Subject: English Language Arts
Grade Level(s): K – 12
Measures Growth: No
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The 10th edition of the Stanford Achievement Test includes multiple-choice questions in a wide range of subject areas, including reading, writing, spelling, math, science, social studies, study skills and listening skills. Reading and language skills are tested at all grade levels from K-12.
Pros: Aligned to the standards I teach
Cons: Misses growth of some students, such as those far below and/or far above grade level • Takes students too long to complete
Pros: Data I receive helps me understand where I am teaching well and where I need to improve
I was pleased with many areas assessed in the SAT 10. I did however feel that the Reading Comprehension was too long. The skill could have been assessed with 3 reading passages instead of 6 or 7. That is too many reading passages for a 6 year old to stay focused on.
Submitted by Tina in Tennessee on April 29, 2013
Cons: Not aligned to the standards I teach • Takes students too long to complete
Pros: Easy to administer
Cons: Results are not returned quickly • Doesn't help me track my students' learning gains over time • Is not helpful to my professional growth as a teacher
I teach Kindergarten and this is the second year I have administered the SAT. I don't know why but our school district mandates that we only give the sentence reading subset and the math subset. The sentence reading is actually at a first grade level. Only those students who would be considered gifted would do well. There are about 30 questions/sentences that kindergarteners have to read on their own and choose a corresponding picture. The words are very hard for them, silent e words and words with vowel combinations as well as blends. These types of words are taught in first grade. It is an unfair, they are being tested on subject matter that is not taught in kindergarten. Why set them up for failure?
Submitted by Jessica in Florida on April 11, 2013
Cons: Misses growth of some students, such as those far below and/or far above grade level • Takes students too long to complete
Pros: Easy to administer • Data is presented clearly • Data I receive helps me understand where I am teaching well and where I need to improve
Cons: Results are not returned quickly • Doesn't help me track my students' learning gains over time
Seven of my eight year teaching career has been spent teaching 1st grade. Last year was my first year to administer the Stanford 10. My biggest con is that this information can't be used to measured student growth because 1st grade students do not take any type of standardized test. The data can't be used to help the 3rd grade teachers measure growth because 3rd grade students take a different test. The test helps me see what areas I need to make changes in however this past year the areas indicated for growth included areas that had less than 5 questions. I also don't like the fact that the listening portion of the test isn't given to students until the last day of testing when they are completely worn out from taking tests all week. There must be a better way to provide data for professional growth as well as student growth.
Submitted by Karen in Tennessee on March 11, 2012
Pros: Assesses higher-order thinking
Cons: Misses growth of some students, such as those far below and/or far above grade level • Takes students too long to complete
Cons: Results are not returned quickly • Is not helpful to my professional growth as a teacher
This test is completely socially and culturally biased. Our MCS district does not give teachers adequate materials to prepare for this test and the reading passages are way too long for the students . The only advantage I have is I have given this test several times; so, I know the type of questioning to prepare my students. I often find myself 'teaching to the test' because of its many biases.
Submitted by tina in Tennessee on February 13, 2012
Pros: Assesses higher-order thinking
Cons: Misses growth of some students, such as those far below and/or far above grade level • Takes students too long to complete
Cons: Results are not returned quickly • Is not helpful to my professional growth as a teacher
This test is completely socially and culturally biased. Our MCS district does not give teachers adequate materials to prepare for this test and the reading passages are way to long for the students . The only advantage I have is I have given this test several times so I know the type of questioning to prepare my students, but i often find myself 'teaching to the test' because of its many biases.
Submitted by tina in Tennessee on February 13, 2012
Pros: Aligned to the standards I teach • Assesses a range of students, including those from far below to far above grade level
Cons: Takes students too long to complete
Pros: Easy to administer • Data I receive helps me understand where I am teaching well and where I need to improve
Cons: Results are not returned quickly • Doesn't help me track my students' learning gains over time
Pros: The Stanford results are compared on a national level.
The format is grade-level appropriate for Kindergartners.
Cons: The Stanford takes too much time to complete and leads to a loss in instructional time.
Submitted by Karina in California on January 21, 2012
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