We begin statewide testing with the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) in just a couple weeks, with the early testing window opening on February 25. The State has a new assessment feature that was just added last week that we hope teachers, parents and students will find useful. It's an interactive multiple choice test that you can find on the assessment portion of the State website by clicking here or by going directly to http://metacat2.com/iltestlinks.html. It provides parents and students with an idea of the kinds of questions to expect on the ISAT, which will, hopefully, relieve some test anxiety and help students to be more confident as they prepare to take the test. Additionally, they are including information on guidance to address situations in which students experience too much anxiety or frustration. That document is currently being edited and when it is finalized, it will be posted at http://www.isbe.net/assessment/default.htm.