In the spring, all third-grade students will take the IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) Standardized Test.  This will cover both concepts in both Math and Reading.  Third grade usually completes the testing in one week.  The testing is all computer-based, however, students can use paper to help them complete problems and/or organize their thoughts.  In the weeks leading up to the testing, we will take lots of practice tests, and review concepts we have learned, so hopefully, it won't be a HUGE shock on testing days.

As soon as the testing is scheduled (usually in January), I will let you know when our testing will be.  If a student is absent during testing, he/she must take that portion at a later time in another classroom/with another teacher, so it is very important that students are present to be able to take the tests in a familiar setting with the rest of the class.  Testing week is usually a long, tiring week, so please make sure that your child gets plenty of rest and eats a good breakfast on testing days.  There will be no homework during testing week.

Since testing is usually done in March or April, you will not receive your child's results until the beginning of the next school year.  It is important to note that the results are just one of many ways to help you (and us) evaluate your child's progress, and definitely not the only indicator of future success.  Especially since third grade is the first time they are exposed to this type of testing, many times the scores can appear skewed;  but just remember that the third grade scores merely serve as a baseline for the scores your child will receive in later grades (when they understand what the test is about and how to effectively take the test).