CTB/McGRAW-HILL TO SUPPORT INDIANA STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS WITH STATEWIDE FORMATIVE AND BENCHMARK ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
Acuity Suite of Assessments Selected to Enhance Students’ Learning and Success
Monterey, Calif. – December 7, 2007 – CTB/McGraw-Hill,
a national leader in PreK-12 and adult education assessment solutions,
was selected by Indiana to provide a comprehensive formative and benchmark
assessment system that will enhance classroom instruction and track student
progress toward state standards in Grades 3-8. This formative, diagnostic
and predictive program places Indiana at the forefront of a national model
for assessment – one that enables technology-enhanced, data-driven decision
making so educators can clearly understand where students stand today and
forecast their expected future performance.
In Fall 2008, Indiana educators will begin using the Acuity™ suite of breakthrough
formative assessments to gain significant insight into students’ progress toward meeting
Indiana’s Academic Standards. Under the two-year agreement with renewal options, Acuity
will be available for voluntary use by Indiana districts to support student mastery of
English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.
Students in Grades 3-8 will be eligible for the program, which can be administered
either online or via paper and pencil. CTB/McGraw-Hill was also awarded the contract to
provide the Indiana ISTEP+ statewide summative assessment program for Grades 3-8.
“The Acuity formative assessments will enable Indiana educators to gain a clear and
precise picture of students’ strengths and learning needs aligned directly to the
Indiana Academic Standards,” said Ellen Haley, president of CTB/McGraw-Hill. “By offering
both summative and formative assessments, Indiana is assisting students and their parents
with a dynamic system that will provide year-round, consistent and continuous feedback to
help students reach their learning goals.”
Acuity’s assessments are aligned to grade-level standards and are able to measure student
growth within and across academic years. The predictive exams forecast expected student performance
on state tests and diagnostic exams guide tailored interventions to help individuals and groups of
students move forward on recently taught curriculum. Acuity’s detailed reports provide diagnostic
information to inform instruction in a clear, easy-to-understand format, and can be viewed at the
student, class, school, and district level.
About Acuity
Acuity was developed in consultation with administrators, principals, teachers, and students.
Acuity is a suite of diagnostic and predictive benchmark assessments designed to show student
growth toward state standards and performance indicators in English/Language Arts and Mathematics
for Grades 3-8, Algebra for Grades 6-12 and Science and Social Studies. Acuity features online and
paper-and-pencil administration options to match the level of technology available in schools. Acuity
reports provide useful and detailed data aligned to state standards and indicators that teachers can use
to inform instruction and support student achievement. Online item banks aligned to state standards and
indicators enable custom, teacher-created assessments to help students remain current on classroom
instruction.
For more information, call (800) 538-9547 or visit AcuityForSchool.com.
About CTB/McGraw-Hill
As the nation's leading publisher of standardized and standards-based achievement tests for pre-school,
elementary, middle, high school, and adult education, CTB/McGraw-Hill LLC offers a broad range of
assessments, software and services. CTB/McGraw-Hill LLC is part of the Assessment and Reporting
group of McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP). McGraw-Hill
Education is a leading global provider of instructional, assessment and reference solutions that
empower professionals and students of all ages. Additional information is available at www.ctb.com.
Media Inquiries
Kelley Carpenter
Director, Communications
(831) 393-7196
kelley_carpenter@mcgraw-hill.com |
