Bridge Builder Academy

Testing and Assessment

Assessment must match Instruction.

This means two things. First, those tests which assess knowledge after teaching of a new concept should match the concept being taught. It also means that diagnostic and skills tests given as a pre-test to determine where a student is in their learning, and what gaps are present should be used to develop the curriculum itself based on that student's areas of need.

BBA does both of these things.

One of the tools we can use to assess student skills is the "BRIGANCE® Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills"  For more on this test and how we use it for many of our students or information about other similar diagnostic options, call us today. The price of the screening is only $160 and for students who sign up with us, the cost is only $80. (An $80 credit will appear on your first monthly invoice.)

The Brigance Test is... 

Criterion-referenced assessment

Purpose/Objectives

• identify present levels of performance
• connect assessment with instruction
• monitor and report progress for IEPs

Features/Benefits

• grade-placement tests in key skill areas
• pretests and post tests for many skills
• 150+ skills assessments
• reproducible assessments for group administration
• supplemental and related skill sequences to facilitate instructional planning

Standardized assessment

Purpose/Objectives

• identify students' strengths and weaknesses and obtain data to support referrals

Features/Benefits

• identifies children with learning disabilities, giftedness, or other exceptionalities with the diagnostic portion of the battery
• produces grade and age equivalents, percentiles, and quotients in I.D.E.A.-designated achievement areas
• spans grades PK–6 and meets state and federal assessment requirements
• documents student learning for alternate assessment

The Brackin Targeted Skill-Mastery Tracking System

In the traditional classroom atmosphere, a grade is a numerical representation of how well a student did on any assignment, or time period, in relation to his or her peers. When teaching students one-on-one, there is no class to compare a student to, and these numbers only serve to indicate the level of cooperation or focus on any given assignment. It does not demonstrate whether a student has achieved certain objectives, or filled in gaps academically. Because of this, Bridge Builder Academy Program Director Lisa Brackin, has designed a system that is both concrete and individualized. Using a variety of sources, including the TEKS, Core Knowledge, Achieve inc., The Brigance Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills, and other validated pieces of curriculum written for established grade levels, BBA has put together its own Pre K-6^th series of targeted and easy to document benchmarks for learning.

This series of Benchmarks, together called "The Brackin Targeted Skill-Mastery Tracking System", uses a series of charts divided first by grade groupings, (pre k-K, 1st-2^nd, 3rd-4^th, 5^th- 6^th, and coming soon 7^th- 8^th) then by subject (language arts, math, science, and social studies), then by individual skill groupings (e.g. word recognition, reading comprehension, spelling, basic calculation, math facts, clocks and chronology) and finally by minute skill. (e.g. recognizes value of a nickel, knows the capitol of the United States, spells 2 syllable words).

When a student comes to BBA for a baseline assessment, part of the initial process is to determine based on testing and parent goals which charts are needed for a his or her individual profile. Some students may need the 1^st and 2^nd grade word identification chart, but are ready to focus on 5^th-6^th grade math skills. With this, target skills are chosen for a student based on their needs. Once a minute skill is mastered, a teacher documents that the skill is mastered and then then checks for continued retention of that skill some time later. This is documented as well. As a student moves through and masters these minute skills, and charts, they are moved up to higher level charts in the same skill grouping and subject area. This ensures, continued academic growth and is a real-time assessment and ongoing assessment of learning. It is why our kids are so successful, and you won't find it anywhere else but Bridge Builder Academy.

Call us today at 972-516-8844 and let us get your child on target for success.