ACHIEVEMENT TESTING (NWEA): St. Paul’s students participate in a Fall and Spring NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) national computerized achievement test assessment. St. Paul’s School Board and Principal, supported by our congregation, have chosen NWEA testing as the preferred assessment (over ISTEP* and other “pencil/paper” assessments available) due to its ability to “individualize” assessment for each student. The NWEA test gives a more accurate picture of the educational performance/needs of each student, and it provides general classroom and school learning trends to help administrators/teachers make more timely instructional and curricular modifications.  Below is a “snapshot history” of the NWEA testing organization, the idea for which began in 1974.  Also included is a summary of the benefits

NWEA Historical Timeline:
•     1974   Partnership between members of Portland (OR) area school districts and Seattle (WA)Public Schools first formed.

•     1977   NWEA incorporates as a non-profit organization.

•    1978   Students in Portland (OR) Public Schools and Hillsboro (OR) Union High School District take the first Achievement Level Tests.

•     1986   First computerized adaptive tests are given to students in Portland (OR) Public Schools.

•     1988   Allan Olson, one of the founding partners, is hired as executive director.

•     1992   First Annual Members' Seminar is held; 12 people representing 5 districts attend.

•     1997   Development begins for refinement of NWEA's computerized adaptive tests, now called Measures of Academic Progress (MAP).

•     2000   17,000 students take the first MAP tests.

•     2001   The Learning Continuum is published by NWEA, in conjunction with partner district Allentown (PA)

•     2002    Half-million dollar grant awarded for the creation of the Growth Research Database. Idaho is the first to adopt NWEA assessments as the state-wide test.

•     2003   NWEA partners with more than 1200 school districts and educational agencies, providing nearly 3 million MAP tests to students.

•     2004   NWEA introduces DesCartes: A Continuum of Learning.

•    2005   NWEA releases the Dynamic Reporting Suite.

Summary:  NWEA partners with educators to offer student assessment, scientifically-based research, and professional development.  The Northwest Evaluation Association, a non-profit organization, engages in ongoing, supportive relationships with partnering school districts and education agencies throughout the United States. With more than 3100 partner districts, NWEA fosters a community of educators that is dedicated to improving teaching and learning.  NWEA provides products and services to measure and promote academic student growth and school improvement. These include accurate assessments, timely reporting, practical classroom resources, and ongoing professional development.  School improvement is a shared responsibility. Whether advocating for policy reform in Washington, D.C., or publishing groundbreaking research, NWEA is engaging the nation in the conversation about improving student success. With its Growth Research Database, the largest nation-wide repository of student test results, NWEA is positioned to help practitioners and researchers find proven answers to some of our most challenging issues. From creating one of the first computerized adaptive assessments, NWEA has continually evolved to develop tools that help educators deliver student-focused instruction.

*Regarding ISTEP testing, St. Paul’s accreditation status through NLSA (Lutheran school accreditation process governed by the National Accreditation Commission) gives our school’s governing body the choice to include or exclude ISTEP tests as part of our student evaluation process.  Our School Board and Administration operate from a philosophy which provides for the optimal learning / educational experience for our children, maximizing instructional time in the classroom, referring to Indiana State Standards for grade level content and curriculum choices. Our School Board and Administration annually review the potential benefit of such additional testing, and if deemed beneficial for students, will implement the supplementary evaluation.