Assessment Information

Cook County School District 130 uses a combination of state and local assessments to track student growth, inform instruction, and evaluate mastery of learning standards. 

aimswebPlus
Audience: Kindergarten-Grade 3; Grades 4-8 Intervention
Timeline:  Fall, Winter, and Spring 
Description: A brief universal screening tool utilized for measuring literacy skills
Purpose: Helps teachers quickly pinpoint specific skill strengths or gaps, guide reading interventions, and monitor ongoing student progress.

ACCESS for ELLs (WIDA)
Audience: Kindergarten-Grade 8 English Language Learners
Timeline: Winter
Description: A state-mandated test measuring English language proficiency across speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Purpose: Determines the level of English language support a student needs at school; students take it yearly until achieving proficiency (a composite score of 4.8).

DESSA-Mini
Audience: Kindergarten-Grade 8
Timeline: Fall and Winter
Description: A brief 8-question educator observation rating scale.
Purpose: Measures social-emotional competencies (such as decision-making and self-management) to ensure the district is supporting the whole child's well-being.

Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment (DLM-AA)
Audience: Grades 3-8 Identified Special Education Students
Timeline: Spring
Description: An individualized, short-section assessment in ELA, Math, and Science designed for students who cannot access general state tests like IAR or ISA.
Purpose: Evaluates learning against Essential Element targets linked to grade-level standards to guide personalized academic support.

Illinois Physical Fitness Assessment
Audience:  Grades 3-8 (Fitnessgram data reported to ISBE for grades 5 and 7)
Timeline: Annually
Description: A state-required health and fitness evaluation administered in Physical Education class covering aerobic capacity, flexibility, muscular endurance, and strength.
Purpose: Helps students set personal health goals and ensures the district meets state physical education reporting requirements.

i-Ready Inform
Audience: Kindergarten-Grade 8
Timeline: Fall, Winter, and Spring 
Kindergarten assessed in Mathematics Fall, Winter, and Spring and in Reading Spring only
Description: A computer-adaptive diagnostic assessment in reading and mathematics.
Purpose: Pinpoints exact learning levels and automatically tailors skill practice and instructional support to each student's needs.

Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR)
Audience: Grades 3–8
Timeline: Spring
Description: The state-required standardized test measuring achievement in English Language Arts (e.g., Reading and Writing) and Mathematics.
Purpose:  Fulfills state and federal accountability requirements and helps District 130 evaluate and improve core curriculum effectiveness.

Illinois Science Assessment (ISA)
Audience:  Grades 5 and 8
Timeline:  Spring
Description:  An online state assessment aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (physical, life, earth/space sciences, and engineering).
Purpose:  Satisfies federal science requirements and provides insights on how well students are meeting state science standards.

Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS)
Audience: Kindergarten
Timeline: Fall (First 40 Days of School)
Description: A state-required observational tool completed by teachers observing students during daily activities.
Purpose: Measures readiness across key areas (e.g., social-emotional skills, math, language/literacy, and self-regulation) to help support a smooth transition into the school setting. 

NWEA Measures of Academic Progress - Spanish Reading (MAP)
Audience: Kindergarten-Grade 8 Full-Time Spanish Speaking Students 
Timeline:  Fall, Winter, and Spring
Description: A computer-adaptive reading test aligned with Illinois Learning Standards.
Purpose: Gives teachers a baseline of student growth over time and helps tailor classroom literacy instruction to specific student needs.

Standards-Based Measurement of Proficiency (STAMPe)
Audience:  Kindergarten-Grade 5 English Speaking Students in Dual Language Immersion Program
Timeline: Fall and Spring
Description: An internationally recognized test measuring real-world language proficiency in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
Purpose: Evaluates foreign language progression and informs language curriculum.