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Dena Gallop, Testing Coordinator, Testing Coordinator
CogAT (Cognitive Abilities) Test
CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) Testing will be November 8th, 9th and 14th. Please read the Parent Letters explaining the test below.
VGA Growth Assessment
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Beginning in 2021-22, the Virginia General Assembly enacted new testing requirements for all students in grades 3-8. The legislation calls for the administration of a fall and mid-year growth assessment and a spring assessment (SOL) in grades 3-8 in reading and mathematics to measure growth.
Unlike the Fall 2023 VGA that assessed students using SOL standards from their previous grade level, the Winter 2024 VGA will assess students using the SOL standards for their current grade level. The growth assessments are not to be considered “high stakes” tests.
The growth assessments will not report a performance level showing whether a student “passed or failed” the assessment. Instead, the data will report how the student performed on each of the items included on the test. This data will assist teachers and other school staff to identify areas requiring additional support and prepare students for the 2023-24 school year content.
These online tests will be administered at your child’s home school using a secure connection. Students receiving instruction virtually are required to participate as are students being served in contract services and those receiving homebound services.
Our testing schedule at Gunston Middle School will be as follows:
Growth Assessment Testing Calendar January 2024
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 15
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
16
|
17
Grades 6, 7 & 8 Math VGA |
18
Grades 6, 7 & 8 Reading VGA |
19
|
| 22
|
23
VGA Makeups |
24
|
25
VGA Makeups |
26
|
Students must bring their iPads fully charged each day. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our School Testing Coordinator dena.gollopp@apsva.us.
Sincerely,
Carolyn R. Jackson, Principal
Dena Gollopp, School Test Coordinator