ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for the English Language Learners) is a secure large-scale English language proficiency assessment given to Kindergarten through 12th graders who have been classified as multilingual learners (MLs). It is given annually in WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design & Assessment) Consortium member states to monitor students' progress in acquiring academic English. ACCESS for ELLs test items are based on the WIDA's five English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards:

• Social & Instructional Language
• Language for Language Arts
• Language for Mathematics
• Language for Science
• Language for Social Studies

Tests are divided into six grade-level clusters:

• Kindergarten
• Grade 1
• Grades 2-3
• Grades 4-5
• Grades 6-8
• Grades 9-12

Student results are reported in three ways: as raw scores, scale scores, and English language proficiency (ELP) levels. Scores are reported for each of the four language domains and in several composites as follows:

• Listening
• Speaking
• Reading
• Writing
• Oral Language
• Literacy
• Comprehension
• Overall

The WIDA Screener is an English language proficiency screening test given to incoming students who may be designated as Multilingual learners (MLs). It assists educators with programmatic placement decisions such as identification and placement of MLs. The WIDA Screener is one component of WIDA's comprehensive assessment system. WIDA Screener test items are based on the WIDA's five English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards and six grade-level clusters listed above. Each form of the test assesses the four language domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.

Lexington One administers the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to 2nd grade as required by SCDE and to all 4th grade students. CogAt is also given to 3rd grade students who have met Dimension B qualifications. CogAt is given to 3rd grade students who do not have an aptitude test score in their permanent records. CogAT measures general thinking and problem-solving skills that students have learned through in-school and out-of-school experiences. It indicates how well the students can use these skills to solve verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal problems. Information from CogAT supplements teacher observations about what students are able to do. As a result, teachers are better able to employ methods and materials that will provide optimal learning conditions for each student.

The SCDE implemented an End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP) with tests in Algebra I and Intermediate Algebra, English I, Biology I and United States History. The English I exam consists of two parts - writing and reading. EOCEP exams count for 20% of the student’s grade in these courses. EOCEP exams are required by the state for accountability purposes as well. In the spring of 2019, students in English 2 will participate in a pilot test, completing both a writing section and reading section.

Lexington One Administers the Iowa Assessments (IOWA) to 2nd grade students as required by SCDE and to other selected students at the district’s discretion. The following areas are tested: Reading Comprehension, Math Concepts, and Math Problem Solving.

The KRA is a developmentally appropriate instrument that measures a child’s school readiness across multiple domains. Understanding a child’s school readiness helps kindergarten teachers best meet the child’s needs, and it helps schools, families, communities and policy makers know how best to support young children as they enter the K-12 environment.

The KRA determines each child’s readiness level from an evaluation of four domains: Social Foundations, Language/Literacy, Mathematics, and Physical Well-Being. The KRA provides a snapshot of students’ abilities at the beginning of the school year.

The KRA includes selected-response items (multiple-choice), performance tasks, and observation items. The test consists of 50 items; each item is scored using a rubric.

Teachers interact directly with the child for the selected-response and the performance task items. Observations can take place in a variety of naturally occurring settings. For the observation items, teachers can observe students individually, in small groups, or as a whole class. Observation items are scored using a rubric that includes specific criteria at three levels of proficiency: Proficient, In Progress, or Not Yet Evident.

Section 59-155-150 of the South Carolina Read to Succeed Act requires that each student in a public four-year old kindergarten program complete a readiness assessment by the forty-fifth day of the school year. Lexington School District One chose the Individual Growth & Development Indicators (myIGDIs). myIGDIs are a set of assessments designed to help educators monitor progress and inform instruction in early literacy.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a national testing program provides no individual student scores, but it does offer a technically sound measure of academic achievement that permits comparison of results for different regions of the country and for different states. Known as “The Nation’s Report Card,” NAEP has conducted assessments periodically in reading, mathematics, science, writing, U.S. history, civics, geography, and the arts since 1969. The “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB) federal legislation, enacted in January 2002, requires participation of sampled schools in biennial assessment of mathematics and English language arts at Grades 4 and 8.

State law requires that students in their third year of high school take a career-readiness assessment. The test is offered through WIN and consists of three area assessments: Locating Information, Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics. WIN is a series of tests measuring foundational and soft skills and offers specialized assessments, as well. On Locating Information, students can score between 0 – 6. Students can earn a score of 0 -7 on Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics. Students scoring above a 3 on all three assessments can receive a National Career Readiness Certificate, which is a portable career-readiness credential that is used by many employers to screen applicants. The certificate is awarded on the basis of the lowest score for one of the three components.

In addition to the three subject assessments, students in their third year of high school participate in a Soft Skills assessment provided by WIN. The WIN Essential Soft Skills assessment is composed of questions measuring entry-level work tasks and behaviors, including cooperating with others, resolving conflict and negotiation, solving problems and making decisions, observing critically, and taking responsibility for learning.

Students in grades 3–8 will take SC READY. SC READY is the state-mandated grades 3–8 ELA and Mathematics assessment. The ELA portion includes a reading and writing section. For each SCREADY section, performance levels will be reported: Does Not Meet, Approaches, Meets, Exceeds.

An Alternate Assessment on Alternate Achievement Standards (AA-AAS) is an assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities who are assessed against alternate achievement standards as they are unable to participate in the general assessment program even with appropriate accommodations.

The state of South Carolina offers a free administration of the ACT to students in their third year of high school. The ACT assesses students’ academic readiness for college and includes assessments in the areas of Writing, Reading, English, Mathematics and Science. Test scores reflect what students have learned throughout high school. Scores can be sent to colleges and universities for the purpose of meeting entrance requirements.

The state of South Carolina offers a free administration of the SAT to students in their third year of high school. The SAT is a standardized test that colleges use to evaluate applicants. Over two million students take the SAT every year and it is used by nearly every college in America for evaluating a student’s college preparedness. It is designed to measure a student’s ability to understand and process elements in three subjects: reading, writing, and math. SAT scores are calculated based on a student’s performance relative to other test-takers, and have proven to be an indicator of collegiate success.