For Idaho Teachers

foridahoteachers.org / descartes

DesCartes was provided by NWEA as part of the previous version of the ISAT. Because student scores will continue to be reported as RIT scores, and because both tests were based on state standards, we can continue to use the DesCartes resources we already have with scores from the new version of the ISAT.

DesCartes - The New Learning Continuum

NWEA has provided Idaho educators with another great resource to make it easier to use ISAT scores to improve classroom instruction for all students.

DesCartes is a tool that makes connections between specific skills and RIT scores for the purpose of guiding instructional planning. DesCartes can be thought of as a new and improved version of the Idaho Learning Continuum.

The structure of DesCartes is very similar to the Idaho Learning Continuum - specific skills within each ISAT Goal Area (such as Literal Comprehension for Reading and Geometry for Math) are connected to RIT scores. However, DesCartes includes more depth and breadth than the continuum - more specific skills in more RIT ranges.

Sample from DesCartes:

For More Information about DesCartes: www.nwea.org/tools/descartes/

DesCartes can be used for:

Planning small group instruction, including flexible grouping
Goal setting
Creating centers, homework, or other assignments based on skills needed for each student
Providing students, parents, and aides with specific skill sets for a student to focus on

To Access DesCartes: (no longer available, starting Spring 2007)

Go to the NWEA Reports website: www.nwea.org, then click "Log on to Reports site"
Log in using the User Name and Password provided by your administrator (the same log-in used to access ISAT reports for your class(es)

View DesCartes by Test, Goal Area, and RIT Range:

Scroll down and click on "DesCartes" near the bottom of the toolbar on the left
Select a Test
Select a Goal Area
Select a RIT block to view DesCartes skills

(TEACHERS - CHECK THIS OUT!!!)

View DesCartes for a Student or Group of Students:

* DesCartes can be accessed directly from the students' RIT score reports, making it even easier to match skills to students and to organize flexible grouping and differentiated assignments.

Open report "Class by RIT" (on the left toolbar)
Choose the Term (i.e. "Fall 2005"). Click "Submit"
Scroll down to view the chart. Click on Math, Reading, or Language Usage to see the goal areas
For each goal area desired, click on a student's name to view DesCartes skills for that individual student -OR- Click on "All Students in Cell" to view DesCartes for the group of students - useful for flexible grouping

Note: Unfortunately, this resource is only available in districts that have purchased this tool (called "Instructional Resources") for their teachers.

Additional Resources: (Available from NWEA after logging in to their reports site)

"Essentials" - More information about DesCartes, including Teacher Tips
"Vocabulary by Subject Area & RIT Range" - Lists vocabulary words introduced at each RIT level
"Signs and Symbols by Subject Area & RIT Range" - Lists signs/symbols introduced at each RIT level

Printable version of directions for DesCartes (pdf)