Classroom Diagnostic Test
Beginning with the 2014-2015 School Year, the Octorara Area School District is using The Pennsylvania Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) as a diagnostic assessment in grades 3-8 for Reading and Math, and also in grades 9 and 10 for Keystone Algebra I, Keystone Biology and Keystone Literature. The assessments are currently being given twice a year in grades 3-8 and two to three times a year for Keystone tested subjects. The CDT is a set of online assessments, divided by content area, designed to provide diagnostic information in order to guide instruction and remediation. The CDT reporting system is fully integrated in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Standards Aligned System (SAS). It assists educators in identifying student academic strengths, and areas in need of improvement. The CDT is available to districts at no cost.
Benefits for STUDENTS include the following:
  • Moves students along path toward career and college readiness
  • Promotes teachers partnering with students to set learning goals
  • Provides descriptive and timely feedback to students while in the process of learning and creating
  • Builds efficacy by bringing students into the process of their own learning
  • Promotes goal-setting
  • Supports ownership
Benefits for TEACHERS include the following:
  • Access to immediate, detailed diagnostic reports
  • Understand the strengths and needs of each student
  • Provides tools needed to group students for different mini-lessons throughout the school year depending on their needs and goals set for learning
  • Gain insight into students' strengths and needs during the school year, as well as focus their teaching for classes and grade level
  • Provides immediate access to available SAS resources at students' instructional level
Unlike the previous 4Sight Assessment, which was designed to be a predictor of performance on the PSSA, the CDT’s primary purpose is to provide diagnostic data to assist teachers in planning for and adapting instruction for either an entire class or individual students. Until both teachers and students become better acclimated to the online assessment and the interpretation of the data, the district will not be sending home a CDT parent report. If you would like further information regarding your child’s CDT data, please contact your child’s teacher and/or building principal.

For more information on Classroom Diagnostic Tests, please follow the link below:

MAXIMIZING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS