Testing+CPS

Testing in CPS schools
//**News:** CTU will be conducting an inventory of testing in Chicago Public Schools during April, 2011. CTU delegates will be receiving information on the inventory. Delegates: please complete the inventory so we have an accurate picture of testing throughout the district.//

In the 2010-11 school year, Chicago Public School students have or will take some combination of the following tests:

This list is incomplete.
 * CreativeCurriculum.net
 * DIBELS
 * ISEL
 * Individual Reading Inventories
 * STEP
 * mClass Math
 * SCANTRON
 * Reading and Math Benchmark Assessments
 * ACCESS
 * ISAT
 * EXPLORE
 * PLAN
 * ACT
 * IDS quarterly exams
 * CPS District-Wide Writing Assessment

In many CPS elementary schools, students are expected to take: These assessments are not done for the benefit of the classroom teacher -- they provide CPS administration with questionable data for tracking students, firing teachers and closing schools.
 * Scantron Performance Series (grades 3-8, three tests, three times a year)
 * EXPLORE (8th grade only)
 * DIBELS and mClass Math (Kindergarten through 3rd grade)
 * A fifth-week assessment, either online or paper-and-pencil (grades 3 - 8, two tests, seven times a year)
 * ISAT (grades 3 - 8, administered in nine test sessions over a two week period)

Teachers as professionals are trained to develop their own assessments to help them design instruction to help their students grow.