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Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDTs)

What is the CDT?

The Pennsylvania Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) is a computer adaptive test (CAT). Similar to other assessments, students complete a CAT by responding to a series of multiple-choice items. A computer adaptive test (CAT) is different, because as a student responds to each test question, the CAT determines the next test question to ask the student. The CAT uses the student’s responses to determine which follow-up question would give the most information about the student’s performance on the Pennsylvania Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content and the Keystone Exams Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content. This means that each student can be administered a unique set of questions, which allows the test to give diagnostic information about each student’s understanding and abilities of the Pennsylvania Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content.

What is the Purpose of the CDT?

The purpose of the CDT is to provide information that will help guide instruction by providing support to students and teachers. The CDT reports are designed to provide a picture or snapshot of how students are performing in relation to the Pennsylvania Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content and the Keystone Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content. The CDT goes beyond focusing only on What students should know and be able to do at a particular grade and/or course. It also provides a snapshot of How and Why students may still be struggling or extending beyond the grade and/or course Eligible Content. This valuable information is typically not identified through other types of assessments. Teachers, through the use of CDT reports, may access additional information through the Learning Progression Map. The Learning Progression Map allows teachers to pinpoint where students are struggling along or extending beyond the learning continuum. The CDT helps identify, and provides suggestions, for "next steps" in student academic development.

Classroom Diagnostic Tools Resources - SAS Website

The CDT skills pamphlets should be used in conjunction with the student metacognition templates to assist with student identification of skill strengths and areas of needs and goal setting.