Measuring Student Achievement
Our teachers use a variety of assessments and measures to monitor student progress. Tests and assessments help teachers determine if students are learning what they need to know. Tests show areas of understanding and also point out areas where students need more assistance.
Stillwater Area Public Schools administers two types of standardized tests to students across multiple grade levels. In addition to teacher-designed assessments, these tests help to determine academic progress and readiness for advanced instruction, develop and implement curriculum and programs, and assist individual student planning.
- Performance Series (PS) is a nationally-standardized, computeradaptive assessment of reading and mathematics that measures student academic growth over time. PS assessments are administered in the fall, (winter as requested by teachers) and spring to students in grades 2-9. Teachers receive numerous detailed student performance reports indicating which Minnesota academic standards students have mastered. Teachers use this information to group students for instruction and to design peronalized learning opportunities. Parents also receive detailed information regarding student achievement on the Performance Series assessment twice per year.
- Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA II) measure student achievement of state standards in reading, math, science, and writing. MCA II testing is required by the state, in compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), in order to demonstrate that schools and districts are making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
