Assessments

MAP Testing

More than 1,200 school districts and educational partners use Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) to help all students learn. The assessment itself is unique in that it adapts to the student's ability, accurately measuring what a child knows and needs to learn. In addition, MAP will measure academic growth over time, independent of grade level or age. Most importantly, the results educators receive have practical application to teaching and learning. MAP test results provide educators with timely access to information they can use for
instructional planning and school improvement.

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)

The MCA is a state developed test that assesses reading and math for all grades and writing for some grade levels. This test is used to measure individual student achievement and test items reflect the depth and breadth of instruction required by the Minnesota Department of Education. The MCA include both multiple-choice and open ended items requiring students to write expanded answers. To ensure validity and reliability of test results, the test vendor provides all scoring, including scoring of reading and mathematics open ended items, of the writing test. This test was developed with the assistance of teachers across Minnesota, teaching at or near requisite grade-level as well
as with the help of national experts. There is no passing score requirement.

English Language Proficiency Accountability Assessments

The ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs are the assessments developed by the WIDA consortium and administered to English learners in order to measure progress toward meeting Minnesota’s standards for English language development, developed by the WIDA consortium. Most English learners will take the ACCESS for ELLs, but English learners who received special education services and meet the participation guidelines may take the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs. A link to the WIDA website is provided under related resources on the right side of the page.

September 2019

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Your student, if he/she is in grades 2-7, will complete an assessment for math and/or reading called Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) in September/October 2019. Your student’s MAP results will be sent home in November, 2019 and will reflect results from fall 2018 – fall 2019 based on fall to fall norms.

More than 1,200 school districts and educational partners use MAP to help all students learn. The assessment itself is administered on a computer and it adapts to the student's ability, accurately measuring what a child knows and needs to learn. In addition, MAP will measure academic growth over time, independent of grade level or age. Most importantly, the results educators receive have practical  application to teaching and learning. MAP test results provide educators with timely access to information they can use for instructional planning and school improvement.

Please remember that these tests are only one source of information on student learning. Achievement tests, teacher made tests, classroom work, teacher judgment and parent judgment are also important indicators of your child’s progress. If you have any questions about this report, please contact your child’s school.

February - March 2021

English learner (EL) students in grades K-12 are required to complete an assessment called the “ACCESS” test.  ACCESS means "Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners." 

Please complete the ACCESS Survey at the following link as soon as possible, if you have not yet done so: ACCESS SURVEY

Black Hawk Middle School EL students will be taking the ACCESS test at BHMS (not at home) on the following rescheduled dates:

February 24

• Domains 1 (Listening) and 2 (Reading)   

March 3

• Domains 3 (Writing) and 4 (Speaking) 

• Make-up date for Domains 1 and 2

March 10

• Make-up date for Domains 3 and 4

Generally, each day will consist of the following schedule:

• 8:30   Arrive to BHMS/Breakfast Available/Report to Assigned Classrooms
• 8:45   Group A: Test Time/Group B: Academic Support Time
• 11:00   “Brain Break” (physical and relaxation activities) 
• 11:30  Lunch
• 12:00  Group A: Academic Support Time/Group B: Test Time
• 2:15   Dismissed from BHMS
• 2:30   Busses Depart

Each day includes approximately two hours of testing along with academic support time to complete missing or current assignments.  Your student should bring their iPad and other school materials to work on assignments during the Academic Support Time.

Bus transportation is provided.  Bus number, bus stops and pick-up/drop-off times will be the same for a student as it was during the hybrid schedule earlier this fall.  The Transportation Department will be sending bus information to students assigned to a bus and can be called at 651-423-7685 for more information.  You may transport your child at any point to or from BHMS during a testing day if you prefer your child to be at BHMS just for the testing portion.

Any other questions regarding the test can be directed to Jeff Smith (jeff.smith@district196.org) or Roger Huling (roger.huling@district196.org) or by calling the BHMS office at 651-683-8521.

January 2021

Dear Black Hawk Middle School Parent/Guardian:

In order to follow federal rules, every year we must test all children in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade who have been identified as English language learners (ELL), even if they are not receiving services for ELL at this time.  The test scores are used to make sure students are making progress in English reading, writing, listening and speaking.  The test for this purpose is the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State (ACCESS for ELLs) language proficiency test.  This large test addresses the academic English language proficiency standards at the core of the WIDA Consortium’s approach to instructing and evaluating the progress of English language learners.  ACCESS provides a standardized measurement of academic language proficiency for ELL students throughout the state of Minnesota and in other states.  With this information, we will be able to monitor individual student progress on an annual basis.  The ACCESS includes reading, writing, listening and speaking tests.  A student’s ACCESS score determines whether they continue to be identified as ELL and have the opportunity to receive ELL instruction.  Students who demonstrate proficiency on the ACCESS test are exited from EL service.

Your child will be tested during the regular school day within the following time frame: January 25 - March 19, 2021  New Testing window dates to be determined (1/11/21 update)

Below is a link to our school’s testing schedule.

https://bhms.district196.org/academics/assessments

Safety measures:

·       keeping 6 ft apart

·       wearing masks

·       using the same device

·       wearing the same school headset for each test session (earbuds from home are also encouraged)

·       washing hands

·       staying home if you are ill

Sincerely,

Jeff Smith                                             Roger Huling

Testing Co-coordinator                         Testing Co-coordinator

jeff.smith@district196.org                    roger.huling@district196.org

651-683-8521                                       651-683-8521