The Ohio State Assessment testing window begins in March and ends in mid- April. Students in grades 3 through 12 will participate in the assessments. At the high school level, these are also referred to as the End of Course (EOC) state tests.
The state’s testing window begins in March and ends in mid-April. Students in grades 3 through 12 will participate in the assessments. At the high school level, these are also referred to as End of Course (EOC) exams.
Last year, only fourth and eighth graders took online tests. This year online administration is mandatory for all districts with the technological capacity to administer the assessments online. Principals will communicate specific grade and subject level testing dates with parents.
Practice test items for the assessments are available to parents/guardians and students and are located on the Ohio Department of Education website under the Testing Portal. Please visit oh.portal.airast.org/ocba. Once at the site, locate and select the “Practice Tests” tab located on the right side of the page. You can sign in as a guest and select grade level and subject area practice tests.
In addition to the state assessments districts must administer other state assessments, including one for English language learners, an Alternate Assessment for students with cognitive disabilities, the Ohio Graduation Test to student who still need to pass portions of this assessment for graduation requirements, diagnostic assessments for students in kindergarten through third grade, the Kindergarten Readiness Assessments for all kindergarten students, the ACT to all eleventh graders beginning this year, and Advance Placement assessments for government, calculus and English courses at THS.
Much time is spent administering mandated assessments to students. Recent feedback from educators throughout the state prompted the proposal of Senate Bill 3. SB 3 proposes limits on the cumulative amount of time spent on the administration of state assessments to 2 percent of the school year beginning with the 2017-18 school year. The bill also proposes to reduce the amount of diagnostic assessments administered to 1 percent of the school year beginning with the 2017-18 school year.
Changes/Updates and other testing information will be shared via this newsletter.
By Paula Crew
Assistant Superintendent/District Test Coordinator
Posted Sunday, February 26, 2017