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Learn about the upcoming Iowa Assessments at Grinnell High School, including the test schedule, details, and how the tests can benefit you. Set goals, strive for growth, and improve your academic performance!
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GRINNELL HIGH SCHOOL IOWA 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 • Reading • Written Expression • Vocabulary • Science • Math Problem Solving • Math Computation • 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
TESTING SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE Wednesday, April 8th: • Reading Comprehension (40 minutes) • Vocabulary (15 minutes) Thursday, April 9th: • Math Problem Solving (40 minutes) • Math Computation (20 minutes) Friday, January 31st: • Science (40 minutes) • Try Out Test (20 minutes)
DID YOU GET THAT? • 9th, 10th, & 11th Graders will be testing in the morning (8:30-9:55) • 1stPeriod Starts Each Day @ 10:00 1st 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!
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)