Unpacking Expectations: Interpreting the IAR & ISA Results

Join ISBE for an interactive professional learning workshop focused on moving beyond assessment scores to a deeper understanding of what student performance reveals about learning expectations and opportunities to learn. Rather than focusing solely on numerical results from the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) and Illinois Science Assessment (ISA), participants will explore how Illinois' Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) can help educators interpret assessment results in terms of the knowledge, skills, and practices students demonstrate at each performance level.

Developed by Illinois educators and aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards, the PLDs can serve as a bridge between statewide assessment results and classroom instruction. Through guided activities and collaborative discussion, participants will examine how PLDs can be used alongside classroom assignments and tasks, local assessments, and other sources of student learning to build a more comprehensive understanding of student achievement and the instructional landscape that helped shape that achievement.

The workshop will emphasize the role of summative assessment as one source of evidence within a coherent system of standards, curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Participants will learn how to interpret IAR and ISA results to reflect on the learning opportunities that students experienced, identify strengths and gaps in instructional systems, and consider how curriculum, instruction, and supports can be refined to better meet the needs of future students.

To maximize impact, districts and schools are encouraged to send educators who are not only eager to learn but also well-positioned to share their learning with colleagues, helping build a common understanding of how PLDs can inform practice across classrooms. Teams are encouraged to bring a minimum of two years of IAR and ISA reports to support hands-on exploration and discussion. Participants will leave with practical strategies for using PLDs and assessment evidence to foster meaningful conversations about student learning, instructional improvement, and alignment to grade-level expectations.

All sessions times are 9:00 am to 3:30 pm and materials presented will be the same across all sessions.
Session locations:

  • September 22 - Region 5
    St. Clair County Regional Office of Education #50
    1000 S. Illinois St.
    Belleville, IL 62220
  • September 23 – Region 3
    Regional Office of Education #48
    2116 N Sheridan Rd, Suite A
    Peoria, IL 61604
  • September 24 – Region 1
    South Cook - Intermediate Service Center
    253 W. Joe Orr Rd.
    Chicago Heights, IL 60411
  • October 6 - Region 6
    John A. Logan Community College
    700 Logan College Drive
    Carterville, IL 62918    70
  • October 7 – Region 4
    Cityview Events and Meeting Center
    Illinois Terminal, 4th Floor
    45 East University Avenue
    Champaign, IL 61820
  • October 8 - Region 2
    Sauk Valley Community College
    Riverview Room (1H16/18)
    173 Illinois Rt 2
    Dixon, IL 61021

Select the "Register Now" button to choose the session you would like to attend. To attend Region 5, St. Clair on Tuesday, September 22, select the appropriate button.

Thank you,

The Pearson IAR and ISA Team
Illinois Customer Support: 1-833-213-3879