CLASSROOM DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS

If your student is in grades 6 through 12, they may have been talking about CDTs or Classroom Diagnostic Tools.  This is a new diagnostic assessment software designed for teachers to administer online and use the results to tailor their instruction to individual student needs. It is aligned with PA Common Core standards and our Keystone Exams. 

Diagnostic means it is able to tell us if your student is above grade level in their achievement or if they are below level on one or more concepts.  Teachers are then able to access materials (from the same software) to use that are specifically designed to provide lessons and practice to students who are having difficulty with a concept. The test can also tell the instructor if the student is above grade level and provide materials in the form of enrichment, specifically adapted to the learner's advanced achievement level(s). 

There are CDTs in the subject areas of math, language arts, and science.  Social studies tests are currently under development by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  These tools are provided free of charge to schools in Pennsylvania.

We at Glendale will be utilizing this important teaching tool for the next several years.  There are even plans to expand the CDTs into grades 3, 4, 5.  It is important to note that teachers created these assessments and teachers are the ones who directly make use of them for instructional decisions. A lot of time, effort, and resources have been put into the development of the CDTs.  We are especially appreciative of the fact that PDE understands the needs of teachers at the classroom level and responded in such an effective way to enable our students at Glendale to be successful.