- Bismarck Public Schools
- Overview
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BPS District Assessments
Bismarck Public Schools uses a variety of district assessments in grades PreK-12. Common district assessments are described to the right.
The following link provides a printable view of Assessments by Grade Level
Secondary Assessment: Parent Guide
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For information about what secondary families may expect, please see the following link: Secondary Assessment: Parent Guide
BPS Assessments
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ACCESS
ACCESS is an assessment used for evaluation and reporting for students whom English is not their primary language. ACCESS assessments are given in the spring of each year to all English Language Learner (ELL) students, and during the academic year as needed.
More information can be found at https://www.wida.us/assessment/ACCESS20.aspx -
ACT
The ACT test assesses students general academic development and predicts their readiness for college.
In North Dakota, the state does provide funding to schools so that all high school juniors can take either the ACT or WorkKeys Skills test. This testing occurs in April of each year during a regular school day.
Students have the option to take the ACT one or more additional times during their junior and senior years during scheduled ACT testing dates. Students should contact their high school counseling department for additional information.More ACT Student and Parent information can be found at http://www.act.org/content/act/en/students-and-parents.html -
AIMS Web
AIMSweb Plus is a set of curriculum-based measures that are nationally normed and standardized. Benchmark and progress monitoring measures of reading and math domainst are available. They are designed to be short (many are one minute) measures used to regularly monitor the development of reading and mathematical skills and achievement. BPS administers this assessment to students in grades K-5 three times each year. The assessment also provides progress-monitoring measures that may be used throughout the school year in students K-12, to determine student progress and response to instruction.
The AIMSweb website is located at www.aimsweb.com -
Benchmarking Standards-Based Assessments
Standards-based trigger assessments are given 3 times per year as part of the district benchmarking process and serve as indicators for additional supports that may be necessary for students to meet end of year expectations for proficiency. -
MAP
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) creates a personalized, computerized assessment experience by adapting to each student's learning level - precisely measuring student progress and growth for each individual. MAP helps provide essential information about what each student knows and is ready to learn.BPS students in grades 2-8 are assessed in reading and math each fall, winter and spring.
The MAP website is located at http://www.nwea.org -
NAEP
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a federal assessment conducted periodically in reading, mathematics, science, writing, and other subjects. The purpose of NAEP is to gather objective data regarding the condition and progress of education across the states. NAEP is a congressionally mandated project for the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES). NAEP is given in grades 4 & 8. Bismarck Schools participates in NAEP when requested by the NCES, with the most recent NAEP assessment given in 2008-09.
Additional information regarding NAEP can be found at:http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/ -
NDSA
The North Dakota State Assessment (NDSA) assesses achievement in reading/language arts and mathematics of students in grades 3-8 and 10. The NDSA also assesses science for grades 4, 8 and 10. The NDSA achievement results are reported by content area, standard, and benchmark, at the student, classroom, grade, building, district, and state level.
NDSA is given every spring in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10. Reports for adequate yearly progress for schools and the district are received from the state each summer/early fall.
The NDSA is aligned to state content standards which can be found on the Department of Public Instruction website at https://www.nd.gov/dpi/students-parents/Standards/ -
Parental Directive - Assessment
In accordance with section 15.1-21-08, a student's parent may direct the school district in which the student is enrolled not to administer to the student any state test or state assessment. Information on this process is found on the Parents Page of the website.
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PreAct
PreACT is a multiple choice assessment that provides students with a predicted ACT score, identifies areas of strengths and areas of focus, and insight into their college and career readiness.
Students in grades 9 and 10 take the PreACT one time per year in the spring.
PreACT site is located https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/preact.html
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PSAT/NMSQT
The Preliminary SAT (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) is a national standardized test that measures critical reading skills; math problem solving skills; and writing skills. The purpose of the PSAT is to prepare students for the SAT & ACT college readiness tests, as well as enter students for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. PSAT is optional, and is given in the fall of each year.
Additional information regarding the PSAT/NMSQT can be found at: http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/ -
SAT
The SAT is a standardized test meant to show schools how prepared you are for college by measuring key skills like reading comprehension, computational ability, and clarity of expression. Because so many students take the test, it also provides schools with data about how you compare to your peers nationwide. Most students take the SAT during the spring of their junior year and/or during the fall of their senior year.More SAT information can be found at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/satThere is also the option of taking SAT Subject Tests on specific subjects. These are the only national admission tests where you choose the tests that best showcase your strengths and interests. -
Star Reading/Math Renaissance
Star Assessments are short, computer-based, adaptive (responsive to each learner's personal level) tests in the area of reading and math. Star helps provide essential information about what each student know and is ready to learn. Star also provides student growth over time and focus skills to support learning. Star also provides progress monitoring measures that may be used throughout the school year for students in grades 9-12 to determine response to instruction.
Students in grades 9 and 10 take these assessments twice a year.
Star/Renaissance site is located at https://www.renaissance.com/