Assessment Results

A score is a numerical result from an assessment. The meaning of a score depends on the assessment and how it is designed. Because different assessments use different scoring systems, scores from one assessment generally should not be compared directly with scores from another assessment.

A scale score places a student's performance on a consistent scoring scale established for a particular assessment. Scale scores can make it possible to compare a student's performance across different testing periods when the assessment is designed to measure growth over time.

Proficiency describes whether a student's performance meets a defined level of knowledge and skills established for an assessment. State assessments may use performance levels such as Below, Approaching, Proficient, or Highly Proficient. The specific levels and definitions vary by assessment.

Performance levels group student scores into categories that describe levels of performance. These categories help educators and families understand how a student's performance relates to established expectations.

A percentile rank describes how a student's performance compares with the performance of a specific comparison group. For example, a student at the 75th percentile performed as well as or better than approximately 75% of students in the comparison group.

A percentile is not the same as a percentage correct and does not indicate that a student answered 75% of the questions correctly.

A percentage correct represents the proportion of questions or points a student answered correctly. For example, 80% means the student earned 80% of the available points or answered 80% of the scored items correctly, depending on how the assessment is scored.

Percent correct should not automatically be interpreted as a measure of proficiency. Assessments may use different scoring methods and may establish performance levels based on more than a simple percentage.

Growth describes how much a student's performance changes over time. Growth is different from achievement: achievement tells us where a student is performing, while growth tells us how much the student's performance has changed.

Example:

A student may perform below the proficiency level but still demonstrate significant growth over the course of a year.

Most test results are available within 4 weeks.  Talk to your child’s teacher or school to find out the specific timeline and method of distribution.  

Additional result information can be found on the individual Assessment Webpage.

Did you know that parents can look up most State and District Testing results from within the PowerSchool Parent Portal?

Additionally, you can request results directly from the district.

• Release of Student Assessment Results

Start by looking at your child's results as one piece of information about their learning. Consider areas of strength, areas where additional support may be helpful, and changes in performance over time. If you have questions about what your child's results mean or how they relate to classroom learning, talk with your child's teacher or school.

Different assessments measure different skills, use different questions and scoring systems, and serve different purposes. A student's results may therefore look very different from one assessment to another.

For example, an assessment designed to measure reading growth is answering a different question than an assessment designed to measure grade-level achievement.

Assessment results help educators understand student learning and make informed decisions about instruction and support. Different assessments serve different purposes, so the way results are used depends on the assessment.

In the classroom, teachers may use assessment results to:

• Identify what students already know and what they are ready to learn next.
• Identify areas where a student or group of students may need additional instruction or support.
• Adjust instruction, lessons, or learning activities based on student needs.
• Monitor student progress over time.
• Help determine whether additional support or intervention may be helpful.
• Provide families with information about their child's learning.

Beyond the classroom, assessment results may also be used to:

• Understand how students are progressing across a school, district, or state.
• Evaluate educational programs and services.
• Identify areas where schools or programs may need additional support or resources.
• Meet state and federal reporting requirements.
• Study trends in student learning and educational outcomes.
• Help the district understand whether programs and initiatives are achieving their intended goals.

Yes. Your child's assessment results are student education records and are protected by federal and state privacy laws. Access to individual student results is limited to authorized individuals who have a legitimate educational or legal need to access the information.

Assessment information may be used by teachers, schools, and the district to support student learning, meet reporting requirements, and evaluate educational programs. When assessment information is shared publicly, results are generally reported in aggregate so that individual students cannot be identified.

Your child's individual assessment results are not publicly posted.

If you have questions about who can access your child's information or how assessment data are used, please contact your child's school or the SLCSD Assessment & Evaluation Department.