Assessments
Totem Correspondence believes that assessment is an important part of education. We also believe that there are many different types of valid assessments, and different ways to utilize them. Totem Correspondence can help you find assessments that fit your preference and family needs and that help measure and showcase your student’s learning and progress over the year. Totem will always work with you to find what fits for your family and student.
Totem Correspondence does not require specific tests for grade level advancement.
Kinder ADP
Decision needed by: upon enrollment or September 1 of a school year
Who: Kindergartners
What: a form for parents to rate their Kindergartner in 13 developmental areas.
When: Beginning of the school year
Where: in your own home
How: a form parents simply fill out and return to us
Informational Links:
mClass
Decision needed by: upon enrollment or September 1 of a school year
Who: K-3rd grade
What: Amplify’ s mCLASS with DIBELS 8th Edition is the state-adopted literacy screener.
A tool used to:
- assess a student's early literacy skills
- identify students who may be at risk for developing reading difficulties
- know who may need additional instruction or intervention
When: Beginning of year, Middle of year, End of year, Scheduled, 5-7 minutes per student
Where: in your home
How: one-on-one, remotely via video conference, need a camera, microphone, and possibly a separate tablet
AK STAR and AK Science
Decision needed by: upon enrollment or January 31 of a school year
Who:
- English/Language Arts: Grades 3 - 9
- Math: Grades 3 - 9
- Science: Grades 5, 8, and 10 only
What: The Alaska Department of Education offers the AK STAR and AK Science assessments.
When: Spring (April) of each school year
Where: at your neighborhood school or a local physical school of your choice
How: usually online, some paper based may be available
Informational Links:
How Does Participating in AK STAR Benefit Students?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY-Eb-nHO9A
Putting Together the Education Puzzle: Assessments for Correspondence Students
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlzTrgkZhRs
Communicating about Annual State Assessment Participation for All - Students: A Communication Toolkit (Word doc)
STAR Renaissance
Decision needed by: Available anytime
Who: K-12th grade
What: Totem Correspondence supports and offers Renaissance STAR testing for Reading and Math free of charge. These are adaptive assessments of about 35 questions each. Students may take these assessments at home. These can be used for placement and progress assessing. We are able to generate very basic, or very detailed, reports for you to access.
When: anytime,
- Beginning and End of year
- Beginning of year, Mid-year, End of year
- Beginning of year, End of all Quarters
Where: in your home
How: Online, email your Teacher of Record to set up an account for your student. Always remember to email your Teacher of Record when your student has completed an assessment so they may generate and email you the reports.
MAP Growth
Decision needed by: upon enrollment or September 1 of a school year
Who: Grades 3-9
What: adaptive assessments in Math, Reading Comprehension, English Language Arts
When: Beginning of year, Middle of year; Scheduled; time differs per student
Where: in your own home
How: Proctored online