FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                

Monday, September 8, 2008                                                                                   

Reed encourages students, families to get ready for ISTEP+

With ISTEP+ testing beginning at schools statewide next week, Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed encourages Hoosier families to do their part to help students prepare. Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (or ISTEP+) begins September 15, so be sure to check with your school for local testing dates within the statewide September 15-26 window.

“ISTEP+ shows us what Indiana students know and are able to do, and families can follow some simple steps now to make sure our students are prepared to do their best,” Reed said.

Based on Indiana’s Academic Standards, ISTEP+ provides a learning check-up designed to make sure students are on track and to identify which areas need improvement. The test includes multiple choice, short answer and essay questions covering English/language arts and mathematics at each grade level as well as science at grades 5 and 7.

High school Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE) testing will take place September 16-18. Incoming high school sophomores (class of 2011) will be the last group of students to take the current GQE that covers English and math skills through grade 9. Incoming freshmen (class of 2012) will be the first group of students to take the new GQE which consists of Algebra I and English 10 exams taken after students complete the corresponding course. For most students, that will be in late spring 2009. Visit www.doe.in.gov/istep for more details.

A solid academic foundation is essential to a successful future. ISTEP+ is designed to make sure Indiana students master the basic skills on their way to earning a high school diploma. If students don’t pass the test, that signals they need some extra help. Though the true preparation for ISTEP+ takes place throughout the entire year leading up to the test, students and families should follow the simple steps below to get ready for ISTEP+:

How can students get ready for ISTEP+?

• Be prepared. Cramming for any test is never the best way to prepare. Keep up with your homework and ask your teachers for help when you need it.
• Ask for help. If you’ve had trouble with ISTEP+ in the past, ask a teacher, counselor or parent about extra help now.
• Review. In the weeks before your test, take it seriously when your teachers review important information.
• Get plenty of sleep. Go to bed a little earlier so you get a good night’s sleep. Being well rested will give you an extra boost of energy for test day.
• Have a good breakfast. Eat protein (eggs, meat, cheese, etc.), which will help you perform better than a sugary doughnut. Too much food can make you feel sleepy, so don’t overdo it.
• Take a break. Get some exercise during your breaks or after school to keep your energy up.
• Double-check your work. Get in the habit now of double-checking your work and proofreading your answers on homework to be ready to find mistakes on test days.

What can parents do to help students prepare for ISTEP+?

• Stay connected. Cramming for a test rarely results in the type of learning that will stay with your child throughout his or her life. The best preparation is to provide consistent support for your child throughout his or her education.
• Know what’s expected. Read Indiana’s Academic Standards (www.doe.in.gov/standards) so you know what your child should know and be able to do, reinforce these expectations at home and stay connected to your child’s academic performance throughout the year.
• Check grades. Your son or daughter may say things are “fine” at school but don’t stop checking report cards, progress reports or, if available, your child’s online grades or class progress.
• Talk to the teacher. Teachers know how hard students are working, how well they are behaving, quality of their homework and what areas need improvement. Collect e-mail addresses or phone numbers of all your child’s teachers and check in periodically.
• Don’t buckle on homework. If your child is not studying at home, ask why, and double-check with teachers. It’s tough to hold the line, but making sure your child does his or her homework is important for academic success.
• Ask for help. Students who are struggling in a particular class may need extra help after school or with a tutor. Find out from your school where you can go for help and make sure your student gets the help he or she needs. Catching a problem area now can make a big difference.
• Go to parent meetings. Most schools offer parent nights or teacher/parent sessions that provide great information. Check your school’s calendar at the beginning of the year and plan to attend.
• Get involved. Nothing will have a bigger impact on your student’s success than your involvement in his or her education.

More questions about ISTEP+?

• Talk to teachers and counselors at your school.
• Visit www.doe.in.gov/istep  or call 1-888-54-ISTEP.
• Visit www.learnmoreindiana.org or call 1-800-992-2076.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                

Thursday, August 28, 2008                                                                                     

Reed reminds students, families of upcoming ISTEP+ changes

With students returning to school this month, Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed wants to remind Hoosiers that the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) will be given in the fall and the spring this year as part of changes to the state’s testing system.

The fall ISTEP+ test will cover material taught during the 2007-2008 school year to ensure students are ready for the 2008-2009 school year. Testing in the spring will address skills learned during the 2008-2009 school year. Beginning next year, ISTEP+ will be given only in the spring.

“This is the transition year that will allow us to move from one high-stakes test to a true assessment system that measures and supports student learning throughout the school year,” said Reed.

The change is part of a comprehensive testing plan for Indiana that includes:

·        moving ISTEP+ testing to the spring (grades 3-8),

·        replacing the current ISTEP+ Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE) with Algebra I and English 10 exams taken by students when they complete the corresponding course and

·        offering new computer-based instructional tools to local schools on a voluntary basis for grades K-8 beginning this fall.

Fall 2008 ISTEP+

Students in grades 3-8 will take the fall ISTEP+ beginning September 15 (check with your school for local testing dates within the statewide September 15-26 window). Based on Indiana’s Academic Standards, the fall test includes multiple choice, essay and short answer questions covering English/language arts and mathematics at each grade level as well as science at grades 5 and 7.

Incoming high school sophomores (class of 2011) will be the last group of students to take the current GQE that covers English and math skills through grade 9 (see details on the new GQE below). All student results for the fall ISTEP+ will be sent to local schools in late November.

Spring 2009 ISTEP+

Students in grades 3-8 will also take ISTEP+ in the spring. Like the fall test, the spring ISTEP+ will include questions on English and math at each grade level. The new spring test also expands the subjects tested with questions on science at grades 4 and 6 and social studies at grades 5 and 7.

The spring test will be administered in two parts:

• Part one (taken in March) includes essay and short answer questions.
• Part two (taken in late April or early May) includes multiple-choice questions.

Student results for the spring 2009 ISTEP+ will be released in August. Results for each year thereafter will be available to students, parents and educators before the end of the school year.

New Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE)

The Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE) ensures that Indiana high school graduates have mastered and are able to apply basic knowledge and skills in reading, writing and mathematics. Students must meet the GQE requirement to earn a high school diploma, and Indiana is changing how students are tested for this requirement.

Previously, students took one big test in grade 10 that covered both math and English. The class of 2011 (incoming sophomores this fall) will be the last class to take the GQE as one big exam this fall. The GQE will be administered on September 16, 17 and 18.

Beginning with the class of 2012 (incoming freshmen this fall), the new GQE consists of two smaller tests that students will take after completing courses in Algebra I and English 10. The exams will be given at various times during the year, depending on when a student completes each course. For most students, that will be in late spring. Since some Hoosiers take Algebra I as early as middle school, this change allows students to be tested when the content is still fresh while clearing their way to pursue higher-level math courses.

What if I have more questions about ISTEP+?

• Talk to teachers and counselors at your school.
• Visit www.doe.in.gov/istep or call 1-888-54-ISTEP.
• Visit www.learnmoreindiana.org or call 1-800-992-2076.

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