Understanding Assessments in SD 308: Guiding Every Student's Growth
At SD 308, robust assessment strategies, including state and local measures, help ensure the best possible learning experience. Curriculum undergoes continuous improvement, and teachers collaborate to align assessments with student learning. Information gathered from these assessments helps continuously improve teaching and create better learning opportunities for all students, ensuring high-quality instruction and supporting every child's full potential.
SD 308 students participate in state and local assessments. Assessment and survey results from both types of assessments are utilized to plan instruction, measure growth and achievement relative to standards and peers, and to monitor progress. State assessments are required by the State of Illinois and given to all qualifying students. Local assessments capture student progress along a continuum to demonstrate level of mastery toward learning standards and help plan instruction. In SD 308, thought goes into how these assessments support student learning at all levels, valuing them as tools for providing meaningful feedback and guiding instruction.
Assessment Dates
Elementary (Pre K – 5)
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Trimester
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Window
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Assessment
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Grade Level
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1st Trimester
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8/14/25 – 10/6/25
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KIDS Survey Collection
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K
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1st Trimester
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8/14/25 – 11/10/25
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Fitness Testing (Pre)
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3 – 5
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1st Trimester
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8/18/25 – 9/12/25
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Fall Fastbridge
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1 – 5
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1st Trimester
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8/18/25 – 9/12/25
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Fall Star360 Pilot
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1 – 5 DL
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1st Trimester
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9/18/25 – 10/3/25
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CogAT
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Select 3 – 5
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1st Trimester
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10/2/25 – 10/16/25
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KIDS Survey Entry
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K
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1st Trimester
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10/6/25 – 10/14/25
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Panorama SEL Universal Screener
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3-5
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2nd Trimester
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11/11/25 – 5/20/26
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Fitness Testing (State)
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3 – 5
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2nd Trimester
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12/1/25-12/18/25
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Winter Fastbridge
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1 – 5
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2nd Trimester
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12/1/25-12/18/25
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Winter Star360 Pilot
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1-5 DL
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2nd Trimester
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1/30/26 – 2/27/26*
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5Essentials
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4 – 5
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2nd Trimester
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1/14/26 – 3/3/26
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ACCESS
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K – 5
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3rd Trimester
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2/2/26 – 2/13/26
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IAAT
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5
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3rd Trimester
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2/2/26 – 2/20/26
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CogAT/Hope
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2
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3rd Trimester
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3/2/26 – 4/30/26
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ISA
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5
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3rd Trimester
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3/2/26 – 4/17/26
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IAR
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3 – 5
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3rd Trimester
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3/2/26 – 3/13/26
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Panorama SEL Universal Screener
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3-5
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3rd Trimester
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3/11/26 – 5/3/26
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DLM
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3 – 5
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3rd Trimester
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4/20/26 – 5/8/26
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Spring Fastbridge
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1 – 5
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3rd Trimester
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4/20/26 – 5/8/26
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Spring Star360 Pilot
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1-5 DL
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Secondary (6 – 12)
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Semester
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Window
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Assessment
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Grade Level
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1st Semester
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8/14/25 – 12/18/25
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Fitness Testing (Pre)
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6 – 12
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1st Semester
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8/18/25 – 9/12/25
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Fall Fastbridge
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6 – 9
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1st Semester
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8/18/25 – 9/12/25
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Fall Star360 Pilot
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6-8 DL
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1st Semester
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10/6/25 – 10/14/25
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Panorama SEL Universal Screener
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6 – 12
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1st Semester
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10/14/25
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PreACT
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11
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1st Semester
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10/23/25
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Fall PSAT/NMSQT
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11 (optional)
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1st Semester
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12/1/25-12/18/25
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Winter Fastbridge
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6 – 9
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1st Semester
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12/1/25-12/18/25
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Winter Star360 Pilot
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6-8 DL
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2nd Semester
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1/6/26 – 5/22/26
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Fitness Testing (State)
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6 – 12
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2nd Semester
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1/30/26 – 2/27/26*
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5Essentials
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6 – 12
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2nd Semester
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1/14/26 – 3/3/26
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ACCESS
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6 – 12
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2nd Semester
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3/2/26 – 4/30/26
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ISA
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6 – 8
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2nd Semester
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3/2/26 – 4/17/26
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IAR
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6 – 8
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2nd Semester
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3/2/26 – 3/13/26
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Panorama SEL Universal Screener
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6 – 12
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2nd Semester
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3/11/26 – 5/3/26
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DLM
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6 – 11
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2nd Semester
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4/8/26
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PreACT Secure & PreACT 9 Secure
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9 & 10
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2nd Semester
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4/9/26
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ACT w/ Writing
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11
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2nd Semester
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4/8/26 – 4/9/26
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AAPPL
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11 – 12
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2nd Semester
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4/20/26 – 5/8/26
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Spring Fastbridge
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6 – 9
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2nd Semester
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4/20/26 – 5/8/26
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Spring Star360 Pilot
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6-8 DL
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2nd Semester
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5/4/26 – 5/22/26
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AP Testing
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9 – 12
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State Assessment and Surveys
PreACT is a local assessment taken in the fall and is a measure of college readiness (reading, writing, language, mathematics, and science.) It provides instructional recommendation tools to support student learning outcomes and is practice to prepare students for the ACT with Writing taken in the spring.
State Assessment and Surveys![]()
ACCESS for ELLs
Who: Students in Grade K-12 who are English language learners
ACCESS is a state and federally required test for students learning the English language. It is a proficiency test designed to measure speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills over multiple years. Students’ scores range from Level 1 (Entering) to Level 6 (Reaching).
ACCESS is a state and federally required test for students learning the English language. It is a proficiency test designed to measure speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills over multiple years. Students’ scores range from Level 1 (Entering) to Level 6 (Reaching).
ACT & PreACT
ACT with Writing
Who: Students in Grade 11
ACT with Writing is the state-required measure of college readiness (reading, writing, language, mathematics, and science) for high school students.
ACT with Writing is the state-required measure of college readiness (reading, writing, language, mathematics, and science) for high school students.
Who: Students in grade 9
PreACT Secure 9 is a state-required assessment for all students in Grade 9 used to measure individual, school, and district growth and achievement in reading, writing and language, and mathematics.
PreACT Secure 9 is a state-required assessment for all students in Grade 9 used to measure individual, school, and district growth and achievement in reading, writing and language, and mathematics.
PreACT Secure 10
Who: Students in grade 10
Pre ACT Secure 10 is a state-required assessment for all students in Grade 10 used to measure individual, school, and district growth and achievement in reading, writing, language, and mathematics.
Who: Students in grade 10
Pre ACT Secure 10 is a state-required assessment for all students in Grade 10 used to measure individual, school, and district growth and achievement in reading, writing, language, and mathematics.
PreACT
Who: Students in Grade 11.PreACT is a local assessment taken in the fall and is a measure of college readiness (reading, writing, language, mathematics, and science.) It provides instructional recommendation tools to support student learning outcomes and is practice to prepare students for the ACT with Writing taken in the spring.
Dynamic Learning Maps-Alternate Assessment (DLM-AA)
Who: Identified students with special education services in Grades 3-11
DLM is a state-required assessment for students who are not eligible to take the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, Illinois Science Assessment, or ACT Suite of Assessments.
DLM is a state-required assessment for students who are not eligible to take the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, Illinois Science Assessment, or ACT Suite of Assessments.
Fitness Testing
Illinois requires fitness assessments of a students’ aerobic capacity (except grade 3), flexibility, muscular endurance, and muscular strength.
Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR)
Who: Students in Grades 3-8
Illinois Assessment of Readiness is state required and measures English language arts and mathematics student achievement. It meets the federally required measurement of proficiency in math and English.
Illinois Assessment of Readiness is state required and measures English language arts and mathematics student achievement. It meets the federally required measurement of proficiency in math and English.
Illinois Science Assessment (ISA)
Who: Students in Grades 5 and 8
Illinois Science Assessment is state required. This assessment meets the federal requirement for monitoring student proficiency in science and provides information to teachers, families, and the district regarding strengths and opportunities for science learning.
Illinois Science Assessment is state required. This assessment meets the federal requirement for monitoring student proficiency in science and provides information to teachers, families, and the district regarding strengths and opportunities for science learning.
Illinois 5Essentials Survey
Who: Students in Grades 4-12, parents, and school staff
The Illinois 5Essentials survey is a state-required measure of school culture and climate which gathers information from students, parents, and school staff.
The Illinois 5Essentials survey is a state-required measure of school culture and climate which gathers information from students, parents, and school staff.
Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS)
Who: All students in Kindergarten
KIDS is a state-required measure of kindergarten students’ development across four domains — approaches to learning and self-regulation, social and emotional development, language and literacy development, and math.
KIDS is a state-required measure of kindergarten students’ development across four domains — approaches to learning and self-regulation, social and emotional development, language and literacy development, and math.
糖心vlog视频 Assessments
糖心vlog视频 Assessments![]()
Fast bridge aReading and FastBridge aMath
Who: Students in Grades 1-9 except students in Dual Language and students in Grades 10-12 with special education services
FastBridge is a screening assessment of reading and mathematics used to measure growth relative to national and local grade level peers. This screening assessment is administered three times throughout the school year to provide multiple measures of progress over the course of the school year. It provides instructional recommendation tools for pinpointing growth and support affecting student learning outcomes.
FastBridge is a screening assessment of reading and mathematics used to measure growth relative to national and local grade level peers. This screening assessment is administered three times throughout the school year to provide multiple measures of progress over the course of the school year. It provides instructional recommendation tools for pinpointing growth and support affecting student learning outcomes.
Star 360 Reading and Math Spanish and English Assessments
Who: Students in Dual Language Grades 1-8
Star 360 and Star 360 Spanish are screening assessments of reading and mathematics used to measure growth relative to national and local grade level peers. This screening assessment is administered three times throughout the school year to provide multiple measures of progress over the course of the school year. Additionally, Star Reading and Math Spanish assessments measure learning for emerging bilingual students. It provides instructional recommendation tools for pinpointing growth and support affecting student learning outcomes.
Panorama Survey
Who: Students in Grades 3-12
Panorama for SEL is a universal screener survey used to measure, understand, and improve students’ social-emotional well-being. Students have the opportunity to reflect on their social-emotional strengths through a student survey given twice a year (fall and spring). The survey framework is aligned with the widely-utilized, evidence-based CASEL framework for social emotional learning, which is organized around five competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, responsible decision-making, and relationship skills.
Panorama for SEL is a universal screener survey used to measure, understand, and improve students’ social-emotional well-being. Students have the opportunity to reflect on their social-emotional strengths through a student survey given twice a year (fall and spring). The survey framework is aligned with the widely-utilized, evidence-based CASEL framework for social emotional learning, which is organized around five competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, responsible decision-making, and relationship skills.
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
Who: All students in Grades 2 and select students in grades 3 and 4
CogAT is a district level assessment administered as part of the universal gifted education screening process for all second grade students and select students in grades 3 and 4. CogAT measures the development of verbal, mathematical, and spatial reasoning abilities that are essential for success in school. More information about SD308 Gifted Education is available here.
CogAT is a district level assessment administered as part of the universal gifted education screening process for all second grade students and select students in grades 3 and 4. CogAT measures the development of verbal, mathematical, and spatial reasoning abilities that are essential for success in school. More information about SD308 Gifted Education is available here.
IAAT
Who: Students in Grade 5 Gifted Education Math
The Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test is given to grade 5 Gifted Education Math students to assess readiness for Algebra. The test assesses pre-algebraic number skills and concepts, interpreting mathematical information, representing relationships, and using symbols. This assessment helps to guide mathematics placement and determine if students are ready for Pre-Algebra.
The Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test is given to grade 5 Gifted Education Math students to assess readiness for Algebra. The test assesses pre-algebraic number skills and concepts, interpreting mathematical information, representing relationships, and using symbols. This assessment helps to guide mathematics placement and determine if students are ready for Pre-Algebra.
Mastery Connect
Who: Students in Grades K-5
Mastery Connect is the assessment management system utilized at the elementary level in SD 308. Mastery Connect is used to assess students via formative assessments designed to help teachers monitor student learning using this platform. 糖心vlog视频 curriculum based assessments are administered to measure student understanding of specific learning standards, providing actionable data to inform instruction and support student learning. These assessments are part of the standards-aligned curriculum in the area of mathematics, language arts, science, social studies, behavior and specials courses (PE, Arts, Music) standards. Mastery of standards are used to generate progress cards so parents and guardians can see the continuum of subject mastery. Optional Assessments
Optional Assessments![]()
Advanced Placement (AP)
Who: Any high school student eligible to attend SD 308 who elects to take the exam(s)
Advanced Placement exams allow students to obtain advanced placement in college classes and/or college credit. AP (Advanced Placement) Exams are standardized tests designed to measure a student's mastery of college-level coursework in a specific subject. They are administered by the College Board and offer students the opportunity to earn college credit and/or placement by demonstrating their knowledge and skills in a particular AP course.
Advanced Placement exams allow students to obtain advanced placement in college classes and/or college credit. AP (Advanced Placement) Exams are standardized tests designed to measure a student's mastery of college-level coursework in a specific subject. They are administered by the College Board and offer students the opportunity to earn college credit and/or placement by demonstrating their knowledge and skills in a particular AP course.
PSAT/NMSQT
Who: Any student in Grade 11 who elects to take the exam
The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) measures critical reading, math problem-solving and writing skills developed over many years, both in and out of school. Students will not have to recall facts from literature, history, or science, or math formulas, as this test measures reasoning and critical thinking skills. A part of the PSAT is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). This is the screening test for high school juniors who wish to compete for National Merit Scholarship Corporation programs.
The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) measures critical reading, math problem-solving and writing skills developed over many years, both in and out of school. Students will not have to recall facts from literature, history, or science, or math formulas, as this test measures reasoning and critical thinking skills. A part of the PSAT is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). This is the screening test for high school juniors who wish to compete for National Merit Scholarship Corporation programs.
AAPPL - Assessments of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages
Who: Students in grades 9-12 in world language courses or multilingual learners who elects to take the exam
The AAPPL (ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages) Test - Global Seal of Biliteracy is used for assessing language skills and is a qualifying test for the Global Seal of Biliteracy.
The AAPPL (ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages) Test - Global Seal of Biliteracy is used for assessing language skills and is a qualifying test for the Global Seal of Biliteracy.
FAQ
FAQ![]()
Why can't I see the test scores in PowerSchool?
- Use the PowerSchool website to view test scores. Do not use the PowerSchool app. Step 1 - Access the PowerSchool Portal website . Step 2 - Click on “Test Scores”. Step 3 - Click on the test name & date to view the scores.
- The scores may not be available yet.
- Contact your student’s teacher if you feel any score is wrong or missing.
Can parents "opt out" of state testing?
There is no “opt out” provision in Illinois state accountability testing. The expectation in state and federal law is that all students must be assessed. The school is legally obligated to present the test to all students. If a student is not in attendance on the day of testing, the school must schedule a make-up session and present the test then. If fewer than 95% of students do not take the assessment, a district will fail to meet its accountability obligations and be at risk of losing federal funding.
Are students able to test at home?
The mandates that IAR and other tests be administered in person at school to ensure test integrity and proper proctoring. For students who are fully remote and capable of traveling to a school, the expectation is that they will attend in person for testing purposes. 糖心vlog视频 tests like FastBridge also require the student to be in a school building for test administration.
Are there practice tests?
Yes. Test websites have resources for students to practice. Here are some links:
IAR & ISA Practice Items -
IAR & ISA Student Readiness Tool to practice test navigation -
ACCESS - WIDA Insight
ACT -
PSAT/NMSQT - , , How are test scores used?
For students: Assessing academic progress, identifying strengths and weaknesses, guiding instruction, college admissions, scholarship eligibility, and course or program placement
For parents: Gauging the students’ academic progress, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and informing discussions with teachers and schools.
For schools and districts: Monitoring school performance, identifying low-performing schools, determining resource allocation, and accountability
For governments: Monitoring student progress and policy decisions
What is the Illinois Report Card (IRC)?
is Illinois State Board of Education’s official site for information about public schools across Illinois. You will find school and district data here, including academic performance, school environment, educators, students, and highlights provided by principals. Data for the IRC is collected through state accountability assessments and surveys.
