About the Tests
Teachers use a variety of methods to measure students' development of important
skills. For example, teachers frequently observe how students participate
in class discussions and group projects, and review students' homework, quizzes,
and tests.
The Nevada Content Standards describe what every student should know and
be able to do in each grade. Each year, high school students across the state
take Nevada High School Proficiency Exams (HSPE) in Reading,
Mathematics, and Writing. In Nevada, students must achieve passing scores
on all sections of the HSPE to be eligible for graduation. Beginning with
the graduating class of 2009, students will also have to pass the HSPE in
Science. High school students in Nevada also take the Iowa Test of Educational
Development® (ITED®), which measures student knowledge
and skills as compared with other tested students in the nation. Standardized
tests are one important way to understand how well students are meeting these
standards.
