Students in Utah take various annual assessment tests depending on their grade level. These annual assessments are mainly to measure academic performance levels and these assessments provide a good understanding of student’s learning levels and gaps.
Kindergarten Entry and Exit Profile (KEEP)
Utah’s Kindergarten Entry and Exit Profile (KEEP) is intended to inform various stakeholders, such as parents, teachers, and leadership, on the academic and social-emotional development of entering and exiting kindergarten students. The information gained from the profile will be used to:
- provide insights into current levels of academic and social-emotional performance upon entry and exit of kindergarten,
- identify students in need of early intervention instruction and promote differentiated instruction for all students,
- analyze the effectiveness of programs, such as extended-day kindergarten and preschool,
- provide opportunities for data-informed decision-making and cost-benefit analysis of early learning initiatives,
- identify effective instructional practices or strategies for improving student achievement outcomes in a targeted manner, and
- understand the influence and impact of full-day kindergarten on at-risk students in both the short- and long-term.
Readiness Improvement Success Empowerment (RISE) Test
In Utah, students from grade 3 to grade 8 take the annual assessment test Readiness Improvement Success Empowerment (RISE) in English language, Arts, and Mathematics.
If the student is in grade 4 and beyond, then the student should also take the RISE test in Science. Similarly, if the student is in grade 5 and beyond, then the student should take the RISE test in Writing too.
RISE Summative assessments (grades 3-8)
Tests given at the end of a course to measure students’ proficiency on Utah Core Standards and school accountability
- English Language Arts (ELA) (grades 3-8)
- Writing (grades 5 and 8)
- Mathematics (grades 3-8)
- Science (grades 4-8)
RISE Interim assessments (grades 3-8)
Optional tests that schools may choose to give to check students’ proficiency before a course is completed. Similar to the RISE Summative assessments in length.
- English Language Arts (ELA) (grades 3-8)
- Mathematics (grades 3-8)
- Science (grades 4-8)
RISE Benchmark Modules (grades 3-8)
Optional productivity tools for teachers to use to help them get feedback on students’ learning of the Utah Core Standards at the Reporting Category level. These tools have approximately 8-13 questions.
- English Language Arts (ELA) (grades 3-8)
- Writing (grades 3-8)
- Mathematics (grades 3-8)
- Science (grades 4-8)
Utah Aspire Plus Test
High school students (Grade 9 and Grade 10) in Utah take the Utah Aspire Plus Test which is a combination of ACT Aspire Test and Utah Core test in English, Mathematics, and Science. This helps them to prepare for the ACT test in the 11th grade.
Tests given at the end of the school year for all 9th and 10th graders include a combination of test questions from ACT Aspire and Utah’s item bank.
- English (grades 9-10)
- Reading (grades 9-10)
- Mathematics (grades 9-10)
- Science (grades 9-10)
AAPPL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (grades 3-9)
Test given to students in the Dual Language Immersion program to check their proficiency of the target language.
ACT (grade 11)
An assessment that measures postsecondary readiness. The state-administered ACT includes English, reading, mathematics, science subtests.
Results from these assessments are critical for school and district leaders to make informed decisions about schools and students. School and district level test scores show academic leaders how schools across a district are performing and indicate if a certain school needs more support, direction, and principal alignment.
Hope this is useful, thank you.
You may like to read: Key Stage SATs – KS1 and KS2, PSSA Assessment for Grade 3 to 8, & Education Assessment Programs in Ohio
