Testing

NEW HEIGHTS SCHOOL, INC. (4003-07 010 )

Tests Administered in New Heights School

NWEA MAP - Measures of Academic Progress This assessment helps school staff monitor individual student growth and assess students' strengths and weaknesses. MAP tests are taken on the computer and are adaptive, adjusting to student responses in order to find students' instructional levels. MAP results help teachers plan instruction, and helps the school to evaluate the successes and improvement needs of its school and programs. Please refer to the NWEA website for more information. 2009-10 Testing: PreTest-Sept. 5-12 (Grades 2-9); PostTest-May 10-21 (Grades 2-9)

GRAD- Graduation-Required Assessment for Diploma The GRADs are new reading, mathematics, and writing tests, which replaced the BST tests as graduation requirements. Students who began grade eight in the 2005-6 school year must take and pass these tests to graduate. The writing test is administrated in grade nine. The reading GRAD is administrated as part of the grade 10 MCA-II in spring (Retests are offered monthly on a computer during the school year). The Math. GRAD was administered for the first time last spring as part of the grade 11 math. MCA-II. 2009-10 Testing: GRAD Writing ReTest Nov. 10 (Grade 10); GRAD Reading ReTests Dec. 8(Grade 11)(see Mr. Stahlmann for other dates); GRAD Writing April 13(Grade 9); MCAII/GRAD Reading, Seg. 1-2 April 13(Grade 10); MCAII/GRAD Math., Seg. 1-2 April 14(Grade 11);MCAII/GRAD Reading, Seg. 3-4 April 13(Grade 10); MCAII/GRAD Math., Seg. 3-4 April 14(Grade 11)

MCAII- Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments Series II The MCA-II tests in reading and math help schools and districts measure student progress toward the state's academic standards. The MCA-II is administered in grades 3-8, 10 and 11. Test results are reported to the public, parents and students, and are used to monitor trends in student achievement. They are also used to determine if schools and districts have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) federal act. Minnesota also requires the MCA-II Science tests. These are not used for AYP. The MCA-II Science tests are in grades 5,8 and 10. 2009-10 Testing: MCAII/GRAD Reading, Seg. 1-2 April 13(Grade 10); MCAII/GRAD Math., Seg. 1-2 April 13(Grade 11);MCAII Reading, Seg. 1-2 April 13(Grade 3-8);MCAII/GRAD Reading, Seg. 3-4 April 14(Grade 10); MCAII/GRAD Math., Seg. 3-4 April 14(Grade 11);MCAII Reading, Seg. 3-4 April 14(Grade 3-8;MCAII Math., Seg. 1-2 April 20(Grade 3-8; MCAII Math., Seg. 3-4 April 21(Grade 3-8);MCAII Science, April 26-April 30(Grade 10);MCAII Science, April 6-9(Grade 5); MCAII Science, May 12-16(Grade 8)

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) is federal legislation that promotes student achievement through school and district reform. Each state is required to develop and implement a system for holding all district and school accountable for the education of students. The Minnesota Department of Education’s NCLB site details this requirement. Reform efforts focus on: accountability for results; an emphasis on scientific research and doing what works; expanded parental options; and expanded local control and flexibility.

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act requires districts and schools that do not make adequate yearly progress (AYP) to notify parents about AYP status and various options. Visit the The Minnesota Department of Education’s Parent Notification site for detailed information. New Heights School’s parent notification letter is also available for viewing here.

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery ASVAB is the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battery in the world, assesses a student’s ability to learn new skills and is a predictor of success in training and education programs. The ASVAB Career Exploration Program offers more than just a test. It includes an interest inventory and other activities and resources designed to help students explore the world of work and gain confidence in making career decisions. New Heights School offers this service during the second week in December of each year. See Mr. Stahlmann for details.

Testing Resources

State Testing CalendarBasic Skills TestsMinnesota Comprehensive Assessments
MCA sample tests are now available online through Newspapers In Education . This free online resource was developed to help students prepare for the tests and was developed in partnership with local educators. Tests are organized by grade level and provided in convenient PDF format.