Wisconsin Student Assessment System

All students within the SDMA participate in the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS). The WSAS is a comprehensive statewide program designed to provide information about what students know in core academic areas and whether they can apply what they know. The WSAS includes:

• The Wisconsin Forward Exam at grades 3-8 in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, at grades 4 and 8 in Science, and 4, 8, and 10 in Social Studies 
  • Information for families 

• Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) at grades 3-11 in ELA and Mathematics, at grades 4 and 8 - 11 in Science, and at grades 4, 8, and 10 in Social Studies
  • Information for families

• PreACT Secure at grades 9 & 10
  • Information for families
• The ACT Plus Writing at grade 11 for Reading, English, Mathematics, Science, and Writing
  • Information for families

• ACCESS for ELLs - at grades K-12 as identified. (Federal and state laws require that students identified as English Learners (ELs) be assessed annually to determine their level of English language proficiency (ELP) and ensure that they are progressing in achieving full English proficiency. This includes students who receive special education services).
  • Information for families

Information about the WSAS assessments can be accessed on the WI Department of Public Instruction website by selecting the links for each assessment above.

District Level Screening Assessments

Students within the SDMA participate in the in district screening assessments in the areas of literacy and mathematics. The assessments used within the SDMA include:

aimswebPlus in grades K-5 Is a literacy and math screener that will be used to check students skills.The aimswebPlus screener will check important early literacy skills such as letter sounds, phonics, and blending, and later reading skills like oral reading fluency, silent reading fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. In math, it measures early numeracy, mental computation, and mathematical concepts. The specific skills are tested differently based on your child’s grade level.

Star Reading in grades 6-11 - Star Reading is a customized reading test for students to take on a computer. Teachers in the SDMA use Star Reading to assist in determine the reading level of each student and to measure growth. Students typically finish a Star Reading test in fewer than 30 minutes.

Star Math in grades 6-11 - Star Math is a customized math test for students to take on a computer. Teachers in the SDMA use Star Math to assist in determining the math level of each student and to measure growth. Students typically finish a Star Math test in fewer than 30 minutes.

PreACT in grades 9-10 (Fall) - The PreACT® assessments offer 9th, and 10th graders an early experience with ACT test items, provides a predicted ACT test score, and offers a wealth of information to help students get the start they need to be college and career ready. Anchored on the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards, PreACT assessments help educators, students, and parents identify areas of academic strength and opportunity.