For the past couple of days a new type of testing has been going on at Elm Street School. The testing, NWEA, takes place on a computer and usually consists of about 40-50 questions according to the different subjects. The subjects range from math, science, and reading. What is really neat about this testing is it works with the intelligence of the student. If the student is answering quite a few questions correctly then the test will jump up to higher grade levels of questions. But that does not mean that the student is capable of being in that grade level, it means he or she is doing what is expected in a certain grade level. The same thing occurs if one is answering many questions incorrectly. The test will then drop to the grade level that accommodates the student’s knowledge. As far as I know there are no other tests that are that impressive.

NWEA is a multiple answer test. Each question lists 4-5 answers that are decided on by the test taker. Once a student is done on one question there is a small bar at the bottom of the screen stating the words, GO ON. Once a student clicks that button a new question appears. I think NWEA is a great testing tool and schools are even saving paper by participating. With the grading being done by the computer, the test made by the computer, there is a lot less work for teachers. Technology is improving and making our lives easier each day.

Students at Elm Street School take the test once in the fall and then once in the spring; although, if the student scores a poor grade then there is a second opportunity for that student in January. The reason it is taken twice is to see the improvement levels in the student. I think the testing has been working out really well and Elm Street School students and teachers have been doing a fine job working with it. Well done Elm Street School! Keep up the hard work!