Learning

Learning - Children in Classroom

 

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. Science is administered during the same timeframe in Grades 3–8.

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 of 2023.

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 1 percent 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 their parental right to opt the student out of the assessment, 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.

To graduate, all students are required to meet the testing requirements outlined for their freshman year cohort, regardless of what year they actually graduate.

Nevada’s high school graduation requirements are designed to ensure all students are ready for success in college and careers (Nevada Revised Statutes – NRS 389.018).

To earn a diploma, students are required to take the College and Career Readiness Assessment in their junior year at no cost to the student. Students with disabilities may opt out of the College and Career Readiness Assessment based on the decision of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team. Appropriate assessments and accommodations for students with disabilities will be determined by the student’s IEP team.

Students in Clark County School District may choose a diploma option that best fits their individual needs. Details for each type of diploma are accessible online at College, Career, Equity and School Choice Unit.

The diploma options are:

✔ Advanced Diploma

✔  Advanced Honors Diploma

✔  College and Career Ready Diploma

✔  Standard Diploma or Alternative Diploma*

* Students with significant cognitive disabilities are eligible to earn an Alternative Diploma through their participation in the Nevada Alternate Assessment (NAA) and their completion of the course credits required for their graduating cohort. Students earning an Alternative Diploma are eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) until their 22nd birthday.

NRS 385.3469 changed the reference to the General Educational Development test (GED) and required the State Board of Education to select a high school equivalency assessment. The following three high school equivalency exams have been approved by the State Board of Education: GED, HiSET, and TASC.

To meet minimum requirements for graduation from the Clark County School District and receive a Standard Diploma, students must take the College and Career Readiness Assessment with Writing required by the state and must complete 23 credits of approved course work in the following subjects:

✔ English – 4 credits

✔ Math – 3 credits

✔ Science – 2 credits

✔ U.S. History – 1 credit

✔ U.S. Government – ½ credit

✔ Economics – ½ credit

✔ Physical Education (PE) – 2 credits*

✔ World History or Geography – 1 credit

✔ Health Education – ½ credit

✔ Computers – ½ credit

✔  Electives – 6 credits

✔ Flex Credit – 2 credits

Flex Credits can be a Level II or III Career and Technical Education (CTE) course, or a fourth year of math (including Algebra II or higher), or a third year of science, or a third year of social studies.

* A maximum of one PE II waiver can be earned by participation in certain activities.

Students who do not complete all requirements for a diploma will not be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies.