Grades

3-8, 10 and 11

Subjects Assessed

Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies and Writing

Purpose

• These assessments are Kentucky’s measure of student proficiency and progress on the state content standards. These standards establish goals for what all students should know and be able to do in each grade. 

• KSA are online assessments with only a small percentage of accommodated students taking it on paper. 

• It goes beyond multiple-choice questions to include extended response and technology-enhanced items for students to demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Testing Window

• The amount of time that a student spends on each assessment can vary based on accommodations and grade level.  

• Students can spend between 260-515 minutes without any accommodations.    

• The KSA is required to be administered during the last 14 instructional days of the districts calendar. 

• The AKSA times vary based on student needs 

• The AKSA is administered during two state provided testing windows. Window 1 opens in late fall and Window 2 opens in spring. 

Reporting

Parents typically receive students’ scores by late fall through the mail and in their Infinite Campus Parent Portal accounts.  

Source of the requirement

704 KAR 5:070​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Kentucky students take the Kentucky Summative Assessments (KSA) or the Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment (AKSA) to meet federal and state testing requirements.

Grades

11 

Subjects Assessed

English, Math, Reading and Science

Purpose

• To measure students' level of readiness for college in core academic content areas. Meeting benchmarks on the ACT is one-way students may demonstrate academic readiness in the Postsecondary Readiness indicator of the state's accountability system for schools. 

Testing Window

• Timed test that allows for 175 minutes for a standard time student without approved extended time accommodations.

• The ACT junior spring administration is an online-based examination. Paper testing will only be available for accommodations with no online equivalent, including Non-College Reportable (NCR) accommodations.

• There are district and State testing windows throughout the year.

• More information can be found on the Kentucky ACT website.

Reporting

College reportable scores are available online three to eight weeks after the test date.

Source of the requirement

Senate Bill 59

Grades

K-12

Subjects Assessed

Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing for students identified as English Language Learners (ELLs)

Purpose

• To meet Title III requirements, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), states are mandated to identify and annually administer a standards-based English language proficiency test to all English Language Learners (ELLs) in grades K-12. 

• In order to comply with the requirement of an annual English Language Proficiency Assessment for ELLs, Kentucky joined the World-class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Consortium in 2006.

• The WIDA Consortium’s goal is to provide research based assessments, standards and professional development to its member states.

Testing Window

• Not a timed test so the amount of time varies to complete the assessment.  

• It can take from 60-120 minutes on average to complete all four domains depending on the students age and English proficiency level. 

• The assessment window is created by the Kentucky Department of Education and it typically occurs January and runs for approximately six weeks. 

Reporting

Parents typically receive students’ scores by July through the mail and in their Infinite Campus Parent Portal accounts.  

Source of the requirement

704 KAR 5:070​

ACCESS for ELLs meets U.S. federal requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for monitoring and reporting ELLs’ progress toward English language proficiency

Grades

Kindergarten

Subjects Assessed

Academic/Cognitive, Language, Development, Physical Development, Self-Help and Social-Emotional Development

Purpose

• Provides a quick and accurate assessment of a child's development. 

• Data will help ensure that all children receive instruction to meet individual needs. 

• Results should not be used in isolation, but as an important step in an ongoing formative assessment process.

Testing Window

• No more than 15 calendar days prior to school starting and no later than the 30th instructional day of the school year.  

• Screening can be done quickly, usually between 10-15 minutes

Reporting

Parents typically receive students’ scores by February

Source of the requirement

704 KAR 5:070