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K-1 Custom Benchmark Ranges

Overview

The K-1 Custom Benchmark Ranges feature in TKG Analytics allows districts to define grade-specific performance ranges for Kindergarten and 1st Grade assessments using raw percent scores out of 100.

This feature is designed to support districts that administer developmentally appropriate K-1 benchmarks that do not align cleanly with upper-grade performance band structures.

Once defined, K-1 custom ranges are applied consistently across the platform to ensure accurate reporting and projections for early elementary students.

K-1 ranges are the K-1 form of your district's custom cut scores; as with any district assessment, they must be set before the matching scores are imported. For the three assessment types and how each is scored, see Assessment Types and Per-Year Limits.

Custom K-1 ranges automatically apply to:

  • Impact Dashboards
  • Accountability Projections
  • Student-level performance classifications
  • CSV and PDF exports

Why It Matters

  • Provides age-appropriate performance classifications for Kindergarten and 1st Grade students.
  • Supports districts using early literacy screeners and foundational math assessments.
  • Prevents K-1 scores from being forced into upper-grade performance band logic.
  • Ensures consistent reporting across schools while allowing district-level flexibility.

How It Works

  1. District-Level Control
    Only users with district administrator permissions can manage K-1 benchmark ranges.

  2. Grade-Specific Logic
    Custom ranges apply only to Kindergarten and 1st Grade and do not affect grades 2–12.

  3. Subject-Aware Ranges
    Districts can define separate benchmark ranges for English Language Arts and Mathematics.

  4. Standard Defaults
    New benchmark ranges start from the standard percent-correct scale. To use a K-1 specific scale, enter the values below by hand in the Benchmark Ranges settings.

  5. Audit and Rollback
    All changes are logged with a timestamp and user name. Districts can revert to the standard scale at any time.

These values are not applied automatically. Every grade starts from the standard percent-correct scale. Districts that want a K-1 specific scale can enter the values below by hand in the Benchmark Ranges settings.

Kindergarten – English Language Arts

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4 5
0–14 15–26 27–34 35–40 41–48 49–56 57–72 73–100

Kindergarten – Mathematics

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4 5
0–13 14–27 28–39 40–50 51–58 59–67 68–84 85–100

1st Grade – English Language Arts

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4 5
0–16 17–28 29–36 37–42 43–51 52–59 60–77 78–100

1st Grade – Mathematics

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4 5
0–14 15–29 30–41 42–53 54–62 63–72 73–89 90–100

Customization Guidance

These benchmark ranges are recommended values, not platform defaults. The platform defaults every grade to the standard percent-correct scale.

If a district prefers different performance expectations:

  • Ranges can be edited directly in the Benchmark Ranges settings
  • Changes take effect immediately for all dashboards and exports
  • No reconfiguration is required

Districts are encouraged to review these ranges annually and adjust them as instructional expectations evolve.

PDF and CSV Export Example

When a district downloads the Benchmark Ranges CSV, it contains the grade, subject, and the cut_scores list.
The cut_scores column lists the lower bound of each band in ascending order.

grade subject cut_scores
Kindergarten English 0,15,27,35,41,49,57,73
Kindergarten Math 0,14,28,40,51,59,68,85
1st Grade English 0,17,29,37,43,52,60,78
1st Grade Math 0,15,30,42,54,63,73,90

Editing Benchmark Ranges

  1. Log in to TKG Analytics.

  2. In District Information, click View Benchmark Ranges (District Admins only). benchmark_ranges.png

  3. Find the grade and subject you want to update, then click Edit. edit_benchmark_ranges.png

  4. Adjust the lower bound for each performance band as needed.

  5. Click Save to apply the changes across all dashboards, projections, and exports.

Changes to benchmark ranges take effect immediately for all users in the district.

Timing Requirements for K-1 Ranges

K-1 benchmark ranges must be finalized before Impact data is generated for the assessment window.

  • Impact calculations reference benchmark ranges at the time they are first run.
  • Updating ranges after Impact data is generated does not retroactively update results.
  • Reprocessing data is not part of the standard workflow and may require support intervention.

Recommendation:
Confirm all K-1 benchmark ranges at the start of the assessment window and prior to uploading student score files.

Support

To enable or update K-1 custom benchmark ranges:

  1. Open a Helpdesk Ticket
  2. Schedule an implementation review
  3. Add your district’s desired cut score percentages in the Benchmark Ranges settings