Assessments at Sandlapper

At Sandlapper, we use assessments to understand your child’s unique learning needs, track their progress, and ensure they get the support they need to succeed. Below is an overview of the tests administered throughout the school year.

 

SC READY (South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Assessments)

• Who takes it: Grades 3–5

• What it measures: State standards in English Language Arts (Reading & Writing), Math, and Science (4th Grade only).

• Why it matters: It shows how well students are mastering grade-level skills and helps us make sure every child is on track for future grade levels.

• Testing Dates:

  • May 4: Reading Day 1

  • May 5: Reading Day 2

  • May 6: Writing

  • May 11: Math Day 1

  • May 12: Math Day 2

  • May 13: Science (4th Grade only)

___________________________________________

MAP (Measures of Academic Progress)

• Who takes it: All Students (Kindergarten–5th Grade)

• What it measures: Math and Reading growth over time. The test adjusts to your child’s learning level as they take it.

• Why it matters: MAP helps teachers measure how much your child grows academically from the start to the end of the year, highlighting individual strengths and areas where extra help might be needed.

• Testing Windows:

  • Fall: August 24–28

  • Winter: December 7–11

  • Spring: March 9–12

___________________________________________

Progress Learning Benchmarks

• Who takes it: Grades 2–5 (2nd Grade only takes Math)

• What it measures: Classroom learning in ELA, Math, and Science (4th Grade only) at key points in the school year. 

• Why it matters: These short check-ins show if students understood the topics taught during each quarter so teachers can address learning gaps before end-of-year tests.

• Testing Dates:

  • Quarter 1: October 14–22 (Grades 3–5)

  • Quarter 2: January 12–19 (Grades 3–5)

  • Quarter 3: March 30–April 8 (Grades 3–5)

___________________________________________

CogAT & Iowa Assessments

• Who takes it: 2nd Grade

• What it measures:

  • CogAT: Reasoning, problem-solving, and verbal/math thinking skills.

  • Iowa Assessment: Subject achievement in Reading, Math, Spelling, Vocabulary, Science, and Social Studies.

• Why it matters: Together, these assessments give a complete view of a student's learning style and academic potential. They are also used to identify students who may benefit from Gifted and Talented programs.

• Testing Dates:

  • Iowa Assessment: October 6–7

  • CogAT: October 20–22

___________________________________________

RAVEN’s 2.0 (Ravens Progressive Matrices)

• Who takes it: 2nd Grade

• What it measures: Visual problem-solving and logic using picture puzzles (no language skills required).

• Why it matters: It provides a fair, language-free way to measure a student’s natural problem-solving ability independent of what they've already learned in school.

• Testing Window: September (30-minute timed test)

___________________________________________

WIDA ACCESS for ELLs

• Who takes it: Multilingual / English Language Learners

• What it measures: English language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

• Why it matters: It helps teachers know how to best support your child as they gain confidence and proficiency in the English language.

• Testing Window: January 2027