted program screener
Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment	Reading	Fall/Spring	K-5	Inform teachers for instructional decisions in reading
MAP (Survey with Goals)	Reading, Math	September-May (two-three times per year)	Grades 1-5 and full day kindergarten	A 46-52 question computer adaptive assessment used for instructional decisions by teachers Component for academic support, gifted screener, leveled math courses.
PSSA	Reading, Math	March/April	Grades 3-8	*State mandated assessment*
PSSA	Writing	March/April	Grades 5 & 8	*State mandated assessment*
PSSA	Science	March/April	Grades 4 & 8	*State mandated assessment*

Middle School Level

Assessment	Content Area	Dates	Students Assessed	Purpose / Information about Assessment
Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT)	Math	Spring	Course 2 Math Students	Informs placement decisions of course 2 math students into Algebra I for either 7^thor 8^th grade
MAP (Survey with Goals)	Reading, Math	September-May (two-three times per year)	Grades 6 & 7, all special education and gifted students, select 8th graders	A 46-52 question computer adaptive assessment used for instructional decisions by teachers Component for academic support, gifted screener, leveled math courses.
PSSA	Reading, Math	March/April	Grades 3-8	*State mandated assessment*
PSSA	Writing	March/April	Grades 5 & 8	*State mandated assessment*
PSSA	Science	March/April	Grades 4 & 8	*State mandated assessment*
Keystone	Algebra 1	May	Students completing Algebra 1	*State mandated assessment*
PSAT	Reading Math		Grades 10, 11	Provides students the opportunity to practice for the SAT; results guides decisions for AP course consideration

High School Level (* indicates an optional assessment)

Assessment	Content Area	Dates	Students Assessed	Purpose / Information about Assessment
MAP (Survey with Goals)	Reading, Math	September-May (two-three times per year)	Grades 9-10, all special education and gifted students, and select 11th graders	A 46-52 question computer adaptive assessment used for instructional decisions by teachers Component for academic support, gifted screener, leveled math courses.
PSSA	Reading, Math	March/April	Grades 3-8	*State mandated assessment*
PSSA	Writing	March/April	Grades 5 & 8	*State mandated assessment*
PSSA	Science	March/April	Grades 4 & 8	*State mandated assessment*
Keystone Exams	Algebra 1, Literature, & Biology	December or May	Students completing a course within the tested areas	*State mandated assessment*
SAT*	Reading, Math, Writing	Various	Grades 11, 12	Optional test for college admission requirements
ACT*	Various	Various	Grades 11, 12	Optional test for college admission requirements
AP Exams*	Various	May	Grades 9, 10, 11, 12	Optional tests for students to receive college credits

Great Valley School District

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Assessments