The department is responsible for all aspects of student assessment, both state and district-wide, grades pre-kindergarten through twelve.  Children as young as age three are assessed on developmental milestones and data is utilized by teachers to guide instructional practices. In kindergarten students are assessed to determine readiness, using the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment.  Students in grade three must demonstrate reading proficiency under the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, in order to earn promotion to the fourth grade. State Assessments begin in third grade and continue through eleventh grade for most students. High school students may participate in Advanced Placement Tests, End of Course Exams, WorkKeys Assessments, Webxams, ACT, SAT, PSAT and pre-ACT administrations.  The district also assesses students for superior cognitive ability, gifted arts and academics, as well as “creative thinker” status. Students participate in district wide benchmarking assessments, beginning in kindergarten. The Measures of Academic Performance (MAP) test is given three times a year to maintain a barometer on student progress. Parents can expect to receive informational reports on the progress and academic achievement of their children following each assessment, both state and district. English Learners are assessed for language proficiency in the spring of each year.

The department facilitates the collection, analysis and distribution of data for educators to use to formulate and guide instructional practices.  Data is also utilized to determine the effectiveness of programs and materials.

Under the direction of the Director of Data, Assessment and Preschool, the  Bedford City School District operates a five-star preschool program, as rated by Step Up To Quality through the Ohio Department of Education.  The preschool serves children with and without disabilities, ages three through five. Preschoolers receive instruction in half and full day programs, as well as through itinerant services in the following developmental areas:  Social-Emotional, Fine and Gross Motor, Academic, Cognitive, Adaptive and Language. The department implements and maintains the Early Childhood Education Grant, the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Grant and Preschool Special Education funding.