Diagnostic Assessment Tools (DAT)

Diagnostic Assessment Tools (DAT) consists of two interim diagnostic assessment software packages aligned to Indiana state standards and grade-level expectations for students in grades K-8. For grades K-2, DAT uses Wireless Generation's mCLASS, which includes brief DIEBELS reading probes administered individually via personal digital assistant and pencil-and-paper math assessments. For grades 3-8, DAT uses CTB/McGraw-Hill's Acuity, which includes seven online multiple-choice tests in reading or mathematics (four diagnostic assessments and three predictive assessments). Both assessment packages are accompanied by progress monitoring tools, instructional tools, and online support systems that allow teachers to assess student performance on state standards and identify students performing at different achievement levels. Teachers at intervention schools received training on how to use these tools and were instructed to use them to monitor student progress and adjust instruction to student needs with the goal of improving student achievement. Training was delivered using a train-the-trainer model, with 1-4 volunteer teachers from each school receiving 2-3 days of summer training from the state and assessment vendors, followed by another training in the fall, after which these teachers delivered 2-3 training sessions to other teachers at their schools within 6 months.