- Bismarck Public Schools
- Overview
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BPS District Assessments
Bismarck Public Schools uses a variety of district assessments in grades PreK-12. Common district assessments are described to the right.
The following link provides a printable view of Assessments by Grade Level
BPS Assessments
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ACCESS
ACCESS is an assessment used for evaluation and reporting for students whom English is not their primary language. ACCESS assessments are given in the spring of each year to all English Language Learner (ELL) students, and during the academic year as needed.
More information can be found at https://www.wida.us/assessment/ACCESS20.aspx -
ACT
The ACT test assesses students general academic development and predicts their readiness for college.
In North Dakota, the state does provide funding to schools so that all high school juniors can take either the ACT or WorkKeys Skills test. This testing occurs in April of each year during a regular school day.
Students have the option to take the ACT one or more additional times during their junior and senior years during scheduled ACT testing dates. Students should contact their high school counseling department for additional information.More ACT Student and Parent information can be found at http://www.act.org/content/act/en/students-and-parents.html -
AIMS Web
AIMSweb Plus is a set of standardized, individually administered measures of early literacy and numeracy development. They are designed to be short (one minute) fluency measures used to regularly monitor the development of pre-reading and early reading skills as well as early numeracy skills. BPS administers this assessment to students in grades K-5 three times each year. The assessment also provides progress-monitoring measures that may be used throughout the school year in students K-12, to determine student progress in one or more of the fluency areas.
The AIMSweb website is located at www.aimsweb.com -
Benchmarking Standards-Based Assessments
Standards-based trigger assessments are given 3 times per year as part of the district benchmarking process and serve as indicators for additional supports that may be necessary for students to meet end of year expectations for proficiency. -
Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark
The Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment helps teachers determine a student’s independent and instructional reading levels during a one-on-one, student-teacher assessment conference. 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.
Each assessment enables teachers to:
- Determine students’ instructional and independent reading levels
- Form initial groups for reading instruction
- Plan for efficient and effective instruction
- Identify students who need intervention and extra help
- Monitor and report student progress across a school year and grade levels
- Assess the outcomes of teaching
More information can be found at http://www.fountasandpinnell.com/bas/
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MAP
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) creates a personalized, computerized assessment experience by adapting to each student's learning level - precisely measuring student progress and growth for each individual. MAP helps provide essential information about what each student knows and is ready to learn.BPS students in grades 3-9 are assessed in reading and math each fall and spring. Students in grades 2, 10-12 are assessed in reading and math during the spring testing window with fall testing being optional. The winter testing window and Language Arts assessment are optional for all students in grade 2-11.
The MAP website is located at http://www.nwea.org -
NAEP
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a federal assessment conducted periodically in reading, mathematics, science, writing, and other subjects. The purpose of NAEP is to gather objective data regarding the condition and progress of education across the states. NAEP is a congressionally mandated project for the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES). NAEP is given in grades 4 & 8. Bismarck Schools participates in NAEP when requested by the NCES, with the most recent NAEP assessment given in 2008-09.
Additional information regarding NAEP can be found at:http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/ -
NDSA
The North Dakota State Assessment (NDSA) assesses achievement in reading/language arts and mathematics of students in grades 3-8 and 11. The NDSA also assesses science for grades 4, 8 and 11. The NDSA achievement results are reported by content area, standard, and benchmark, at the student, classroom, grade, building, district, and state level.
NDSA is given every spring in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11. Reports for adequate yearly progress for schools and the district are received from the state each summer/early fall.
The NDSA is aligned to state content standards which can be found on the Department of Public Instruction website at https://www.nd.gov/dpi/students-parents/Standards/ -
Parental Directive - Assessment
In accordance with section 15.1-21-08, a student's parent may direct the school district in which the student is enrolled not to administer to the student any state test or state assessment. Information on this process is found on the Parents Page of the website.
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PSAT/NMSQT
The Preliminary SAT (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) is a national standardized test that measures critical reading skills; math problem solving skills; and writing skills. The purpose of the PSAT is to prepare students for the SAT & ACT college readiness tests, as well as enter students for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. PSAT is optional, and is given in the fall of each year.
Additional information regarding the PSAT/NMSQT can be found at: http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/ -
SAT
The SAT is a standardized test meant to show schools how prepared you are for college by measuring key skills like reading comprehension, computational ability, and clarity of expression. Because so many students take the test, it also provides schools with data about how you compare to your peers nationwide. Most students take the SAT during the spring of their junior year and/or during the fall of their senior year.More SAT information can be found at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/satThere is also the option of taking SAT Subject Tests on specific subjects. These are the only national admission tests where you choose the tests that best showcase your strengths and interests.
