District Assessments

Standardized Assessments are used to evaluate students and schools, improve teaching and learning, and generate important data from which policy decisions can be made. However, assessments are only one of the tools needed to measure student progress.

Our standardized assessments fall into two major categories: State Assessments and Local Assessments. Although local assessments may be used to measure student growth against their peers, many are also nationally normed and can provide a broader comparison.

Rear View of Two People Sitting at Computer that Displays a Generic Bar Graph

Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Assessment Survey Tracker

Illinois statutory law requires school districts to report information about the assessments they administer. ISBE compiles this information each school year and makes it available via the ISBE Assessment Survey Tracker.

ISBE Assessment Survey Tracker

Assessments
Framework

Assessments

ACCESS

The ACCESS 2.0 assessment for English Language Learners (ELLs) is a secure, large-scale English language proficiency assessment for students who have been identified as English Language Learners, and is administered annually to monitor students’ progress in acquiring academic English.

Grade Level(s) Administered

Kindergarten – 12th Grade

Objectives

Helps students and families understand students’ current level of English language proficiency along the developmental continuum.
Serves as one of the multiple measures used to determine whether students are prepared to exit English language support programs.
Generates information that assists in determining whether ELLs have attained the language proficiency needed to participate meaningfully in content area classrooms without program support.
Provides teachers with information they can subsequently use to enhance instruction and learning in programs for their English language learners.
Provides districts with information that will help them evaluate the effectiveness of their ESL/bilingual programs.

Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR)

The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) is the state assessment and accountability measure for Illinois students enrolled in a public school district. IAR assesses the New Illinois Learning Standards Incorporating the Common Core and will be administered in English Language Arts and Mathematics. IAR assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics will be administered to all students in grades 3-8.

Illinois Science Assessment (ISA)

Illinois Snapshots of Early Literacy (ISEL)

Measure of Academic Progress (MAP)

MAP is a universal screen tool designed to assess students’ strengths and weaknesses in reading, language, and mathematics.

Grade Level(s) Administered

Kindergarten – 8th Grade

Objectives

MAP tests present students with engaging, age-appropriate content. As a student responds to questions, the test responds to the student, adjusting up or down in difficulty.
MAP assesses current academic skills/readiness to learn, identifies students in need of further intervention or assessment, and informs instructional practices/materials.
This assessment is used as a benchmark and is taken in fall, winter, and spring.

Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Fluency

MAP® Reading Fluency™ is a universal screener and progress monitoring assessment of early reading that can also be used with older students at risk of reading difficulty. Students can take the assessment in approximately 20 minutes, either individually or in groups, using a headset.

Grade Level(s) Administered

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade

Objectives

To support growth, early literacy, and skill mastery for every student.
Data and information to help make instructional and operational decisions for student success.

Next Steps Guided Reading Assessment

The Next Steps Guided Reading Assessment measures reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension and provides information for teachers to determine each student’s guided reading level as well as their reading growth throughout the school year. This assessment is administered to students in the fall, winter, and spring.

Grade Level(s) Administered

Kindergarten – 5th Grade

Objectives

Identify students’ reading achievement through systematic observation, recording, and evaluation of performance.
Analyze data, document progress, and communicate assessment information to administrators, parents, and students.
Drive effective reading instruction tailored to critical intervention points derived from assessment results.

Fall Benchmarks

District benchmark Assessments

ISEL (all students) — September 7-17
NSGRA (all students) — prior to November 12

state mandated Assessments

KIDS (all students) – October 6-20

Winter Benchmarks

district benchmark Assessments

ISEL (all students) — January 10-21
MAP Growth (all students) — December 1-17

state mandated Assessments

ACCESS (ELL students only) — January 12 - February 15

Spring Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

ISEL (all students) — May 2-13
MAP Growth (all students) — May 2-20
NSGRA — by May 13

First Grade

Fall Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Fluency (all students) — August 30 - September 17
MAP Growth (all students) — August 30 - September 17
NSGRA (all students) — by September 30

Winter Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Fluency (all students) — December 1-17
MAP Growth (all students) — December 1-17
NSGRA (all students) — by December 10

State Mandated Assessments

ACCESS (ELL students only) — January 12 - February 15

Spring Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Fluency (all students) — May 2-20
MAP Growth (all students) — May 2-20
NSGRA (all students) — by May 13

Second Grade

Fall Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Fluency (all students) — August 30 - September 17
MAP Growth (all students) — August 30 - September 17
NSGRA (all students) — by September 30

Winter Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Fluency (all students) — December 1-17
MAP Growth (all students) — December 1-17
NSGRA (all students) — by December 10

State Mandated Assessments

ACCESS (ELL students only) — January 12 - February 15

Spring Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Fluency (all students) — May 2-20
MAP Growth (all students) — May 2-20
NSGRA (all students) — by May 13

Third Grade

Fall Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Fluency (all students) — August 30 - September 17
MAP Growth (all students) — August 30 - September 17
NSGRA (all students) — by September 30

Winter Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Fluency (all students) — December 1-17
MAP Growth (all students) — December 1-17
NSGRA (all students below grade level in September) — by December 10

State Mandated Assessments

ACCESS (ELL students only) — January 12 - February 15
FitnessGram — January - April

Spring Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Fluency (all students) — May 2-20
MAP Growth (all students) — May 2-20
NSGRA (all students) — by May 13

State Mandated Assessments

IAR — March 7 - April 22
FitnessGram — January - April

Fourth Grade

Fall Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — August 30 - September 17
NSGRA (all students) — by September 30

Winter Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — December 1-17
NSGRA (all students below grade level in September) — by December 10

State Mandated Assessments

ACCESS (ELL students only) — January 12 - February 15
FitnessGram — January - April

Spring Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — May 2-20
NSGRA (all students) — by May 13

State Mandated Assessments

IAR — March 7 - April 22
FitnessGram — January - April

Fifth Grade

Fall Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — August 30 - September 17
NSGRA (all students) — by September 30

Winter Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — December 1-17
NSGRA (all students below grade level in September) — by December 10

State Mandated Assessments

ACCESS (ELL students only) — January 12 - February 15
FitnessGram — January - April, scores due May 20

Spring Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — May 2-20
NSGRA (all students) — by May 13

State Mandated Assessments

IAR — March 7 - April 22
ISA — March 1 - April 29
FitnessGram — January - April, scores due by May 20

Sixth Grade

Fall Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — August 30 - September 17

Winter Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — December 1-17

State Mandated Assessments

ACCESS (ELL students only) – January 12 - February 15
FitnessGram — January - April

Spring Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — May 2 - May 20

State Mandated Assessments

IAR — March 7 - April 22
FitnessGram — January - April

Seventh Grade

Fall Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — August 30 - September 17

Winter Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — December 1-17

State Mandated Assessments

ACCESS (ELL students only) – January 12 - February 15
FitnessGram — January - April, scores due May 20

Spring Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — May 2 - May 20

State Mandated Assessments

IAR — March 7 - April 22
FitnessGram — January - April, scores due May 20

Eighth Grade

Fall Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — August 30 - September 17

Winter Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — December 1-17

State Mandated Assessments

ACCESS (ELL students only) – January 12 - February 15
FitnessGram — January - April

Spring Benchmarks

District Benchmark Assessments

MAP Growth (all students) — May 2 - May 20

State Mandated Assessments

IAR — March 7 - April 22
ISA — March 1 - April 29
FitnessGram — January - April

Winter Benchmarks

State Mandated Assessments

ACCESS (ELL students only) — January 12 - February 15
FitnessGram – January - April

Spring Benchmarks

State Mandated Assessments

ISA — March 1 - April 29
FitnessGram — January - April
SAT
- April 13, 2022 (primary)
- April 26, 2022 (makeup)
- April 13-26, 2022 (accommodated)