1. Using Assessments to Transform Instruction
Wake County
February/March 2012

2. Benchmark Assessments: What They Are
Assessments that are given by teachers during the six-or nine-week period help gauge student learning such that teachers can reteach or accelerate learning for students.

3. Quality Benchmark Assessments
Aligned to the NC Standard Course of Study
Aligned to district pacing
Formatted to look and feel like EOG/EOC tests
Provide detailed data on individual students for remediation/acceleration
Provide valid and reliable results
Incorporate thinking skills
Support the written, taught and tested curriculum

4. Areas of Focus
Graphs, timelines, tables, charts, maps, and political cartoons
Reading competencies (cognition, connection, critical stance, and interpretation)
Genres (fiction, nonfiction/informational, poetry, science, social studies, consumer)
Math and science goals/objectives
Lower order and higher order thinking skills

5. Test Questions Number of questions per assessment:
2nd grade reading ≅ math ≅45
3rd – 8th grade reading ≅ math ≅60
5th and 8th grade science ≅52
Algebra, English 1, Biology ≅60
% of questions in each academic level:
15% easy, 35% easy/medium, 35% medium/hard, 15% hard
Lower order thinking skills 40%
Higher order thinking skills 60%

6. Benchmarks Provide Opportunity for data-driven instruction
Precise progress monitoring, (i.e. high flyers- making progress)
Tool to drive data driven PLT time
Data to identify trends
Alignment of instruction to Standard Course of Study
Quality, individualized data that helps identify strengths and weaknesses in student learning
Information to support targeted remediation and acceleration to meet needs of all students

7. Comprehensive Reports
Class, School, District
Percent correct
Projected scale score
Projected achievement level
Suggested grade for students
Projected growth
Item analysis
Let’s Review the Reports!

8. Contacts
Gwen Johnson Nancy Hester