Assessments and Academic Opportunities

Students in Jefferson County Public Schools can expect to participate in a variety of assessments throughout a typical in-person school year. 

All K-5 students will take the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth assessment in reading and math three times annually. This is usually given in August/September, December, and again in March. The data from this assessment provides a baseline for teachers to use in their classroom as they create instruction based on the Kentucky Academic Standards. In addition to the Growth portion, our K-3 students will take the Reading Fluency assessment from MAP begining in fall of 2023.

Our kindergarten students take the Brigance assessment. This assessment is a baseline to determine each kindergartners readiness for kindergarten. Parents will be asked to complete a form based on the child's developmental level. Teachers and other school staff will give the students the academic measure during either the Kindergarten Kickoff or soon after the start of school.

This year, third and fourth grade students (along with any 5th grade students who have permission) will take the Naglieri/NNAT3 assessment. The Naglieri/NNAT3 measures a child's academic aptitude and is a factor in determining giftedness. 

The Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA) is given to third, fourth, and fifth grade students during May. Each grade level takes this assessment in reading and math. Fourth graders also take science and fifth graders take social studies, editing & mechanics, and on-demand writing. Scores for this assessment are reported to the state and shared on the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) website. 

The ACCESS test is for our Multilingual (ML) students. This is usually given in January and is key in determining which students qualify for continued ML services. 

Norton Elementary takes great pride in a strong academic program that prepares our students for the rigors of middle school. Some of the academic opportunities that your child may have at Norton include:

• Primary Talent Pool (PTP) - This program is for students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade who have demonstrated characteristics of performing at exceptionally high levels in certain areas. Students in the Primary Program are not given a formal test but recommended by teachers or school staff and  are screened based on criteria set forth by JCPS and the state of Kentucky. Students in the PTP may have the opportunity to work with a teacher specializing in differentiation throughout the school year.

• Gifted & Talented (GT) - The GT program is designed for students in fourth grade and above. Students are typically identified for General Intellect based on a triangulation of data including results from the Naglieri/NNAT3, MAP, KSA, and classroom performance. Students may also be identified in the specific academic areas of Reading, Mathematics, Science, and/or Social Studies using similar data. Additional areas of GT include Leadership, Creativity, Visual/Performing Arts, Music, Dance, and Drama. 

• Advanced Placement (AP) - AP students are identified in fourth and fifth grade. The criteria for AP is also based on various assessment data, a high achiever's checklist by the classroom teacher, and special considerations. Notifications for this program is shared in the spring and parents must permit students to participate. AP students are typically cluster-grouped in fourth and fifth grades so they may experience an accelerated, more in-depth academic experience. Students not qualifying for AP will continue to learn grade level content. 

Questions regarding any of these assessments or academic opportunities may be addressed to the school's Counselor, Rob Smothers or Academic Instructional Coach, Melissa Boyle.