Assessment of Student Progress

The assessment of student progress is an integral component of the learning process. We believe feedback is essential if learners are to improve their performance. Our district uses a variety of assessments for all core academic areas. A variety of district assessments are administered three times each year. Additional teacher and school assessments are give throughout the year to provide information on how well students are achieving the grade level standards. Several schools have implemented the Accelerated Math, Accelerated Reading, Read 180 and SuccessMaker programs to support at-risk students with immediate feedback on their progress.

Annual Assessments

The California STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) is given each spring. The STAR tests include the California Standards Test for students in second through sixth grades and the CAT-6 test for all students in third grade. The Science test is given to fifth grade students and the Writing Test is given to fourth grade students. The CAPA (California Alternative Performance Assessment) is given to identify students with severe special needs.

The STAR test data is used to determine Adequate Yearly Progress for schools and the District to comply with the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) federal legislation. The Secretary of Education has determined that every student in every school will reach proficiency in the Ready/Language Arts and mathematics by 2015. Schools must meet annual measurable objectives and have a 95% participation rate to stay NCLB compliant. All schools in the National School District are NCLB compliant.

The API (Academic Performance Index) is a numeric score between 200-1000 that is calculated to determine a school's overall performance on the STAR tests. Annual growth targets are established by the state for each California school. The target growth points usually range from 5-10 points each year until a school reaches a score of 800 points or more. Click here to see the National School District's API Growth Report.

CELDT Assessment for English Learners

Federal guidelines for No Child Left Behind, Title III require that school districts receiving Title III funds establish English language proficiency standards, identify or develop and implement English language proficiency assessments, and define annual measurable achievement objections for monitoring the progress of English proficiency. The California English Language Development Test (CELDT) meets these accountability provisions and is the assessment tool used in the National School District.

The purpose of the CELDT is to identify new students to the district, who are English Learners in kindergarten through sixth grate, determine their level of English proficiency and to annually assess their progress toward becoming fluent English proficient. The CELDT covers four skill areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing and is given within 30 calendar days of the student's enrollment.

Help your children prepare for testing -
Parents can help by making sure their children attend school on testing dates (unless ill) and by sending them to school on time, with a good breakfast, a calm morning at home, and a good night's rest.

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May 17, 2012