Students across the State of Illinois will take 2020 state-required achievement tests beginning in mid-March. For Collinsville CUSD 10, the testing window is March 16 – April 24.
Illinois Assessment of Readiness
Students in grades 3 – 8 will be tested in English language arts/literacy and mathematics as part of the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) program between March 16 and April 2.
The results of these state tests will be reported to parents and the public on the School Report Card in the fall. Our school district will review these state test results along with other information to help us improve our school program. In addition, parents/guardians will receive information about each individual child’s performance on the state tests he or she took.
You can help your child do his/her best on the test by:
1) making sure, if possible, that your child attends school on the days of testing;
2) making sure your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before testing;
3) providing breakfast on the mornings of testing;
4) reminding your child to ask the teacher questions if he or she does not understand the test directions;
5) letting your child know that you have confidence in his or her ability to do his or her best; and
6) advising your child not to worry about the test – just do the best he or she can.
Illinois Science Assessment
All 5th, 8th and 11th graders will take the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) between March 23 and April 24. The ISA aligns with the new Illinois Learning Standards in science.
This assessment helps families understand how well students are performing academically and see whether they are on track to succeed in college. The ISA represents Illinois’ commitment to preparing all students for college and careers, including in the high-demand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The assessment also satisfies federal accountability requirements.
The ISA is designed to reflect classroom experiences. Many students who took the assessment last year said the ISA seemed more like instruction than a test. Students do not simply select an answer and fill in the bubble of a multiple-choice test. Rather, the ISA pushes students to apply their knowledge when they give answers, thus better preparing them for higher education and a career.
The ISA has three sections and is untimed. The average student time-on-task is estimated at 120 minutes. The results provide administrators with important data to help them make broad curriculum decisions at the school and district levels.
We encourage parents/guardians to talk with children about the importance of doing their best on the ISA, while communicating that the assessment yields only one piece of information about them and their school’s progress. Students’ attendance, classroom work, homework, projects, performance on local tests, participation in sports and extracurricular activities, and contributions to the school’s climate and culture all help them grow and learn.
Please watch for communication from each CUSD 10 school regarding specific IAR & ISA testing dates and contact your child’s teacher if you want additional information or have further questions about these tests.
PSAT/SAT
Collinsville High School will join all other high schools in administering the Preliminary SAT (grades 9 and 10) and SAT (grade 11) on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.
The CHS Counseling Department has been offering optional SAT prep classes since February. In addition, Official SAT Practice is available on Khan Academy’s Official SAT Practice website. Students can use this website to increase their test scores. The CHS counseling department is monitoring who uses Khan Academy’s Official SAT practice the most and issues one pizza per grade level each week up until test day. Students who – from the beginning of the school year to April 9th – spend over 20 hours preparing to test are eligible for a field trip.
Note: Seniors do not report to CHS on April 14, 2020. Seniors will be released for the day to attend a college visit, job shadow or explore a career option.
Seal of Biliteracy
Collinsville High School offers the Seal of Biliteracy exam for students to demonstrate their foreign language proficiency and earn a special commendation on their diploma. The exams will be given between March 23-26, 2020. Contact any foreign language teacher for more details.