Parent guide to KEntucky Summative assessment (KSA)
KSA overview
Kentucky students take the Kentucky Summative Assessments (KSA) to meet federal and state testing requirements. Prior to last year, these tests were called Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress (K-PREP). They are developed by Kentucky teachers and align with the Kentucky Academic Standards in each content area.
KSA are the annual summative assessments given in grades 3 through 8, 10 and 11 to Kentucky public school students. KSA provides content area assessments, including reading and mathematics at all grades, and science, social studies, writing, and editing and mechanics once per grade band (i.e. elementary, middle, and high). Our middle school students will be taking the following assessments:
6th Grade: Reading and Math
7th Grade: Reading, Math, and Science
8th Grade: Reading, Math, Social Studies, Editing and Mechanics, and On-Demand Writing
These assessments are Kentucky’s measure of student proficiency and progress on the state content standards. These standards establish goals for what all students should know and be able to do in each grade. KSA are online assessments. It goes beyond multiple-choice questions to include extended response and technology-enhanced items for students to demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
You will find the CCMS scheduled testing dates at the top right corner labeled Schedule as well as some important testing tips to review with your child.
Pictured above students are collaborating to solve real world problems. In the video (on the right above), you hear students explaining what they are learning and how they know they are successful. This is the type of learning required for KSA. Students transfer knowledge and skills into different scenarios.
Examples of Rubrics and Exemplar Responses per KSA:
Grades 6th-8th take both reading and math KSA assessments. In addition to reading and math, 7th grade takes a science KSA assessment and 8th grade takes Editing and Mechanics and On-Demand Writing. Below you will find examples of each assessment and some proficient examples. Please review the KSA Practice tests to see the format and question types of the assessments for each subject. Sign in as Guest.
Please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher with specific questions regarding KSA or classroom instruction.