Assessment

Assessment in Whitefish Bay Schools

In Whitefish Bay Schools, we are committed to common formative assessment practices that allow our staff to provide students with timely feedback as they progress through a unit or course.  At the end of a unit or course, there is an opportunity for a culminating summative assessment, which provides another measure of student learning.  Other local measures of student learning and growth include district level assessments.  Large scale measures of student learning include standardized assessments at the state level in the form of accountability testing.  

We analyze district and state assessment data for specific reasons which can range from program evaluation to individual student performance and growth.  In the sections below you will find some of our district and state assessments and the associated grade levels that they occur.

District Assessments

Renaissance Assessments - Students in grades K through eight participate in the STAR (Renaissance)  assessments in reading and math to provide a snapshot of their learning in those associated subject areas.  The Renaissance assessments are computerized assessments given three times a year and allow our staff to “to know where your students are and what they are ready to learn, personalize instruction at the right level for every student” (www.renaissance.com, 2021). 

Developmental Reading Assessments (DRA or TC) - Developmental Reading Assessments (DRA) or Teacher's College Running Records (TC) are administered to all students in grades one through three.  These assessments serve as a tool “to determine student’s independent and instructional reading levels” and “teachers are able to observe student reading behaviors one-on-one, engage in comprehension conversations that go beyond retelling, and make informed decisions that connect assessment to instruction.” (https://www.fountasandpinnell.com/bas/, 2021).

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) - The CogAT screener in grade 3 and is used to measure verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning.   This assessment takes approximately 40 minutes.  The results from this assessment provide teachers the opportunity to “tailor instruction to match how students learn” and “uncover gaps between student achievement and ability” (https://info.riversideinsights.com/cogat, 2021).

Classroom/Course Assessments - Classroom/Course assessments can include end of the unit assessments, basic fact assessments and some final learning projects.  Classroom/Course assessments will vary by grade level and course standards and learning objectives.

State Assessments

ACT - Annually, juniors across the state of Wisconsin participate in ACT testing which is a curriculum based, multiple choice test which covers English, mathematics, reading, and science.  An optional writing test can also be taken.  Since the ACT measures a student’s readiness for college coursework, the ACT historically has been the test of choice for most colleges and universities, particularly those in the Midwest. More information on the ACT can be found at: https://dpi.wi.gov/wisedash/about-data/act 

ACT Aspire - The ACT Aspire is used in grades nine and 10 to assess student readiness in English, mathematics, reading, science, and writing.  Whitefish Bay students in grades nine and 10 are assessed in the ACT Aspire.  More information on the ACT Aspire can be found at: https://dpi.wi.gov/wisedash/about-data/aspire 

Forward Exam - Students in grades three through eight along with grade ten participate in the Forward Exam every year.   According to the Department of Public Instruction (2021), “The Exam is designed to gauge how well students are doing in relation to the Wisconsin Academic Standards.”  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.

More information on the Forward Exam can be found at: https://dpi.wi.gov/wisedash/about-data/forward 

Dynamic Learning Map (DLM) - The DLM™ assessment measures the academic progress of students with significant cognitive disabilities in the subject areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics in grades 3-11, Science in grades 4 and 8 - 11, and in Social Studies in grades 4, 8, and 10. The DLM is administered in the Spring (between March  - May).  More information on the DLM assessment can be found at: https://dpi.wi.gov/assessment/dlm/resources 

Access for English Language Learners - ACCESS is an annual assessment of the developing social and academic English language proficiency of English Learners (ELs) in grades K through 12. This assessment allows educators, students, and families to monitor students’ progress in acquiring academic English in the domains of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The ACCESS test is administered by an ELL Teacher between December and January.  More information on the ACCESS assessment can be found at: https://dpi.wi.gov/assessment/ell/resources

State Report Card - The table below contains links to the District's most recent accountability reports, as issued by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction under section 115.385 of the state statutes. The Whitefish Bay School District had a report card rating of 94.3, which Significantly Exceeds Expectations. 

Please feel free to contact your building principal or our District Assessment Coordinator, Laura Sproul (laura.sproul@wfbschools.com), for additional questions or concerns.  For your child's specific assessment dates and times, please contact your child's building administrator or classroom teacher.

Wisconsin’s Informational Guidebook on Dyslexia and Related Conditions

Wisconsin's Informational Guidebook on Dyslexia and Related Conditions, required by 2019 Wisconsin Act 86, was created through collaboration between an advisory committee created by Act 86 and DPI.

Per Act 86, the informational guidebook discusses screening, instruction and intervention, and resources that can support improved learning for school-aged individuals with characteristics of dyslexia. The audience for the information is broad and includes but is not limited to parents and families, educators, interventionists or reading teachers, and educational leaders.

Whitefish Bay School District supports all students including those with dyslexia and other related conditions.  Below you will find information on how to find support and guidance for those with dyslexia or if you suspect a student could be struggling with dyslexia or other related conditions.

Wisconsin's Informational Guidebook on Dyslexia and Related Conditions

Using Wisconsin’s Informational Guidebook on Dyslexia and Related Conditions to Support Collaborative Conversations for Improved Reading Outcomes- Conversation Document

Access Guidance on Guidebook document

Wisconsin’s Informational Guidebook on Dyslexia and Related Conditions: A Summary

One-page summary of the Guidebook

District 2024-2025 Assessment Calendar

District Assessment Calendar - Please click here to view our District Assessment Calendar for the 2024-2025 school year.  For your child's specific assessment dates and times, please contact your child's building administrator or classroom teacher.  

Student Assessment Report