Academic Guides and Assessment Information

Assessment helps teachers understand:

• what students know and what they need to learn
• how to modify instruction to meet student needs

These results also provide valuable information to schools that is used in the design of iinstructional programs aimed at improving achievement. 

• 8th Grade Writing (Grade 8): Results available upon completion
• Access for ELLs® (Grades K5-12): Results distributed in April
• ACT® Aspire™ (Grades 9-10): Results available in July, distributed in Fall
• ACT® with writing (Grade 11): Results mailed home 4 -6 after completion
• Civics (Grades 9-12): Results available weekly
• CoGAT (Grade 2): Results shared by beginning of January
• Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM™) (Grades 3-11): Results available in June, distributed in Fall
• PALS (Grades K4-2): Results available the week after testing
• National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) (Grades 4 and 8): Student level data is not available
• Star 360 (Grades K5-10): Results shared with parents following the conclusion of testing window
• Wisconsin Forward Exam (Grades 3-8 and 10): Results available in July, distributed in Fall

Over the course of the school year, less than 1.5% of class time is spent completing required standardized tests.

MPS uses a balanced assessment system to support student learning, and uses three types of assessments.

• Summative Assessments evaluate learning at the end of a unit, a course, or a school year. They include standardized state assessments.
• Benchmark Assessments are used periodically throughout a school year to monitor progress, inform instruction, and identify students who need additional support.
• Formative Assessments provide immediate feedback to teachers about how well students are learning and are used by teachers to modify instruction, if needed. 

Encourage your child to always give his or her best effort. Make sure your child is well rested and arrives at school on time every day. Remind him or her that tests are tools that help teachers know what to teach. Students can use the results of tests to understand their own academic progress.

Talk to your child’s teacher about assessment and testing in the classroom. He or she can help you understand what the results mean for your child and how results will impact instruction.

• What assessments are used in my child’s grade level and when are they scheduled?
• How will the results be used to influence the instruction in the classroom?
• Will test results impact my child’s grades?
• What are some options at school or at home if the results suggest my child doesn’t understand a concept or may benefit from enrichment opportunities?