1994 Knowledge and Concepts Examinations

The Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS) is based on the first three state learner goals for the children of the state. They declare that a learner in Wisconsin will:

• Build a substantial knowledge base.
• Develop thinking and communication processes.
• Apply knowledge and processes.

To meet the initial goal, eighth- and tenth grade tests were administered as part of the WSAS and were first given on a voluntary basis during the 1992-93 school year. The assessment vendor changed following that year, and currently the Eighth and Tenth Grade Knowledge & Concepts Examinations are administered by The Psychological Corp., of San Antonio, Texas. Academic portions of the tests are in reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies using multiple-choice and short-answer questions (except for language). Students also respond with two essays to writing prompts. A career interest inventory completes the test.

The examinations are given in the fall of the year, and the results are used to identify those school districts that are low in performance (s. 115.38[4]). The state superintendent of public instruction is then required to work with the districts identified to help them improve performance.

Districts in need of improvement are identified by Average Grand Composite Score (AGCS). The AGCS is based only on test results from students who took all of the academic tests. Scores for EEN, Section 504, and LES students are excluded. It was designed by the DPI to provide an overall indication of student achievement and is derived as follows:

• Each of the five multiple-choice tests has 30 questions worth one point each toward the GCS (Grand Composite Score), a maximum of 150 points.
• Each essay is worth up to 12 points, and each point earned is worth one point toward the GCS for a maximum of 24 points.
• Each of the four short-answer tests has three questions (a total of 12 questions). A student can earn a score of 0 through 3 on each question. For purposes of the GCS, the score on each question is weighted by two for a maximum of six points on any question for a maximum of 72 points.

The GCS points earned as described above are summed, so the maximum possible GCS is 246 (150 + 24 + 72).

Although the GCS is provided for all students who took all parts of the academic tests, the AGCS contained in this report is the average GCS without scores of EEN, Section 504, and LES students. All subtest scores are reported for all students taking each of the subtests.

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For further information regarding these tests or to download statewide test results, see:

• Content Descriptions of the Knowledge & Concepts Examinations
• Eighth Grade Knowledge & Concepts Examination
• Tenth Grade Knowledge & Concepts Examination

For more complete information regarding statewide testing programs, see:

• Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS)

For questions about this information, contact dpispr@dpi.wi.gov (608) 267-9619

Last updated on 2/28/2008 8:23:20 AM