Academy District 20 high schools administer a variety of district, state and national assessments each year. These assessments provide information about student learning, help teachers guide instruction, support college and career planning, and meet district and state requirements.
Assessment offerings and schedules vary by school and student grade level. Check your school’s communications for school-specific assessments, dates and instructions.
District Assessments
IXL LevelUp™ Diagnostic: Reading and Math Benchmark Assessments
Schools use district-required assessments to measure student progress in reading and math and help teachers identify areas for support or enrichment. District assessments are required and are not eligible for parental excusal.
9th and 10th grade students complete IXL assessments for reading and math in the fall and winter. Learn more about IXL assessments.
State Assessments
Colorado Academic Standards outline academic expectations for students across 10 content areas. State assessments measure student progress toward those standards and provide information to families, schools and districts.
Colorado’s high school assessment system includes the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) and College Board’s SAT Suite of Assessments, including the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10 and SAT. All 11th grade students are automatically enrolled to take the CMAS Science assessment in the spring.
State assessment results help families understand whether students are meeting state standards and how their performance compares with that of other students. Schools and districts also use assessment results, along with other information, to evaluate programs, improve instruction and identify areas where students may need additional support.
PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10
All 9th grade students are automatically enrolled to take the PSAT 8/9, and all students in grade 10 are automatically enrolled to take the PSAT 10.
The PSAT assesses many of the same skills measured by the SAT at an age-appropriate level. It can help students prepare for future College Board assessments and identify potential for success in advanced coursework.
PSAT/NMSQT
The PSAT/NMSQT, or Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, is offered to 11th grade students in the fall. It provides additional SAT practice and is used to determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
SAT
The SAT serves as Colorado’s 11th grade college entrance assessment and may also be used to help students demonstrate readiness for graduation. It is widely used as a college admissions assessment, and students may send their scores to up to four colleges at no cost at the time of testing. All 11th grade students are automatically registered to take the SAT in the spring.
Learn more on the SAT website.
WIDA ACCESS - English Language Proficiency Assessment
WIDA ACCESS measures English language proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking. It is administered annually to eligible multilingual learners to monitor progress and help schools make decisions about instructional supports and services. Learn more about WIDA ACCESS.
Excusal From State Assessments
Colorado law and Academy District 20 policy allow parents and guardians to excuse students from state assessments. Parents who wish to excuse a student from a state assessment must complete the Assessment Excusal Form. Excusal applies to state assessments, not required district assessments. Contact your school to receive the most current form.
Optional and Program Assessments
Advanced Placement Exams
Academy District 20 high schools offer robust Advanced Placement (AP) programs. Exams are offered through College Board and allow students enrolled in AP courses to demonstrate mastery of college-level content and potentially earn college credit.
Students should refer to their school’s Advanced Academics information, course guides and communications for current course offerings, exam registration and testing details.
ASVAB
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, is an aptitude assessment developed by the U.S. Department of Defense. It helps students explore careers, identify strengths and learn more about occupations that align with their skills and interests. The ASVAB may also be used as one pathway for meeting Colorado graduation requirements.
The assessment is available to 11th and 12th grade students at no cost. Consult your school for additional ASVAB registration and family resources. Learn more at the ASVAB Career Exploration Program website.
ACT WorkKeys
ACT WorkKeys measures career-related skills such as applied math, graphic literacy and workplace document reading. It may be used as one pathway for students to demonstrate readiness for graduation. Contact your school about fee requirements.
Graduation Requirements
Colorado requires students to demonstrate readiness in English and math before graduation. Students have multiple ways to meet these requirements, including qualifying scores or demonstrated proficiency through approved assessments and other pathways.
Commonly used options include the SAT, ASVAB and ACT WorkKeys. Additional options vary by school and student, including the Capstone Project.
For current requirements and approved pathways, visit the Colorado Department of Education Graduation Guidelines.