Benchmark+Testing+-+Acuity


 * [|Acuity]** is a benchmark testing program created by CTB McGraw-Hill for grades 3-8.

Susquehanna Community School District is using this program for the first time this school year for benchmark testing. We administered our first Benchmark exam in early September completely online. The exam can also be adminstered by traditional methods. We will be administering two more assessments in November and January. Should you be interested in reviewing the software or want to see the assessment administered, we will be glad to accomodate you.

The product itself has many components; Predictive Assessments, Diagnostic Assessments, Targeted Reports, Instructional Resouces and State-Specific Item Banks.

We are using the Predictive Assessments as our Benchmark exams. The Predictive Assessments are available in both Reading and Mathematics. Each exam requires approximately 45 minutes to administer. There are open-ended items that are hand scored by the classroom teacher then entered in the Acuity program manually to complete the assessment.

There are wide variety of reports generated once exams are completed. You choose which reports to generate and analyze. The more useful ones seem to be the items analysis reports. These reports can be generated at the student, classroom, grade, and school levels. The reports are broken down by question and assessment anchor. The results look similar to that of the Grow network data. We used these reports to create action plans for each classroom.

The other useful features associated with this program are the Instructional Resouces. Students can be automatically assigned tutorial lessons based on test results. This is a rather powerful tool. We are using Acuity instead of Study Island for grades 7 and 8. A few elementary teachers have started to use this feature and add the diagnostic testing component at the skill level. This feature has allowed teachers to diversify instruction because assignments are assigned by individual weaknesses. Classrooms can also be assigned a specific skill instead of individuals.

The start up process for using this program takes a couple of months. We started in July and completed set up in late August. You need to submit a file of student data and go through the process of verifying this data. Acuity will also send you a server associated with this program. Your technology people should be aware of this feature. They need to be involved in the process.

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

Mark Gerchman Principal Susquehanna Community High School 570-853-4921 ext. 2234 mgerchman@scschools.org

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