ALCA Members PLC Domains Data Standards Map Plan Curriculum Assessment Strategies

Arch Assessment Testing Services
As teachers, we are constantly striving to find the most effective way in which to test the development and progress of our students. Whether you may be searching for testing strategies for state, district, or school-wide testing, through Arch, ALCA has created and documented a range of strategies.

ALCA provides a variety of standards-aligned testing strategies that support district-wide benchmarking, unit pre- and post-testing, quizzes and formative-based testing that use clickers. Below are QuickStart videos that demonstrate Arch's numerous assessment features.

  1. Creating Test Banks

    A Test Bank is the ideal location for creating test items addressing specific standards. Tests can be created from the Test Bank items and used as benchmarks, quizzes, or in pre- and post-unit assessments. 

    1. Teacher Creating a Test Bank

      A teacher can create a collection, or "bank," of related test items within Arch in order to store related test items in.

    2. Teacher Creating a Test Item in a Test Bank

      Once a test bank resource has been created, a teacher can begin to create test items appropriate for the standards being targeted by the test bank.

  2. Creating Benchmark Tests

    Tests can be created quickly by simply importing test items from a selected test bank. A second method includes searching for standard-specific items across available test banks.

    1. Teacher Creating District-wide Benchmark Assessments

      A district's central office can quickly create district-wide common benchmark tests (from pre-existing test banks)  and assign them to each class or course in order to assess student learning.
      Note: Teachers can also create their own benchmark tests. This is ideal for educators in smaller districts.

    2. Teacher Creating a Benchmark Test using a Printed 3rd Party Test

      Benchmark tests can be created using pre-existing 3rd party tests that are already printed. This method saves a phenomenal amount of time as it is not necessary to create the printed test items online. One simply creates an online answer key for the test's items. This answer key also supports standards alignment, giving you the benefit of analyzing standards-driven learning in Comprehend.

    3. Teacher Creating a Benchmark Test from another Online Test

      Benchmark tests can be imported from pre-existing tests already created. These are tests you might have created in your Resource Locker or that have been shared with you from others within your school district or across other school districts.

    4. Teacher Creating a Benchmark Test by Searching for Standards-specific Items across Test Banks

      A benchmark test can be created by searching for standards-specific test items across available test banks. Available test banks are those created by the user or shared by others within or across school districts. In order for these items to be found, the test items in the test banks must be linked to the searched standards.

  3. Delivering Benchmark Tests to Learners

    There are currently three available methods of benchmark test delivery in ALCA's Arch web services. A forth method involving the use of Turning Technologies/eInstruction clickers will be available in the late spring  (It's going to be awesome and incredibly useful!). The current methods include the ability for:

    1. Learners using Printed 3rd Party Benchmark Tests

      This method involves the:
      1. Teacher making copies of the test for their students.
      2. Teacher downloading the test's Answer Sheets pdf file. 
      3. Teacher, after logging in, selecting the class in Benchmarks and selecting which students are to take the benchmark test.
      4. Teacher printing the pdf file. The resulting printout includes a single answer sheet for each student selected to take the test.
      5. Students completing the test using their test copy and answer sheet.
      6. Teacher scanning in the answer sheets as a single pdf file and uploading it into Arch. Arch grades the sheets and then places the results in the appropriate benchmark test for each student, teacher, and course.
      7. Teacher, principal, and central office view the assessment results in Comprehend.

    2. Learners using a Printed Version of an Online Benchmark Test

      This method is the same as outlined in the above method with 3rd party tests. However, the teacher downloads a pdf version of the Benchmark test and prints a copy for each student that is assigned to take the test.

    3. Learners taking a Benchmark Test Online

      This method involves three steps:
      1. The test administrator releases the test to the teachers.
      2. The teachers assign the test to the learners when they are ready for them to complete the test.
      3. The learner simply logs into Arch. Their Dashboard appears which displays the link to the benchmark test ready for them to take. They click the link and proceed to complete the test.
      NOTE: Depending on the settings set by the test administrator, the following behaviors are possible:
      1. The test questions can be randomized.
      2. The multiple choice options can be randomized.
      3. If the "network" goes down, when the learner returns to complete the test, Arch will allow them to continue completing the test.
      4. The learner can skip test items. When they have completed the other test items, Arch will then provide the skipped items for the learner to complete.
      5. The teacher has a benchmark test display showing the status of all students on their progress in completing the test.

  4. Unit and Chapter Tests and Quizzes

    Unit and chapter tests, as well as quizzes, can be created and assigned to students within a course in order to assess the learners' current knowledge. The results are integrated into their current grade for the course. The following videos illustrate the various features and benefits.

    1. Teacher Creating a Test by Searching Standard-specific Test Items from Test Bank Items

      Tests and quizzes can be created quickly by searching for standards-specific test items located in available test banks. Available test banks are those you have created or those shared by peers within or across other school districts.

    2. Teacher Creating a Test or Quiz by selecting a specific Test Bank

      Tests and quizzes can be created quickly by selecting a specific Test Bank and importing its items into the test.

    3. Teacher Creating a Test or Quiz from Scratch

      Tests and quizzes can be formed by manually creating test items directly in the test.

    4. Teacher Assigning a Test or Quiz to Learners

      Once a planned test or quiz has been imported into the course or class, a teacher can assign students to complete it at the appropriate time.

  5. Delivering a Test and Quiz to a Learner

    PlanIcon.png
    Once a test or quiz has been created, the teacher needs to deliver it to the students to complete.

    1. Teacher Adding a Test or Quiz to a Lesson Plan in Arch

      Once a test or quiz has been created, it can be imported into a Plan resource. A Plan resource is a different name for a lesson plan. A teacher would add any additional testing instructions to the plan.

    2. Teacher Adding a Planned Test or Quiz to a Room (Classroom or Course)

      Once a Plan containing a test or quiz (planned test is one way to thinking of it) has been created, it can be imported into a class or course for student use.

    3. Teacher Assigning a Test or Quiz to Learners

      Once a planned test or quiz has been imported into a course or class, a teacher can assign students to complete the test or quiz at the appropriate time.

    4. Learners taking a Test or Quiz Online

      A student can log in and the link for the assigned test or quiz will be available for them to click on. Once clicked, the student can complete the test or quiz.

  6. Analyzing Test Results
    Benchmark, unit pre- and post-assessments and quizzes can be analyzed in Comprehend. 

    1. Educators Analyzing Benchmark Assessments

      Educators can analyze Benchmark Assessment data in Comprehend in order to clarify learning progress by standards throughout the school year.

    2. Educators Analyzing Test and Quiz Assessment Data

      Educators can periodically analyze test and quiz assessment data in Comprehend in order to clarify standards-based learning within a unit or chapter.

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