Parent & Caregiver Resources for Growth Assessments
About the Fall 2021 Growth Assessments
The Fall 2021 Growth Assessments are computer adaptive tests, shorter than the Standards of Learning tests, that were developed in grades 3-8 reading and mathematics as a result of legislation passed in the 2021 Virginia General Assembly. The growth assessments consist of test items that measure the Standards of Learning, have been reviewed by Virginia teachers, tried out with Virginia students, and accepted for use on the growth assessments.
In fall 2021, the growth assessments were based on content from the previous grade level. For example, a grade 4 student took an assessment in fall 2021 based on grade 3 content. In addition to being used by schools, the results of the Fall 2021 Growth Assessments can be used by families to help identify unfinished learning from last school year and identify areas where students may need additional academic support during this school year, 2021-2022, as new academic content is introduced.
Interpreting the Student Detail By Question Report
The score report that results from completing the Fall 2021 Growth Assessments is called the Student Detail By Question Report or SDBQ Report. School divisions are able to provide the SDBQ Report to families. Please contact your child’s school for access to test results from the Fall 2021 Growth Assessments.
The following resources are available to assist in the interpretation and use of the SDBQ Report.
- Overview of the SDBQ Report-This is a PDF document.
- Interpreting Fall 2021 Vertical Scaled Scores: Grades 3-8 Reading Growth Assessments-This is a PDF document.
- Interpreting Fall 2021 Vertical Scaled Scores: Grades 3-8 Mathematics Growth Assessments-This is a PDF document.
Reading and Mathematics Resources to Support Students
Engaged parents and caregivers are a critical part of a child’s successful learning experiences. Reading with students and talking about what is being read is important to the development of strong readers. Talking about and doing math within the family is a great way to engage students and encourage success. The reading and mathematics information below includes some of the many online resources available to help parents and caregivers support their children and continue their learning at home.
Reading
Unite for Literacy
: Provides free digital access to books for early readers.
National Center on Improving Literacy and KID ZONE: Includes access to ebooks, audiobooks, and games focused on literacy skills.
Literacy Resources for Families and Communities: This VDOE webpage contains a wide range of different literacy resources for families to explore and use together.
Family Literacy Night: This VDOE webpage contains a variety of informative recorded webinars to support literacy and learning at home.
Parent Page: This U.S. Department of Education webpage contains a range of resources.
PALS Literacy Resources for Home: This webpage contains literacy resources that families can use at home.
Mathematics
Math Happenings: Reinforces that math happens to us every day. The site provides materials for families to engage in math.
Bridging for Math Strength: Family Connections: Includes a wide variety of math resources designed to benefit families.
Bedtime Mathematics: The Bedtime Math Foundation has developed this site with daily ideas for families to engage and excel in math.
Mathematics Resources for Families and Communities: This VDOE webpage contains a wide range of different mathematics resources for families to explore and use together.
About Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)
A CAT is an assessment that is customized for every student. How a student responds to questions determines the difficulty of the next question. Correct responses lead to more difficult test questions, while incorrect responses result in the selection of less difficult items for the student.
Watch the videos to learn how computer adaptive testing provides students with a customized assessment experience.
A Guide to Computer Adaptive Testing
This video explains the basic principle for how computer adaptive testing works.
Computer Adaptive Testing in Virginia
This video explains the basic principle for how computer adaptive testing works.