Determining grade-level for 9th grader

[Janis]

I am embarrassed asking this but there is so much conflicting data over the years
 

Current district grades are unreliable. 
There is no transparency.

Pa is still new to us.

MAP scores done between December and June showed low growth and basic, below basic.

PSSAs were basic (I think that was the term).

Historically, my kiddos have uneven profiles (adhd, SLD, ASD …diagnoses at different times).  Also at age 4, NVLD, and other disorders unspecified, sensory, coordination of motor… I was given this info for twins as a single mom during a messy divorce.

Do the WIAT or WCJ scores tell you if your kiddo is at grade level? 
One kiddo just told me he did the Firefly this week and in October…. I asked district for all data (specifically), and was told they don’t administer anything but Keystones.

I don’t know much about IXL, but did ask for the “full” version to be administered in all areas.  I was ignored, of course.  But the other kiddo told me he has IXL assignments over the break…ugh.

If anyone can tell me exactly what assessments, tests, etc. will inform me about grade level, or any other ways I would really appreciate it.

 

 

[JSD24]

Teacher grades are subjective.  Always has been like this & always will be like this.  I wouldn't call them unreliable.  Basic with PSSAs is failing although 'below basic' is lower.  The district has sheets with the scores that they mail home.  They've been getting to the district in Sept/Oct.  Might be posted on the portal the school uses & not mailed given mailing can get expensive.

Tests like WIAT or WCJ are normed for kids who are the same age - "grade level" can be subjective given that the state standards that are currently in place have been reported to be developmentally inappropriate and PSSAs are aligned with them.

This has info in the Firefly:  https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/instruction/elementary-and-secondary-education/assessment-and-accountability/firefly  You might need a parent/teacher conference given your child is lying to you about things they are doing is school being he said he was given the Firefly and the teacher said they didn't administer that.  (How would he know it existed if the school hadn't shown it to him?)  If the teacher is still saying they don't give that test, you might need to go up the chain of command to figure out if they use this or not.  (Did you ask his special ed teacher & his classroom teacher was the one who gave him this?)

I looked up IXL.  It seems to be an online curriculum.  This could be why he's been asked to work on it over break.  I didn't see an assessment with this name.

"Grade level" would be determined by the PA State Standards.  The PSSAs are aligned with them.  Other assessments, like the ones they do for IEP eligibility, would look at how your child compares to the kids they used to 'norm' or test the test so they look more-so at development and not at what the state has decided kids at each grade level should be taught.  The PA State Standards are available online.  It might be a few different files because math, science & ELA are listed separately.  You can see what standards your child can and cannot do to figure out what grade they are on.  And you might see their reading and writing levels are not in the same grade level with measuring this so their ELA level might not all be the same grade level - math & science might show this too.

My feeling is that normed special ed assessments are a better yardstick to use.  They compare your child to same-age children and see how their ability compares to other children.  They will show if the SDI in the IEP is catching your child up to their classmates or not.  In a perfect world, your child should be catching up - not staying the same amount behind nor falling farther behind.

Keystones are the state standarized test given in HS to meet ESSA requirements.  There are 3 tests:  Algebra, literature and biology.  (There were supposed to be more of them but they didn't develop them due to cost.)  Prior to Keystones, there were PSSAs given in 11th grade.  Also, passing Keystones (or equivalent) is a graduation requirement.