Assessments

Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) is a district assessment given to students three times a year. The reading MAP assessment is given to all students in grades kindergarten to fifth. The math MAP assessment is given to all students in grades third to fifth.

MAP measures student performance and growth that aligns with the Colorado Academic Standards. Since MAP is adaptive, student scores are not grade-specific and reflect actual achievement on a continuum of learning.

Teachers use the scores from MAP assessments to identify current learning strengths and areas for growth, then plan for future skill development and concept mastery.

Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) is a district assessment given three times a year to students in grades kindergarten to third. It measures progress in early reading skills.

Teachers use the results to identify areas of strength and growth and to plan future instruction. The results of Dibels 8 also allow teachers to identify students who need to be placed on a plan based on the Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act. READ plans focus on preventative support and resources in early reading skills.

Teaching Strategies (TS) GOLD® is a district assessment for preschool students throughout the school year. It is an authentic, ongoing observational system for assessing preschool students. Teachers observe students in the context of everyday experiences and use the observational data to determine what students know and can do.

Kindergarten Entry Assessments (KEA) is a district assessment given within the first 60 days of school for all kindergarten students with continued progress monitoring throughout the year.

The results provide an understanding of the strengths and needs of each student. Attending to the whole child and observing developmental growth alongside academic standards supports students in reaching their greatest potential. Teachers use information from the KEA to support instructional decision-making.

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a district assessment given once a year to all students in second grade. The results provide all teachers with student data for planning instruction, extensions and enrichment around students’ learning and thinking styles. The data is also used to identify students for the gifted and talented program.

Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State–to–State (ACCESS) is a state assessment given once a year in January for all multilingual learner students.

The data shows student progress toward English language proficiency. School staff use the data to plan appropriate instructional support. Teachers, schools and districts use the information to determine changes in programming and services to best support learning for multilingual students.

Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) is a state assessment given at the end of each school year to students in grades third to fifth.

CMAS is aligned with the state’s rigorous academic standards and designed to gauge how well students are mastering the standards and are prepared for the next grade. Schools use data from CMAS to notice trends of instructional strengths and needs and make actionable goals to improve the student learning experience.