Implementation Guidance
CenterPoint’s EL Curriculum-Aligned Interim Assessments have been designed to maximize instructional time and minimize testing time. After administering an assessment, educators will receive immediate feedback from the Reading items and will have the opportunity to hand score the constructed-response item to ensure consistent alignment to scoring rubrics. This information can then be analyzed to inform instructional decisions.
Alignment to the EL Curriculum Scope and Sequence
Grades K-2
- Four Interim Assessment forms: 1, 2, 3, 4 — each with three parts:
- Foundational Skills
- Reading and Listening
- Writing and Speaking
- The assessments are designed to include audio. Students listen to passages and have access to audio for questions in the Reading and Listening portion of the assessment. For the Writing and Speaking portion, students write what they can and then record their verbal responses to questions.
- Passages in the Reading and Listening section align with topics in the EL Curriculum.
- Districts and schools may choose to provide more direct one-on-one support with the first interim, especially in kindergarten, as students will be new to testing.
- Additional support may be provided with Forms 2, 3, and 4 through administration in small groups, with a teacher or facilitator available to provide support as needed.
Grades 3-8
- Three Interim Assessment forms: A, B, C
- Three versions of each form:
- Form A, B, or C.1 — 16 Reading items
- Form A, B, or C.2 — 16 Reading items plus one Constructed Response Writing item
- Form A, B, or C.3 — 16 Reading items plus an Alternate Constructed Response Writing item
- Each form includes four passages:
- Two passages aligned to the topics in the EL Curriculum
- Two passages aligned to other engaging topics
- Students in grades 3-8 typically test in larger group settings since they have greater familiarity with use of online test administrations.
Scheduling Testing Windows
To begin, review your local instructional calendar. Consider first and last instructional days, time spent on curriculum units, school holidays, other assessment windows, and the time teachers need to analyze the data and plan for instruction. The Reading portion of each assessment is designed to be completed in one class period and should take between 45 minutes and one hour. The Writing portion should take an additional 45 minutes to one hour to complete. Please note that the K-2 interims have three parts: 1) Reading Foundational Skills, 2) Reading/Listening Comprehension, and 3) Writing/Speaking. Districts and schools have the option to administer parts separately or in one time period.
EXAMPLE Testing Window for Grades 3-8
