Districts set their own specific benchmark testing windows. We recommend the testing window to be as short as reasonably possible, so all benchmark scores within the district are gathered at approximately the same time each season. The benchmark norms are calculated using a six-week window of time, roughly corresponding with September 1 – October 15 for Fall Benchmark norms; January 1 – February 15 for Winter Benchmark norms, and May 1 – June 15 for Spring Benchmark norms.

We also recommend matching the benchmark window to when students will actually take the benchmarks, and with the window perhaps no more than 2 or 3 weeks long. For instance, the problem with a 3 month long window is that a student who takes the benchmark at the end of the window will have had 3 months of additional learning, compared to a student who took the test at the start of the window.

It is important to note that all results will display with the first date the benchmark window is open.  For example, if the window opens on September 1st and a student tests on October 1st, their results will plot on September 1st, the first day the benchmark window opened.

After selecting the dates, please make sure to click on the “Update Benchmark Dates” button in order for the changes to take effect.