Mid-Year Testing Happening Now!
Wheeler Quarter 2 Testing
Dear Wheeler Family,
I'm sure you've heard by now that we have raised our letter grade to a B! This amazing accomplishment is due to the hard work of our students and staff with the help of YOU, our supportive families! Our grade level teams meet regularly to analyze testing data. Looking at this data by collaborating with other staff members helps teachers plan for instruction based on student needs. When we intentionally plan for instruction this way, our students show immense growth. With your help and collaboration, we will undoubtedly achieve an A letter grade!
When we return from Thanksgiving Break, Our Wildcats will have multiple opportunities to show us how much they have grown in their learning since the beginning of the year. Below are the assessments we will use and the dates they will be administered. Please ensure that your child is here, well-rested, and has a good breakfast on each of these days to ensure that they do the best they can and show us all how much they have learned! These mid-year assessments are great practice for state testing in the spring!
DIBELS - Grades K-3
November 28th-December 16th
DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is a series of one-minute timed assessments to see how your child is progressing in the basics of reading. Each grade level has a different series of tests that are completed individually with a resource teacher, MTSS coordinator or our reading interventionists.
Benchmark Assessments - Grades 2-5
December 5-December 22
In December, our second through fifth grade students will take a district assessment in writing, math and ELA (English Language Arts) to see how they are progressing in the curriculum. These assessments will usually be completed in the classroom, but some students may take these assessments with their resource teacher or with an interventionist.
- The writing assessment requires them to read at least two passages and then write an opinion/persuasive piece based on the reading.
- The math assessment covers topics learned in the second quarter math curriculum.
- The ELA (reading) assessment covers topics learned in the second quarter English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum.
Your child's teacher will be sending home information regarding dates and other specifics.
Computer Intervention Programs - Grades K-5
November 28th-December 22nd
Imagine Learning, IXL and ST Math are computer-based programs we use as interventions to help fill learning gaps. These programs are tailored to the student's needs based upon their assessments. This is why it is so critical that students take these assessments seriously and do their best. If they just "click through" to be finished, the program may think that your child does not know the skills that they have already mastered, making the work in the program too easy for the student. These assessments are completed individually on the computer, usually during class intervention times.
Absences or Tardies on District Testing Days
Please keep your child home if they are sick, but if they are well, please ensure they are here and on time. We are required to give these assessments to all students in grades two through five, so if your child is absent on a testing day, we will pull your child out of class the first day they have returned to make up the assessment they missed.
Since school goes until December 22nd this year, we know that some families have vacation plans that may require the student to leave school early. If you know your child will not be here please let your child's teacher know, and we will assess your child individually before the other students.
520-584-5511