(Boise). The Idaho State Board of Education today voted unanimously to give local school districts the option of a fall administration of the spring 10th grade Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT).
“This move helps local districts tremendously,” said Idaho State Board of Education President Milford Terrell. “The districts can take advantage of this –if- they want. They’re not required to do so. It just gives them another tool at their disposal for student evaluation and accountability.”
Districts who decide to exercise the new option will now be able to test 10th graders in the fall of 2008. This will allow high performing students to potentially satisfy one of their graduation requirements in the fall, rather than waiting until the traditional spring testing window. Students who pass the ISAT in the fall of the 10th grade year can then move on, more aggressively, with their educational progress, taking concurrent credit courses which give them a jump start on a more successful post secondary experience.
A fall testing window for 10th graders will also help educators identify students who need additional assistance to pass the graduation test in the spring.
The option of a fall administration of the ISAT will cost approximately $20,000.
The Board’s next regularly scheduled meeting is August 21-22, 2008 in Pocatello, Idaho on the campus of Idaho State University.