The Hudson School District uses a comprehensive balanced assessment system to inform decisions at the classroom, school and district levels. a balanced assessment system is necessary as it aligns standards, curriculum, instruction, and student learning goals. Student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities are measured through a variety of methods in order to develop an understanding of each student’s unique strengths and opportunities for growth. The results of these assessments are used to measure and monitor progress toward student learning, to communicate academic growth, to personalize and engage students.
Assessments can fall on a continuum that describes their purpose and use. The continuum moves from “formative” to “summative.” Used well, assessment can actually improve and increase — not simply measure — learning.
Formative assessment is assessment FOR learning. It refers to a wide variety of methods that teachers use to conduct in-process evaluations of student comprehension, learning needs, and academic progress during a lesson, unit, or course.
Summative assessment is assessment OF learning. It is used to evaluate student learning, skill acquisition, and academic achievement at the conclusion of a defined instructional period — typically at the end of a project, unit, course, semester, program, or school year.
GRADING AND REPORTING
Both grading and reporting are part of the assessment process. Grading is primarily intended to allow teachers to communicate to the students regarding their progress toward standards. Reporting, on the other hand, is intended for the teacher to communicate directly with parents. Informing parents of their child’s progress is very important. It is the responsibility of the School District to provide students and parents complete and useful information that truly reflects a student’s level of performance and progress in meeting academic standards.
Report cards provide a “snapshot” of student learning and progress toward meeting grade-level standards. Report cards also help to identify areas where a student may need additional support. K-12 students receive a report card at various times throughout the year. Students are evaluated based on expected progress at that particular point in the school year.
WISCONSIN STUDENT ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (WSAS)
The WSAS is a statewide program designed to provide information about what students know in core academic areas and whether they can apply what they know.
Our state assessments measure progress on Wisconsin’s Academic Standards and help districts evaluate the curriculum they selected.
The WSAS includes:
- The Wisconsin Forward Exam at grades at grades 3-8 for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, at grades 4 and 8 in Science, and 4, 8, and 10 in Social Studies
- PreACT Secure at grades 9 & 10 in English, Reading, Mathematics, and Science,
- The ACT Plus Writing at grade 11 for Reading, English, Mathematics, Science, and Writing
- Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) at grades 3-11 in ELA and Mathematics, at grades 4 and 8 – 11 in Science, and at grades 4, 8, and 10 in Social Studies. DLM is an alternate assessment for some students with disabilities.