FOR DELAWARE’S STUDENTS

A NEW STANDARD

The test has changed

Delaware students are now taking DCAS – the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment

System. This new test measures student achievement at several

points throughout the school year.

The new test

How is DCAS different?•Administered three times per year

• Taken on a computer• The test is adaptive, so a student’s next

question is based on how she or he answered the previous question

• Most importantly, the test is designed to measure how much a student has learned

throughout the school year and whether or not she or he is performing at grade level

Setting the standards

The State Board of Education set the cut scores higher this year to

reflect higher expectations of students. In other words, the

expectations for each Performance Level have gone up.

Why are the standards higher?

The State’s new Common Core Standards are based on national and international curricula and will help Delaware graduates

compete for jobs, scholarships, and college acceptance in a

global marketplace.

What does this mean for students?

The number of students who score well on the new DCAS will

be lower than the number of students who performed well on the old state tests. This trend

will be temporary and is expected to even out within a

few years.

What does this mean for students?

The level of performance that earned many students a PL3 last year will earn those students a

PL2 this year.

Therefore, many students are likely to drop a Performance

Level this year.

How the scores will compare (estimated, based on 2010 spring field

test)

Would meet DSTPExpected to meet

DCAS

READING

Grade 4 76% 48%

Grade 8 78% 47%

Grade 10 64% 46%

MATH

Grade 4 78% 53%

Grade 8 68% 50%

Grade 10 57% 47%

What does this mean for schools?

Schools that previously achieved AYP – Annual Yearly Progress – may not reach it this year because student

scores will be lower.

This will impact school ratings according to No Child Left Behind

accountability standards and Race to the Top initiatives.

What does this mean for Delaware?

While scores this year will look low, setting higher standards will ultimately benefit our students,

our schools, and our state. Students will be better prepared

to excel after graduation and able to compete in a global

economy.

Where to find more information

•Your District’s website•The DOE website

•Your child’s principal or teacher•School and District newsletters

This information brought to you by your New Castle County public schools.