The WHITNALL SCHOOL DISTRICT recognizes that a system of assessment and evaluation of student performance can assist the students, teachers, and parents in regularly monitoring student progress in the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. The process of evaluating student performance is based on clearly defined criteria. Student performance is benchmarked against state and national standards, standardized achievement tests, and locally developed learning targets and common assessments.

Standardized Testing
Through the use of standardized testing, the Whitnall School District begins the monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of our curriculum. The Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS) is used for this purpose. It is comprised of the WI Knowledge and Concept Exam called the WKCE test which is given at grades 4, 8 and 10 in reading, science, social studies, language arts and writing; and, the WI Criterion Reference Test, WCRT test given at grades 3, 5, 6, and 7 which tests math and reading. All tests are given in November with the results available to parents in late spring. The WI Department of Public Instruction's website has information related to the WSAS testing system, the various school reports, and test information data. Also, see WINSS - WI Data Site.

Curriculum, Programming and Assessment
Through the identification of specific student targets in each subject and at each grade, students, teachers and parents have a clear understanding of what each student is expected to learn and be able to do. These Learning Targets are being developed over the course of the 2006-2007 school year and will lead to the development of a carefully planned system to collect students' performance data over time.

Through the Continuous Improvement Plan, each building is able to identify areas of curriculum and instruction to pinpoint for improvement. These building improvement goals are based on an analysis of both standardized test scores and how students perform on assessments related to the local Learning Targets. Each teacher has ownership in this process by setting grade or department level goals as well as an individual professional development goal related to the building initiatives for improvement.

Across the District and within each building there are many simultaneous improvement goals. Some are driven by initiatives at the District level because they encompass more global changes, such as improving writing through the use of 6 Traits grade level assessments at grades 3, 5, and 7, the implementation of the Lucy Calkins elementary writing process, and the integration of reading and writing at the Middle School. Other initiatives such as developing new intervention strategies to help struggling students are more specific at each building or level.

With the implementation of the 2006-2009 District Technology Plan, the process of data analysis and data management will become easier once a new data warehouse system is installed and implemented as it will allow for easier access to information about student performance. Currently, students and parents can access student grades as well as course assignments on the District's ParentCONNECT system.

Contacts
Dr. Karen Petric, Superintendent of Schools (414) 525-8411 kpetric@whitnall.com
Mrs. Sally Habanek, Asst. Superintendent - Curriculum & Instruction (414) 525-8414 shabanek@whitnall.com
Mr. Tom Vogel, Director of Special Education and Human Resources (414) 525-8413 tvogel@whitnall.com