Assessment & Testing
The Liberty Public School District provides a systematic testing program for students PreK-12 in the areas of achievement, aptitude, and vocational interest.
The primary reason for testing is to gather information to make better and more informed educational decisions. Testing involves sampling student performance to identify and articulate progress in performance for individual students, and groups of students, and to adjust curriculum and instruction to meet the learning needs of all students.
Missouri school districts are required to develop a testing plan that meets the standards of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Such plans must include the Missouri Assessment Program tests (MAP) and assessment of the Show-Me Standards (Knowledge & Performance) that are not assessed through MAP. The district accomplishes this by designing curriculum and assessments that align with the Show-Me Standards. Each district’s plan must be approved by the local Board of Education.
Liberty’s testing plan includes national standardized tests, state standardized tests, district performance tasks, and formal and informal diagnostic assessments. Norm Referenced tests allow the district to evaluate how Liberty students and programs compare with others across the nation or state. Criterion Referenced tests are used to determine if students are mastering learning objectives. Performance tasks give students an opportunity to apply the knowledge they have learned. Formative and other ongoing assessments enable teachers to modify and adjust instruction to meet student needs and to communicate frequently to students as to how to improve performance.
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - Assessment
Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium
Gates-MacGinitie Reading Tests
Otis-Lennon School Ability Test
