Delaware Student Testing ProgramReading, Writing, and

MathematicsGrades 2 & 3

By: Ralph Barrett & Sherri Brooks

What is the purpose of the DSTP?

•To serve as a measure of progress toward the Delaware Content Standards

•To ensure students apply their academic skills to realistic, everyday problems

•To promote better instruction and curriculum by providing timely reports of students’ strengths and weaknesses

•To serve as a primary indicator in the statewide accountability system.

How does the DSTP relate to the Delaware Content Standards?

•The DSTP is designed to measure how well students are learning the material identified by the Delaware Content Standards.

•Each question on the DSTP is designed to assess part of one of the Delaware Content Standards

•The Delaware Content Standards identify the content expectations for students at the end of specific grade clusters.

•These content expectations explain what students should know and be able to do in each content area.

Other DSTP Information•Given every year to all students in grades 2 –10

•The Reading, Writing, and Mathematics Portion are given in March (usually 2 weeks before break)

•Students are tested 2 days in Math, 2 days in reading, and 2 days in Writing with one day break in between subjects

•Science and Social Studies are give in grades 4 and 6 in the fall

•Grade 2 does not have a stand-alone writing prompt

•All students in the Delaware Public School system must take the DSTP

•Scores on the DSTP serve as a school’s “report card” and are made public

Raw Scores vs. Scale Scores

Raw Scores• Sum of the score

points earned by a student

• The raw score ranges from 1- 80, depending on the test

Scale Scores• Make it possible to

compare test scores from year to year

• Reading and Math Scale scores range from 150 – 800.

22ndnd Grade Grade

Types of Questions & Point Value

Reading Mathematics

Multiple Choice (1 point each)

30 Points

(30 questions)

50 Points

(50 questions)

Short Answer ( 2 points each)

6 Points

(3 Questions)

16 Points

(8 questions)

Extended Response(4 points each)

8 points

(2 Questions)

*Not on 2nd and 3rd Grade mathematics

Total Points 44 Points 66 points

Grade 2 Performance Levels

Category Reading Mathematics

Exceeds the standard Above 418 Above 403

Meets the standard 361 – 418 351 – 403

Below the standard Below 361 Below 351

33rdrd Grade Grade

Types of Questions & Point Value

Reading Mathematics

Multiple Choice (1 point each)

55 Points

(55 questions)

50 Points

(50 Questions)

Short Answer ( 2 points each)

16 Points

( 8 Questions)

16 Points

(8 questions)

Extended Response(4 points each)

16 points

(4 Questions)

Not on 2nd and 3rd Grade mathematics

Total Points 87 Points 66 points

3rd Grade Writing

Type of Prompt Writing

(Point Value)

Stand-Alone Writing Prompt

10

Text-Based Writing Prompt

5

Total Points 15 Points

Grade 3 Performance Levels

Level Category Reading Writing Math

5 Distinguished Above 481 12 – 15 Above 498

4 Exceeds the standard 466 – 481 10 – 11 461 – 498

3 Meets the standard 415 – 465 7 – 9 407 – 460

2 Below the standard 387 – 414 4 – 6 381 – 406

1 Well Below the standard Below 387 1 – 3 Below 381

Sample Mathematics Short Answer – Grade 3

Chris bought the following items at the store.

• 3 oranges

• 1 box of cookies

• 1 loaf of bread

• 1 carton of juice

How much did the items cost in all?

Rubric for Math Problem

Scoring Rubric:

2 $7.74

1 $6.74 (calculated cost for a quantity of one rather than three oranges).

0 Any other answer.

How is the DSTP scored?

• Multiple choice items are scored by a machine.• Written responses are scored by human-scorers who

are hired by the testing contractor. • Scorers must be qualified and go through a 2-day

reader training. • Scorers learn how to use a rubric and review “anchor”

papers. • Anchor papers are actual examples of Delaware

Students’ work that were chosen as good examples for each score point.

• “Quality Checks” are in place to make sure that scoring is done reliably.

Test Results• Test scores take several weeks to be reported to

schools

• Test results are used to determine which students need an Individual Improvement Plan (IIP)

• The IIP might include tutoring or extra classes

• Test results are also used to determine which students must go to summer school or be retained.

• Test results help evaluate a school’s curriculum.

• If students DSTP scores require summer school or retention, the school can review “other indicators” to see if a student demonstrates proficiency.

• Other indicators include district tests, classroom projects, or end-of-course tests.

How Well did we do???Under Delaware’s accountability system, schools are classified in one of these categories:

Superior means that the school or district has met AYP

Commendable means that AYP has been met

Academic Review means AYP is not met for one year while the school district is “under improvement”

Academic Progress means AYP is met for one year while the school or district is “under improvement”

Academic Watch means AYP is not met for two or more years. The school/district remains “under improvement”