Testing Information
Link for State, District and/or School Level Test Results
Guide to Reading SD State Report Cards
Understanding Every Student Succeeds Act
School Assessment Calendar
March & April 2023 Testing Schedule
NWEA Map Growth
Meade 46-1 uses MAP Growth in grades 1-10 for English Language Arts and math, as well as grades 6-10 for science. MAP Growth is a computer-adaptive test. If a student answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This type of assessment challenges top performers without overwhelming students whose skills are below grade level. MAP Growth uses a RIT scale to accurately measure what students know, regardless of their grade level. It also measures growth over time, allowing you to track student progress through the school year and across multiple years. The MAP Growth is given three times a school year.
Kindergarten Skills Assessment tests which measure proficiency in kindergarten standards for math and ELA.
Grades 1-8
Beginning of the Year:
Middle of Year:
End of Year:
High School Grades 9 & 10
Beginning of Year:
Middle of Year:
End of Year:
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often called "the Nation's Report Card," is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subjects. Its two major goals are to measure student achievement and to report change in student performance over time. The NAEP for Math and Reading will be administered to many South Dakota students in 2022. The NAEP is given to a sampling of students across the nation. The results of the NAEP are given for the entire nation and for individual states. Results are also given for specific groups of students, e.g. gender, racial and ethnic groups, and National School Lunch Program eligibility. Results are not available for schools or individual students.
ACCESS for ELLs
ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 is a secure large-scale English language proficiency assessment administered to Kindergarten through 12th grade students who have been identified as English language learners (ELLs). It is given annually in to monitor students' progress in acquiring academic English. ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 is aligned with the WIDA English Language Development Standards and assesses each of the four language domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. The assessment is available in both paper-based and online formats for Grades 1-12, while Kindergarten and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs are paper-based tests.
South Dakota ELA & Math Assessment
The South Dakota ELA & Math Assessment measures student achievement in relation to our state standards in the areas of English language arts and mathematics. The online test uses adaptive testing technologies to the greatest extent possible to provide meaningful feedback and actionable data that teachers and other educators can use to help students succeed. In addition to providing overall scores in those two subjects, score reports will provide information on student performance in the following areas:
- English: reading, writing, listening, and research
- Math: concepts and procedures; problem solving and modeling/data analysis; and communicating reasoning
South Dakota Science Assessment
The South Dakota Science tests measures students’ mastery of the South Dakota State Academic Standards in Science adopted in May, 2015 at grades 5, 8, and 11. This test will cover the grade spans of 3-5, 6-8, and high school. Questions will come equally as possible from life, physical, and earth sciences at all 3 tested levels. This assessment will be completely online.
South Dakota Science Alternative Assessment
The South Dakota Science Assessment measures student achievement in relation to our new state standards that were adopted in May 2015. The assessment is administered on a computer and results will be available fall of the following school year.
South Dakota ELA & Math Alternative Assessment
SD ELA & Math Alternative Assessment in the areas of English language arts and mathematics is an assessment developed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The assessment is based on alternate achievement standards which have been derived from and are connected to the state’s achievement standards. The overall goal of the assessment is to make sure that all students achieve increasingly higher academic outcomes and leave high school ready for such post-high school options such as college, career, and community participation.
ACT® National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
The South Dakota Department of Education (DOE) and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) offer juniors and seniors the opportunity to participate in the ACT® National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) program.
The NCRC is an industry-recognized, portable credential certifying essential skills needed for workplace success. To earn certification, students must attain at least the lowest certification level on three ACT® WorkKeys assessments: Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Locating Information. This vital initiative is part of the Department of Education’s goal to ensure that, “All students graduate college, career, and life ready.”
DLR staff will assist in assessing the students on-site at local schools and the cost of one test per student is covered by the State. School staff need to supply the space and one computer per student, as this is a computer based test. Students are allowed 55 minutes each for the three assessments.
The number of students assessed is a local decision, and the initial cost is covered by the State. The assessments are a great way to support existing class curricula, and schools may incorporate this assessment into specific classes. Schools can also offer the assessments to the general junior and senior student population to verify their real world workplace skills.
The NCRC is also incorporated into the College and Career Readiness (CCR) indicator for the School Performance Index (SPI). Additional information describing the CCR indicator and SPI points can be found in the ESSA State Plan at http://doe.sd.gov/ESSA/.
This initiative can help students demonstrate they are ready for the workplace as they enter the workforce immediately after graduation or pursue further post-secondary education.
National Career Readiness Certificate Assessment: