New writing assessment set for February

As announced previously, South Dakota will have a new statewide writing assessment beginning this school year. The testing window is Feb. 25-29, 2008. Along with the new assessment, the Department of Education will host follow-up workshops designed to help K-12 educators use the test results to target specific student needs.

All public school students in grades 5, 7 and 10 are required to take the writing assessment. The 50-minute test will feature two prompts, from which students will choose. The assessment is scored by trained evaluators, using a four-point, six-trait analytic writing rubric.

Approximately eight weeks after completion of the testing window, schools can expect to receive their scores via an electronic format. Results also will be placed on a secure Web site.