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More Testing Taking Place in Kindergarten

by KREX News Room
by John Dias

Story Created: Oct 4, 2012 at 6:12 AM MDT

Story Updated: Oct 4, 2012 at 6:44 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- With school now in full swing, students are hitting the books hard and cramming for tests. However, across the country, one unexpected grade level is seeing an increase in a certain kind of test.

According to recent statistics, every year, more and more schools are administering standardized tests in kindergarten. School District 51 has been doing something similar for years, through the use of norm testing.

“It’s a kind of screening test,” said Andrew Lase, director of academic achievement at School District 51. “We give it to kindergartners in the beginning of the year, middle and end of the year as well.”

The district uses a computer test called the STAR Assessment, which stands for "standardized testing and reporting."

"It's not a sit down kind of test like the older students are doing with the TCAPs,” said Lase.

"It’s important to see what sounds they know and what kind of work they can do independently without a teacher," said Angela Colman, kindergarten teacher at Mesa View Elementary.

For Colman, the STAR Assessment is more than just a test, but a way to help her provide better assistance to her students.

"It lets us know where they’re all at,” said Colman. “When they begin and when they end as well, and it will also give us a growth. We can see if students have made a year's growth or not, which helps us to know if kids need extra intervention."

School officials say the one-on-one test is a vital resource, and that it is working in their classrooms.

"The good thing about standardized testing is that at any level it should be against the expectations,” said Lase. “If you have a clear marker of what kids need to know or do, then it’s laid out for teachers and students."

Officials from the district add they do take into account the young age of these students, and say they make these tests are stress free as possible.

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