Assessment Director
Dick Meyer
308-698-8010
dick.meyer@kearneypublic.org

Assessment

Student performance is measured and assessed in a variety of ways in the Kearney Public Schools. Formal and informal assessments are given throughout the school year. Formal assessments include nationally normed standardized tests and criterion referenced assessments developed at the district level. Teacher made tests, teacher observations, student products and project are examples of informal assessments.

Kearney Public Schools has a long history of using standardized assessments to evaluate individual and group performance using national norms. These assessments provide comparisons of our students to a national sample. In addition to individual profiles, these assessments provide the Kearney Public Schools with information that is useful to evaluate and improve district curriculum. The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) is administered to students in grades 3,4,5,6, and 8. The PLAN test is administered to all students in grade 10. The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is an optional assessment for students in grade 11. The American College Test (ACT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) are optional assessments for students in grades 11 and 12.

Criterion Referenced Assessments in mathematics and language arts have been developed for all grades during the past five years. These assessments are aligned directly to district curriculum standards and to the State of Nebraska�s learning standards as specified in the LEARNS document. Criterion Referenced Assessments provide students and teachers with specific and frequent feedback about student learning accomplishments. The development of the KPS standards and assessment plan has evolved from past School Improvement efforts and will continue to grow to better support student learning.

Curriculum

Standards-based instruction
The district curriculum is guided by academic standards and benchmarks that describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Instruction is linked to the standards and benchmark assessment is implemented at all grade levels. The district is implementing standards-based curriculum on the timeline established by the Nebraska standards requirements.

Elementary Program
(Bryant, Central, Emerson, Glenwood, Kenwood, Meadowlark, Northeast, Park, Pleasant Hill, Riverdale, Stone, Windy Hills)
Students develop skills in the core areas of reading, writing, math, science, and social sciences. Art instruction supports all areas of the curriculum. Music and Physical Education are provided K-5. High Ability Learner and special education programs are available at all buildings. In addition to the core areas of instruction, computer instruction is integrated with the curriculum, which creates a strong technology-oriented learning environment.

Middle School Program
(Horizon Middle School and Sunrise Middle School)
The middle program provides a team concept to serve students in a smaller learning community. Besides the core areas, students begin to explore areas of modern language, vocational areas of business, industrial technology, and family consumer science. Teachers focus on an interdisciplinary approach to core areas and infuse technology into instructional units. Students build social skills and relationships through a class called �Quality Time.� Reading instruction is provided through grouping students by instructional needs. Boys Town Reading serves students who need more structured reading intervention. Students participate in an �Explore� period that provides multiple topics and experiences to stimulate career and life-long interests. High ability classes and special education programs are available at both buildings. Horizon houses the English Language Learner Program.

High School Block Scheduling
(Kearney High School)
KHS offers a block schedule approach for classes. Blocks of instruction are scheduled longer so that students may become more fully engaged in the curricula, and have time to interact with teachers and other students. Shorter classes called �skinnies� are also provided which enable students to participate in specialized music classes. Special reading courses are available to students in need of foundational reading skills. Special education programs serve students with unique learning needs. KHS offers more core and elective classes than required by the Nebraska Department of Education, giving students multiple choices of study. Five levels of Spanish and French are offered. Computer instruction and Cisco Networking provide technology opportunities. High ability learners participate in honors courses and Advanced Placement Classes. Programs are available for English Language Learners and for students needing an alternative education approach either within Kearny High or at an off-campus site. A Career Center helps students explore potential career interests.

Instructional Approaches
Teachers use a variety of strategies for instructional goals including: