Data & Assessment

Helena School District Assessments 2023-2024

The Helena School District’s data assessment program allows educators and schools to use achievement data to improve student learning. The District’s Data and Assessment Coordinator, who is part of the Curriculum and Instruction Department, oversees state-and district-level achievement testing. The coordinator also works with teachers at all grade levels to support them with using a variety of assessment tools – including formative, summative, and standardized tests – to assess the proficiency of students and programs. Below you will find a list of the state-and district-level assessments used by Helena Public Schools as well as test dates.

With questions, please contact your student’s school or Kaitlyn Hess, Helena Public Schools Data and Federal Programs Administrator, at khess1@helenaschools.org, 406-324-2027.

2020-2021 ESSA District Report Card (Search for Helena Elementry and Helena High Schools Separately)

Assessment

Grade Level (s)

Subjects

Dates

District Level Benchmarks

Acadience

K-1

Reading

September 7-10
January 10-14
May 23-27

iReady

2-11

Math/Reading

September 7-10

January 10-14

May 23-27

State Assessments

Smarter Balance Assessment (SBA)

2-8

ELA/Math

May 2-13

MSA

8

Science

May 2-13

ACT

11

ELA/Math

April 12, Fairgrounds

Assessment Glossary

Acadience: Acadience Reading for grades K-1 helps educators monitor reading proficiency for early readers in areas of phonics and phonological awareness to build the foundation for reading comprehension. By detecting when students need extra support helps teachers improve student outcomes.

iReady: This standards-based, criterion-referenced assessment assesses students based on their current level of achievement. Teachers can see clear gaps in their learning and make instructional decision based on these gaps. Additionally, in grades 1-6, students can practice standards that they are deficient in on the My Path learning system.

Smarter Balance Assessment: The state level, standards based assessment in reading and math for students in grades 3-8.

Montana Science Assessment: The state level, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned assessment for science in grades 5 and 8.

ACT: The ACT is state level assessment for all juniors. It contains four multiple-choice tests—English, mathematics, reading, and science—and an optional writing test. These tests are designed to measure skills that are most important for success in postsecondary education and that are acquired in secondary education.