State Testing / Assessments

OSAS – ELA – CAT – PT 
What do those letters mean, anyway?!

 

Oregon’s Statewide Assessment System (OSAS) currently includes summative assessments administered annually by subject matter and grade. Pursuant to federal and state accountability requirements, Oregon public schools test students in English language arts and math in grades 3 through 8 & 11 and science in grades 5, 8, & 11.
 
The OSAS is divided into four part: Two subtests in ELA (English and Language Arts/ Literacy), and two subtests in Mathematics.
 
 
The four subtest your student will be asked to take are:
ELA CAT  (English and Language Arts/ Literacy – Computer Adaptive Testing)
ELA PT (English and Language Arts/ Literacy – Performance Test)
MATH CAT (Math – Computer Adaptive Testing)
MATH PT (Math – Performance Test)
 
What’s the difference in a CAT test and a PT test?
A CAT test is computer adaptive, meaning the test adjusts the difficulty of questions throughout the assessment based on the student’s response. If a student answers a question correctly, the next question will be harder; if a student answers incorrectly, the next question will be easier. Most of these questions will be multiple choice or short answer.
 
A PT is a performance test. 
The ELA PT questions are all scenario-driven: the task is presented in the form of a simulated real-life situation. The beginning questions are short answer, based on a passage the students read. Later they are asked to write an essay. The type of essay written could be narrative, informational, opinion, (elementary) or argumentative. (middle
school).
The Math PT asks students to solve more complex problems. The problems may have several parts, and they may be asked to state arguments to support their own reasoning.
 
Practice Test

State Testing Practice Site

In our charter agreement with the district, we are expected to have at least 95% of our 3rd-8th grade students participate, so we try to make it as easy as possible for families and students! 

One of the best ways to reduce test-anxiety AND help students be ready to take the online test is to try out the online practice tests with your child(ren).

For help navigating the practice test, check out this short video tutorial. 

It helps them learn how to navigate through the online test portal, which buttons to push, how to enter answers, what kinds of “support” they have access to (ONLY if those are designated in an IEP or 504 plan), how to flag questions to go back to them later, and what types of math questions and english questions will come up (so you can review things as needed before taking the actual tests).

Don’t hesitate to ask your Guide if you need help with the practice tests! We will also be scheduling some practice test sessions at DCS (hopefully paired with some fun activities), so stay tuned for dates and times.