Assessment
Throughout the year, students have the opportunity to demonstrate their acquisition of course
academic objectives through the use of end of lesson and end of unit assessments,
standardized testing and other assessment tools. WYVA teachers collect student work samples
to assist in assessing a student’s academic progress.
Work Samples
All students at Wyoming Virtual Academy are required to submit work samples. Specific details and
submission guidelines will be provided by homeroom teachers. Work Samples provide homeroom
teachers with valuable information about student abilities and comprehension of the
curriculum. Failure to submit monthly work samples by required due dates will affect student grades
and grade level promotions.
State Standardized Testing (PAWS, MAP, SAWS)
WYVA students are required to participate in the state-mandated academic assessments. Specific
testing days and locations are distributed closer to the actual testing window. For students enrolled with
a MOU, the tests will be given at a school in the local district. For students enrolled directly in Niobrara
County School District, the tests are administered by a WYVA teacher or administrator. These
assessment tools provide useful information to parents and teachers about their students’ academic
progress. The performance of WYVA students on the state-mandated assessments are also an integral
part of assessing the success of the virtual school program. Failure to participate in these assessments
may result in the student’s removal from the program and could negatively impact the future of the
WYVA program being available to the student and others.
Scantron Performance Series Assessments
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All students in grades 3 through 11th will take the Scantron Performance Series Assessment at the
beginning AND the end of the school year. Students will test in math and reading. Scantron
Performance Series Assessments are computer adaptive tests to be given in your home through a secure
website. You will be e-mailed your child’s login information. The purpose of these tests is to provide
your teacher with information on your child’s strengths as well as areas which need additional focus this
school year. Beginning and end-of-year Performance Assessments will be compared, and a growth score
will be determined. Your teacher will share this information with you after the tests are taken. Scantron
tests are required. Students who do not take the assessments will not be eligible for course promotions
and will not earn a grade mark higher than “Approaches” the standard.
CUSTOM ASSESSMENTS:
Custom assessments contain about 30-40 questions and will provide a snapshot of the student’s
skills. Once the student is finished with the assessment the teachers will be able to use the data from
the custom assessments to determine which skills the students will need prior to PAWS testing.
Study Island
Study Island is the online test preparatory program used by WYVA and all K12® schools. Study Island has
been identified and proven as a resource which helps our students increase student achievement.
PATHWAY ASSIGNMENTS:
Beginning in October, students will be given Study Island Reading and Math Pathway Assignments which
will include state standard topics for focus within Study Island on a monthly basis.
Students will earn Blue Ribbons for every concept for which they demonstrate proficiency, while getting
needed exposure to questions and lessons in all state standard grade level topics. Teachers will be able
to monitor progress and proficiency, and use data-driven decisions to drive student instruction.
Each pathway assignment could take up to an hour to complete. However, students may stop the
assessment at any time, and log back in later to finish.
All work in Study Island is meant to be completed by the student independently. If Learning Coach
assistance is necessary, please let your homeroom teacher know so assignments can be
individualized.
While Study Island is not a graded subject, it is a very useful tool that helps students prepare for spring
standardized testing. Study Island presents math, writing, and reading in a manner similar to state
testing.
DIBELS
Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literary Skills (DIBELS) are a set of standardized individually
administered assessments which measure early literacy and development. They were designed and
created as a way for teachers and Learning Coaches to regularly monitor the development of prereading and early reading skills. DIBELS provides a clear picture of students’ literacy skills and allows
teachers to identify areas in need of more assistance and direction. DIBELS will be administered to
Kindergarten through 3rd grade students three times during the course of the school year: at the
beginning of the first semester, at the end of the first semester, and at the end of the second
semester. Regular reading assessment of students is required by the No Child Left Behind Act and
mandated by the Wyoming Department of Education.