September 2022 Dear District 186 Families,
The beginning of the school year is the time to learn about our students by gathering information about where they are – academically, socially and emotionally. Therefore, in the months of September and October, we will administer several assessments that will give us information to guide our teaching and learning this year. Teachers and staff also administer additional classroom or course-based assessments to set goals and monitor students’ progress. The main assessments that we will administer this year include:
NWEA MAP – Reading and Math assessment: NWEA MAP provides information on K - 12 grade students’ ready to learn level. MAP is aligned to the IL Learning Standards and is connected to online learning platforms that can be used at school and home to support students’ individualized learning plans.
Panorama – Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) assessment: This K - 12 grade SEL assessment provides information to guide the teaching and learning of social and emotional standards and skills. Examples of SEL knowledge and skills that students will be assessed on include: growth mindset, social awareness, emotional regulation, teacher-student relationships, school safety and belonging.
SAEBRS/mySAEBRS – Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) screener: The goal of this K - 12 grade universal school-wide screening is to identify students early who may need social/emotional support. Two times a year for students in kindergarten through second grade, your child’s teacher will fill out the screener. For students in third grade through twelfth grade, your child will complete the screener during the school day. This screener helps identify areas in a child’s social/emotional health, as evidenced during the school day, where the child has the possibility to benefit from extra support.
Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR), PSAT/SAT and Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) - Our students take federally required state assessments every spring. Students in grades 3 - 8 take IAR, students in grades 9-12 take the PSAT/SAT, and students in 5th, 8th, and 11th grades take ISA. These assessments help us understand what students have learned and what they need to learn next according to the Illinois Learning Standards. Reports will be coming home soon for students who took the IAR last year. PSAT/SAT reports are provided directly to students online via their College Board accounts. ISA reports will follow when provided by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
We encourage you to reach out to your child(ren)’s teacher(s) and/or administrator(s) with any questions you may have about these assessments or his or her academic growth overall. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to your child(ren)’s academic success.
Sincerely, Dr. Nicole Nash Moody
NICOLE MOODY • Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning and School Culture 1900 West Monroe • Springfield, IL 62704-1599 217.525.3011 • TDD: 217.525.3023 • Fax 217.525.7910 • www.sps186.org