General Information about the Tests
You have probably heard about the OHIO ACHIEVEMENTand OHIO PROFICIENCY TEST from your child, your school, or the media. Not only are these tests used as district performance indicators at the state level, but no student will receive a diploma without first passing all sections of the exit level test (Ohio Ninth-Grade Proficiency Test or Ohio Graduation Test – whichever applies).
Passing the THIRD-GRADE READINGTEST is one of the requirements for being promoted to the fourth grade. Therefore, we ask parents and guardians to emphasize with your children the importance of doing well on these tests.
State law requires all schools to administer the Ohio tests listed in the chart below. Unless the test is for one main academic area only, the tests generally cover five academic content areas: writing, reading, mathematics, social studies, and science.
Elementary
The Achievement and Diagnostic tests given to elementary students are used to measure a child’s mastery of basic skills. During the testing period students take no more than three tests during a week.
Students are allowed to take the THIRD-GRADE READING TEST twice during the school year—in October and again in March. Passing this test is one requirement for a student’s promotion to fourth grade. Any third-grade student not passing
the test after taking it in March will possibly be required to attend summer school and take the test again in July.
Secondary
The NINTH-GRADE PROFICIENCY TEST is being replaced by the OHIO GRADUATION TEST (OGT). By law, even students who have earned all required class units will not receive a diploma until all five areas of the tests are passed. Therefore, a student who has not passed all five areas should retake the appropriate area test(s) at every opportunity. Ninth-Grade Proficiency Tests are offered in October, March, May (for seniors), and July. Ohio Graduation Tests are offered in March and July. To qualify for the July test administration, a student must complete a minimum of 10 summer instruction hours in the area to be tested. These 10 hours may consist of summer school or tutoring by an Ohio-certified/licensed teacher.
Any Special Education student whose Individual Education Plan (IEP) stipulates he or she is exempt from passing the
Ninth-Grade Proficiency Test or the OGT may graduate without passing all five areas of the test. However, he or she is required to take the test designated for his/her grade level at least once during high school or complete an alternate assessment. TPS has worked hard to develop alternate assessments, so that all students can participate in our success as a school community.
Other Testing
In addition to the tests required by the state of Ohio, students take PRO-Ohio, Stanford Achievement, and Off-Grade Proficiency tests in various grades to provide information about how a student is doing in mastering the skills for their grade level. The District Testing Schedule 2006-2007 (also listed under District and Board, Calendars, at this website) lists all of the standardized tests given in the Toledo Public Schools.
District Testing Schedule 2007-2008
Proficiency and Ohio Graduation Test dates for testing are set at the state level; therefore, they cannot be changed. Scores are usually returned to the school district within 60 days of the last make-up testing date. Once the district confirms the accuracy of the results for any test given, parents will receive the scores through the federal mail.
Help Your Student Do Well On Tests
Our students are making continuous improvement in proficiency test scores, and TPS ranks above other urban Ohio school districts, but there is still much progress to be made. Encourage your child’s success by taking advantage of tutoring programs, practice tests, and summer proficiency programs. To meet the state’s goals for the district, we need your help!
Students are aware it is important for them to do their best on the proficiency tests, but if that message is reinforced at home, they will be even more determined to do well. Please be positive and encourage your child’s efforts throughout the year. Monitoring attendance, class work, and homework is a great way to start. You can also attend “parent proficiency nights” at your school and view sample tests on http://www.tps.org/ to help prepare your student. Also, when testing time rolls around, please make sure your child gets a good night’s rest and a balanced breakfast; they’ll be starting off on the right foot.
Practice Tests
You can learn more about the various state tests and obtain practice tests at the Ohio Department of Education website.
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