About the Tests
Teachers use a variety of methods to measure students' development
of important skills. For example, teachers frequently observe how
students participate in class discussions and group projects, and
review students' homework, quizzes, and tests.
The Nevada Content Standards describe what every student should
know and be able to do in each grade. Each year, high school students
across the state take Nevada High School Proficiency
Exams (HSPE) in Reading, Mathematics, and Writing. In Nevada, students
must achieve passing scores on all sections of the HSPE to be eligible
for graduation. Beginning with the graduating class of 2009, students
will also have to pass the HSPE in Science. High school students in
Nevada also take the Iowa Test of Educational Development® (ITED®), which measures
student knowledge and skills as compared with other tested students
in the nation. Standardized tests are one important way to understand
how well students are meeting these standards.
