Alphabet Soup

Sometimes, it can be a bit difficult to know and understand the acronyms used by your child's teacher.  One of Indian Hill's strengths is knowing students well--both personally and academically.  One way that we get to know your children academically is through assessments.  Below, you will find a list of acronyms commonly used, as well as a brief description of what those acronyms mean.

• MAP (Measures of Academic Progress)- This is an assessment given to students at multiple points during the year to check for understanding.  The Reading and Math MAP Assessments are given in grades 3-5.  New in 2014, the 5th graders will also take the Science MAP assessments.  These are not counted as part of your child's grade, however they do give the teachers valuable information about your child's strengths and areas for growth.

• ORF (Oral Reading Fluency)-You may hear your child's teacher talk about Oral Reading Fluency, or the rate in which your child reads.  This rate is assessed in the fall, winter, and spring for all students, but some may need to be assessed more frequently. Teachers listen to your child read for 1 minute, and count the number of words that are read correctly in that time frame.  There is a direct connection between a child's reading rate and his or her comprehension.  By fourth grade, we want children to be able to fluently read so that he or she may focus on the meaning of the text (comprehension) rather than figuring out how to pronounce the words (decoding).  

• MAZE-This assessment is also given in the fall, winter, and spring for all students, but some may need to be assessed more frequently.  It is a quick comprehension check. Students are given 3 minutes to read a passage.  Every seventh word of the passage is replaced with a series of 3 choices.  The students must use the context of the passage to circle the word that logically makes the most sense. 

• OLSAT (Otis Lennon School Ability Test)-This assessment is given to students once a year to measure your child's ability level.  It measures your child's ability to think abstractly and reason.  It is timed (40 minutes), and is multiple choice.  

• OAA (Ohio Achievement Assessment)-This assessment used to be given to all children grades 3-8, but starting in 2014, it will be given only to 3rd grade students.  Students take it in the Fall and in the Spring.  Due to new Ohio Law, all 3rd graders must pass this assessment in order to move on to 4th grade.  For more information on this law, please visit the Ohio Department of Education Website.

• QRA (Quarterly Reading Assessment)-This is an internal reading assessment that was created by the teachers in your child's grade level.  It helps teachers understand where your child is showing mastery, and where your child may need reteaching or repetition.  This counts as one test grade in your child's overall average for the quarter.

• SMA (Semester Math Assessment)-This is an internal mathematics assessment given two times per year that was created by the teachers in your child's grade level.  It helps teachers understand where your child is showing mastery, and where your child may need reteaching or repetition.  This counts as one test grade in your child's overall average.

• PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers)-This organization has developed a set of assessments that measure whether students are on track to be successful in college and their careers.  These assessments will take place during two windows at the end of the school year.  They will be computer-based assessments in Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA).  They are brand new this year for our state. For more information, please visit the PARCC website.