Illinois educators recently developed new Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) aligned to our state assessments for science. These PLDs were used during this summer’s standard-setting process to update achievement expectations and establish new cut scores for the ISA in grades 5 & 8.
Join us for an interactive professional learning workshop explaining the recent updates made to the Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) and exploring how these updates can help bridge assessment results to the classroom.
During the workshop participants will examine how PLDs can:
- Clarify what students at each performance level know and can do.
- Highlight student strengths and areas of need in your classroom.
- Integrate state assessment data and classroom evidence to inform instruction.,/li>
- Strengthen communication with families about student progress.
To maximize impact, districts and schools are encouraged to send 2-3 educators who are well-positioned to share their learning with colleagues, helping build a common understanding of how PLDs can inform practice across classrooms. Participants will leave with strategies that support stronger instruction, clearer expectations, and student growth.
There will be multiple locations offered, but materials presented will be the same across all sessions.
- November 4th - Carterville, IL
- November 5th - St. Clair, IL
- November 6th - Champaign, IL
- November 17th - Peoria, IL
- November 19th - Dixon, IL
- November 20th - Chicago Heights, IL
ISA Professional Development Workshop Registration Link
2025-26 ISA Testing Window
ISA Practice Tests are availible on the QuISBE practice exam platform.
Pearson will provide further access instructions after the participation form is submitted.
(Note: QuISBE is not the testing platform for the summative ISA exam)
QuISBE is a practice test platform for the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA). QuISBE provides 5th and 8th grade students with the opportunity to interact with science content similar to the ISA prior to the spring summative assessment. ISA practice tests will be accessible in QuISBE from September 22 through the end of the school year. These practice tests can be completed in a single class period or over several days and include both machine-scored and hand-scored items. Student machine-scores will be available in QuISBE once all items are completed. Teachers will use a rubric to hand-score any constructed response items. Students may take each practice test multiple times during the school year to monitor their progress.
*Google is discontinuing support for native, legacy Chrome Apps. In response to this change, TestNav will retire the legacy TestNav Chrome App.
Pearson has updated the TestNav system requirements for the 2025-2026 school year. Please review the technical bulletins and system requirement pages below to ensure your school devices are ready for the spring administration.
Schools will be required to use the new TestNav Web App for ChromeOS. The old TestNav app must be
uninstalled and then the new app needs to be installed prior to Spring 2026 testing.
Students will no longer take a separate Illinois Science Assessment in Grade 11.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will adopt the ACT to serve as the federally-required science accountability assessment for Grade 11, effective with the 2024-25 school year,
thereby reducing overall testing time. The state administration of the ACT will include English, mathematics, reading,
science, and writing.
ISBE has also developed an
FAQ about the state’s transition to the ACT to help answer questions you may be receiving from parents and families. We encourage you to share the
FAQ with your school communities.
ISBE will follow up with a more technical FAQ to answer additional questions from administrators once we have executed the contract with ACT and have final information to share.
ISA test management resources & data can be found on the new Illinois Administrative Platform powered by ADAM.
