Delaware System of Student Assessments

Dear Families,

This school year, your child will participate in state assessments that provide your child’s teachers and you with information about how your child is progressing. This helps educators know how to best support your child to ensure your child is ready for the next grade level and, ultimately, success in life. The tests are one of several indicators in combination with report cards, teacher feedback and classroom work, that create a complete picture of a student’s progress in school.

We have created the following infographic to present the full Delaware System of Student Assessments and more information about each assessment is described below. 

For English language arts and mathematics, students in grades 3 to 8 take the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC). These online, adaptive tests are designed so that all students can demonstrate what they know and can do. Student reports can be accessed in the family portal (please speak with your students’ school directly for access) and will be mailed home statewide over the summer.

For science, students in grades 5, 8 and all high school students enrolled in biology take the DeSSA science assessment. This assessment asks students to demonstrate their progress toward mastery of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). 

For social studies, Delaware recently redesigned its social studies assessments for grades 4, 6, and 8. The assessment will be administered in the fall, winter, and spring and only on topics that correlate to what students are learning at that time. Students in grade 11 will demonstrate their progress towards mastery in social studies on one assessment in the spring. The social studies assessment aligns to Delaware’s Social Studies Standards and the Delaware State Standards for Literacy in History/ Social Studies.

 

In high school, students complete the digital PSAT in grade 10 and the digital SAT in grade 11. Both of these assessments include tests on reading, writing and language, and math. These assessments measure a student’s ability to use words in context, to interpret, synthesize, and use evidence, to read a passage and explain how an author builds an argument to persuade an audience, and to work in-depth in three essential areas of math: Problem Solving and Data Analysis, Heart of Algebra, and Passport to Advanced Math. 

Students identified with significant cognitive disabilities will take the alternate assessment in place of the assessments listed above. The alternate assessment is designed to be instructionally-embedded, meaning students are assessed at the time of instruction. 

Students identified as Multilingual Learners will take the ACCESS assessment in addition to the above assessments to measure their English Language Development across four domains- reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Teachers will use the results to make decisions about students' English academic language and to facilitate their language development.

All assessments will be online and offer significant improvements over the state’s previous testing. The traditional multiple-choice format is replaced by questions that challenge students to come up with their own answers, show their work and explain their thinking. The assessments include real-life performance tasks requiring your child to apply knowledge and skills across multiple content standards to increase critical thinking abilities. The tests are connected to classroom instruction, matching the skills and content students are learning and practicing in the classroom daily. For parent resources about these assessments, please visit the Delaware Department of Education’s assessment website found here: https://www.doe.k12.de.us/Page/3814.  

On December 10, 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) was signed into law. Section 1112(e)(2) of ESSA states that parents and families of students in Title I schools have a right to know about state or district policies regarding student participation in any assessments mandated by ESSA, including any policy, procedure, or parental right to opt students out of such assessments. If you would like to receive information about this topic, please contact me, either by phone at 302-422-1600, or in an email to bamory@msd.k12.de.us.

 

 

 

Printable PDF - English

 

Delaware Report Card

DE Department of Education Assessment Page:  Assessment Calendar for current school year, related information and key points for all assessments, general overview and resources.

For specific information about the different types of assessments, please click the links below:

• ELA Assessment : Taken once in the spring in grades 3-8
• Math Assessment: Taken once in the spring in grades 3-8
• Science Assessment: Taken once in the spring in grades 5, 8 and high school students enrolled in Biology
• Social Studies Assessment: Taken once in the spring in grade 11, Taken in the fall, winter, and spring in grades 4, 6, and 8
• SAT School Day: Taken once in March in grade 11
• Alternate Assessment: For students with significant cognitive disabilities; taken in the fall, winter, and spring in grades 3-8, 11 (ELA, math) and grades 5, 8 (science) and grade 10 (biology)
• English Language Proficiency Assessment: For students identified as MultiLanguage Learners (MLLs) taken once in grades K-12
• National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): Conducted by US Department of Education for students in grades 4 and 8

• Assessment Resources for Families 

 

If you have any questions about the assessments your student will be participating in, please contact the school test coordinator listed below:

Morris Early Childhood Center: Jennifer Hallman – Principal – jhallman@msd.k12.de.us

Benjamin Banneker Elementary School: Laurie Moorman – Assistant Principal – lmoorman@msd.k12.de.us

Lulu Ross Elementary School: Kimberly Webb – Assistant Principal – kwebb@msd.k12.de.us

Mispillion Elementary School: Jodi Messick – Assistant Principal – jmessick@msd.k12.de.us

Milford Central Academy: Jordan Dutton – Assistant Principal – jdutton@msd.k12.de.us

Milford High School: Rene Diaz – Assistant Principal – rdiaz@msd.k12.de.us

Milford School District Test Coordinators: Alexandra March - amarch@msd.k12.de.us & Dontez Collins dcollins@msd.k12.de.us