![Bass Clef Choir members Zion Ondoma, Henry Hansen, and Zerik Nicholson harmonize vocals while singing "Prayer of the Children". “[It’s] a piece dealing with the Bosnian conflicts of the ‘90s,” said Associate Director of Choral Activities Matthew Jensen, “but is applicable to what's happening today all over the world.” The students will perform the song during Large Group Contests in Cedar Falls in May.](https://riverhawkpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260414_111618-1200x554.jpg)
MCHS students are getting ready for the annual ISASP testing the week of April 6th. Teachers have been showing them their scores from last year so students can set a goal for this year’s tests.
“We encourage students to just think about what a goal is that they might set for themselves to make improvements,” Dan Long, principal of MCHS, said. “When you set goals, and you put forth your best effort, and you work towards that, that’s a good strategy.”
Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, or ISASP, is the name of the standardized testing in Iowa. School administrators can use it as one indicator for academic success or progress and may consider it for school-based decisions about programming and curriculum. The score also helps students track their growth in English, Science, and Math from year to year.
Long said students should keep in mind that this is just one marker measurement. It doesn’t prove their worth.
“We’re always making sure people understand it’s just one score, that a test would never be an end-all for making a decision,” Long said.
In the weeks leading up to testing, some teachers are encouraging students to take practice tests on the ISASP Iowa Portal which is available online. It allows them to become familiar with the online format.
Rebecca Rother, English teacher and Speech Club Adviser, says students should get a good night’s sleep and not second-guess themselves.
“Students like to skip the directions part and just go to the work. Also, they second-guess themselves. Many times, your first instinct is the correct answer.” Rother said.
During the week of testing, students only work on one subject per day.
“That’s done intentionally to try to reduce the stress for students and hopefully improve their performance,” Long said.
Students will commence testing on Tuesday, April 7th, with reading and writing. Math testing will take place on Thursday, April 9th. Sophomores will take a science test on Friday, April 10th.
