Pre-K/Elementary Assessments

District Assessments

FastBridge (FAST) [Grades K-5]

FAST (Formative Assessment System for Teachers) provides brief curriculum-based measures in basic academic skills, including reading fluency, early reading skills, and early math skills. D428 uses FAST measures in grades K-5 for universal screening of basic skills three times a year (fall, winter, and spring). These measures are also used more frequently for students receiving intervention in order to monitor their progress.

For more information on FAST measures, see the FastBridge website.

Next Steps Guided Reading Assessment (NSGRA) [Grades K-5]

The Next Step Guided Reading Assessment (NSGRA) is a comprehensive reading assessment administered individually to students in Kindergarten through 5th grade.

For more information on NSGRA, see the NSGRA website.

NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) [Grades 2-5]

The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments are adaptive tests that estimate a student’s current instructional level and measure academic growth throughout the school year, and from year to year. D428 students in grades 2-5 take the reading and math MAP Growth assessments three times each year (fall, winter, and spring). Information from these tests helps teachers determine what students already know and what they are ready to learn next so that classroom instruction can be targeted to students’ needs.

For more information on MAP, see the NWEA MAP website.

State Assessments

Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS) [Kindergarten]

The Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS) is a state-mandated observational tool that Kindergarten teachers in IL use to assesses students’ skills in four key domains that are important for student success: Approaches to Learning and Self-Regulation, Social and Emotional Development, Language and Literacy Development, and Cognition: Math.

How does KIDS work? Teachers observe students during the school day as they participate in their regular lessons and activities. Teachers then use these observations to determine where a student’s skills are on a developmental continuum. Kindergarten teachers will use KIDS once during the fall.

For more information on KIDS, see the ISBE KIDS website.

Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) [Grades 3-5]

The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) is a state-mandated assessment that measures the progress of students in grades 3-5 in meeting the Illinois Learning Standards in English language arts and mathematics. 3rd-5th grade students take the IAR in the spring.

For more information on IAR, see the Pearson IAR website or the ISBE IAR website.

Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) [Grade 5]

The Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) is a state mandated science assessment aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Science incorporating the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). 5th grade students take the ISA in the spring.

For more information on ISA, see the ISBE ISA website.

DeKalb Community School District 428