Parent Communication of Student Learning
OVERVIEW
Communication between parents and teachers, and between home and school, is critical to student success. Parents are essential partners in their child’s learning journey, and regular communication between home and school helps to foster a strong sense of community and collaboration. This communication can take many forms, including parent-teacher conferences, progress reports, and regular updates on student progress. By involving parents in the educational process and keeping them informed about their child’s progress, teachers can help to create a supportive learning environment that meets the unique needs and strengths of each student. This collaborative approach is at the heart of progressive education, which recognizes that students thrive when there is a strong partnership between students, teachers, and parents.
BENCHMARK ASSESSMENT RESULTS
Benchmark assessments are valuable tools that provide a snapshot of student progress at a point in time. These assessments help teachers to identify areas where students are excelling and where they may need additional support. They also inform instructional decisions by providing data that can be used to tailor teaching to meet each student's unique needs and strengths.
The District currently uses the following platforms to gather student learning information: aimswebPlus, mCLASS, and NWEA MAP. The insert below depicts each grade level and which assessments are given.
Benchmark Assessments by grade:
Kindergarten- Grade 2
- aimswebPlus- Math
- mClass - Literacy
Grades 3-4
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aimswebPlus- Math
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mClass - Literacy
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NWEA MAP- Reading and Math
Grades 5-6
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aimswebPlus- Reading and Math
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NWEA MAP- Reading and Math
Grades 7-8
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NWEA MAP- Reading and Math
Benchmark Assessment Resources
Links to information for families provided by test platforms
State Assessments
IAR- Illinois Assessment of Readiness
ISA- Illinois Science Assessment
Accessing Benchmark Assessment Results
We are excited to introduce Otus: a comprehensive data tool, to streamline and enhance our ability to monitor student achievement and growth across various dimensions. Otus serves as a central platform where key educational data—including academic and social-emotional metrics—are securely stored and analyzed.
Starting in the 2024/25 school year, we are pleased to announce that parents will have access to Otus.com. This portal will allow you to directly engage with a broad spectrum of your child's educational data, including results from MAP, mCLASS Dibels, aimswebPlus, Illinois Assessment of Readiness, and the Illinois Science Assessment measures. By accessing Otus, you will be able to view data associated with your child’s performance and growth. We encourage parents to access this tool as a supplement to the valuable information your child’s teacher is able to provide based on their close work with them in the classroom.
Due to the data being available via the Otus online portal, the District will no longer be mailing home assessment reports following each benchmarking period during the 2024/25 school year.
Below are detailed instructions on how to create your account and link your student’s profile. This will enable you to navigate the platform independently and access vital information that can support your ongoing partnership with our educational team. We look forward to enhancing our communication and data transparency through the addition of Otus.
In order to access their student’s data, parents will need to:
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Create a profile in Otus. **Please note that your account will be blank until you associate it with your student(s).
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Associate student(s) using the unique code that will be emailed out to parents on October 9, 2024
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Parents are encouraged to attend the Winnetka Parent Institute on October 9, 9:30-10:30 a.m. over Zoom. This WPI will provide an overview of the platform, where to find assessment information, and how to read their student’s data.
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Additional parent resources can be found here.
Assessment Type: State
| Assessment | Purpose and Grades | Time Allocated |
|---|---|---|
|
ACCESS for English Learners (EL) |
Grades K-8 EL Content Areas: Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing |
January/February Listening: 40 minutes |
| Dynamic Learning Maps |
Grades 3-8 Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) assessments are for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities for whom general state assessments are not appropriate, even with accommodations. DLM assessments offer these students a way to show what they know and can do in English language arts, mathematics, and science. |
Administered in the spring |
| Illinois Physical Fitness Assessment- FitnessGram |
Grades 3-8 Assessment of aerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility |
160 minutes (four class periods) |
|
Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) |
Grades 3-8 ELA/Literacy and Mathematics The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) is the state assessment and accountability measure for Illinois students enrolled in a public school district. IAR assesses the New Illinois Learning Standards Incorporating the Common Core and will be administered in English language arts and mathematics to all students in grades 3-8. |
March/April 3 Math Subtests |
|
Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) |
Grades 5 & 8 Measure of the Illinois Learning Standards intended to support The Next Generation Science Standards |
March/April |
|
Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS) |
Kindergarten The Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS) is an observational tool designed to help teachers, administrators, families, and policymakers better understand the developmental readiness of children entering kindergarten.
|
Fall Observation and Evidence Collection: First 40 Days of Student Attendance Data Entry Windows: The data entry window for districts opens one week before the 40th day of attendance and will remain open until one week after the 40th day of attendance. |
PROGRESS REPORTS
Progress reports are intended to provide parents with a written update on student progress at a particular point in time. Each fall, teachers have the opportunity to adjust descriptors before the first progress report each year. Descriptors are aligned with end-of-year expectations that are aligned to standards.
Progress Reports for grades 1-8 will be available in PowerSchool as well as mailed home on the following dates:
Trimester 1
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PowerSchool SIS Portal opens on December 10th, 2024
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Kindergarten reports will be emailed home on December 10th, 2024
Trimester 2
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PowerSchool SIS Portal opens on March 19th, 2025
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Kindergarten reports will be emailed home on March 19th, 2025
Trimester 3
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PowerSchool SIS Portal opens on June 13th, 2025
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Kindergarten reports will be emailed home on June 13th, 2025
Please click this LINK for specific information on accessing your child’s progress report in PowerSchool.
Kindergarten parents will receive the mailing only.
Resources for Progress Reports
Sample progress reports (narrative not included)
Parent Overview Video: Progress Report Overview Gr. 1-4
Accessing Student Reports Via PowerSchool
In PowerSchool, you will be asked to submit a digital signature after viewing your child’s report. First, click on the current report to view it. Once that opens click “Submit Digital Signature” to confirm receipt of your child’s report. Starting in the 2024/25 school year, Progress Reports for students in grades 1-8 will be shared via PowerSchool only. Trimesterly Progress Reports for students in grades 1-8 will no longer be printed and mailed home. This will allow families to have access to information in a more timely manner. Families who prefer to have a printed copy may do so by clicking the “print” button included in the image below.
Please click this LINK for specific information on accessing your child’s progress report in PowerSchool.
Kindergarten parents will receive the report via email only.