According to the Ohio Department of Education, state students in grades 3-8 take the OAA, or Ohio Achievement Assessments. In the near future, graduating students will take the OGE or Ohio Graduation Tests. Read on to learn more about the exams:
What is the OAA?
In a movement to ensure that students adhere to Ohio's Learning Standards and that they are ready to move on to the next grade, the ODE implemented the OAA. The subject areas are as follows:
- Third grade: English language arts and mathematics.
- Fourth grade: English language arts, mathematics and social studies.
- Fifth grade: English language arts, mathematics and science.
- Sixth grade: English language arts, mathematics and social studies.
- Seventh grade: English language arts and mathematics.
- Eighth grade: English language arts, mathematics and science.
During the 2015-2016 school year, the tests took between 75 minutes and 105 minutes per part. Each subject includes two parts. The students take these tests once in spring and then again in fall, followed by some end-of-course examinations.
What is the purpose of OAA?
Student scores provide insight into how successful each teacher is and what areas individual students can use work in. Both state standardized tests and end-of-course exams show whether students are ready to move on to the next level with a solid foundation on which to build new knowledge. The ODE wrote that properly preparing kids to enter post-secondary education and begin careers is another main goal of the tests.
What is the future of Ohio state testing?
The ODE wrote that students graduating in 2015, 2016 or 2017 will take Ohio Graduation Tests and end-of-course assessments in American history and American government. Those who will graduate in 2018 or later will also take some end-of-course tests in English language arts levels one and two, geometry, American history and American government. Those not taking geometry will complete an exam on integrated mathematics one or two, and the graduating class of 2018 will also take a biology or physical science test at the end of the course.
How can you help your child prepare?
Your children will spend a lot of class time learning the material they need to succeed on the Ohio state tests. To provide help at home, make sure your children tackle their assignments and projects for class. You can also encourage your children to study for the Ohio State Tests by trying these practice exams.
