Achievement Testing will begin the week of April 16 for Lower School students and will continue for the next four weeks. All testing is completed online in the Computer Lab. (When you see the eCTP symbol, it means all tests are completed electronically. The days of paper and pencil ERBs are passé!)
Following the completion of the test for grades 1-4, reports will be sent home to every family. They will include an information sheet which describes the subtests, norms and percentiles. There is no need for parents and students to stress over the testing. However, there are three things that students need to do to prepare during the week of testing. Students should have a good night’s sleep, a hearty breakfast and be on time for school. Testing will start at 8:15 a.m. (Monday through Thursday). Late arrivals will not be able to enter the Computer Lab until the start of the next subtest. So please help us by having your child here on time for school.
Darlington uses the eCTP-IV (Comprehensive Testing Program – Fourth Revision), which is given annually to measure student achievement in the following areas: verbal and quantitative abilities (grades 3 & 4) and auditory comprehension (grades 1 & 2). Reading comprehension, vocabulary development, mathematics, writing expression and mechanics are given to grades 1-4. This test is produced by the Educational Records Bureau and sometimes referred to as the ERB.
The eCTP-IV has added two important scores in the Parent Report which includes lexiles and quantiles. The lexile framework for reading is a scientific approach to reach and text measurement. It includes a measurement that ranges from 0 to 1700, which reflects the reading ability for the student at the time of testing. Lexiles are the most widely adopted reading measures in use today. These scores help us build reading skills for each student at each grade level. These scores are extremely helpful since they identify for both the teacher and parents a clear idea of the child’s progress and a selection of books that he or she should be reading. Most libraries have a color code that can direct students to their lexile level.
The quantile score describes a student’s mathematical ability and his or her readiness to learn new skills and concepts. This measurement spans a developmental continuum from kindergarten through high school advanced math classes. The scores range from 0 to 1400. By connecting students’ quantile scores, educators can use this information to target instruction and challenge students at their ability level.
Parents are encouraged to visit the ERB website at www.erblearn.org/ctp to learn more.
Next week will be a busy one at the Lower School as we prepare for our Grand/Special Day and Spring Concert on Friday, April 13. Grandparents should arrive anytime after 7:45 a.m. We will have a coffee house hospitality welcome until 8:30 a.m. in Tiger Hall. Following the welcome reception, grandparents will visit the classrooms until 9:15 a.m. Our Spring Concert starts in the gym at 9:30 a.m. Parents are cordially invited to attend the concert as well. After the concert, refreshments will be available in three locations along with art displays and campus tours. This will be an Early Dismissal day. Extended Day is available. Buses will run only at 3 p.m.
On behalf of our faculty and staff, we wish all our families and friends a Happy Easter and Passover weekend. School will reopen on Tuesday, April 10.
