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Assessment Announcements

Assessment Calendar

Full List:

  • ACT WorkKeys (not the standard ACT)

  • Advanced Placement (AP Exams)

  • AAPPL (World Language)

  • ASVAB

  • CMAS Science

  • IXL

  • NWEA MAP Growth Reading and Math

  • PSAT 8/9 for Freshmen

  • PSAT 10 for Sophomores

  • PSAT/NMSQT for Juniors (in the fall)

  • SAT for Juniors (in the spring)

  • WIDA Access

ACT WorkKeys

ACT WorkKeys is offered during first semester as one option for meeting the Colorado state requirements for graduation. Seniors must demonstrate a minimum proficiency in reading and math skills. This requirement can also be met in various other ways, including SAT scores, ASVAB scores, and AP Exam scores. More information on meeting the proficiency requirement for graduation.

AP Testing

Advanced Placement (AP) exams are offered through College Board and give students in AP classes the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge in order to earn college credit while still in high school.

AAPPL

The AAPPL test is an assessment of performance toward proficiency in languages offered through ACTFL. It is an assessment of standards-based language learning across the three modes of communication (Interpersonal, Presentational, and Interpretive) as defined by the National Standards for Foreign Language. Typically, the AAPPL test is given twice a year: in the fall to new upperclassmen and freshmen who were in immersion programs in middle school; and in the spring to all students in Spanish, French, and German classes. The AAPPL test is one way that students can earn the Seal of Bi-Literacy for their diploma.

ASVAB

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is an aptitude test developed by the Department of Defense. The ASVAB CEP is designed to help Juniors and Seniors: learn more about themselves and the world of work; explore occupations in line with their interests and skills; discover ways to enter the career fields they are best suited for; develop an effective strategy to achieve their career goals; and meet graduation requirements (A score of 31 or higher meets the Graduation Requirement for the state of Colorado.)

Useful Links for the ASVAB

ASVAB Schedule for Current Pine Creek Students 2024-2025

  • September 4, 2024

  • October 30, 2024

  • If you have registered for the ASVAB, please check your @MSA school email account a couple days before the exam for details regarding testing dates/times, acceptable calculators, transportation, lunch, and writing utensils.

CMAS Science

CMAS stands for Colorado Measures of Academic Success. Pine Creek students in Grade 11 are automatically enrolled to take the high school CMAS Science assessment. Parent Excusal form

Role of State Assessments

Colorado has a series of educational standards known as the Colorado Academic Standards that outline academic objectives for students in every grade across 10 content areas. 

The standards are designed to ensure students are prepared to succeed in their path of choice upon high school graduation.

Colorado has implemented a set of common assessments known as the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) and PSAT/SAT. Academy District 20 publishes the assessment calendar each fall based on the CDE guidelines.

Purpose of State Assessments

CMAS and PSAT/SAT are the only common measuring tools for Colorado students. Measuring real-world skills like problem-solving and critical thinking, the tests are aligned to classroom work so teachers do not have to "teach to the test." Instruction based on the standards is the best preparation.

While state assessments are only one measure of student learning, having all Colorado students take this set of assessments provides parents with answers to these questions:

  • Did my child meet the state standards on CMAS?

  • How well is my child doing compared to other students?

  • Which schools and districts perform best in preparing students for academic success?

 Additionally, state assessment results provide:

  • Data and information districts can use, in combination with other district information, to evaluate programs.

  • Data and information educators need to help improve instruction.

  • Data and information regarding districts and schools that have struggling students, so help can be provided.

  • Recognition from the state regarding high performing systems so others may learn from them.

Parent Excusal

State law allows parents to excuse their children from taking state assessments. Please complete this form if you wish to excuse your Pine Creek student from a state assessment. (Grades 9-11) 

CMAS Schedule for Current Pine Creek Students

If you are a current Pine Creek student, please check your @MSA or @student school email account and/or your Class of Schoology course for details regarding testing dates/times, acceptable calculators, transportation, lunch, and writing utensils.

IXL

IXL is a personalized learning platform offering comprehensive standards-aligned content for math and English; teachers can use it for progress monitoring and students can use it for practice and tutorials to acceleerate their academic achievement and growth. Typically, math and English teachers assign skills to students to practice within the platform.

NWEA MAP Growth: Math and Reading

PSAT 9 and 10

All freshmen enrolled at Pine Creek are automatically enrolled to take the PSAT 9. All sophomores at Pine Creek are automatically enrolled to take the PSAT 10.

About the PSAT

The PSAT tests the same skills and knowledge as the SAT in a way that is appropriate for 9th and 10th-graders.

Building upon the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) tests in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, the PSAT also aligns with Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) and with the SAT that students will take in 11th grade.

 In addition to helping students practice for the SAT, the PSAT it can identify student’s potential for success in advanced course work.

PSAT Schedule for Current Pine Creek Students

If you are a current Pine Creek student, please check your @MSA or @student school email account and/or your Class of Schoology course for details regarding testing dates/times, acceptable calculators, transportation, lunch, and writing utensils.

Parent Excusal

State law allows parents to excuse their children from taking state assessments. Please complete this form if you wish to excuse your Pine Creek student from a state assessment. (Grades 9-11) 

PSAT/NMSQT

The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a standardized test administered by the College Board and cosponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. It is typically taken by Juniors in October here at PCHS, and is used to determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Program, as well as to practice for the SAT Juniors will take in April. Learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT given at PCHS.

SAT

Juniors enrolled at Pine Creek are automatically registered to take the SAT in the spring of their junior year.

In addition to requiring that students earn 50 credits in order to graduate, the state of Colorado also requires that students demonstrate proficiency in English and Math. One of the ways students can demonstrate proficiency is by earning a minimum SAT score of 470 in English and 500 in math.

The SAT also serves as an admission test and is accepted by every college in the United States. At the time of testing, students can send their scores to up to four colleges for free.

SAT Schedule for Current Pine Creek Students

If you are a current Pine Creek student, please check your @MSA or @student school email account and/or your Class of Schoology course for details regarding testing dates/times, acceptable calculators, transportation, lunch, and writing utensils.

Parent Excusal

State law allows parents to excuse their children from taking state assessments. Please complete this form if you wish to excuse your Pine Creek student from a state assessment. (Grades 9-11)