Utah's educational landscape utilizes a complex network of literacy and competency assessments, ranging from localized classroom benchmarks to national standardized testing, to measure student proficiency. These varying metrics—including the state-mandated Acadience Reading assessments and the National Assessment of Educational Progress—offer different perspectives on student achievement, from individual skill identification to broad national comparisons.
Statewide Benchmark Assessments
The Utah State Board of Education oversees a multi-tiered approach to literacy, utilizing specific benchmarks to track student progress in early childhood. Under Utah Administrative Rule R277-406, the Acadience Reading assessment is designated as the benchmark reading assessment for the state. This assessment is administered three times each year to students in kindergarten through grade 3 to provide teachers with actionable data for planning instruction and evaluating the effectiveness of teaching methods.
Measuring Mathematical and Literacy Skills
These benchmark assessments are designed to provide data regarding a student's preparation for success on end-of-year criterion-referenced tests. By identifying specific strengths and weaknesses, the assessments allow educators to evaluate whether instruction is meeting student needs. Beyond reading, the state also utilizes Acadience Math for grades K-6 to track components of early mathematics, such as conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, strategic and adaptive mathematical thinking, and productive disposition.
Legal Mandates for Reporting
State law, specifically Utah Code Section 53E-4-307, mandates that school districts and charter schools administer these benchmark assessments to students in kindergarten and grades 1, 2, and 3 at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. The law requires that results from these assessments be reported to the student's parent. Furthermore, the state board is tasked with contracting with educational technology providers to manage these benchmark assessment systems for students in kindergarten through grade 6.
Identifying Dyslexia
The legislative framework also places a heavy emphasis on identifying learning disorders such as dyslexia. According to Utah Code, dyslexia is a neurological learning disorder characterized by difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition, as well as poor spelling and decoding abilities. The law specifies that a dyslexia assessment must be conducted by a qualified professional—an individual with specialized training and a license under Title 58—to provide a formal diagnosis.
Intervention and Protections
To support students identified as lagging in reading skills, the law requires school districts to provide specific, focused, and individualized intervention or tutoring. This may include the creation of an individual reading plan. Additionally, schools are required to inform parents of activities they can engage in with the student to improve proficiency, as well as provide information regarding external interventions like tutoring or summer school programs. The law also protects educational professionals, stating they cannot be disciplined or retaliated against solely for recommending a student for dyslexia screening.
National vs. State Metrics
While Acadience serves as a localized tool for classroom instruction, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) provides a different scale of measurement. Known as "the Nation's Report Card," the NAEP is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students across America know and can do in various subjects. In Utah, NAEP data is used to provide snapshots of reading and mathematics proficiency for specific grade levels, such as 4th and 8th grades, allowing for a comparison of Utah's students against national standards.
Summative RISE Testing Overview
In addition to these early-grade benchmarks, the state utilizes the Readiness Improvement Success Empowerment (RISE) assessment system. RISE is a computer-adaptive criterion-referenced assessment that includes summative tests for English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and Writing. Unlike the frequent benchmarking used in early grades, RISE is delivered to students in grades 3-10 for ELA, grades 3-8 for Mathematics, grades 4-8 for Science, and grades 5 and 8 for Writing.
