Testing!

JHMS is continuallystriving to be better, and one of the tools we have to help us in this quest isby using test data to monitor student growth as well as our instruction andcurriculum.   Here’s a rundownof the tests we give beyond the regular and important classroom tests:

MAP,   Measure of Academic Progress:   All students.   PURPOSE: This nationally normedtest measures growth in studentachievement in reading and math. Students receive a “RIT” score which is an instructional level that helpsteachers identify skills and concepts students need for growth.  Students will set goals based on thisscore, and parents receive a report each spring that shows the fall and thespring score.  This test is dynamicin that the more questions a student answers correctly the harder the questionsbecome, so there is no limit as to how high a student can score.  ADMINISTERED:  Sept., Jan. & May

EXPLORE: Eighth grade only.   PURPOSE: This is designed to help8^th grade students and their parents gain an understanding of theirreadiness for college, make the most of their opportunities in high school andguide them as they start thinking about future educational and careerplanning.  Explore is part the ACTCollege Readiness System.  EXPLOREcontains four academic tests – English, Mathematics, Reading and Science, aswell as an interest inventory.   Results provide students with information that can helpthem begin making plans for high school and beyond. These testes are based onCollege Readiness Standards.   These standards can be found at www.act.org/standard  ADMINISTERED:  October.  2009is the first year we are offering this to students.

PAWS:  All students.  PURPOSE: Most of you are familiar with PAWS.  This assessment is used to show if studentsare proficient in math, writing, reading state standards.  Eighth graders are also assessed inscience.   Tied to the federallaw “No Child Left Behind,” PAWS is used each school has met a target number ofstudents proficient in language arts (a combination of reading and writing, andmath).  This target number goes upover time with the goal of all schools reaching 100% proficiency by 2014.    ADMINISTERED: During thethree weeks before spring break.