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. 2008-9 Testing: PreTest-Sept. 15-26 (Grades 2-9); PostTest-May 11-22 (Grades 2-9)

BST- Basic Skills Test The Basic Skills Tests in reading, math. and writing are state graduation requirements for students who started grade 8 during or before the 2004-5 school year. These tests are being phased out. Only 12th graders who have not taken or passed these tests are required to retest this year. Practice using the old BST test questions provided by the Department of Education. 2008-9 Testing: BST Writing ReTest Nov. 18 (Grade 12); BST Math. ReTest Nov. 19 (Grade 12); BST Reading Nov. 20 (Grade 12)

GRAD- Graduation-Required Assessment for Diploma The GRADs are new reading, mathematics, and writing tests, which are replacing 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 will be administered for the first time this spring as part of the grade 11 math. MCA-II. 2008-9 Testing: GRAD Writing ReTest Nov. 18 (Grade 10); GRAD Reading ReTests Nov. 4-12(Grade 11)(see Mr. Stahlmann for other dates); GRAD Writing April 14(Grade 9); MCAII/GRAD Reading, Seg. 1-2 April 14(Grade 10); MCAII/GRAD Math., Seg. 1-2 April 14(Grade 11);MCAII/GRAD Reading, Seg. 3-4 April 15(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. 2008-9 Testing: MCAII/GRAD Reading, Seg. 1-2 April 14(Grade 10); MCAII/GRAD Math., Seg. 1-2 April 14(Grade 11);MCAII Reading, Seg. 1-2 April 14(Grade 3-8);MCAII/GRAD Reading, Seg. 3-4 April 15(Grade 10); MCAII/GRAD Math., Seg. 3-4 April 14(Grade 11);MCAII Reading, Seg. 3-4 April 15(Grade 3-8;MCAII Math., Seg. 1-2 April 21(Grade 3-8; MCAII Math., Seg. 3-4 April 22(Grade 3-8);MCAII Science, April 27-May 1(Grade 10);MCAII Science, April 4-8(Grade 5); MCAII Science, May 11-15(Grade 8)

Testing Resources

State Testing CalendarBasic Skills TestsMinnesota Comprehensive AssessmentsCareer Interest InventoryAssessment GuidesEducational TestsFee-Based Assessment and Testing ServicesFree Online Assessments and Tests

Frequently Asked Questions About

Basic Standards Tests

What must students know to pass the reading test?
• identify the main idea
• recognize supporting information
• identify the meaning of words and phrases
• recognize the author's point of view
• draw logical conclusions
• distinguish between fact and opinion

What must students know to pass the mathematics test?
• solve problems involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals and integers
• solve problems involving percents, rates, ratios and proportions
• use concepts of number sense, place value and number relationships to compare, order and determine equivalence
• use estimation in problem solving
• apply measurement concepts
• read, interpret and use tables, charts, maps and graphs to analyze data, identify patterns and make predictions
• use elementary concepts of probability and statistics
• apply geometric and spatial relationships

What must students know to pass the written composition test?
Students must write a clear message in English for an adult reader. Successful compositions must have:

• a clearly stated message
• supporting ideas related to the message
• a clear connection among ideas
• a logical beginning, middle and end
• correct use of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• A passing paper is well organized and may only have minor mechanical or spelling errors.

What can parents and families do to help students prepare for the tests?
• Provide students with a clean, quiet study area.
• Encourage students to practice good study habits. Students should set aside time every day for homework and review their work every night before they go to bed.
• Encourage students to participate in review sessions at school.
• Family members can take an active role as reader, encourager and editor for students working on school writing projects. Not even the most successful writers make it to the publishing stage without help from others to improve upon the "rough drafts." We all need encouragement!
• Encourage students to read the daily newspaper and general interest magazines. Discuss the content of the articles with them. Ask questions like: What was the article about? What was the main point of the article? How did the author support the main point? Was that the author's opinion or was that a fact? What does that word mean?
• Encourage students to use math everyday. Some math activities students can do include: balance a checkbook, figure the miles per gallon of your car, create a grocery budget, double a recipe, compute a baseball batting average or football passing rate, explain charts and graphs from newspaper and magazine articles, calculate average snowfall or temperature, use rulers to measure objects and figure final costs including sales tax and sale discounts.
• Encourage students to practice using the old BST test questions provided by the Department of Education.
• Encourage students to practice using the old MCA test questions provided by the Department of Education for grades 3-8, 10 & 11.

What can students do to prepare for the tests?
• Become familiar with the directions and the test format.
• Participate in any school provided test-taking practice.
• Be sure to get a good night's sleep and a nutritious breakfast before taking a test.
• Be sure to answer all the questions you are sure of and to put a small mark by those that give you trouble. The test is not timed, so you can go back to the questions you marked.
• Practice
• Write letters and keep a journal.
• Write when opportunities present themselves, such as thank you notes when gifts are receuved and letters to friends or relatives who live far away.
• Practice using the old BST test questions provided by the Department of Education.
• Practice using the old MCA test questions provided by the Department of Education for grades 3-8, 10 & 11.