Washington Elementary
April 1st
Student Lighthouse Team Reviewing Student Idea Slips
Science Fair Excellence
PRIDE Time Group working on Synergy
Important Notice
Being Proactive is the Best Preparation for Testing
The following ideas may help your child have a strong test day:
Get plenty of sleep 8-10 hours (not only the night before the test)
Daily exercise
Eat a balanced diet
Eat a good breakfast the morning before the test
Showering and dressing for success the morning before the test (builds confidence)
Positive conversations about doing their best on daily work, tests, engagement and focus during the school day
Encouraging your child to ask clarifying questions during class discussion
NWEA Testing Purpose and Dates, April - May 2019
Dear parents/guardians and students:
Our students will be participating in the District 77 sponsored NWEA assessment in reading in math for grades K-5 beginning in April and ending in mid-May. Each grade will take a reading and math assessment. See information below for details about purpose of the assessment and the approximate dates each grade level with test.
NWEA Reading Assessment Schedule:
Kindergarten-5/1, 5/3, 5/6-5/9
1st Grade: 5/1-5/3, 5/6
2nd Grade: 4/3, 4/4
3rd Grade: 3/05-3/07
4th Grade- ⅗,3/6
5th Grade-3/11,3/14, 3/15
NWEA Math Assessment Schedule:
Kindergarten: 5/9, 5/10, 5/13, 5/15
1st Grade: 5/7, 5/9, 5/15, 5/16
2nd Grade: 4/10, 4/11
3rd Grade- 3/14, 3/15
4th Grade- 3/13, 3/14
5th Grade: 3/04-3/06
Understanding the North West Evaluation (NWEA)
What is the North West Evaluation (NWEA) assessment?
The NWEA Test engages students, parents and teachers in the use of data to inform student learning. NWEA results will help teachers plan for classroom instruction, small group instruction and additional time and support for enrichment and intervention
How is this test different from other tests students take?
Unlike the state mandated standardized test, the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA), the NWEA test is intended to:
provide immediate feedback to students, parents and teachers
establish student learning level, indicated by a RIT score
demonstrate growth in student learning overtime.
What is the purpose of this assessment?
The purpose of the test is to measure your child's progress and chart growth over time in areas of reading and math. Teachers use the results to set goals with students using the RIT score.
Which tests are given?
K-5: Spring (math and reading) for all students
K-5: Winter NWEA reading and math is an option for grade levels. Information is used formatively to check on learning progress, inform instructional groups and serves as a predictor for where students are related to proficiency targets for the MCA assessment in administered in grades 3-5.
How long does the assessment take to complete?
Typically students take between 25-40 minutes to complete each assessment.
How do I interpret the results using the RIT score?
The RIT score gives us a way to monitor students' progress over time. The score is independent of the age or grade of the student, but reflects the instructional level at which the student is currently performing.
The RIT scale is an equal interval scale much like feet and inches on a yard stick. It is used to chart your student's academic growth from fall to spring and year to year. A RIT score tells you where on the scale your child is performing.
You will be able to determine your progress in comparison to other students in District 77 and the norm group of over 1.5 million students in the United States and Canada.
When will I be able to determine growth in student learning over time?
The results from the spring test will provide you with the opportunity to see growth in student learning from the spring to spring in the areas of reading and math.
MCA Testing Updates and Calendar, Grades 3-5, April - May 2019
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) and alternate assessment Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and also meet federal and state legislative requirements. Students take one test in each subject. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility requirements may take the alternate assessment MTAS instead.
The list below shows tests by subject and the grades they are given.
Ø Reading: MCA or MTAS (grades 3-8, 10)
Ø Mathematics: MCA or MTAS (grades 3-8, 11)
Ø Science: MCA or MTAS (grades 5, 8, and once in high school)
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) is an assessment administered to all 3rd 4th and 5th grade students in the areas of reading and math. Additionally, 5th grade will take a science assessment.
The schedule for Washington Elementary is as follows:
MCA Reading:
3rd Grade: 4/8, 4/10, 4/11, 4/15
4th Grade: 4/16, 4/17, 4/18
5th Grade: 4/15, 4/16, 4/17, 4/23, 4/24, 4/25, 4/26, 4/29, 4/30
MCA Math:
3rd Grade: 4/16, 4/17, 4/18 & 4/23
4th Grade: 4/23, 4/24, 4/25
5th Grade: 4/2, 4/3, 4/4, ⅘, 4/8 4/10, 4/11, 4/12, 4/15
Click here to access a resource that students use to practice reading and math skills.
Important Dates..
April 2- Excel Starts Again
April 8-PTO Meeting in Media Center 6:30pm
April 9- Full day of School, NO late Start
April 10-16- Music Informances
April 11- Kindergarten Round up
April 19- No School
April 26- Kindergarten Earth Day 9:30-11:30am
April 27- Regional Science Fair at MSU
May 3- 5th Grade Math Master
May 13-PTO Meeting in Media Center 6:30pm
May 14- Full day of School, NO late Start
May 17-4th Grade Trip to Farm America
May 21-5th Grade Trip to Franklin
May 27- NO SCHOOL
May 31- Kindergarten Picnic
May 31- Wildcat Walkathon & Family Picnic 1:30pm-7:30pm
June 5- Last day of School.