FAQs: Benchmark assessments in Imagine Español

Imagine Español K–5 Grade-Level Benchmark assessments are standard-aligned, fixed-form assessments that are administered online. They are not intended to be used as a measure of student’s English language proficiency and will NOT impact student learning paths. All students will receive the appropriate Benchmark associated with their rostered grade level.

These fixed-form assessments were written and designed to align directly to the instruction within Imagine Español. They are also aligned to national college and career standards for Spanish Language Arts, which were created by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), the California Department of Education (CDE), and the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE). Thus, students have a unique opportunity to demonstrate growth both within the program (from one Benchmark to another in the same school year) and to nationally recognized standards.

Imagine Learning’s Assessment Research team runs statistical analyses on our assessments annually in order to evaluate our items (test questions) in a data-driven way. We then use that data to update test questions when warranted. The test questions usually stay the same, but occasionally revisions are needed. We also take our partner-district feedback into consideration. These are ongoing and required parts of any good test development process. 
Once the statistical analyses are complete, Expected Growth for Imagine Español Benchmarks will be updated accordingly. 

For the 2025-2026 school year, Benchmark Assessment reports will provide raw scores (percent correct) and growth across Benchmarks. The Benchmark Growth report will provide metrics on student percent correct and student progress on the Benchmark assessments (Not Started, In Progress, Completed, and Expired). Student results will be available within an hour after an assessment is completed.

The IE Benchmarks consist of 30 items (test questions) for Grades K–1 and 35 items for Grades 2–5. Students should be able to complete the test in a 60-minute session. However, to reduce test fatigue, we recommend that students work in shorter sessions. For instance, dividing the test into three 20-minute sessions can minimize fatigue and increase focus, especially for students in the lower grades.

Students will require headphones/earbuds as the assessment has audio components.

Imagine Español Benchmark assessments have fixed windows and are enabled for all students by default. 

• BOY = August 1st – October 31st
• MOY = December 1st – February 28th
• EOY = April 1st – June 30th

The student experience is as follows:
Scenario A: Returning students prior to August 1st

• Students who log in before August 1st will continue their learning path. Once they log in on or after August 1st, they will automatically receive a Benchmark assessment. Students must complete the assessment in order to be returned to their learning path.

Scenario B: New students complete Placement test prior to August 1st

• Students who are brand-new to IE and who log in before August 1st will receive the Placement test to begin their learning path. Students must complete the Placement test to begin their learning path.
• After students complete the Placement test, and after August, students will be given the first Benchmark assessment. Depending on the timing of your school year and how it coincides with the Benchmark testing windows, students could receive back-to-back assessments. We recognize that this is not ideal and plan to improve this experience in the future.

Scenario C: New students start but don't finish the Placement test by August 1st

• Students who are brand-new to IE and who begin but don't complete the Placement test prior to August 1st will automatically be directed to take the Benchmark upon their first login after August 1st. This will interrupt the Placement test. Once the Benchmark is completed, the student will then be re-directed to finish their already in-progress Placement test. We recognize that this is not ideal and plan to improve this experience in the future.

Scenario D: Brand-new students after August 1st

• Students who are just beginning the IE program and who log in on or after August 1st will first receive the first Benchmark assessment to complete.
• Students complete the Benchmark assessment and then receive the Placement test, receiving back-to-back assessments. (We recognize that this not ideal and plan to improve this experience in the future.)
• Once students complete both assessments, they will then begin their learning path.
• Students logging in after August 1st but during a time when a Benchmark testing window is not open—i.e., November, March, or July— will receive the Placement test first, and then the Benchmark once the next assessment window opens.

For MOY and EOY assessment windows, students will follow the same scenarios as listed above, just within the calendar dates of the respective windows.

Students who begin the Benchmark in the appropriate test window will have 28 calendar days to complete it. If the student has not completed the test within this timeframe, the Benchmark expires. Once a student logs back into Imagine Español, the student will automatically be reassigned the Benchmark. Essentially the student will be given a fresh start and the student's test status will change from Expired to In Progress. However, if the testing window has closed and the student did not complete the Benchmark within 28 calendar days, the student's status will remain Expired, and the student will no longer have the opportunity to complete that Benchmark. They will receive a new Benchmark in the next upcoming testing window.

This functionality is currently in progress. For now, you may not reassign the IE Benchmarks, but if a Benchmark expires during an open test window and the student logs back in during that same window, the student will automatically be presented with a refreshed Benchmark to complete. Deleting assessment scores will not be available at this time, but the score does not impact the student’s learning path.

The Benchmark assessments look and feel "structured" like an online assessment, whereas the Placement test is more “gamified” in the interaction. For more information on the Placement Test, see:

• Student experience in the Imagine Español Placement test
• Student experience in the Grades K–2 Imagine Español Benchmark test
• Student experience in the Imagine Español Grades 2–5 Placement test

To turn off the Benchmarks at the district level, please contact your Customer Success Manager (CSM).

The Benchmark will be delivered to all students in Grades K–5, but the student (or you, on the student's behalf) may skip to the end of the test and submit it. The result will be a score of 0 for that student.