Comprehensive Testing Program
Standardized testing looks different this year for Life Christian Academy students in grades 1–8—“different” in a good way.
Traditionally, LCA elementary and middle school students have taken the week-long Stanford Achievement Test [SAT] each spring. This year kicks off the transition to a new format: Comprehensive Testing Program [CTP].
Council on Education Standards and Accountability
Better Data, College Alignment
Why the change? The new testing format was recommended to LCA by the Council on Education Standards and Accountability [CESA], an emerging organization that is challenging and raising the standards of Christian education nationwide. As a founding CESA member, LCA is both helping set new benchmarks, and rising to meet them.
In this case, that means adopting a standardized test that gives the best information in the best format.
“Based on our research, we believe CTP will provide more useable information for both teachers and parents,” says LCA academic advisor Jami Buselmeier. “It will also familiarize our students with a test that more closely parallels current college entrance exams.”
It’s no mistake that these outcomes closely align with LCA’s current emphasis on data-driven education.
“As a college preparatory school, one of Life Christian Academy’s key objectives is to provide our students the best possible opportunities to attend their university of choice,” says LCA Headmaster Ross Hjelseth. “Data-driven education—using test results and staff collaboration to adjust instruction for improved student learning—is helping LCA deliver this academic advantage. CTP will be a great fit with the tools we already have in place: interim assessments and faculty PLCs.” Questions? Contact Jami Buselmeier.
