State of Oregon Benchmark Testing
State of Oregon Benchmark Testing: 5th & 8th Grades
State of Oregon Benchmark Performance tests are given in the area of writing.
Related links:
Oregon Department of Education
2002-2003 Benchmark Performance test results: 52K PDF or 60K Word Doc.
Common questions about Benchmark testing:
What is a Benchmark?
Benchmarks are points along the way that mark a student’s progress towards a Certificate of Initial Mastery, or CIM (Grade 10). To be on track to meet the CIM standards, a third grader should meet Benchmark 1, a fifth grader Benchmark 2, an 8th grader Benchmark 3, and finally a 10th grader Benchmark 4 or CIM.
I’ve heard the tests are “leveled”. What does that mean?
The reading and math state and TRCS (NWEA) testing are all leveled. The state tests have three levels: A, B and C. Staff members determine the level the student should take with a “locater test”, and with the information they have about each student. NWEA computerized tests draw from a large question bank to personalize the test questions to your child’s correct/incorrect responses. Level test allow students to take tests that are more tailored to their achievement level, and more precisely measure student proficiency in relation to the standards. Level tests to not lower the standards. The same scale score is required to meet the standard, no matter which level test a student takes.
How can I prepare my child for these upcoming tests?
By being supportive of their learning. Because the tests that are given are based on the state standards and because Three Rivers Charter School bases its minimum curriculum on these standards, your child’s instruction is based upon the content covered on these tests. You can encourage your child to do their best on the tests, just as you encourage them to do their best on all of their schoolwork. In addition, as we encourage for every day of learning, make sure your child gets plenty of rest and has a good breakfast in the morning. We do not want to see these tests add pressure or stress to students. We have prepared them well!
Can we practice for these tests?
The best practice is to support what is happening here each day. Give them the time to do their best work and then review the work they have completed with them after they have it scored at school. Please do not do the work for them at home. This will make a testing situation especially difficult for a child who has not preformed on their own.
One last piece of advice…
Please have realistic expectations for your child. All of your kids are amazing. Taking a test will not build self-confidence needed to take future tests, if you don’t recognize their talents and achievements on ANY score they receive. Expect your child to always to the best they can. This sets the achievement expectation high and will allow for your child to learn to take tests.
If you have any additional questions concerning the upcoming testing, please do not hesitate to e-mail or call.
Test Preparation & Attendance
It is very important to have your children prepared and in attendance on these important test dates. These tests are an indictor of your child’s progress and a method to establish a minimum standard for all students to meet as they progress through school. Be sure that you discuss these assessments with your child and help them to calmly and confidently do their best!
Make sure that they have a nutritious breakfast on test day. Monitor their bedtimes during this period to make sure that they are not sleepy! Preparing kids for tests is a life-long skill. PLEASE let us know if your child is having anxiety issues prior to test day. We want to help them be confident and controlled as they approach these important test dates.