Testing and Assessment FAQs
What tests will my child be required to take?
All Insight School of Wisconsin (ISWI) students are required to take the following tests:
- Course lesson, unit, and semester assessments
- Wisconsin Department of Education achievement tests
- Criterion-referenced tests
- ISWI teacher assessments
Will my child have to participate in state testing?
Yes. As a public school in Wisconsin, we are required to proctor tests each year for our students.
When a parent or guardian requests that their student be excused from participating in the Wisconsin State Assessments, this request must be honored at grades 4, 8, 9–11, per Wis. Stats. 118.30(2)(b)3. This request may come at any time during the testing window. All students excused by parent opt-out are marked as “not tested” students in school and district reporting determinations.
We ask that you consider the significance and impact of requesting an opt-out and take this into consideration as you determine whether to opt your children out of testing. Please note that testing our student population in its entirety allows us to most accurately gather the information necessary to create effective school improvement efforts. Currently, there are no ramifications to a student’s grade or ability to re-enroll in our schools for parents that exercise their right to opt their students out of state testing (currently PreACT testing grades 9 and 10, ACT testing grade 11, or the alternative test for students eligible Dynamic Learning Maps grades 3–11).
What is the state testing schedule?
To keep you informed of the testing schedule:
- We’ll send you an email explaining which assessments your child will participate in and outlining testing expectations for all grades. (See chart below.)
- A few months before the test date, you’ll receive grade-specific assessment information, including locations, dates, and times. At this point, you’ll be asked to confirm your testing date and time. Our testing database chooses the closest location to your home; however, you can choose any of the listed testing sites for your child.
- One week prior to the test dates, we’ll send you a reminder email with any additional information you may need.
| Grades | Assessment | Testing Location | Testing Window |
| Grade 11 | ACT Plus Writing Assesses ELA, math and writing | Computer based in-person testing, students test for one day in various cities in Wisconsin | February 28 |
| Grade 11 | ACT Plus Writing Assesses ELA, math and writing | Computer based in-person testing, students test for one day in various cities in Wisconsin | March 1 |
| Grades 10 | PreACT Assesses student’s readiness in English, math, reading, science and writing Wisconsin Forward Assesses students’s readiness in social studies | Computer based in-person testing, students test for one day in various cities in Wisconsin | April 24–May 26 |
| Grade 9 | PreACT Assesses student’s readiness in English, math, reading, science and writing | Computer based in-person testing, students test for one day in various cities in Wisconsin | April 24–May 26 |