CWCS Systematic Testing Plan

Benchmark Exams

Q & A

 

Why do we need to take extra tests, isn’t the STAR enough?  The Benchmark exams have been created to help you throughout the year to prepare your student for the STAR in the spring.  The tests are designed as check points every quarter to see how your student is doing towards mastery of the standards.

Do the exams cover all of the standards for each grade levels?  No, the tests cover what are considered the ‘essential standards’.  We realize that it may be difficult to cover all standards in all subjects throughout the school year.

 

How can I prepare my student for these tests?  You may teach your child as you always have realizing that your curriculum may not follow the order of standards that are assessed during each test. Or you can teach your student the standards in the order that they appear on the ‘Schoolwide Benchmark Assessment Plan’ for math and language arts http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/test/cwbenchass/index.htm.

 

If I have not signed up for an Edusoft account can I still participate in taking the exams?  Yes, you can either pick up a test at either the Ceres or Manteca learning center during the testing window or have your ES bring you a test.

 

What are the testing windows?  They are each quarter, the third week each year in September; November; January; and March.

 

Will the results of the Benchmark exam effect whether my student advances to the next grade level?  No, these exams are to be used as a tool for you, your ES, and the school.  The results of the exam can be used to evaluate your curriculum and to see how CWCS can better improve our school program.

 

What grades and subjects will be tested?   Grades 2-11 will be tested in Math and English this year.

 

Can my student test in a grade level above or below his/her actual grade level?  Yes, all grade levels 2-11 will be available for you to view and use.

 

If my student does poorly when he/she takes the exam the first time can he retake it to improve his score?  Yes, your student may take the exam as many times as he/she would like to.  However, for our purposes of seeing how well this system is working, we ask that you record the score that your student receives the first time and then allow him/her to re take the exam.  We would like for you to scan the results of the first test so that it can be recorded into Edusoft’s online grade book. 

 

Where can I scan the results?  The results can be scanned at either the Ceres/Modesto or Manteca Learning Center.  If you do not live near a center, you can mail in the results to the center or give it to your ES to scan the results.

 

How can I access the Edusoft exams through Edusoft from home?

 

Make sure that you have completed the Edusoft Parent Sign up Sheet with your ES. 

http://www.connectingwaters.org/CWforms/edusoft1003.pdf.  You will also need Adobe Reader and Microsoft Internet Explorer software to download exams.  Both are free downloads.

 

Browser Needed:

PC:  Internet Explorer v 5.5x or higher

MAC:  Internet Explorer v 5.1.7

 

Other Software:

PC: Adobe Reader v 5.0 or higher

MAC:  Adobe Reader v 5.0

 

To log onto Edusoft:

Go to Edusoft.com

Enter your Username and Password

Go to the Benchmark tab

Select Assessments

You will see two folders.  Select the November 2004 folder.

You will see the LA and Math 2nd quarter benchmark exams in the right column.

You may need to scroll down to find the desired test.  They are labeled as followed:

2nd LA 2nd (grade)

2nd Math 2nd (grade)

2nd Algebra 1

2nd Algebra 11

2nd Geometry

 

2nd- the second quarter benchmark exam

LA- Language Arts

2nd- represents the grade level that is being tested

 

Click on desired test

 

To obtain a copy of the exam, scroll to the bottom of the page and choose View/Edit Details

 

To Print or View a copy of the test, choose Download Test (please be patience it may take a moment).  You may choose to view by enlarging the document by using the magnifying glass on the Adobe Acrobat Reader toolbar. 

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer to view the test

 

To Print Select the picture of a printer from the Adobe toolbar

 

This will print the test and the Answer Key to the test

 

To print the Answer Document:

Go back to Back to previous page (located just above the toolbar)

 

Select Print Answer Sheets

 

Per Period should be chosen.  Click continue

 

Select Periods- means to select the student or grade level of the student who will be taking this test (not necessarily the grade level of the test to be taken). Click continue

 

Select the picture of the printer in the toolbar to print the Answer Sheet

 

Give your student the test document and answer sheet to be bubbled in using a number 2 pencil.  You will retain the Answer Key so that you can immediately see how you student is doing and provide feedback.

 

Please submit the Answer Sheet of the test to the learning center or to your ES so that it can be scanned into the Edusoft Grade Book.