Preparing for Achievement

ISTEP+ is an acronym for the following words: Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress ISTEP is used to measure student achievement All students are tested on Math and Language Arts skills 4 th & 6 th grade students are also tested in the area of Science 5 th & 7 th grade students are also tested in the area of Social Studies WHAT IS ISTEP?

YES! All students take some version of the ISTEP test, regardless of how long the student has been at the school. DO ALL CHILDREN TAKE ISTEP?

ISTEP is given at two separate times during the school year. The first part of the test, in administered in early March. It is an applied skills test. On the applied skills test, students are asked open ended questions in which they must write responses. The second part of the test is given in May and is multiple choice. WHEN IS ISTEP?

EVRY SINGLE DAY IS IMPORTANT! THERE ARE 61 DAYS UNTIL ISTEP !

ISTEP is based on Academic Standards. Teachers use these standards when designing lessons for their students throughout the school year. Teachers use individual and group student data to determine where students need the most assistance. Data and information is acquired through the Indiana Department of Education and other testing data. HOW DO TEACHERS KNOW HOW TO HELP STUDENTS DO WELL ON THE TEST?

Teachers use Learning Connection to access student data. Teachers join communities to share ideas and find helpful resources. Teachers use Learning Connection to find academic standards. LEARNING CONNECTION

Parents can use the Learning Connection website to find standards. Parents can use the Indiana Department of Education website to find example test questions. Parents can talk to their students’ teachers about specific student needs that can be practiced at home. HOW CAN PARENTS HELP THEIR STUDENTS?

The following link will take you to the area on the Indiana Department of Education Website that will provide you with information on the academic standards students need to know in order to show achievement in school and on ISTEP and other tests. (Click on the Standards link on the right.) STANDARDS:

The following link will take you to example questions and samples for the upcoming ISTEP test. Knowledge is POWER! If your students know the format of the test and understand the difficulty of the tasks, they are more likely to attend and prepare. grades-3-8 EXAMPLES:

Are there Math facts my student can study at home? Are there vocabulary words or terms my student can study at home? How much and what should my student read at home? Is my student actively participating in school? Is my student well disciplined? Does he/she do class work in a timely manner? Does my student turn in his/her homework? Are my student’s Acuity and other test scores reflective of his/her true ability? QUESTIONS TO ASK THE TEACHER:

Monitor your student’s regular school attendance. Students who are not in school are missing out on seven hours of instruction everyday. Put school first. Expect your student to complete all homework and actively participate in classroom discussions and activities. Believe in your student! Students who think they can succeed have a much better chance for positive educational outcomes. TEST PREPARATION:

Expect your student to attend school everyday during ISTEP testing. Encourage your student to get plenty of sleep the nights before testing. Ask your student to be determined to do his/her personal best. TEST PREPARATION

With knowledge, understanding and teamwork, teachers, parents and students can work together to turn up the steam that powers an educational locomotive! SOMETIME SMALL CHANGES CAN LEAD TO CONSIDERABLE GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT