Assessments

Assessment refers to the wide variety of methods that educators use to evaluate, measure, and document the academic readiness, learning progress, and skill acquisition of students from preschool through high school.  Below is a brief description of the assessments administered in the MPSD, with guidance from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. 

Required Statewide Assessments

ACCESS for ELLs • Information for Families
Federal and state laws require that students identified as English Learners (ELs) be assessed annually to determine their level of English language proficiency (ELP) and ensure that they are progressing in achieving full English proficiency. This includes students who receive special education services. It is a large­ scale assessment that is based on the WIDA Consortium’s ELD Standards that form the core of Wisconsin’s approach to instructing and testing ELs.

ACT Plus Writing • Information for Families

The ACT assesses students' academic readiness for college. The assessment tests five subject areas – English, mathematics, reading, science, and writing. The composite score is the whole number average of the subject area scores not including writing. The highest composite score is 36. Scores from the administration of the ACT Plus Writing can be used by students for a variety of purposes including college admission, scholarships, course placement, and NCAA eligibility.

Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) • Information for Families

The DLM assessment measures the academic progress of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in the subject areas of ELA and Mathematics at grades 3-11, Science at grades 4 and 8-11, and in Social Studies at grades 4, 8, and 10.  This is an online assessment delivered either via the computer; however for some students, the teacher presents the items to them. Instruction for the students who participate in the DLM assessment is based upon the Wisconsin Essential Elements and aligns with the Wisconsin Academic Standards.

Forward • Information for Families

The Forward Exam is designed to gauge how well students are doing in relation to the Wisconsin Academic Standards.  These standards outline what students should know and be able to do in order to be college and career ready. The Forward Exam is administered online in the spring of each school year at:

• grades 3-8 in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics,
• grades 4 and 8 in Science and,
• grades 4, 8, and 10 in Social Studies.

ACT Aspire • Information for Families

The ACT Aspire Early High School is an online summative assessment that measures what students have learned in the areas of: English, Reading, Math, Science, and Writing. It  is an online assessment. Scores predict how a student will perform on the ACT when they reach 11th grade. Students who need academic interventions or challenges can be identified earlier in their high school careers.

The US Department of Education, State of Wisconsin, and the Manitowoc Public School District each require a variety of assessments for a variety of purposes. Click here for a list of the assessments, their subject matter, purpose, mandate, and if possible, time spent to schedule and take the assessment, and distribute results. Please direct any questions you have on these or other assessments to our District Assessment Coordinator: 920.686.4779