Muskogee Public Schools is making significant changes to its assessment strategy, as revealed in the recent regular board meeting. The district will shift from using the Cognia vendor for state assessments to implementing benchmark testing through the Amira platform for grades K-7. This decision follows a memo from the state superintendent, indicating a new direction for student evaluations.

The transition to Amira is part of a broader effort to streamline assessments and improve educational outcomes. The district plans to utilize Amira for state testing in the spring, ensuring that students are evaluated consistently. For grades 3-7, the STAR MAP assessment will also be employed, while high school students in grades 8-12 will continue using the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) measures for math testing.

This shift raises questions about comparability across districts, as not all schools will be using the same benchmark tests. The board acknowledged the challenges this presents, particularly since the district has relied on Renaissance data for the past five years. The change is driven by a $1 million grant received by the district, which necessitated the switch to Amira.

As Muskogee Public Schools moves forward with these changes, the implications for student performance and district-wide comparisons remain to be seen. The board is committed to ensuring that teachers and students are equipped for success amid these transitions.