The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is excited to share resources that increase transparency regarding the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+). The assessment reports student achievement levels according to the Indiana Academic Standards that were adopted by the Indiana State Board of Education in 2014. The assessments are administered in two parts: Part 1 consists of applied skills (open-ended) items, and Part 2 includes multiple-choice and technology-enhanced items. Both Part 1 and Part 2 are required components of the ISTEP+ program and are used to measure student mastery of the Indiana Academic Standards.
The Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) is designed to measure the Indiana Academic Standards.
Blueprints and Item Specification
The purpose of the test blueprints, designed with the help of Indiana classroom teachers, is to define, according to academic standards, the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of students on the assessments.
The blueprints can be used as tools to:
- Align expectations regarding mastery of the standards;
- Identify the degree of emphasis of curricular components;
- Assist and guide in prioritizing curriculum and instructional planning; and
- Enhance classroom assessment.
Item specifications define exactly how each standard should be measured. An item specification exists for every standard measured on the assessment and provides evidence statements, required level(s) of rigor, important vocabulary, sample items, and other important information.
Item specifications tell teachers and students exactly how content and skills will be measured on the assessment.
ISTEP+ Blueprints
ISTEP+ Specifications
Item Samplers
Performance Level Descriptors
Interpreting Results
Released Items
Content-Specific Resources
Math Specific Resources
- Calculator Policy
- ISTEP+ Grade 10 Math Open-Ended Items Rubrics (used to score Constructed Response and Extended Response items)
- Math Reference Sheet
- Graph Paper Guidance
- Math Grade 10 Assessment Vocabulary
- Understanding ISTEP+ Online Math Responses PowerPoint slides | Video
ELA Specific Resources
- Guidelines to Applying Rubrics for Open-Ended Items
- ISTEP+ Grade 10 Writing Rubric (used to score the writing prompt)
- ISTEP+ Grade 10 Grammar and Usage Rubric (used to score the writing prompt)
- ISTEP+ Grade 10 Constructed Response Rubric (used to score open-ended reading comprehension items)
- ELA Grade 10 Assessment Vocabulary
The Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP)+ is a standardized assessment managed by systematic policies. Most assessment policies apply to all assessments and can be found in the Indiana Assessment Policy Manual. This page provides policies and guidance that are specific to ISTEP+.
