Demystifying i-Ready Scores: A Guide to Understanding Your Child’s Progress

As a parent, you have probably heard of i-Ready, an educational diagnostic assessment program used in many schools across the US. This computer-based system is designed to monitor a student’s academic progress and provide teachers with useful insights into their strengths and weaknesses. However, when it comes to interpreting your child’s i-Ready scores, it can be challenging to understand what they actually mean. In this article, we will demystify i-Ready scores and guide you through the process of understanding your child’s progress report.

What is i-Ready?

i-Ready is an adaptive online diagnostic and instruction program that helps teachers and parents identify a student’s proficiency level in Reading and Math. This program, which is aligned with state standards, provides personalized learning paths to help students improve their skills and achieve their academic goals. The i-Ready assessment is given three times a year (fall, winter, and spring) to measure a student’s growth and progress in the selected subject area.

Understanding i-Ready Scores

i-Ready scores are reported on a scale of 0 to 800, with a higher score indicating a higher level of proficiency. The score report consists of two sections – Diagnostic and Growth.

The Diagnostic score reflects the student’s overall performance on the assessment and is calculated based on the number of questions answered correctly. The Diagnostic score ranges from 0 to 800 and is categorized into four proficiency levels: Below level, At level, Above level, and Well above level.

The Growth score measures the student’s overall growth and progress since their last i-Ready assessment. The Growth score ranges from -300 to +300 and is reported as a scaled score, which shows how many points a student has grown compared to other students who had a similar starting point. A positive Growth score indicates that a student has made progress, while a negative Growth score indicates a decline in knowledge.

Interpreting i-Ready Scores

It’s important to note that i-Ready scores are not the only measure of a student’s performance, but they can provide valuable information about their strengths and weaknesses. Here are some tips to help you interpret your child’s scores:

1. Look at the Diagnostic score and proficiency level to determine your child’s overall performance in that subject area. If your child’s score falls below the “At level” category, it may indicate that they need additional support or intervention.

2. Examine the growth score to see how much your child has progressed since their last assessment. If the score is positive, it indicates that your child is on track, while a negative score may indicate that your child is struggling with the subject.

3. Pay attention to the specific skills and concepts that your child may be struggling with, as identified by the i-Ready diagnostic assessment. This information can help you and your child’s teacher to identify areas that may need more attention and practice.

Conclusion

While interpreting i-Ready scores may seem challenging at first, it’s an essential tool in understanding your child’s academic progress. By understanding your child’s score report, you can work with their teacher to identify areas of growth and support that will help them achieve their academic goals. Remember, i-Ready is just one measure of a student’s performance, and should not be used as the sole indicator. By working together with your child’s teacher, you can use these scores as a valuable tool to help your child succeed.