Enhancing Literacy and Numeracy

As part of Elk Island Public Schools’ (EIPS) ongoing efforts to enhance the literacy and numeracy of students in all grade levels, the Division is once again planning to administer two assessment tools during the 2017-18 school year—STAR 360 and Math Intervention/Programming Instrument (MIPI). The tools focus on literacy and numeracy, are digitally based and offer an opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning. The goal: to provide timely information to teachers, help enhance classroom instruction and ensure student learning needs are identified.

In September and May, EIPS students in grades 2 through 12 will complete the STAR 360 assessment, which evaluates reading comprehension. Grade 1 students will take the STAR 360 exam in October. The assessment takes approximately 20 minutes and can be taken on any digital device. Also in September, students in grades 2 through 10 will complete the MIPI assessment, which is a mathematic screening tool used to inform teachers about a student’s math skills. For students in grades 7 through 10, the MIPI takes approximately 50 minutes and for students in grades 2 through 6 it takes approximately 20 minutes. The results of each offers the teacher a clearer picture about a student’s learning needs and helps determine if subsequent instructional planning is required.

The scores of the assessments are not used towards a student’s grade and there is no need to study ahead of time. They simply provide the teacher with information to better understand where each student is in terms of reading comprehension and mathematic ability. If, after analyzing the results, it’s determined a student can benefit from extra support, the teacher will contact the family to discuss possible support strategies.

For more information about the Division’s STAR 360 and MIPI assessment tools, contact Deb Barron, the director of Learning Supports, at 780-464-3477.