GRINNELL HIGH SCHOOLIOWA ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR SEMINARS

April 1, 2015

WHAT ARE THE IOWA ASSESSMENTS?

We used to call them the ITED or ITBS tests Series of 7 tests that help schools determine if

students are making sufficient Academic Growth

1) Reading2) Written Expression 3) Vocabulary4) Science5) Math Problem Solving6) Math Computation7) Social Studies

WHEN ARE WE TAKING THE IOWA ASSESSMENTS?

All students in 9th – 11th Grades will be taking the tests next Wednesday, Thursday & Friday (April 8th, 9th, & 10th) in the morning

Wednesday, April 8th

Thursday, April 9th

Friday, April 10th

8:30-10:00: 9th-11th Grade Testing

* Seniors are not to be in the building until 10:00

Follow a modified two hour late start schedule starting at 10:00 for the rest of the day (40 minute classes)

8:30–10:00: 9th-11th Grade Testing

•Seniors are not to be in the building until 10:00

Follow a modified two hour late start schedule starting at 10:00 for the rest of the day (40 minute classes)

8:30–10:00: 9th-11th Grade Testing

* Seniors are not to be in the building until 10:00

Follow a modified two hour late start schedule starting at 10:00 for the rest of the day (40 minute classes)

TESTING SCHEDULE AT A GLANCEWednesday, April 8th: 1)Reading Comprehension (40

minutes)2)Vocabulary (15 minutes)

Thursday, April 9th:1)Math Problem Solving (40 minutes)2)Math Computation (20 minutes)

Friday, January 31st:1)Science (40 minutes)2)Try Out Test (20 minutes)

DID YOU GET THAT?9th, 10th, & 11th Graders will be

testing in the morning (8:30-9:55)1st Period Starts Each Day @ 10:001st Period 10:00-10:40

2nd Period 10:45-11:25

3rd Period 11:30-12:10

4th Period (A Lunch 12:10-12:35)

(B Lunch 12:40-1:05)

(C Lunch 1:10-1:35)

5th Period 1:40-2:20

6th Period 2:25-3:05

DETAILS ABOUT TESTING DAYS

Teachers will be available for E-Squared Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday mornings

No Seniors will be in the building until 10:00 on Wednesday & Thursday & Friday

ALL 9th – 11th Graders will report to their Seminars by 8:25

Be sure to have a good night’s sleep & breakfast both days

Be sure to bring extra #2 pencils both days

Come Ready to Do Your Absolute Best!

WHAT DO THE TESTS DO FOR YOU?

Grinnell High School Students have a strong tradition of doing very well on these tests (our kids do better than Pella, Newton, Norwalk, etc.)

This year, your results will be sent to your parents with a predicted College Readiness Score

This will help you and your parents see what areas you will need to work on before taking a college entrance exam

The results of the tests also help GHS focus on what programs we need to improve as a school district

YOUR NSS SCORE HISTORY . . . (SINCE 6TH GRADE)

Here are your past NSS scores for Reading, Math, & Science since 6th grade

What direction are your trend lines going (if they are progressively going up, you are in good shape!)

If you are new to GHS, you might not have a copy of your NSS scores to look at . . . (my apologies)

A LOOK A THE NUMBERS . . .

We used to look at your percentile rank Which means if you got an 86 – that means

you scored better than 86% of your peers You will still get a percentile rank score, but

your NSS Score shows your growth …IT’S MORE IMPORTANT TO SHOW GROWTH!

Mid to Above Average

Advanced Level

9th Grade NSS

10th Grade NSS

11th Grade NSS

NSS of 260 – 310

NSS of 268 – 319

NSS of 275 – 328

NSS of 310 or Higher

NSS of 319 or Higher

NSS of 328 or Higher

THINK ABOUT A GOAL FOR YOURSELF . . .

Take a look at your sheet of NSS Scores The average growth that a student makes from

year to year is 8-15 points (depending on the subject area – Reading, Math, & Science)

Think about what a reasonable amount of growth would be for you in each subject area . . .

Take a minute to jot some goal numbers down on your sheet for yourself in each area

Where can you improve this year and by how much?

Challenge yourself to meet your goal!

. . . AND YES, THERE’S MORE

After you’ve set your goals, give your sheets back to your Seminar advisor

AND, the Seminars with the most improvement of their NSS scores from last year to this year, get breakfast pizza & donuts on your last Seminar day this year

It is possible for rewards to be both nutritious and delicious

HOW DO THE TESTS AFFECT MY COURSES?

Students who show great growth and understanding according to the tests, may be able to opt out of an AxB section of Integrated I, II, or III for the AB section

Students who do not show adequate progress in Reading Comprehension will take Language Arts Lab or Lit Strategies during 1st and 2nd Trimester during the next year.

QUESTIONS?What questions do you have about the tests or testing schedule?

Yes, you can use a calculator for the Math Problem Solving Test (the long one), but NOT the Math Computation Test (the short one)