Understanding Student Assessments in Amherst Schools
Throughout the school year, Amherst Schools uses a variety of assessments to help us understand student learning, monitor progress, and make informed instructional decisions.
Students in grades Kindergarten through 10 participate in the NWEA MAP Growth and/or MAP Subject Assessments three times each year (fall, winter, and spring). These benchmark assessments provide valuable information about both student achievement and academic growth over time. MAP Growth assessment results are also used as a measure in our gifted identification process.
In grades Kindergarten through three, all students participate in Acadience Reading, a universal literacy screening assessment that helps us monitor the development of foundational reading skills. In grades four through six, Acadience Reading is used to monitor progress for students who have not yet demonstrated grade-level reading proficiency and may need additional reading support.
Ohio State Tests (OSTs) and End-of-Course (EOC) exams are administered in grades 3 - 12 as required by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Third grade students take the English Language Arts assessment in the fall and spring, and the Mathematics Ohio State Test in the spring. Students in grades four to eight take English Language Arts and Mathematics Ohio State Tests each spring. Students in grades 5 and 8 also take the Science Ohio State Test. At the high school level, students take End-of-Course exams during the year they are enrolled in specific courses. These assessments include Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, English Language Arts II, American History, and American Government.
Assessment results provide important information that helps teachers, families, and students celebrate growth, identify strengths, and determine where additional support may be needed. Assessment reports are shared with families electronically through the SchoolMessenger Secure File Delivery system as results become available. We encourage families to review their child's results and partner with us throughout the year as we work together to support every student's success.
If you have questions about assessments, please reach out to Mackenize Hall, Director of Curriculum & Instruction.
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