Subject: Science
Grade Level(s): 4, 7
Measures Growth: No
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The Illinois State Achievement Test is the state developed end-of-year assessment for Illinois. The test measures achievement in ELA, math and science for students in grades 3-8. Science is tested in grades 4 and 7, using multiple choice, short response and extended response questions.
Pros: Takes students a reasonable amount of time to complete
Cons: Does not assess higher-order thinking • Misses growth of some students, such as those far below and/or far above grade level
Pros: Easy to administer
Cons: Results are not returned quickly • Doesn't help me track my students' learning gains over time • It is hard to use the data • Is not helpful to my professional growth as a teacher
These take 4 days to administer and the results are not obtained until the next school year.
Submitted by Nikki in Illinois on April 9, 2013
Pros: Aligned to the standards I teach • Assesses higher-order thinking • Takes students a reasonable amount of time to complete
Cons: Misses growth of some students, such as those far below and/or far above grade level
Pros: Easy to administer • Results returned quickly • Data is presented clearly
Cons: Doesn't help me track my students' learning gains over time • Is not helpful to my professional growth as a teacher
The ISAT for science covers a broad range of skills and subjects in science. We test in the 4th grade and in the 7th grade. The teachers have a difficult time teaching the skills and content to their students because the test requires so much content and many skills. For example, questions about lab skills on the test can be anything from unit conversion, to identifying and applying formulas, identifying parts of inquiry method as well as identifying safety symbols and practices. The topics cover the depth and breath such as topics like earth science, anatomy, physical science, genetics and chemistry. These are all very important for the children to learn, but most children do not have science until sixth grade. The results do come back in a timely manner. The results are broken down to help diagnos strengths and weaknesses. It would be a better instrument if the test was given yearly or given in fifth grade and eighth grade. In fifth grade, because many students do not have a science class until sixth. Therefore, it can be a baseline. In eighth grade, to gage growth after the student have had three years of science instead of assessing in the middle of seventh.
Submitted by Sherry in Illinois on February 15, 2012
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