Did you know? . . . State Testing Time
By Kimberlee J. Bennett
Spring in Colorado schools means it is state testing time. The test, Colorado Measure of Academic Success (CMAS), is given during the month of April.
“State statute requires assessments for evaluating students' mastery of and growth in the Colorado Academic Standards and evaluating the performance of districts and schools. CMAS is aligned to the state's rigorous academic standards and designed to gauge how well students are mastering the standards and are prepared for their next grade.” (Colorado Department of Education cde.state.co.us/communications/factsheetsandfaqs-assessment#)
3rd - 8th grade students take both Math and English Language Arts tests. In addition, 5th, 8th, and 11th graders take the science test.
The 65 minute Math test has 3 units, each taken separately.
The English Language Arts test includes reading, grammar, and writing questions. In 3rd - 5th grades, each test is 90 minutes and the 6th - 8th grade test is 110 minutes each.
The Science test has three units and each is an 80 minute test for 5th and 8th graders. 11th graders take two units and have 50 minutes per test.
In the Holyoke School District, students take the CMAS computer-based tests on their school issued Chromebook through the Test Navigator app. Everything is highly secure.
In addition to the CMAS tests, high school students are required to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). 11th graders take the SAT and 9th and 10th graders take the PSAT on their school issued Chromebook through an application called BlueBook.
“Everyone involved in CMAS and CoAlt administration must be trained each year,” according to Stefan Betley, District Assessment Coordinator of the Holyoke School District. This includes assessment coordinators, testing administrators, technology personnel, or any other school or district staff involved in the administration of the tests.
Betley also stated that the purpose of the training is to help ensure that a standardized testing environment is created and maintained for the duration of the testing window.
On the testing day, when students are finished with their test, they are required to be quiet so that others can finish testing in a quiet environment. Students may read a book, but do no writing or drawing.
Students can not have other electronic devices such as cell phones and e-readers in the classroom.
Teachers must remove any support materials they have displayed in their classrooms, such as, but not limited to, math facts, scientific charts, or parts of speech posters. They must also be actively proctoring the room during the tests to maintain standardization of assessments.
“Test Administrators may not engage in activities that impact validity, reliability, or fairness of the tests.” (cde.state.co.us) Strict protocols are in place to ensure this.
Assessment accommodations can be made for students with Learning Plans, Reading Plans, or 504 Plans.
“The Colorado Alternate Assessments (CoAlt) is administered to students with significant cognitive disabilities who are instructed and assessed on alternate achievement standards.” (cde.state.co.us) School staff works closely with the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team to determine the need for CoAlt assessments.
In preparation for the CMAS, students have been taking the practice tests and reviewing concepts since any of the standards can be tested on the CMAS. Students learn how to manipulate the protractor, ruler, answer eliminator, and other tools provided on the computer-based test.
In an effort to be prepared for the state testing, students need to do the following at home:
-Get a good night’s rest
^Ages 6 to 12 need 9 to 12 hours of sleep
^Ages 13 to 18 need 8 to 10 hours of sleep
-Eat well
-Get exercise
-Charge their Chromebooks at home every night
State testing in the Holyoke School District is in full swing so good luck to all students as they TEST THEIR BEST!
CMAS State Testing begins April 1st (no fooling) in the elementary and April 8th at the JR/SR High School. Please encourage 3-8th grade students to get a good nights sleep, eat right and do their best on these assessments.
The 5th Grade students had a wonderful time at Rural Ameritowne this week. Thank you to their teachers and Mrs. Orther's class for helping them prepare.
Last week 5th Grade had some special visitors come and talk to them about the science of rocks and stars. It was fun that they were also relatives of the Fusts.
Congratulations to Tayla Martin who is a recipient of the 2024 Boettcher Foundation Scholarship!
Congratulations to Hannah Lindholm, Karlie Martin, and Tayla Martin for earning 2024 PC Telcom Scholarships! The support from PC Telcom to help our Holyoke students achieve their goals is greatly appreciated!
#TBT Back in 1977 student council was an active organization sponsoring many activities like a ski trip. Mr. Bernard helped them sponsor activities as well. #LeaveALegacy #DragonPride #OnceADragonAlwaysADragon
Mrs. Bliss class recently finished reading a chapter book about Mr. Vesuvius. Then they made their own "volcanic" explosions outside in the sandbox.
Congratulations to the following Holyoke High School seniors who earned scholarships from Highline Electric Association. The school district is extremely grateful for the continued support of Highline Electric Association.
WEDNESDAY'S WELCOME: Even doors give students encouragment at Holyoke Elementary School.
Physics students tested the gravitational pull on a falling object with no initial velocity, versus an object with an initial horizontal velocity.
On April 4th from 12:45 to 3:15 student in their last year of preschool are invited to come and visit our kindergarten classrooms. If you need more information please call the elementary school office (970.854.3411)
6th grade girls presented to 3/4th grade girls to help them work on building healthy relationships, avoid drama and having a trusted adult. Being part of the Rox group is a great way for these girls to be leaders in our school and help their peers.
HHS debuts new baseball uniforms last Saturday. Holyoke split the double header with Haxtun. (Photos courtesy of OTSPORTSCHEK)
We will run a 2 hour late start schedule without breakfast. For full details read more here https://www.hcosd.org/o/holyoke/article/1520765
Using the R.A.C.E. acronym, 4th graders work on writing responses in Mrs. Duvall's room:
R = RESTATE the question
A = ANSWER the question
C = CITE your evidence
E = EXPLAIN your evidence
Students are designing dream bedrooms for each other based on interviews and mood boards, and must draw their bedroom floor plans to a quarter inch scale. The tape on the floor shows the size of a 13x15 foot room to help students envision their layouts.
Thanks to the parents and guardians who attended Friday's Parent Teacher Conferences. Please call the school if you need to reschedule your visit.
Elementary 970.854.3411
Jr-Sr High 970.854.2284
Many community members donated tennis shoes to both the elementary and Jr./Sr. High School PE programs. On behalf of our school district, THANK YOU to everyone who donated even a single pair of shoes for our kids. All together, about 60 pairs of shoes were donated! #Thanksomeone
The 6th grade typing goal is 30 wpm. Do their lessons look like your typing lessons in high school?
