Assessment Page
Hamilton Community Schools are committed to using data to make decisions about how to meet the needs of our students. We carefully choose assessments that will help give us the right information, at the right time, in the right format. It is important for our families to also know what information we are using and when that information is typically gathered. This will help our school staff and families partner in using data to drive growth for all students.
Local Benchmark Assessments
Universal screening is when we gather information from all students in order to identify students who need closer monitoring or more support and to tell us about how well our instruction is working for everyone. The district’s universal screening measures are described in the table on the next page. Our Local Benchmark assessments
State Assessments
M-STEP: MICHIGAN STUDENT TEST OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS
A summative assessment called the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) is administered to students in the following grades and subject areas each spring:
English Language Arts & Mathematics Grades 3–7
Science & Social Studies Grades 5, 8 & 11
PSAT 8/9
In Grades 8 and 9, students will take the PSAT in the spring. The PSAT assesses both English Language Arts & Mathematics.
PSAT 10
In Grade 10, this test provides practice for the SAT by measuring students' abilities in reading, writing/language, and math.
PSAT/NMSQT: PRELIMINARY SAT/NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST
In Grade 11, the PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test that provides practice for the SAT. It also gives students the chance to enter the National Merit Scholarship Corporations (NMSC) scholarship programs. The PSAT/NMSQT measures reading, writing/language, and math skills. HCS provides this assessment to full time 11th graders in the fall.
MME: MICHIGAN MERIT EXAMINATION
In Grade 11, students take the Michigan Merit Examination (MME). This assessment includes the following:
SAT with Essay which assesses English Language Arts & Mathematics
M-STEP Science & Social Studies
The ACT WorkKeys
MI-ACCESS: MICHIGAN'S ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
MI-ACCESS is Michigan's alternate assessment system designed for students who have, or function as if they have, cognitive impairments. A student's IEP (Individualized Educational Program) team determines if this assessment is appropriate for students when general assessments, with accommodations, are not.
WIDA: WORLD CLASS INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN & ASSESSMENT
WIDA is an English language proficiency assessment given to Kindergarten through 12th graders who have been identified as English language learners.
