Mastery Predictive Assessments Expand to New States: Helping More Educators Predict Student Performance and Accelerate Growth

Teachers rely on assessments to better understand what students know and can do, where students need support, and what students are ready to learn next. At the same time, no one wants to over-test kids. That means when assessments are administered, they need to effectively measure student progress and provide the insights needed to drive learning forward. 

For years, educators in Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee have relied on Mastery Predictive Assessments to gain accurate insights into student learning and ensure students are on track to meet end-of-year expectations. Now, these research-backed assessments are available in even more states—including Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—giving more districts access to high-quality benchmarks that drive continuous improvement. 

Mastery Predictive Assessments aren't just another set of benchmark tests. They're designed to provide actionable data to help teachers proactively identify and address learning gaps, drive student growth, and ensure accountability measures are met. 

What Sets Mastery Predictive Assessments Apart?  
 

Standards-Aligned Assessments 

Many national benchmarks assess a generic set of skills and don't focus on mastery of learning standards. For assessments to have a meaningful impact on student learning, they should be tightly aligned to the most up-to-date state learning standards so the results reflect the proficiency of standards mastery for each student. Informed by each state's summative assessment blueprint, Mastery Predictive Assessments are developed with the rigor, standard alignment, and reliability of state tests, so educators can feel confident that the benchmarks reflect the skills and knowledge students need to meet—and exceed—expectations. 

Accurate Predictions of Student Performance 

One of the biggest challenges educators face is determining whether students are truly on track for success on state assessments. With Mastery Predictive Assessments, districts can predict how students will perform on end-of-year state summative tests. Backed by multi-state validity studies, these rigorous, prebuilt benchmark assessments empower educators to predict student performance with confidence. 

Tailored Assessments Based on Pacing 

While students are evaluated on mastery of state standards, districts have local control over curriculum and instructional pacing. For benchmark assessments to be effective, they should reflect your district's pacing. Mastery Predictive Assessments can be tailored to align with a district-defined scope and sequence, ensuring the assessment reflects the concepts that students have learned, so strengths and learning gaps can be easily identified.

Insights for Data-Driven Instruction 

Assessments should do more than provide scores—they should drive meaningful teaching and learning. Mastery Predictive Assessments provide a clear, consistent picture of each student's understanding of the curriculum, making it easier to identify strengths and areas for growth at the student, class, and school levels. With detailed, intuitive reporting, educators can quickly pinpoint student performance, identify strengths and learning gaps, and recognize trends. Armed with these insights, teachers can make impactful instructional decisions, plan targeted interventions, and empower students to take ownership of their learning by setting meaningful goals. 

"Meaningful data from Mastery Predictive Assessments helped us have honest conversations about progress and putting every student on the path to proficiency." 

- Matthew Behringer, Director of Research, Assessment, & Evaluation at LEAD Public Schools 

Support for Continuous Improvement 

Benchmark assessments are just one piece of the puzzle. To support student success, educators need tools that track progress over time and inform instruction at every stage. Mastery Connect, an ESSA-validated assessment solution, powers the entire assessment cycle—helping educators measure student learning, compare benchmark and formative assessment results, and evaluate the impact of interventions. With actionable data at their fingertips, teachers can drive meaningful PLC discussions, adjust instruction in real-time, and ensure every student stays on the path to mastery. 

Proven Results 

Many districts include benchmark tests in their assessment program, and when implemented thoughtfully, they can be an effective tool for teachers and students preparing for state assessments. But, not all assessments are created equal. Grounded in research with evidence-backed results, our unique approach to test development results in proven correlations between Mastery Predictive Assessment scores and students' achievement on state tests. 

Learn More 

Want to see how Mastery Predictive Assessments fit into your assessment strategy? Download our Guide to Choosing Benchmark Assessments or connect with an assessment specialist to explore how predictive benchmarks can support student success in your district.