• During the elementary school years, our focus in AACPS is on monitoring student progress in reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. Teachers use data from the classroom, district, and other assessments to make decisions about how to individualize instruction for each student.

Assessments in Elementary School

  • Kindergarten and Grade 1 Assessments

    All AACPS Kindergarten students will participate in the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA).  To learn more about the Maryland KRA assessment, please click HERE

    Kindergarten and Grade 1 students will also participate in the i-Ready Diagnostic in Mathematics twice a year.  To learn more about i-Ready Diagnostics, please click HERE

    Additionally, during the 9 months of school, students in Kindergarten and Grade 1 will spend approximately 1 hour participating in the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System.  During each administration, each student will spend approximately 30 minutes reading one-on-one with his/her teacher in order for the teacher to closely monitor student's progress in reading. To learn more about individual Fountas & Pinnell levels, please click HERE.


    Grade 2 Assessments

    All AACPS Grade 2 students will participate in our AACPS district-required assessments in reading and mathematics as well as assessments used to identify students as gifted and talented.  To learn more about how AACPS identifies students as gifted and talented, please click HERE.

    Grade 2 students will also participate in the i-Ready Diagnostic in Mathematics twice a year.  To learn more about i-Ready Diagnostics, please click HERE

    Additionally, during the 9 months of school, students in Grade 2 will spend approximately 1 hour participating in the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System.  During each administration, each student will spend approximately 30 minutes reading one-on-one with his/her teacher in order for the teacher to closely monitor the student's progress in reading. To learn more about individual Fountas & Pinnell levels, please click HERE.


    Grade 3 - 5 Assessments

    All AACPS Grade 3 - 5 students will participate in our AACPS district-required assessments in reading and mathematics as well as assessments.  Each assessment is designed to last between 45 to 60 minutes.  Teachers may use the results of these assessments to help determine student progress in the course; however, teacher assessments and classwork will determine at least 95% of a student's overall grade in each subject. 

    Grade 3 - 5 students will also participate in the i-Ready Diagnostic in Mathematics and Reading twice a year.  To learn more about i-Ready Diagnostics, please click HERE

    Students in Grades 3 - 5 will participate in our Maryland State MCAP assessments in literacy and mathematics.  In grade 5, students will also take a Science MCAP assessment.  To learn more about the Maryland State MCAP Assessments, please click HERE.

    Additionally, during the 9 months of school, students in Grades 3 - 5 will spend approximately 1 hour participating in the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System.  During each administration, each student will spend approximately 30 minutes reading one-on-one with his/her teacher in order for the teacher to closely monitor the student's progress in reading. To learn more about individual Fountas & Pinnell levels, please click HERE.


    Assessment Schedule Grades PK - 5 for AACPS District Created/Selected Assessments 

    To see the Grades 3 - 5 AACPS Assessment Plan, click HERE.   Please note that a district calendar provides a window of dates for teachers to administer the assessments.  Each school/teacher selects dates within the windows.  For specific test dates, please contact your child's school directly. 

Testing Accomodations

  • Depending upon the student's plan (IEP, 504, EL), the appropriate accommodations found in Section 5 of the Maryland Accommodations Manual and accommodations found in the MCAP Accommodations Manual are made available to each student when appropriate for assessments.