At Littleton Public Schools (LPS), assessment plays a vital role in measuring student performance and is often a major factor in shaping public perception about the quality of our schools. Assessment results are used to help improve teaching and learning, and to evaluate programs and schools. Assessment is also used to generate the data on which policy decisions are made. Why do we have tests? This is the most fundamental question in educational assessment, and it has multiple answers. Assessment is used to:
Given the different uses for assessment, it is critical for educators to select the appropriate types of tests. At LPS, there are several types of assessments used to help gather information about student learning. Besides classroom-based assessment tests, LPS conducts several large-scale assessments on a districtwide basis.
At elementary and middle school students take the i-Ready assessment in the fall, winter, and again in the spring. i-Ready is a computer adaptive diagnostic assessment in reading and mathematics that provides valuable data about a student’s individual instructional needs and helps monitor growth toward academic benchmarks and grade-level expectations.
At the high school, students take the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment which is a computer adaptive test designed to give teachers real-time instructional information on students as well as a national comparison.
The Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) is a state-mandated testing program, which measures students' knowledge against state standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics at grades 3-8. In addition, Science is assessed in grades 5, 8, and 11.
The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) measure student preparedness for college-level coursework in the core areas of critical reading, writing, and math. All ninth and tenth-grade students are required to take the PSAT and all eleventh-grade students are required to take the SAT as part of the Colorado Student Assessment Program. Eleventh-grade public school students in Colorado can also add the Essay section of the test to their SAT at no cost (students must opt-in if they wish to take the Essay section).
The assessment department directs all district large-scale testing. Department staff train and assist teachers and school administrators in analyzing and using assessment data to support continuous improvement of student achievement. The links shown to the left provide more detailed information on each of these testing programs.
