KESC Cognitive Diagnostic Assessment (CDA)

KESC uses in-house and state approved assessment tools to determine each student's competency level, the impact of instruction and the tutoring strategies on the student’s learning and continuous academic progress. Reading, Math and Science cognitive diagnostic tests are administered as part of the complete tutoring program package. This initial assessment also assists in identifying intellectual functioning, unique learning styles, academic proficiency levels (in math and reading, critical thinking and reasoning skills),and listening and attention deficiencies.The results of the tests are used to customize each student's tutoring need and to guide in planning the student's academic need to make adequate yearly progress toward high school graduation or college education. . The plan and details of the assessments include the following:

  • English Language Proficiency Test Stanford (ELP) is used to evaluate the listening, reading, comprehension, writing, and speaking skills of K-12 with the goal of guiding students to full participation in English language classrooms and ensuring that English language learners meet standards for comprehension and fluency.
  • The diagnostic Assessments in Reading and Math are administered at the beginning of each nine-week tutoring session to provide estimate of competency level to guide instruction and customize each student’s tutoring need in the content area to meet or exceed the grade/standard level performance.
  • Diagnostic assessments in the area of reading include basic measures of reading skills: phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.
  • Diagnostic assessments in the area of math include basic measures in the appropriate level such as: number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis and probability, and reasoning and problem solving.
  • Tutors know that students are making progress within the tutoring program session by continuously monitoring the student performance and adjusting its tutoring strategy using in-house 10-minutes assessment/review tools at the beginning of each 60 minutes tutoring session.
  • Complete summative assessment is administered at the end of the nine weeks (baseline), mid year, and end of year.
    • Each student tutoring program is adjusted or discontinued based on the results of the above assessments.  
    • A tutor will know that a student is ready to exit tutoring prior to the end of the tutoring program when the summative assessment /prediction on the next PSSA shows that the student will perform at or above the proficient level.
    • KESC will maintain communication with classroom teachers through regular monthly reporting of student progress and will recommend that student perform consistently at that level for two consecutive nine-week assessments before student can exit the program.
    • The student's progress will be monitored for nine-weeks after the student has exited from the program and student is  allowed back into the program if progress decreases.
  • General counseling services to help students deal with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, social identity threats, peer pressure, parental effective handling of students’ academic achievemen,.and other non-academic issues are offered.

Based ondiagnostic assessment results, students are placed on one of four profeciency levels:  Below Basic Level when the assessment results place the student's proficiency in one or more grade levels below their supposed grade; Basic Level ifthe student tests intor appropriate level or standard by assessment but show only partial mastery of the prerequisite knowledge and skills required of the  current grade, Proficient Level when the student is placed in appropriate level, shows solid academic performance for the grade assessed,  demonstrates  competency, analytical skills and application of challenging subject matter but shows alsoevidence of lack of motivation and focus in reading and math beyond the grade level. A student is placed in Advanced Level  when he/she is above the proficient level and  demonstrates superior mastery beyond the current grade level.


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5475 Route 8, Gibsonia PA 15044