What are assessments?
Each year, all Kansas public school students are required to take the Kansas State Assessments. These tests are administered the same across the state, so that students in each school and district are being measured against equal criteria. This enables the State of Kansas to evaluate how students across the state are meeting the state learning standards.
Different grade levels are assessed in different subjects:
- Reading - grades 5, 8 and 11
- Math - grades 4, 7 and 10
- Science - grades 4, 7 and 10
- Social Studies - gradues 6, 8 and 11
Student performance is graded on a proficiency scale with five categories:
- Exemplary
- Advanced
- Proficient
- Basic
- Unsatisfactory
The results of these state assessments are one of the factors used to determine whether a school has made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), meaning that the school, the district and the State of Kansas have improved student achievement according to standards. This is required by the federal No Child Left Behind legislation. Other factors in this are attendance and high school graduation rates.
The ultimate goal of the AYP targets is for all schools and districts in the state to have 100 percent of students proficient at all grade levels, in all subjects. The AYP targets will increase every year until 2014, when they will reach 100 percent.
Starting in the Spring of 2006 state assessments, every student in grades 3 through 8 and one year in high school will be assessed in reading and math. Beginning in 2007, science and social studies assessments will alternate with writing.
For more information on AYP for Wichita Public Schools, as well as other districts within the state, visit the Kansas State Department of Education Web site by clicking on the link at the right, under the "Related Links" section.