ISTEP TESTING STARTS MONDAY SEPTEMBER 15

For many parents it is a typical Fall rountine, but this year for the first time ever it will be one that is done twice. ISTEP testing starts Monday and the testing window is from September 15 – 26th. Schools can give the ISTEP on any day within this window.

One question that many parents are asking is why do kids have to take ISTEP to begin with and why do they have to take it twice this year?

First it is important to understand that ISTEP is a mandatory exam given to students in all public schools and private schools that have been accredited by the state. The Individual scores of schools are used to determine whether a school met its academic goals, called adequate yearly progress. The scores also are used to create a list of schools needing to improve and schools that are doing well. These scores can affect whether a school receives additional federal funding or loses funding altogether. In Indiana a school that fails repeatedly to make AYP can have all the staff removed, face sanctions, and even be closed or taken over by the State. Students who are in the schools that fail to make AYP have options such as opting out of that school into another in the district. Under NCLB the goal is to have every child in the State passing ISTEP by 2013. This is part of how the State gets the money from the federal government they must prove that the money is actually being used to help students progress forward.

Why are we having two tests this year?

The changes are part of a larger testing plan for Indiana that includes moving ISTEP+ to the spring (grades 3-8), replacing the current GQE with Algebra I and English 10 end-of-course exams and offering new computer-based teaching tools to local schools on a voluntary basis for grades K-8. This first testing is actually going to be used for the data as part of last year years data. This Spring will be the data for this school year.

What happens if your child gets sick during ISTEP – can they make up the exam?

It depends. In most schools the answer is yes, which is why the testing window exists. However, if your child has a lengthy illness or is in the hospital during this testing window, the answer is no.
What if my child has special needs?

Depending on your child's challenges, some children will not need to take ISTEP. For kids with significant cognitive issues another option, called the ISTAR is avaliable. This test can be used to show your child's progress from year to year and let you know how they are progressing.

What if my child needs accomodations, such as larger print or a scribe for the ISTEP?

Many accomodations can be made for the ISTEP. These include additional time and changes in test scheduling, format and setting. However, these items need to already be in your child's IEP and be being used in your child's educational programming. If this is not being done, see your school principal or guidance office immediately.

What percentage of children pass ISTEP now?

About 70 percent of the students who took the September exams in Grades 3-10 passed English, and about 73 percent passed the math part of the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus. ISTEP does not affect whether your child moves grade to grade and it does not affect your child’s grades.

For more information on ISTEP where do I go?

The very best place is the Indiana Department of Education.
• ISTEP+ Questions? Call: 317-232-9050 or 1-888-544-7837 ext. 2
http://www.doe.state.in.us/istep/welcome.html