ISTEP+ InfoCenter

WHAT IS ISTEP+?
The Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) measures what students know and are able to do at each grade level. Based on Indiana’s Academic Standards, ISTEP+ provides a learning check-up to make sure students are on track and signal whether they need extra help. [See Common questions about ISTEP+]

WHAT’S NEW ABOUT ISTEP+
THIS YEAR? ISTEP+ is changing from the fall to the spring this year. This year only (2008-09), students in grades 3-8 will take ISTEP+ twice as part of the move to spring testing. Beginning in 2009-10, students will only take ISTEP+ in the spring.

WHEN IS ISTEP+?

ISTEP+/GQE Testing Window*
Test	Start Date	End Date
Fall ISTEP+	09/15/08	09/26/08
GQE	09/16/08	09/18/08
Spring GQE Retest	03/10/09	03/12/09
ISTEP+ Writing	03/02/09	03/11/09
ISTEP+ Progress	04/27/09	05/06/09
* Check with your school for local testing dates within each window.
MORE DATES

WHAT’S TESTED ON ISTEP+?

Fall 2008 ISTEP+ (September 15-26)
The fall 2008 ISTEP+ includes multiple choice, essay and short answer questions covering English/language arts and mathematics at grades 3-8 as well as science at grades 5 and 7. Incoming high school sophomores (class of 2011) will be the last group of students to take the current Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE), required to earn a high school diploma. The GQE covers English and math skills through grade 9. [See Common questions about the GQE+]
Spring 2009 ISTEP+ (March, Late-April/Early May)
Like the fall test, the spring ISTEP+ includes questions on English and math at grades 3-8, science at grades 4 and 6 and social studies at grades 5 and 7. Incoming freshmen this fall (class of 2012) will be the first group of students to take the new GQE which consists of Algebra I and English 10 exams taken whenever students complete the corresponding course. For most students, that will be in late spring.

WHY IS ISTEP+ CHANGING?
The changes are part of a larger testing plan for Indiana that includes moving ISTEP+ to the spring (grades 3-8), replacing the current GQE with Algebra I and English 10 end-of-course exams and offering new computer-based teaching tools to local schools on a voluntary basis for grades K-8.

WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Call 1-888-54-ISTEP, contact your local school or click on the links below:
• Common questions about ISTEP+
• Common questions about the GQE (Graduation Qualifying Exam)

HELPFUL ISTEP+ LINKS

Student/Parent Resources: