Student Assessment

ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners) is an English language proficiency assessment given to Kindergarten through 12th graders who have been identified as English language learners (ELLs). It is given annually to monitor students' progress in acquiring academic English. ACCESS for ELLs is only available to Consortium member states. For more information, visit the official ACCESS website from WIDA or the Illinois State Board of Education website on assessment.

Fastbridge Parent faq

In compliance with Illinois testing requirements, District 47 will administer the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) to fifth and eighth grade students during trimester 3. The assessment will be administered in an online format and is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for science incorporating the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) adopted in 2014.

The test time allotted is approximately one hour and will consist of 18 questions on the fifth grade test and 23 questions on the eighth grade test. To learn more about the assessment, see the links below from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) or visit the ISBE website at https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Illinois-Science-Assessment.aspx. 

Letter for parents from the Illinois State Superintendent 
Illinois Science Fact Sheet

The Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS) is a tool that Illinois teachers began using in the fall of 2017 to determine school readiness. This new resource allows teachers to observe kindergarten students’ development in critical learning areas, such as language, literacy and mathematics, within the first 40 days of school. In addition, teachers observe a child’s social and emotional learning and the development of skills, such as curiosity, creativity and perseverance. Observations take place as kindergarten students go about their daily routines of learning and playing in the classroom and teachers use these observations to plan for instruction.

For more information about the KIDS assessment, please review the following communication from the Illinois State Board of Education: 

• KIDS Overview For Families 
• Additional Resources

NWEA MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) 

District 47 administers NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) MAP assessments three times a year (fall, winter and spring) to students in grades 1-8. Kindergartners take the MAP test in the spring only. MAP assessments help determine instructional levels and measure students' academic growth in the areas of reading and math. Below you'll find some frequently asked questions about MAP and links to additional resources.  

MAP assessments celebrate students’ individual growth and achievement. By partnering in learning, we can have a profound positive effect on the lives of our students. If you have any questions about MAP, please contact your school principal.

FAQs about MAP 

What is a MAP test like?

• MAP assessments are computerized tests that uniquely adapt to a student’s level of learning. Questions increase with difficulty when they are answered correctly and decrease with difficulty when they are answered incorrectly. As a result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed and maintain a positive attitude toward testing. MAP assessments are fairly short, using minimal class time while still providing detailed, accurate information about a student’s growth. During this testing window, your child will spend a total of about two hours completing the assessments. 

When will I see my child's MAP scores? 

• MAP student progress reports are sent home with students shortly after each test administration in the fall, winter and spring. 

How do my child's MAP scores compare to others?

• In 2015, NWEA released norms. Norms provide the context that gives MAP scores meaning by comparing a student's performance to that of a larger group of students. NWEA typically releases new norms every three to four years.  Given the new norms, a student's actual RIT and growth scores will not change but his or her typical growth score and percentile rank may differ slightly. This is a result of how large samples of students performed on the test in 2015 as opposed to students who took the test in 2011, which was the last time the NWEA updated norms.

For general information about MAP, please check out these resources:  

• NWEA Parent ToolkiT - English
• Parents Guide to Map Growth - English
• NWEA Parent Toolkit - Spanish
• Parent's Guide to MAP Growth - Spanish 

Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) - formerly PARCC

The Illinois State Board of Education requires all Illinois public school students in grades 3-8 to participate in state-administered testing in reading and math. The Illinois state achievement test is called the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) and it replaces PARCC. See below for more information about the IAR.

What happened to the PARCC exam?

The Illinois Assessment of Readiness replaced the PARCC exam in 2019. As the IAR uses the same test content and format as the PARCC exam, there will be no noticeable changes for students this year. This is somewhat advantageous as it will allow districts to continue tracking year-to-year student performance.

What is the Illinois Assessment of Readiness?

The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) is the Illinois state achievement test given in the spring to all public school students in grades 3 through 8. The test measures a student’s general math and English language arts skills. District 47 typically schedules the IAR in mid-March through late April. (To view the specific administration dates for the IAR, please review the District’s assessment calendar at the top of this page) The IAR is fully aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards and uses the same test questions from its predecessor, the PARCC exam. The IAR is taken on a computer and is designed to provide information about student progress toward the long-term goal of college and career readiness.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has a section of its website devoted to the IAR. You can access the ISBE website clicking ISBE IAR Resources. The National PTA has also posted information for parents about state assessments on its website.

What does the IAR test look like?

The IAR uses the same test items and questions as the PARCC exam, including practice tests that mirror the actual student tests. Please note that students test in both math and English language arts.

Is IAR testing mandated?

Federal law—specifically, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), requires each state to give a state achievement test to its students. Participation rates will affect a school’s overall accountability score on the Illinois School Report Card.

How can parents help to prepare their children for the IAR test?

The IAR/PARCC website offers some suggestions to parents:

• Read a combination of fiction and non-fiction aloud or with your child. Look for subjects of interest—from sports heroes to dinosaurs.

• Discuss and “do” real-life math with your child. Help him/her know basic math facts.
• Discuss the new tests with your child. Try to ensure he/she is not scared or anxious about the new tests.
• Explain to your child that the tests will initially be more challenging. Tell your child to do his/her best on the test and that you are there to help every step of the way.
• After the test, review the results with your child. Bring the teacher into the discussion as needed.
• Provide a quiet, comfortable place for studying at home and make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast before a test.
• Above all, be positive and encouraging about the tests.