Standardized Assessments

STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS

ISASP (Iowa statewide assessment of student): The Iowa Assessments are high school achievement tests that measure student performance in reading, vocabulary, math, and science. The ISASP identifies students as being Advanced, Proficient, or Not Proficient for each content. These indicators provide information to assist in developing and assessing the programs we offer our students. This assessment will be given at the high school in April to freshman, sophomores, and juniors.

ACT: Four-year colleges and universities for admission and college course placement purposes use the American College Test (ACT). It measures the skills necessary for college work in english, math, reading and science reasoning. The ACT is an optional test offered seven times throughout the year at off site locations. Students are responsible for their own registration available online at www.actstudent.org. This website also has information about college planning and test preparation. It is recommended students take the ACT in the spring of their junior year. This gives students the opportunity to re-take the exam in the fall of their senior year if they choose. Either the ACT or the SAT is required for admission to most four-year colleges.

PSAT/NMSQT: The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is used for the National Merit Scholarship competition. It is a practice SAT test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning. This is an optional test for students in grade eleven (11). Students are responsible for the cost of the test which will be administered at Mid-Prairie in the fall.

ACCUPLACER & ALEKS: The Accuplacer & ALEKS tests have recently replaced the COMPASS test, used and administered by community colleges, such as Kirkwood. These computer based tests are used to evaluate academic skills in reading and writing (Accuplacer) and math (ALEXS) to determine the appropriate college level courses to place students. Students are encouraged to reach proficiency levels to avoid taking remedial core classes at the community college level. Test offerings are available by contacting any of the Kirkwood sties. Please contact the School Counselor for more information.