{"id":9856,"date":"2016-09-14T11:03:19","date_gmt":"2016-09-14T17:03:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animashighschool.com\/staging\/?p=9856"},"modified":"2016-09-14T11:03:19","modified_gmt":"2016-09-14T17:03:19","slug":"standardized-testing-at-ahs-2016-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animashighschool.com\/staging\/2016\/09\/14\/standardized-testing-at-ahs-2016-17\/","title":{"rendered":"Standardized Testing at AHS 2016-17"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear Osprey Students and Families,
\nAt Animas High School, we use a multifaceted approach to assess student learning; in addition to traditional methods such as papers, quizzes and exams, our assessment toolbox includes innovative strategies like Exhibitions, Student-Led Conferences and Presentations of Learning.\u00a0 We strive for authentic assessment in our work with students, emphasizing real-world tasks that demonstrate meaningful application of essential skills and knowledge, in front of authentic audiences.
\nStandardized tests are a piece of the assessment puzzle, too, as they provide data that helps us examine student growth and how we\u2019re doing as a school.\u00a0 The SAT and ACT play an important role in determining college options for our students, and we are proud of the fact that our students\u2019 scores on these college entrance tests continue to surpass local, state and national averages, as reported in this recent article<\/a> in The Durango Herald<\/em>.
\nThe Colorado Department of Education requires that all public schools–including charter schools–administer certain standardized tests at specific grade levels each school year.\u00a0 As legislators and administrators at the state and national levels continue to debate the issues surrounding standardized testing–examining which tests are best and how much time we should devote to them–we recognize that the only constant is change.\u00a0 Each year, we see some shifts in which tests we administer to our students, and we want to be sure to keep you all up to date.\u00a0 The world of standardized testing is filled with acronyms and can be a bit challenging to navigate.\u00a0 We\u2019re here to help, and we\u2019re happy to answer questions as you make your way through it all.
\n2016-2017 Standardized Tests per Grade Level<\/u><\/strong>
\nThis year, our 9th grade students<\/strong> will take the PARCC<\/a> English Language Arts and Math tests on April 17 and 18.\u00a0 Testing will take a total of approximately 9.75 hours over the course of these two days.
\n10th grade students<\/strong> will take the PSAT 10<\/a> on April 12, which will take approximately 3.75 hours.
\nSophomores also have the option<\/em> to take the PSAT\/NMSQT<\/a> at AHS with the juniors on October 19, though this is certainly not required.\u00a0 Those who are interested in this option should register with Dusty Grannis, our IT Director and Assessment Coordinator.\u00a0 There will be a $14 fee which the individual family will need to pay.
\nOur 11th grade students<\/strong> will take the PSAT\/NMSQT<\/a> on October 19 and the SAT<\/a> on April 11.\u00a0 The PSAT will take approximately 2.75 hours, and the SAT will be about 3 hours long.\u00a0 For juniors, PSAT scores are used to determine qualification for the National Merit Scholarship<\/a>.\u00a0 We are awaiting word from the state about whether juniors may also be required to take the CMAS<\/a> Social Studies, English Language Arts or Math test in the spring; we\u2019ll keep you posted.
\nWe do not plan to administer any standardized tests for our Seniors<\/strong>, and no students will participate in interim assessments such as NWEA this year.
\nAll of these assessments will be administered online rather than with pencil and paper; we have determined, in consultation with staff and parents, that this is the most efficient and effective method.\u00a0 There is no cost to families for any of these tests, with the exception of sophomores who choose to take the PSAT\/NMSQT on October 19.\u00a0 All tests listed above will be administered during regular school hours on campus.
\nPreparing for the Tests<\/u><\/strong>
\nStatistically speaking, our students perform above state and national averages on college entrance exams, and we believe that being engaged in their learning is a key contributing factor.\u00a0 We do not place a lot of emphasis on direct teaching-to-the-test preparation for standardized tests; rather, our teachers are intentional in the way they teach content and skills that the ACT and SAT measure, and this has proven to be successful.
\nThat said, there are many resources available for students to do independent preparation beyond what we offer during the school day at AHS, some for free and some with a cost attached.\u00a0 Kahn Academy has partnered with College Board to offer online test prep that is free and personalized; you can access that here<\/a>.\u00a0 For more resources, visit the Assessment page on the AHS website here<\/a> or the Testing tab on AHS College Counselor Jess Adams\u2019 digital portfolio here<\/a>.
\nAs you may have heard, College Board redesigned the PSAT and SAT this year to better reflect the key skills necessary for success in college and career.\u00a0 You can read about the changes to the tests here<\/a>.\u00a0 Being familiar with the format of the test and doing a few practice tests ahead of time can help students improve their scores.\u00a0 Arriving on the day of testing well rested and fed, helps, too!
\nAccessing and Understanding Individual Test Scores<\/u><\/strong>
\nThe fastest way to access PSAT, SAT and ACT scores is by creating student accounts on the College Board and ACT websites and then checking those about three weeks after taking the exams.\u00a0 Students will always receive scores before the school does for college entrance exams.
\nStudents and families can access individual scores for standardized tests through Infinite Campus<\/a>, under the assessment tab.\u00a0 To learn more about how to interpret the scores, you may:<\/p>\n