District 91's assessment plan uses multiple types of assessment - both formative and summative - to measure students' progress toward mastery of the essential content and skills. In addition to state-required tests, we use local assessments, curriculum-based measures, and authentic performance tasks to determine our students' level of achievement and growth.

Assessment serves several purposes, including:

• Identifying learner strengths

• Diagnosing weaknesses

• Evaluating the effectiveness and relevance of curriculum and instructional practice

• Evaluating the effectiveness of educational programs

• Establishing goals for school improvement

• Communicating student achievement to stakeholders

The assessment plan in District 91 include several components:

• State Assessments - Each year students in grades 3-8 participate in state testing in reading and math. The current state assessment is the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment. The PARCC assessments align to the Common Core State Standards and will provide information to educators so they can help students master the appropriate skills and content benchmarks at each grade level on an annual basis. The PARCC assessments are computer-based assessments in Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy. In the area of English Language Arts/Literacy, the PARCC assessments measure both reading and writing. In the area of Mathematics, the PARCC assessment measures the students ability to solve complex problems and explain how they solved them as opposed to simply filling in bubbles on a multiple choice test. The PARCC assessments are designed to inform students, as well as their teachers and parents, if they are on track to graduate high school ready for college and careers. 

State Assessment Information for Parents:

Understand the Score
PARCC
Talking Points
Parent’s Guide to New Assessment in Illinois

• Universal Screening - Aimsweb and MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) are two assessments that are administered districtwide to identify students who are in need of aditional supports and/or interventions. 

  • Individual Reading Assessment - Aimsweb is administered to provide vital information about a child's reading level. Supports and/or interventions are provided as needed.

  • Adaptive Tests - Students in grades 1-8 take the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessment in reading and math 2-3 times per year. On the adaptive tests the difficulty of each question is based on how well a student answers the previous questions. As the student answers correctly, questions become more difficult. If the student answers incorrectly, the questions become easier. The results of adaptive tests allow teachers to keep track of progress and growth in basic skills.

• Formative Assessment - Teachers use a variety of assessment tools on daily basis, embedded in daily instruction. Some of these tools include running records, observation, comprehension checks, and checklists. 

James Edler
Director of Innovative Instruction
jedler@fpsd91.org
(708) 366-5700 x306