Students begin testings to determine AYP results
Nancy Horst
Friday, March 6, 2009
Students at most Emporia schools began taking state assessments this week, and testing will continue through April at different grade levels.
Kansas reading and math assessments must be given to all students in grades 3 through 8 and once at high school. The state uses the tests to determine if individual schools and districts make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as required by the federal No Child Left Behind law. The Emporia Public Schools met the AYP targets in both reading and math in 2008.
Preliminary results for 2009 will be provided to districts in May and official results will be announced by the State Board of Education in the fall. Individual student results are reported to parents in the fall.
Pep assemblies kicked off the testing season at several schools last week to motivate students to do their best on the assessments. The Emporia High School mascot, Charlie Spartan, helped teachers lead a pep rally at Lowther South Intermediate School Friday morning.
At Lowther North, teachers used Read Across America activities to kick off the assessment season and celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Emporia Middle School Principal Steve Ternes had students set individual goals for their performance on the assessments.
All but three schools will complete reading assessments before spring break; math assessments will begin at all schools after students return from spring break. Kansas students also are required to take writing and science assessments this year, although the results are not used to determine AYP. Writing assessments were completed in Grades 5 and 8 in January. High school students will complete the assessments before spring break. Science assessments will be given in Grades 4, 7 and at the high school in April and the first week of May.
The tests are important indicators of how well the local curriculum matches state standards, according to George Abel, assistant superintendent for Teaching and Learning.
“We want students to take the tests to the best of their ability so we know how our curriculum compares with the standards adopted by the state,” he said. “We also need to know whether our students are learning that curriculum.”
Principals also encourage parents and students to take the tests seriously and come to school prepared by getting lots of rest and having a good breakfast. Principals also stress the importance of good attendance because all schools are required to test 100 percent of their students at the required grade levels.