Dear Amana Parents,

The state has recently released log-in assignments for the OAS (Online Assessment System), which provides all students in the state of Georgia with access to online practice multiple-choice questions, aligned with GA Performance Standards, to help students prepare for the CRCT (Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests), the mandatory standardized state tests administered in April of every school year to grades 1-8.

Your child is receiving their log-in information this week, and you will receive a Parent information letter, so that you can access the OAS on the internet from your home computer. Every class will complete at least one log-in in Amana's computer lab to ensure that the log-in is functioning and that the student knows how to access their practice tests so that they may continue to practice from home. Teachers will be giving at least one OAS homework assignment per subject per week so that the students have ample practice in CRCT wording and test format. Parents may assign their child additional OAS practice tests as desired.

Additionally, all Intervention students have received a free CRCT Coach test prep workbook for the subject area-Reading or Math- in which they are receiving special services (Special Education, ESOL, EIP, or REP). Please note that participation in Intervention programs are not by request; they are regulated by state guidelines and all students in the programs have already been identified.

All other parents are welcome to purchase Reading or Math CRCT Coach workbooks for their child's grade level through Amana. The workbooks are available at the Reception Desk starting tomorrow, November 19, at dismissal. Each workbook is $20, covering the bulk purchase price plus shipping/handling charges. These workbooks are available only to educational institutions, and are not for individual sale through the publisher.

Amana Academy has traditionally done exceptionally well on standardized tests due to the deeper understandings our students gain through our Expeditionary Learning instructional framework, which gives students a hands-on approach to learning. However, familiarity with standardized test formats is shown to increase confidence and boost scores, so Amana teachers work with their classes on how to respond to a standardized test format. We are not a test-prep school, yet our students do well because of our multi-faceted approach.

Please contact our Test Coordinator, Kevin Durkin, if you have any questions about OAS.

Thank you!

Best regards,
Jelena Naim
Interim Executive Director
Amana Academy
A Fulton County public charter school