WESTEST 2
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WESTEST 2 is an untimed
custom-designed summative assessment aligned to West Virginia’s 21st
Century Content Standards and Objectives (CSOs) in the area of online writing,
reading and language arts, mathematics, social studies and science for grades 3
through 11. The assessments within
WESTEST 2 measure student level of performance on clearly defined standards and
objectives and skill levels.
Aligned to 21st Century Content
WESTEST 2 items are the
results of two year collaboration by West Virginia educators, West Virginia
Department of Education’s Office of Assessment and Accountability,
Instructional Services, Special Programs, and Technology. Under the leadership of the Office of
Assessment and Accountability and CTB/McGraw-Hill, West Virginia educators
developed assessments made up of multiple choice items in al content areas and
gridded response items in Mathematics and Science and document based question
items in Social Studies.
Measures of Performances
West Virginia WESTEST 2 ONLINE WRITING: The 2009
administration of WESTEST 2 will include a writing component which measures the
writing ability of all students in grades 3-11.
Students will submit an online writing sample which will be scored on a
six-point scale in five traits – organization, development, sentences, sentence
structure, word choice/grammar usage and mechanics. The online writing scores will be included in
the overall score of the reading/language arts portion of WESTEST 2.
Reading/Language Arts:
Reading/Language Arts is administered in three sections: Section One measures knowledge of the writing
process and writing skills, including editing skills (Online Writing). Section Two and Three measure reading comprehension
skills and writing strategies/skills in high interest, 21st century
context. In these two sections, students
are tested in a multiple-choice format with the reading questions measuring
reading for literacy and for informational purposes, critical thinking,
synthesis of data and reasoning.
Social Studies: This test measures ability to process content
knowledge, apply social studies skills and demonstrate critical thinking,
problem solving to reach valid conclusions in real-world situations. Items address conceptual understanding of
content in citizenship, global awareness, financial literacy, civic
participation, and health and wellness.
Science: This test measures content of science
application and nature of science. Items
emphasize critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Mathematics: This test measures the ability to perform in
the areas of numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data
analysis and probability.
Additional information may
be obtained at the following Web sites: