Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS)
Grades: Kindergarten through Sixth Grade
The DIBELS assessment is used to assess students' mastery of early reading skills. It provides teachers and parents with a better understanding of a student's strengths, weaknesses, and progress in the major developmental areas of early literacy. Assessment results are used to assist teachers with the development of classroom instruction appropriate for each student. DIBELS benchmarks are administered three times each year.
Stanford 10
Grades: Third Grade through Eighth Grade
The Stanford 10 is used to compare individual and group performance with performance of the norming group. It is used to report relative strengths and weaknesses of individuals and groups. Data from this assessment is used to study changes in performance over time. The Stanford 10 is administered during the first two weeks of April.
Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test (ARMT)
Grades: Third Grade through Eighth Grade
The Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test is a criterion-referenced test which is used to assess students' mastery of state content standards in reading and mathematics. It is used to report the relative strengths and weaknesses of individuals and groups. The ARMT consists of selected items from the Stanford 10 which match the Alabama state content standards in reading and mathematics, and additional test items which were developed so that all content standards were fully covered. The ARMT has a 100% alignment to the Alabama state content standards in reading and mathematics. To receive an ARMT reading score, a student must take Stanford 10 Word Study Skills (Grade 3 only), Stanford 10 Reading Vocabulary (Grades 3-8), Stanford 10 Reading Comprehension (Grades 3-8), and the ARMT Part 2 Reading subtest. To receive an ARMT mathematics score, a student must take the Stanford 10 Mathematics procedures (Grades 3-8), Stanford 10 Mathematics Problem Solving (Grades 3-8), and the ARMT Part 2 Mathematics subtest.
Performance is reported in the following achievement levels:
- Level I - Does not meet academic content standards
- Level II - Partially meets academic content standards
- Level III - Meets academic content standards (proficient or grade-level performance)
- Level IV - Exceeds academic content standards
Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing (ADAW)
Grades: Fifth, Seventh, and Tenth
The Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing assesses students' writing performance in descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive modes of discourse. Analytic scores are given for writing mechanics, sentence formation, and grammar usage. A Focused Holistic score is assigned based on the level of proficiency that the writer demonstrates in the areas of purpose, content, audience, and organization/clarity. The ADAW is administered in late February or early March.
Performance is reported in the following achievement levels:
- Level I - This writing shows little understanding of the writing task
- Level II - This writing reflects some understanding of the writing task
- Level III - This writing indicates a good understanding of the writing task and is sufficiently developed with a sense of audience, purpose, and author control
- Level IV - This writing is thorough with a strong sense of audience and purpose and is precise, consistent, and elaborated with details that are clear and coherent
Alabama Alternate Assessment (AAA)
Grades: Kindergarten through Eighth Grade, and Eleventh Grade
The Alabama Alternate Assessment is an assessment of achievement of the Alabama Extended Standard in reading and mathematics. This assessment is intended for students with significant cognitive disabilities receiving special education services who are unable to participate in the regular State Assessment Program. Special education students participating in the AAA are taught Alabama Extended Standards throughout the school year. Decisions regarding the assessment of a special education student are made by the IEP Team. The AAA is administered in late March and early April.
Assessing Competency and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners (ACCESS)
Grades: Kindergarten through Twelfth
ACCESS for ELLs (English Language Learners) measures the level of English language proficiency for LEP (Limited English Proficiency) / ELL students. This assessment reports information about a student's level of social and academic English language proficiency. Social language is used to communicate for everyday purposes. Academic language is used to communicate the content of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. ACCESS is administered in March.
Performance is reported in the following proficiency levels:
- Entering - Knows and uses minimal social language and minimal academic language with visual support
- Beginning - Knows and uses some English and general academic language with visual support
- Developing - Knows and uses social English and some specific academic language with visual support
- Expanding - Knows and uses social English and some technical academic language
- Bridging - Knows and uses social and academic language working with modified grade level material
- Reaching - Knows and uses social and academic language at the highest level measured by this test
Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE)
Grades: Tenth through Twelfth
The Alabama High School Graduation Exam is used to assess students' mastery of content in the core courses. This assessment measures achievement related to the academic content standards in reading, mathematics, language, science, and social studies found in the Alabama courses of study. Passing the AHSGE is a requirement in order for a student to receive a high school diploma. The first administration of the AHSGE occurs in the spring of the student's 10th grade year (students successfully completing Algebra 1 or Biology in the 9th grade may take the math or science subtest in the fall of their 10th grade year). The second administration of the AHSGE (for any subject area test not already passed) occurs in the spring in the student's 11th grade year. After this administration, any subject area the has not been passed by as student may be taken again during subsequent administrations of the assessment. These administrations take place in the July following the 11th grade, September of the 12th grade, December of the 12th grade, and March of the 12th grade.
