I began to assess some of my third grade students using the ST Gd. 3 Beginning of Year Test. As I previously reported, if you print the test instead of allowing students to take it on the computer, the formatting is different. The online formatting is more advantageous to the students, i.e. it gives them some hints.
After completing two students and looking at the reports that ST generated, I found some errors in the generated report. For example, one question asks students to state the next shape in a pattern of plane shapes; if a student errs, the report states that the student needs more work in relating plane shapes to 3D shapes, even though the question has nothing to do with this skill. Another question asks students to determine the missing number in the number sentence 7 + ___+8=17; if a students errs, the report states that the student needs more work on using data from pictures. But there are no pictures in this problem! So don't take the report verbatim without comparing the questions with the skill that ST assigns.
On the plus side, the Gd. 3 Beginning of the Year test clearly separates the kids who understand base 10 and regrouping from those who do not. And even though some of the students I'm assessing won't work in small groups with me, I can give the assessment information to the classroom teacher as a "heads up."
In terms of procedure, I read the test to the student to try to separate reading issues from math issues. I also sometimes ask students how they arrived at an answer or watch what procedures they use. If my observations give me additional information, I add my comments to the report after the student has completed the assessment.
I'll let you know if I find other problems. I will also be giving some Gd. 4 students the Gd. 4 Beginning of the Year Assessment and will post anything errors or benefits that I find.
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Multiplication/Division Symbols: One thing I forgot to add to the list above is that on the Beginning of the Year Test, question 38 shows multiplication number sentences and question 40 shows division sentences but ST does not use "x" or "÷"; instead the use an apostophe for "x" and a comma for "÷". So far kids don't seem to be thrown by the different symbols and can make the adjustment, but they might be confused if there is no explanation.
Hi again!
I think I have now found all the obvious formatting and reporting errors for the ST Gd. 3 Beginning of the Year Test. Here's my list...
Formatting differences between online test and pdf test:
Q3-online the bananas are below the apples and match up with the apples to make comparing easy; pdf simply has one row with 12 apples and 7 bananas.
Q27-online the chart has the legend that states that one basketball=2 free throws; pdf has no legend.
Q38-both documents use an apostophe for the multiplication symbol.
Q40-both documents use a comma for the division symbol.
Generally the pdf printed copy is more difficult to read because of the way items and pictures are spaced on a page and it has questions and the answer choices divided up on two pages.
Reporting Issues:
Q9 is assessing a student's ability to find the missing number in a number sentence with three addends; the report claims it is assessing "use data from a picture." There is no picture anywhere in the question.
Q22 is assessing a student's ability to choose the next shape in a pattern; the report claims it is assessing "relating plane shapes to solid figures."
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