Information

Wisconsin students in grades 3-8, and 10, will be participating in the Forward Exam during the March 22 - May 14, 2021 testing window. State assessments, including the Forward Exam, are required by both State (Wis. Stat. § 118.30) and Federal ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law. Participation in State assessments can help determine the impact the pandemic has had on academic achievement and equity. Equitable testing is important because clearly knowing the performance of all students is the first step in closing achievement gaps. We must know exactly which gaps exist, the size of the gaps, and the persistence of the gaps. Principals will communicate with our in-person and virtual program families with specifics about testing.

In-person assessment is the only viable method for the state assessments. The company who produces the test has no remote (virtual) testing option available. Proctored, on-site testing ensures standardized administration that includes equitable access to technology and optimal testing environments, test security, and validity. We are taking every precaution to ensure a safe testing environment. We are following procedures recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Department of Health Services (DHS) including social distancing, flexible schedules and the frequent sanitization of student spaces and equipment.

The Forward Exam tests students in the areas of English language arts (ELA), mathematics in grades 3-8, science in grades 4 and 8, and social studies in grades 4, 8, and 10. One or more subtests may be administered daily during our selected time frame. Please make sure students are healthy before sending them to school. Keep students home who are ill or have been exposed to COVID-19. Students not in school on testing days will be scheduled for a make-up test prior to the close of the testing window.

To the right is a Forward Exam Information for Families brochure that gives more information about the assessment. The Forward Exam measures the knowledge and skills students should have for their grade-level. Their performance on the assessment will not affect their grades. Please encourage students to take the test seriously and do the best they can. The results of these tests will be used to help school staff make determinations regarding curriculum, placement, and services to best support students.

Additional information about the Forward Exam along with samples of the assessment can be found by using the links below. If you havy e any questions, please contact your child's teacher, the building principal.

Results of the Forward Exam are mailed home to families in late summer.  For more information, please see the Family Brochures in the right sidebar or visit the Wisconsin Department of Instruction's website.  

Student Tutorials

Sample items and tutorials are available so that students become familiar with the testing environment prior to the actual test. Please click on the graphic to enter the practice testing environment.  From this page students can access the Online Training Tools, Item Samples and online assessment tutorials.

The Online Training Tools teach students how to use the different features of the test management system such as sticky notes and highlighting. The Item Samplers will give students sample questions for their grade level.  These questions are close to the content that students will see during testing.  If you see an Enlarge button on the sampler, click it to see the standard that the item is testing.  This is only a feature of the samplers.

Please note: The online training tool will only work in the Chrome browser.

Text Dependent Analysis (Writing) Samplers - Won't be administered in spring 2021

A sample of a writing task that the students are asked to complete can be found in the English Language Arts (ELA) portion of the Online Training Tools.