OPLA Results

We have four more students in Mr. Greninger's room that are still completing their OPLA tests. The results are in! Ms. Leom hand wrote the results in student planners. (If your student does not have a score recorded, please ask your student why they missed the multiple reminders to "come see Ms. Leom" to have your score recorded). No worries! On Friday, a print out with the information will be sent home in Friday Folders (Wolf Packs).

Information:
* OPLAs are the Minnesota practice tests for the MCAs (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments)

* The MCAs are the "state test" based on the "Common Core" standards that students must take in April.

* The MCAs communicate:
----- to parents their students' achievement
----- provide data to teachers to make individual decisions for students
----- provide data for curriculum and planning

* The OPLAs provide:
----- the opportunity for students to learn the on-line format and tools for taking the test
----- give information to guide instruction before the test (a window to how a student "might" do)
----- communicate to parents their student's progress

* The MCAs and OPLAs are scored on a 401- 499 range.

* There are four categories a student can be considered:
----- "does not meet" (401-439)
----- "partially meets" (440-449)
----- "meets" (450-mid-465)
----- "exceeds" (upper 466-499)

This data is a "snapshot" of two mornings of your child's learning. Overall, Ms. Leom and Mr. Greninger were VERY PLEASED with the scores. They indicate progress and possibly communicate some benefits to the Benchmark Literacy Curriculum. There were some surprises. We remind ourselves that students are taking a test based on information that they should learn by APRIL, two months early, so there is room to grow. We combine this information with our MAP assessments, ORFs, MAZE, and more to make sure we meeting individual student learning.

Please look for your student scores. Ask your fourth grader how s/he felt about her/his test experience. Pat him/her on the back for him/her effort, and encourage him/her to work hard every day in class. We look forward to seeing you in two weeks at conferences!