Achievement Tests

Effective teaching, like mountain climbing, requires both a broad (macro) vision and attention to specific (micro) details. Jonathan offers that achievement tests can provide both of these perspectives for schools. In this session, he covers the following:

1. What are achievement tests? Achievement tests are standardized, norms-based tests that measure student performance against a national sample.
2. Why give achievement tests? Achievement tests measure mastery of grade-level skills, identify strengths and weaknesses for students and schools, promote academic accountability, and provide benchmarks for yearly progress.
3. Which tests should be used? The California Achievement Test is the most common in Anabaptist schools and is reproduced by Christian Light Education.
4. How should the tests be administered? Teachers should study the examiner’s manual and use services like Catforms Testing Service for efficient scoring. Tests should be given consistently in the school year for comparable results.
5. How can the scores be understood? There are various ways to interpret the data, including percentiles, grade equivalents, and Achievement Development Scale Scores.

Achievement tests allow schools to assess and improve academic performance responsibly.

“Achievement Tests” was presented by Jonathan Erb at Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute in August of 2024 at Lighthouse Mennonite School in Halsey, Oregon.