Assessment Requirement FAQs

At OpenEd, in partnership with our school partners, state assessments are required. We are committed to making the testing experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for both students and families. Below you'll find answers to common questions about what to expect, when, and how to prepare.

Assessment Requirements Overview

Q: What assessments are required for students?

A: Students are required to participate in state-mandated assessments as part of their educational program. The specific assessments vary by state and grade level.

Q: Are there any additional assessments required beyond state tests?

A: This varies by state. Some states require only the state-mandated tests, while others may include additional district-level assessments for monitoring student progress.

Q: What are the student performance expectations?

A: Assessment results are used to identify areas where students may need additional support and to monitor academic progress. Performance expectations and consequences vary by state.

Assessment Scheduling and Results

Q: How do I schedule an assessment for my student?

A: Our team will reach out to you to help you find a time that works for each assessment your student is required to take. After you've scheduled a time slot, we'll add that information to the OpenEd platform.

Q: How can I view my student's assessment schedule and results?

A: To view your student's assessment information in our platform, click on the Assessments menu option from the lefthand sidebar. On that page, you'll see a tile of information for each assessment that your student needs to take. Click on a tile to see an expanded view of that information. When results are available, our team will upload them to this same page.

Q: Can I opt my student out of state testing?

A: Assessment is important for our partner districts, and our expectation is that students participate. That said, OpenEd fully supports parent rights regarding assessments and would not deny parents rights to opt out of testing.

State-Specific Information

Indiana

IREAD assessment required for 2nd graders annually
ILEARN required for grades 3-8 annually with checkpoints 3 times per year
WIDA required once for English language learners
Specific IREAD progression policy from 2nd to 4th grade
Summer reading program for students who don't pass IREAD
Only state-required tests, no additional district assessments

Indiana-Specific Assessment Requirements:

IREAD for 2nd graders (annually)
ILEARN for students in grades 3–8 (annually)
- ILEARN Checkpoints are also required 3 times annually
WIDA for English language learners (once)

For more details, visit the IDOE Assessment Page.

IREAD Specific Information:

All Indiana 2nd graders will take the IREAD test in the spring. If your child doesn't pass in 2nd grade, it won't affect their move to 3rd grade. The test gives an early look at reading progress. Students who need extra help will be invited to a summer reading program after 2nd grade. If a student still needs more time to build proficiency after multiple attempts, additional support will be provided before they move on to 4th grade.

Kansas

Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) for grades 3-8 in ELA and Math
Science assessments in grades 5 and 8
Social Studies (HGSS) classroom-based assessments in grades 4 and 7
FastBridge assessments for all K-8 students three times per year
Virtual proctoring available for most assessments

Kansas-Specific Assessment Requirements:

Students in grades 3–8 take the Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) each year in English Language Arts and Math. Science assessments are also given in grades 5 and 8.

Social Studies (HGSS) assessments are classroom-based and administered by teachers in grades 4 and 7.

Additional Kansas Requirements:

All students in grades K–8 take FastBridge assessments in reading and math three times per year (fall, winter, spring) to monitor growth and identify areas where extra support may be needed.

Virtual Proctoring:

Yes! Most assessments can be proctored virtually. Visit the Kansas Assessment Program page for more information.

Arkansas

Grade-specific assessment requirements detailed in separate Assessment Overview article
Assessment scheduling coordinated by OpenEd team
Assessment information and results accessed through OpenEd platform tiles

Arkansas-Specific Assessment Information:

The assessments that your student will need to take depends on their grade level. Take a look at our Assessment Overview article, which outlines the assessments that each grade should expect to take for the 25-26 school year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What state assessments are required for my student?

Assessment requirements vary by state. Indiana requires IREAD (grade 2), ILEARN (grades 3-8), and WIDA for English learners. Kansas requires KAP testing (grades 3-8), science tests (grades 5,8), and FastBridge assessments (K-8). Arkansas requirements depend on grade level - see the Assessment Overview article for details.

How do I schedule my student's state assessments?

Our team will reach out to help you find suitable times for each required assessment. Once scheduled, the information will be added to your OpenEd platform under the Assessments menu option.

Where can I view my student's assessment results?

Assessment results are available in the OpenEd platform under the Assessments menu. Click on individual assessment tiles to see detailed information. Results are uploaded by our team when they become available.

Can I opt my child out of state testing?

While we expect students to participate in assessments as they're important for our partner districts, OpenEd supports parent rights regarding assessments and would not deny parents the right to opt out of testing.

What happens if my student doesn't pass required assessments?

This varies by state. In Indiana, students who don't pass IREAD in 2nd grade can still move to 3rd grade and may be invited to summer reading programs. In Kansas, results help place students in support groups but don't result in grade retention.