Overview of Assessments

Every student in our district deserves high-quality instruction and the individualized support necessary for academic success. To achieve this goal, we are committed to ensuring that effective teaching practices are implemented in every classroom across all schools in our district. We use ongoing assessments to determine how students learn best and identify the specific support they may need. These assessments provide valuable insights into student strengths and highlight areas requiring additional attention.

This section outlines our assessment practices and their importance in supporting student achievement. The data we collect enables our teachers to deliver targeted instruction for every student while honoring and building upon the knowledge and experiences students bring from their homes and communities.

Through consistent implementation of these assessment practices, we are fulfilling our commitment to educational equity and ensuring that all students receive the quality education they deserve. so that Every Learner Thrives.

DPS students will participate in formative, unit, interim and summative assessments.

• Formative assessments are regular check-ins that teachers use during lessons to see how well students understand the material. These quick assessments provide immediate feedback to students and help teachers adjust their instruction based on student needs. T

  eachers use these assessments to identify student strengths and areas needing support, allowing them to customize daily lessons and close learning gaps.

  These assessments support ongoing teaching and learning rather than simply measuring what students have learned at the end of a unit.

  
  

• Unit assessments are tests that measure student understanding of material covered in a specific unit of study. These assessments help teachers determine how well students have learned the concepts and skills taught during that unit.

  The results provide valuable feedback on student progress and inform teachers about what may need to be retaught or which students might need additional support. Teachers use this information to adjust their instruction and ensure all students master the required skills.

  Students receive feedback on all the standards and skills that will appear on the unit assessment before taking the test, ensuring they are prepared for what will be evaluated.

• Interim assessments are district-created tests for students in grades 3-8 that help teachers understand how students are progressing toward success on the state CMAS test. These assessments show whether students can apply what they've learned in a standardized test format and help predict how they might perform on CMAS.

  The results inform teachers about which students may need additional support, such as tutoring or test preparation, before taking the state test. These assessments also reveal what background knowledge students have about upcoming topics.

  Interim assessments are secure tests, meaning content is protected to maintain test validity and provide a testing experience similar to CMAS. Test blueprints are available to help teachers understand the assessment design.

• Summative assessments are final tests given at the end of a semester or school year to measure what students have learned over that entire period. These assessments evaluate student performance against specific academic standards and provide a comprehensive picture of student achievement.

  Unlike daily classroom assessments, summative assessments serve as a "final grade" for a large body of learning. Examples include final exams, end-of-year state tests like CMAS, and semester projects. These assessments help determine whether students have met grade-level expectations and are ready to advance to the next level of learning.

  The results inform important decisions about student placement, graduation requirements, and whether additional support is needed for future success.
  

DPS publishes a summary level assessment table that details:

• Which tests are federally and state required (mandated) and district-based assessments, such as unit assessments

• The purpose of each assessment

• When assessments are given and how long they should take

Per federal and state laws, not all assessments allow parents/guardians to "opt out" or excuse their students from the assessment. Please see the links below for guidance on how to opt your student out of: CMAS|CoAlt, PSAT|SAT, MAP, and other district assessments.

Opt Out Guides

Opt Out Forms - Return to School