Classroom Assessment
Transform student learning with actionable assessments supported by professional learning.
Measure learning and pinpoint student opportunities
Time-saving assessments that enhance learning
Educators recognize that student assessments help tailor instruction to individual needs but often struggle with how and when to test. Cognia has developed high-quality assessment solutions that eliminate the guesswork and return the focus to teaching and learning, not testing.
Meaningful and connected
Meaningful assessment has the power to transform student learning. Thoughtfully designed, our assessments:
- Can be administered quickly and easily
- Provide real-time student data
- Enable data-based instructional change
- Employ engaging, culturally responsive, technology-enhanced items
- Help track overall achievement, providing opportunities for teachers and students to plan for continued academic growth and success
Educators nationwide use our assessment data to enhance learning
The right assessments at the right times
Cognia creates assessments for schools and systems, giving educators the means to gauge student understanding.
Cognia Interim Assessments aligned to high-quality curricula complement existing curriculum-embedded formative assessments and allow educators to understand how students are performing against curricular goals and adjust instruction accordingly.
Subjects/Grades
- Mathematics for grades K–8
- Algebra 1
- Geometry
- Algebra 2
Features
- Reviewed and certified by Illustrative Mathematics
- Three assessment forms, one each for fall, winter, and spring
- Balance of rigor: conceptual understanding, procedural skill and fluency, and application
- Available on the Otus, PowerSchool, and Kiddom platforms
Subjects/Grades
- English Language Arts/Literacy for grades 3–8
Features
- Three opportunities to assess throughout the year for grades 3–8
- Authentic passages and optional constructed response items
- Available on the Otus, PowerSchool, and Kiddom platforms
Cognia Interim Assessments aligned to college and career readiness standards for ELA and mathematics help track students’ progress against standards and inform instruction.
Subjects/Grades
- Mathematics for grades K–8
- Algebra 1
- Geometry
- Algebra 2
Features
- Computer-based assessments that can be administered within a class period
- Computer-based reporting that accurately reflects progress toward end-of-year expectations
- High-quality and reliable field-tested items developed by experienced content developers
- Available on the Otus, PowerSchool, and Edcite platforms
Subjects/Grades
- English Language Arts/Literacy for grades K–11
Features
- Computer-based assessments that can be administered within a class period
- Computer-based reporting that accurately reflects progress toward end-of-year expectations
- High-quality and reliable field-tested items developed by experienced content developers
- Available on the Otus, PowerSchool, and Edcite platforms
Cognia Diagnostics and Screeners are designed to pinpoint students’ learning strengths and needs to help teachers shift instructional practices and priorities at the point and time of need.
Subjects/Grades
- English Language Arts for grades K–11
- Mathematics for grades K–8
- Algebra 1
- Geometry
- Algebra 2
Features
- Multiple forms of diagnostics assess major content at each grade/course to support instructional needs
- Field-tested, piloted assessments using high-quality items
- Available on the PowerSchool platform with the ability to migrate to other platforms
Subjects/Grades
- English Language Arts for grades 2–11
- Mathematics for grades 1–8
- Algebra 1
Features
- One pre-designed screener per grade, administered at the beginning of the school year
- Measures student understanding of knowledge and skills from the previous year
- Available on the PowerSchool platform with the ability to migrate to other platforms
-
CURRICULUM-ALIGNED
INTERIMS -
Cognia Interim Assessments aligned to high-quality curricula complement existing curriculum-embedded formative assessments and allow educators to understand how students are performing against curricular goals and adjust instruction accordingly.
Subjects/Grades
- Mathematics for grades K–8
- Algebra 1
- Geometry
- Algebra 2
Features
- Reviewed and certified by Illustrative Mathematics
- Three assessment forms, one each for fall, winter, and spring
- Balance of rigor: conceptual understanding, procedural skill and fluency, and application
- Available on the Otus, PowerSchool, and Kiddom platforms
Subjects/Grades
- English Language Arts/Literacy for grades 3–8
Features
- Three opportunities to assess throughout the year for grades 3–8
- Authentic passages and optional constructed response items
- Available on the Otus, PowerSchool, and Kiddom platforms
-
STANDARDS-ALIGNED
INTERIMS -
Cognia Interim Assessments aligned to college and career readiness standards for ELA and mathematics help track students’ progress against standards and inform instruction.
Subjects/Grades
- Mathematics for grades K–8
- Algebra 1
- Geometry
- Algebra 2
Features
- Computer-based assessments that can be administered within a class period
- Computer-based reporting that accurately reflects progress toward end-of-year expectations
- High-quality and reliable field-tested items developed by experienced content developers
- Available on the Otus, PowerSchool, and Edcite platforms
Subjects/Grades
- English Language Arts/Literacy for grades K–11
Features
- Computer-based assessments that can be administered within a class period
- Computer-based reporting that accurately reflects progress toward end-of-year expectations
- High-quality and reliable field-tested items developed by experienced content developers
- Available on the Otus, PowerSchool, and Edcite platforms
-
DIAGNOSTICS AND
SCREENERS -
Cognia Diagnostics and Screeners are designed to pinpoint students’ learning strengths and needs to help teachers shift instructional practices and priorities at the point and time of need.
Subjects/Grades
- English Language Arts for grades K–11
- Mathematics for grades K–8
- Algebra 1
- Geometry
- Algebra 2
Features
- Multiple forms of diagnostics assess major content at each grade/course to support instructional needs
- Field-tested, piloted assessments using high-quality items
- Available on the PowerSchool platform with the ability to migrate to other platforms
Subjects/Grades
- English Language Arts for grades 2–11
- Mathematics for grades 1–8
- Algebra 1
Features
- One pre-designed screener per grade, administered at the beginning of the school year
- Measures student understanding of knowledge and skills from the previous year
- Available on the PowerSchool platform with the ability to migrate to other platforms
Custom Assessments
Cognia also has the capability to design and develop custom standards-aligned, curriculum-embedded, formative and interim assessments, as well as diagnostics to meet the needs of our partners, educators, and student populations.
We begin with a deep review of the curriculum along with deep listening and communication with an organization to identify specific assessment needs. We then suggest potential priority standards for assessment, design assessment blueprints and models, and develop high-quality assessments that measure student proficiency and align with an organization’s identified priorities.
Professional learning for assessment literacy
When educators thoroughly understand assessment and data use, students thrive. To design useful and relevant professional learning, we consulted groundbreaking research from the National Early Literacy Panel, the U.S. Department of Education, and studies by Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
Cognia employs certified providers of curriculum training for EdReports-approved Illustrative Mathematics and can customize professional learning to the curriculum to meet school and district needs.
Balance and meaning
Understanding how different types of assessment work together in a balanced system helps education leaders and teams use assessment options effectively. Multiple components serve different purposes at different times. Use this infographic to establish a common understanding among your team, paving the way for productive discussions.
Meaningful assessment data empowers educators, leaders, and learners
In just two years, Carmen Schools saw a 31.7% increase in the percentage of sixth-grade students “exceeding” expectations using the Illustrative Math curriculum and implementing Cognia Interim Assessments.
Frequently asked questions
With so many types of assessments, how do I know which one to use and when?
Before diving into choosing an assessment, first identify what information you are trying to learn. Do you want to know how students are performing on skills and content that was part of a recent instructional cycle, or do you want to understand prior knowledge and skill levels before instruction begins? Build an understanding of what each assessment offers and select the one that most aligns to the information you are looking to uncover.
What makes up a high-quality assessment?
A high-quality assessment is characterized by several key components that ensure it effectively measures student learning and supports instructional goals, including—but not limited to—alignment, accessibility, cognitive demand, clarity, and actionable insights.