ISAT and the Prairie State Achievement Test

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ISAT and the Prairie State Achievement Test

• Michael A. Lorber, Ph.D.

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Questions or Comments? Contact

• Michael A. Lorber, Ph.D.
• Department of Curriculum and Instruction
• College of Education
• Illinois State University
• Normal, IL 61790-5330

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Instructional Objective

• Use cause-effect reasoning to orally explain at
  least two characteristics unique to the Illinois
  Standards Achievement Test and two that are
  unique to the Prairie State Achievement Test.

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A Nation at Risk- The Beginning

• 1. A Nation at Risk report, 1983, marked new
  beginning point for accountability efforts.
• 2. Based on the fear (unfounded) that our nation
  was economically and technologically at risk in
  the international community because of poorly
  prepared workers.

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A Nation at Risk (cont.)

• 3. Identified Five New Basics for high school
  curriculums
• a. Fours years of English
• b. Three years of mathematics
• c. Three years of science
• d. Three years of Social Studies
• e. One half year of Computer Science

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A Nation at Risk (cont.)

• 4. For the college-bound, two years of a
  foreign language was strongly recommended in
  addition to those taken earlier.

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State Reactions to A Nation at Risk

• 1. Many states, including Illinois, reacting to
  pressures for local control, asked school
  districts to develop their own achievement tests.
• 2. The rigor of these tests varied greatly from
  district to district and few were properly
  pilot-tested.

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Illinois Goals Assessment Program

• 3. In 1993, Illinois began using a state-wide
  K-12 achievement test called the Illinois Goals
  Assessment Program (IGAP).
• 4. The IGAP was criticized
• a. Content was too limited
• b. On the answer key, some items had no
  correct answer while others had a wrong
  answer marked as the correct answer.

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Illinois State Learning Standards

• In 1997, Illinois adopted the Illinois State
  Learning Standards (K-12) which were drawn,
  largely, from the recommendations of the national
  subject-area councils.
• Covered seven areas (1) English, (2) Math, (3)
  Science, (4) Social Studies, (5) Physical
  Development/Health, (6) Fine Arts, and (7)
  Foreign Languages.

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Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT)

• 1. Illinois State Learning Standards used as a
  basis for Illinois Standards Achievement Test.
• 2. Illinois Standards Achievement Test pilot
  tested in 1999 and used statewide in 2001.

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ISAT in 2001

• Grade 3 - Reading, Writing, and Math
• Grade 4 - Science, Physical Development/ Health,
  Soc. Sci. and Fine Arts
• Grade 5 - Reading, Writing, and Math
• Grade 7 - Science, Physical Development/ Health,
  Soc. Sci. and Fine Arts
• Grade 8 - Reading, Writing, and Math.

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Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT)

• 1. In areas such as math, as students solve
  each problem, and all problems are story
  problems, they must write an explanation of how
  they solved the problem.

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ISAT (cont.)

• 2. Third graders should be able to
• solve problems using fractions and decimals,
• use a scale to weigh objects in grams and
  kilograms, and
• add and subtract dollar amounts.

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ISAT (cont.)

• 3. Sixth graders should be able to
• understand and use data from tables and graphs
  and be able to plot points on a coordinate grid,
• use protractors, rulers, and scales, and
• understand properties of powers, perfect squares,
  and square roots.

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ISAT (cont.)

• 4. All scores will become part of the
  students permanent record.
• 5. Can be used to determine if a student will be
  required to repeat a grade.
• 6. An Individual Improvement Program must be
  implemented for any student who tests two or
  more grades below grade level.

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ISAT (cont.)

• 7. Will be administered in early February to
  students in grades 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10.
• 8. Four scoring levels exceeds standards,
  meets standards, does not meet standards,
  substantially below standards.

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Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE)

• Intended for 11th graders and may be retaken, if
  needed, in grade 12.
• Tests achievement in reading, writing,
  mathematics, and Social Science.
• One form of the PSAE incorporates an ACT
  (formerly the American College Test) Assessment
  component.

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PSAE (cont.)

• First statewide use in 2001 qualifying scores
  established.
• Students can receive a Prairie State Achievement
  Award in each subject tested by earning
  qualifying scores

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PSAE (cont.)

• 6. Students whose Individualized Education
  Programs (IEPs) identify the PSAE as being
  inappropriate for them will not be required to
  take it. The legislation stipulates, however,
  that these students have the option of taking the
  examination anyway, under conditions that
  accommodate their respective disabilities.

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PSAE (cont.)

• 7. If passed, H.S. diploma will bear the seal
  Prairie State Scholar.
• 8. Many business have said they plan to employ
  only Prairie State Scholars.
• 9. Similar to the New York State Regency Exam.

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Problem One of Four

• As many other states, Illinois wants to keep
  class sizes, particularly at the primary grades,
  at 20 or less. If this goal is to be attained
  while, at the same time students are to be
  retained, more teachers and classrooms will be
  needed. Are taxpayers willing to pay?

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Problem Two of Four

• Even if students attend after school classes
  and/or summer school, some may not reach a
  passing grade on the ISAT. How many times is it
  useful/practical to retain a student? What
  happens to students who do not pass the ISAT
  after X attempts?

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Problem Three of Four

• With the Prairie State Achievement Test there
  will be a Graduate Equivalent Diploma (GED), a
  Certificate of Attendance, a High School diploma,
  and a H.S. diploma validated with a Prairie
  State Scholar seal. Are the differentiations
  useful? Is the value of a high school diploma,
  by itself, diminished?

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Problem Four of Four

• Is it desirable to have a single standard, the
  Prairie State Scholar Exam, for all students in
  the state?

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• The End