Assessments

State assessments encompass a range of questions aligned with statewide academic standards. KAP is designed to help educators and policymakers evaluate students' ability to demonstrate mastery of the state academic standards. These assessments also fulfill federal and state accountability mandates. 

The Kansas Assessment Program measures student knowledge and skills in core subject areas, including English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science (for designated grade levels). These results help teachers and administrators make informed decisions about curriculum and instruction to best support student learning.

State tests are an important opportunity for our children to show what they know and can do. State tests provide an opportunity for children to demonstrate what they have been learning and practicing in their classrooms. 

Your encouragement plays a key role in student success! To help our children think about state tests in a positive way, we may need to rethink our own feelings toward tests and talk to them in a positive, motivating way so they want to show what they have learned. Here are a few simple ways to support your child during assessments:

• Encourage a Positive Attitude – Remind your child that these assessments are an opportunity to show what they know. Encouraging words can make a big difference!

• Ensure Rest and Nutrition – A good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast can help students stay focused and engaged.

• Be Mindful of Scheduling – Try to avoid scheduling appointments or absences on testing days so students can participate without added stress.

• Grades 3-8, and 10 - English Language Arts (ELA) & Mathematics 
• Grades 5, 8, 11 - Science

Performance levels are assigned based on student scores. It is important to note that these performance levels do not indicate whether a child is performing below or above grade level; they reflect performance, understanding, and application relative to the state-set grade-level academic standards.  

• Level 1: Shows limited ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills of grade-level content standards

• Level 2: Shows basic ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills of grade-level content standards

• Level 3: Shows proficient ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills of grade-level content standards

• Level 4: Shows advanced ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills of grade-level content standards

State assessments are a summative assessment administered in the fourth quarter of the school year. This test is intended to demonstrate a student's mastery of state academic standards and indicate post-secondary readiness. We use results as a school district to track our overall progress as a system. Buildings use them to see how they are doing as a school. Individual students/families, teachers, and principals use the data to track students' progress toward readiness for graduation, postsecondary education, and careers. At USD 428, the KAP is one data point in a through assessment model that includes progress monitoring and proficiency screeners throughout the year. These data points inform classroom instruction and help place students in the appropriate interventions and/or enrichment opportunities. It is important that students take the tests seriously to provide an accurate picture of their progress in the school system.  

As part of USD 428’s Multi-Tier System of Support, students participate in progress monitoring throughout the year. This data is typically reviewed with parents/guardians during conferences and provides a roadmap for individual student growth. Progress monitoring and proficiency screeners shape classroom instruction and inform the structured support and interventions provided to students in small groups.

Each test is divided into sections and is designed to be completed over multiple days to minimize fatigue. Students are given ample time to complete the assessments.

KAP scores will be available for families to review on the Kite Parent Portal. When results are available, we will send instructions for accessing the Parent Portal. We anticipate that scores will be available before the end of the school year.