Assessments

Legislation requiring dyslexia screening was most recently amended by HB 33 in 2023. During the 2023-2024 school year, every student in kindergarten through grade 3 is required to be screened. Students in grades 4-6 will be screened upon parent request or by teacher recommendation with parent permission. After the initial year of screening, kindergarten students will continue to be screened annually. Students in grades 1-6 will be screened upon parent request or teacher recommendation with parent permission.  

If the screener identifies a student as being at risk for dyslexia, the parents will be informed and the student’s progress will be monitored. Schools will share information with parents about further screening or intervention as needed.  

This legislation requires that students be assessed to determine whether they are on track to read at a third grade level by the end of third grade. Students in kindergarten as well as grades 1-3 are assessed using NWEA-MAP. Third grade students also participate in Ohio’s State Test in English language arts.  

If a student is not on track, the school will contact the family and a Reading Improvement Plan will be created and implemented. A parent roadmap about the guarantee is available here. Please note that in 2023, HB 33 amended the guarantee. Most notably, a student’s parent, in consultation with the student’s reading teacher and principal, may request that a student be promoted to fourth grade regardless of the student’s score on Ohio’s State Test for grade 3 English language arts. This update is not reflected in the roadmap.  

Courses and assessments are aligned with Ohio’s Learning Standards. Students are required to participate in the assessments for the courses the students are enrolled in.

• English Language Arts: Grade 3-8, end-of-course exam for 10 Language and Literature

• Mathematics: Grades 3-8, end-of-course exams for Algebra I and Geometry

• Science: Grades 5 and 8, end-of-course exam for Biology

• Social Studies: End-of-course exams in American History and American Government

Note: Students who have completed courses in Algebra I and/or grade 10 English language arts prior to enrolling in Shaker Heights Schools must demonstrate competency on these exams if they have not already done so. As a result, students may be taking these assessments when they are not enrolled in the corresponding courses.

State Assessment - ACT

Schools in Ohio are required to administer a college and career readiness assessment to students in grade 11. This assessment is state funded so there is no charge to families and registration is not necessary. For this purpose, Shaker Heights Schools has chosen the ACT which is typically administered on a school day at the end of February or the beginning of March.  

School Day SAT

As an alternative for students who may have conflicts on the weekend, the SAT is offered on two school days during the year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Registration with the school district and payment are required.  

National ACT and SAT

The national ACT and SAT are administered on several Saturdays during the school year. Registration and payment are made directly with the vendor.   

ACT and SAT Scores for College Admissions and Scholarship Opportunities

Traditionally, colleges and universities have used ACT and/or SAT scores in the admissions process and in scholarship decisions. Since the Covid19 pandemic, some colleges and universities as well as some scholarship programs have adopted a test optional policy. Please consult the schools’ or scholarship programs’ websites for up-to-date information.