Assessment

At Waukee Community School District, we actively use a variety of assessments across our PK-12 system to support student growth and personalize learning. Our assessment practices regularly monitor student progress and mark key milestones. These tools guide instruction, offer multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding, and promote equity across all grade levels. This page outlines our assessment practices and how they drive our commitment to student success.

Preschool Assessments

At Waukee CSD, educators use the Iowa GOLD Assessment Procedures to track and support preschoolers’ growth in areas like social-emotional skills, physical development, language, cognitive abilities, and early literacy and math. This system uses a 10-point scale to help teachers measure year-round progress. Students are assessed in the fall, winter, and spring, with families receiving formal progress reports during parent-teacher conferences.

Level 0: This stage means the child hasn’t shown this skill or behavior yet
Levels 1-9: These levels show a child’s progress over time, with each step representing more confidence and ability in a particular skill. The higher the number, the more advanced the skill.

To provide a complete picture of early learning, our preschool program also uses the screening tool called myIGDIs (Individual Growth and Development Indicators). This research-based, moment-in-time screening tool provides a snapshot of a student’s literacy skills. These assessments align with the Iowa Early Learning Standards to ensure a strong start for every child.

TK-7 Grade Assessments

At the TK-7 level, standards-based reporting is designed to provide clear, accurate, and meaningful information about each student’s academic progress. Unlike traditional grading systems, which often focus on letter grades or averages, standards-based reporting focuses on how well a student is meeting specific learning goals, or standards, for each subject area.

In a standards-based reporting system, teachers assess students based on their proficiency in key skills and knowledge, aligning with the curriculum standards set by educational authorities. The goal is to give a more detailed picture of a student’s strengths and areas for growth, helping parents and guardians understand where their child is excelling and where additional support may be needed.

Key Features of Standards-Based Reporting

1. Clear Learning Objectives: Every subject is broken down into specific learning goals, making it easier to track progress.
2. Focus on Individual Growth: Instead of simply assigning a grade, teachers assess how well a student has mastered each standard over time.
3. Descriptive Feedback: Students receive detailed feedback that highlights their strengths and areas for improvement, fostering a deeper understanding of their learning.
4. Progress Tracking: Parents and guardians receive regular updates on their child’s progress toward meeting the standards, helping them stay informed and involved in their child’s education.

By embracing standards-based reporting, schools aim to create a more transparent, supportive, and individualized learning experience that focuses on student development rather than just summative assessments. This approach helps ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed, both academically and personally, as they build the skills needed for future learning.

Proficiency Indicators

• EE: Exceeds — Student demonstrates an above-grade-level understanding of the targeted skill or concept.
• SC: Secure — Student can apply the skill or concept correctly and independently.
• DV: Developing — Student shows some understanding. Reminders, hints, and suggestions are needed to promote understanding.
• BG: Beginning — Student shows little understanding of the concept. Additional teacher support is needed.

Waukee CSD teachers are working hard to use assessments to understand what students know and design lessons based on each individual student’s needs.

Learn more about FAST Assessments

8th-9th Grade Assessments

Waukee CSD students in 8th and 9th grade are assessed using Standards-Referenced Reporting (SRR), which is slightly different than a Standards-Based Report. Standards-Referenced Reports combine aspects of a Standards-Based system with traditional grades to create a complete look at how your student is progressing toward curricular standards in each class.

Learn more about SRR

10th-12th Grade Assessments

Teachers grade our high school students with a more traditional Points-Based Report. Teachers use weighted grading categories to determine final grades. These weighted grading categories are communicated to students and families during the first week of the new course. Please connect with your students’ teachers to learn more about specific classroom assessment practices.

Review State Data on Iowa School Performance Profiles