To guide instruction and improve performance for all students, schools must analyze and use multiple types of assessments on multiple occasions with a goal of increasing student achievement. The Clark County School District Balanced Assessment System consists of assessments for learning (formative) and assessments of learning (summative).
Formative assessment is a deliberate process used by teachers and students during instruction. It provides actionable feedback that is used to adjust ongoing teaching and learning strategies in order to improve students’ self-assessment, reflection, and attainment of curricular learning. The MAP Growth assessment is a formative tool that serves as the CCSD interim assessment. MAP Growth is administered in Kindergarten through Grade 10 three times a year in reading and mathematics to monitor student progress, customize learning, and set attainable goals to ensure students are increasing in achievement.
Summative assessments are often “standardized tests of learning” instruments and verify mastery of grade-level content standards. These assessments take place after learning has occurred. The Smarter Balanced Assessments, also known as SBAC, are the Nevada system for assessing students in Grades 3–8 in Mathematics and English Language Arts. This summative assessment covers the full range of college and career ready knowledge and skills represented in the Nevada Academic Content Standards and will be administered to students during the spring.
In addition, students in Grades 5, 8, and 9 will participate in the Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) for Science aligned to the Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science based on the Next Generation Science Standards.
The Nevada Alternate Assessment (NAA) is administered to identified students in lieu of the Smarter Balanced Assessments. Approximately one percent (1%) of students participate in the NAA. The NAA assesses performance of alternate achievement standards through direct observation of specific tasks connected to the standards.
Pursuant to the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, parents/guardians may request, at their child’s enrolled school, information regarding participating/not participating in the assessments, where applicable.
For more information on the Smarter Balanced Assessment System and the Criterion-Referenced Tests administered in Nevada, please visit smarterbalanced.org and AARSI Division.