March 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

Our third and fourth grade students take federally required assessments every spring. These assessments help us understand how our students are growing academically, compared to their peers across the state. The state uses this information to provide more support and resources to the schools in the greatest need. Our students take the English Language Arts and Math assessment for grades 3-8 called the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). 

The IAR measures the Illinois Learning Standards and includes high-quality test questions that teachers and students have become familiar with over the past several years. 

We encourage students to do their best on all assessments. Federal and state law does not authorize districts or schools to excuse students from testing. ISBE does not provide guidance on “opting out” because such an option would violate the law. The school will always present each student with the assessment as they are required to do so. 

School districts must administer assessments to at least 95 percent of students and at least 95 percent of each student demographic group or face lower public school recognition status, which leads to increased state oversight and may put districts’ state and federal funds at risk. We encourage students to complete as much of each assessment as they can. 

Our testing window for the IAR is between March 2nd-April 17th.  Classroom teachers will let you know when their specific testing sessions will take place.  

If you have questions about the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, please reach out to Mrs. Kern at 815-786-6316 or jkern@sandwich430.org. As always, we encourage our students to do their best every day. 

Thank you for your partnership in your student’s academic success.

Sincerely, 

Mrs. Jennifer Kern

Principal

W.W. Woodbury Elementary School