Christi Donald
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Required Student Assessments
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The purpose of this webpage is to summarize expectations for academic student assessments in Iowa schools.
The tables below identify all assessment requirements for districts and nonpublic schools per federal law and Iowa code during the 2019–2020 school year.
Federal Requirements
| Required Assessment | Legal Citation | Grades Required | Testing Window | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Academic Assessment - Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) |
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Iowa Code 256.7(21)(b)(2) and Iowa Code 279.60(3) Applies to public districts |
For ESSA*: For Iowa Code*: Reading, language and writing, and mathematics: Grades 3–11. * See note below table. |
Per state statute, tests will be administered during the last quarter of the year. To accommodate district calendars, the testing window for 2020–2021 will be open March 15 – May 14, 2021. | All students in these grades are to take this assessment. The exception is students taking the state alternate assessment. |
| State Alternate Assessment - Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) | Every Student Succeeds Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act |
Reading and mathematics: Grades 3–11. Science: Grades 5, 8, and 10. |
Fall: Phase 1 Sept. 14 – Oct. 30, 2020 Fall: Phase 2 Nov. 2 – Dec. 18, 2020 Spring: Phase 1 Feb. 1 – March 26, 2021 Spring: Phase 2 March 29 – May 21, 2021 |
For students with an Individual Education Program (IEP) describing qualification for Iowa’s Alternate Assessments |
|
ELPA21 Summative Assessment: Measure of Annual Progress and Attainment of English ELPA21 Dynamic Screener: Instrument used for Identification of English Learners |
IA Administrative Code (IAC) Rule 281.60.3(1) Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) |
All K–12 English Learners in a public district. All K–12 English Learners in a nonpublic school accessing Title III resources. |
Summative ELPA21: February 1 – March 26, 2021. Dynamic Screener: Screening is part of ongoing new student enrollment procedures. |
100% participation is expected for ELPA21 Summative including ELs with disabilities. Screening, identification, and parent notification of program placement must occur within the first 30 days of fall enrollment. For students enrolling mid-year, parent notification is to be completed within 2 weeks of program placement. |
* Note: The Iowa School Performance Profiles is a ESSA-required report. Thus, Grade 9 is not included in the report, even though they are required by Iowa Code to be assessed.
State Requirements
| Required Assessment | Legal Citation | Grades Required | Testing Window | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool Assessment - Teaching Strategies GOLD |
Iowa Code 279.60(1) Child Development Coordinating Council Policy Applies to public districts community partners, and Shared Visions Preschool Grantees |
All PK or 4 year old students in a Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program, Early Childhood Special Education Program, or Shared Visions Preschool Program |
Fall: Aug. 3 – Nov. 13, 2020 Winter: Nov. 14, 2020 – Feb. 19, 2021 Spring: Feb. 20 – May 21, 2021 |
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|
Early Literacy |
Iowa Code 279.68 |
All students K–3, continuing for those students persistently at risk |
Fall: Aug.17 – Oct. 9, 2020 Winter: Jan. 4 – Feb. 26, 2021 Spring: April 12 – June 4, 2021 |
Districts may use any approved Universal Screening assessment to meet this requirement. |
| Early Literacy Alternate Assessment (ELAA) |
Iowa Code 279.68 and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act |
K–3, continuing through 6th grade for those students persistently at risk |
Fall: Sept. 28 – Oct. 9, 2020 Winter: Feb. 15 – Feb. 26, 2021 Spring: May 17 – June 4, 2021 |
For students with an Individual Education Program (IEP) describing qualification for Iowa’s Alternate Assessments |
| Diagnostic Literacy Assessment |
Iowa Code 256D(1)(b)(1) Applies to public districts |
K–3 | The required universal screening measures under Iowa Code 279.68 may be used to meet this requirement. | |
| End-of-unit assessment for students taking one-half unit of U.S. Government. |
Iowa Code 256.11(5)(b) Applies to public districts and accredited nonpublic schools |
Applies to course, not grade level. | End of course |