Every March students at Liberty Take the Illinois stater test. Here at Liberty Middle School teachers and students work their best to work hard and show what they know. IAR is Illinois Assessment of Reediness. For some students it can be challenging but for others it may be simple and easy.

At Liberty some students don’t know why the IAR testing is so important to our school. Mr. Andrew Gipson, the principal here at Liberty, is the organizer of the IAR testing. Mr. Gipson says that IAR is to show what students have learned throughout the school year and how teachers are helping improve that. One way is that administrators encourage kids to come to school on IAR days by handing out raffle tickets to students here at Liberty. There are then prizes that students can win. To get a raffle ticket you must complete all the IAR tests. Then students put the tickets in boxes that have the prize listed on them. Then if your name gets pulled you win the prize!

Both tests are a big deal here, but some people like the ELA more than the Math or think it’s more useful. Others may think the Math test is better. Mr. Gipson stated that they are both useful in different ways. The ELA tests are good for writing and communication skills. He then states that Math is good for everyday skills like adding numbers.

IAR is a week where kids need to try their best to stay as focused as possible. “IAR is a snapshot in time of how you are doing. It doesn’t define you as a person or as a student, but it gives us a peak of how you learn best and how we can take the support and support you as you continue to learn and grow.” Mr. Gipson says about IAR. It’s important to not put too much pressure on yourself during IAR week.