Iowa Test of Basic Skills
The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) group achievement test batteries measure student achievement compared to that of other students in the country. Our students take the core battery in the Fall: Reading (Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension); Language Arts(Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation, and Usage and Expression); and Mathematics (Problem Solving, Computation, and Data Interpretation). They are also tested in Social Studies; Science; Sources of Information (Maps and Diagrams); and Use of Reference Materials.
Fall 2011 Grade Equivalent Scores
| Grade | Reading | Language Total |
Math Total |
Core Total |
Avg. yrs. above grade level |
| 3 | 4.4 | 3.7 | 3.5 | 3.8 | .6 |
| 4 | 5.3 | 6.4 | 4.8 | 5.5 | 1.3 |
| 5 | 7.8 | 8.4 | 6.6 | 7.4 | 2.2 |
| 6 | 8.6 | 10.3 | 8.9 | 9.2 | 3.0 |
| 7 | 11.1 | 12.0 | 10.5 | 11.0 | 3.8 |
| 8 | 12.7 | 13+ | 12.4 | 13+ | 4.4+ |
Fall 2011 National Percentile Rank
| Grade | Reading | Language Total |
Math Total |
Core Total |
Social Studies | Science |
| 3 | 82 | 70 | 62 | 75 | 84 | 81 |
| 4 | 76 | 87 | 72 | 80 | 83 | 83 |
| 5 | 89 | 87 | 53 | 86 | 88 | 85 |
| 6 | 83 | 86 | 87 | 87 | 84 | 85 |
| 7 | 88 | 83 | 87 | 88 | 75 | 95 |
| 8 | 85 | 86 | 84 | 87 | 80 | 87 |
Analysis: 80% of scores above 80th percentile!
- 3% of scores 90+ NPR
- 47% of scores 85-89 NPR
- 30% of scores 80-84 NPR
- 14% of scores 70-79 NPR
- 3% of scores 60-69 NPR
- 3% of scores 50-59 NPR
Other Standardized Assessments
The Star Early Literacy Test is administered to all new students in grades 1-3 at the beginning of the school year and twice thereafter. This test provides scores on 41 emergent reading skills in 7 literacy domains and is a screening instrument. Scores are used to help students improve reading skills in specific areas.
The Star Reader Test (gr. 4-8) is administered to all students in grades 4-8 at the beginning of the school year and at least twice thereafter to all students in grades 4-7. It tracks progress made by students able to read independently and provides information about areas of strength and of growth. It helps the staff plan ways to remediate and to accelerate students in their independent reading.
The DIBELS Test (Dynamic Indicator of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is administered twice a year to students in grades K-3. Results give teachers valuable information that informs their instruction.
