Let us remember that, as much has been given us,
much will be expected from us,
and that true homage comes from the heart
as well as from the lips,
and shows itself in deeds.
~Theodore Roosevelt
ITBS (Iowa Test of BASIC Skills) and
New York State Tests
On Monday November 21st your child's
ITBS scores will be sent home.
Many parents have been concerned with test scores
the past number of years, believing that
one test says it all for their child.
No child's progress should be based on
one test score and that is why both
the ITBS tests and NYS tests are
administered to the children of
OLQM.
A child's academic progress should
be be analyzed using multiple measures
of success:
Norm Referenced Tests
Criterion Referenced Tests
Classroom Performance
Formative Assessment and
Portfolio Assessment
The ITBS is a norm referenced test
which means that your child is compared
via their test scores with thousands of
children across the United States who
are the same age. The scores of this
battery of tests are used as a diagnostic
tool by your child's teacher
in determining the academic needs
that can be addressed this year with your child.
New York State tests are criterion referenced
tests which means they are based on specific
curriculum benchmarks as determined by the
State Education Department. The New York
State curriculum deals in two specific strands
K-4 and 5-8.
The easiest way to understand the ITBS results
for parents is to look for the
Stanine Score listed.
A score of 1, 2, or 3 indicates that your
child is below level.
A score of 4, 5, or 6 indicates that your
child is in the average range.
A score of 7, 8, 9 indicates that your
child is above average.
What is the single most important analysis
of scores that the media does not tell
parents about scores is "Has there been
academic growth?"
Each child is unique and the question you
as their parent should ask - has my child
grown one year in their Reading, Mathematics
skills? This is the single most important factor.
If your child has not grown academically then
why is that so.
If your child was average last year and this
year is below level this is a cause of concern
which you as parent must address.
After looking at your child's scores should you
have questions please feel free to make an
appointment to see Mr. Woods or stop in any Sunday
after Mass. Mr. Woods can look at the scores
from last year's test (October, 2009) and then
this year's test score (October 2010)
and assist you in analyzing both scores.
Monday- ITBS test scores will be sent home.
Tuesday- 6th grade cake sale
Wednesday-
Thanksgiving Mass at 9:00 Am led by the students
of the 5th grade. Parents Welcome
Distribution of turkeys and canned food to the
needy of the parish by the Confirmation Class.
Thursday- Thanksgiving - School Closed
Friday - Thanksgiving Holiday - School Closed
Sunday - First Sunday of Advent
Mass for all students at 1:00 PM
No classes.
