The subjects that are assessed by the Ferguson Florissant School District includes:

• Math in grades 3rd-8th
• ELA in grades 3rd-8th
• Science in grades 5th and 8th
• English II
• Algebra I
• Biology
• US Government
• Dyslexia Screening in grades K-3

The purpose for which these assessments are designed and used as a part of the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) is designed to measure how well students acquire the skills and knowledge described in the Missouri Learning Standards (MLS). The assessments yield information on academic achievement at the student, class, school, district, and state levels. The window for these assessments is three weeks in May each year. The testing window for the 2022-2023 school year is May 1-19. Each building sets their own schedule during this assessment window. The District's Assessment Calendar can be accessed for testing windows. Results are disseminated the following fall after the scores are released by Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

More information about the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) can be found on the website for Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

At the beginning of each school year, the District shall notify the parents/guardians of each student that the District will provide, upon request and in a timely manner, information regarding any state or District policy regarding student participation in any assessments. Such notice shall include information about state or local policies that would allow students to opt out of assessments. Missouri has no such policy, and the District expects all students to participate in all District or statewide assessments. 

• The Ferguson-Florissant School District uses a standards-based grading and reporting system for Kindergarten through fifth grade. Standards-based grading measures student learning of the standards which are aligned with district curriculum and state academic standards. The grades are based on the ability of a student to apply content knowledge and skills in and/or across content areas based on well-defined course objectives.

  • All assessments are linked to learning standards.
  • Standards Based Grading uses a 1, 2, 3, 4 grading system.
  • Grades are based upon the most current mastery of the learning standards. Grades are not averaged.

  What Standards Based Grading is NOT:

  • a one-time test
  • an interim test (benchmark, quarterly, midterm, final, etc.)
  • unknown expectations
  • factoring extra credit, attendance, bonus points
  • focused on completion of assignments

  What Standards Based Grading IS...

  • indicates what students know and are able to do
  • measures a student's progress towards proficiency
  • indicates if a student has reached mastery
  • teachers give a variety of assignments and assessments
  • is authentic to the learning experiences of students, based on complex tasks, not rote memory
  • Involves a demonstration of proficiency, not a guess on a multiple-choice test

   

  For more information about standards based learning and grading, please access the Canvas course at https://fergflor.instructure.com/courses/21958.

• Every year, the Ferguson-Florissant School District, in its endeavor to provide the highest quality education and support to all learners administers a comprehensive literacy screener to every student. Since early intervention is key to improving a student’s literacy skills, our goal is to identify any and all struggling students at the earliest opportunity and to intervene with research-based strategies.

  A new literacy screener will be added this year to meet a new state mandate for Missouri schools. The new state mandate requires the following:

  ● All students in grades K-3 must be screened for components of dyslexia
  ● Any students in grades 4-12 grade must be screened at the request of a parent or teacher
  ● All staff must be trained to identify signs of dyslexia and interventions to support struggling readers
  ● Schools must communicate with parents/guardians regarding any action plan created after screening

  The screener will not tell us if your child does or does not have dyslexia, however, it will provide valuable information so we can plan for further instructional support if necessary. After screening occurs, we will contact you if we have concerns about your child’s reading and what, if any, interventions or supports are recommended.

  • DESE Dyslexia Task Force Recomendations
  • "What is Dyslexia?" Video
  • International Dyslexia Association
  • The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity
  • Understood