Overview
This guide is designed to help educators and administrators understand how Bridges assessments are presented and used within the Otus platform. Whether you're administering, reviewing, or interpreting Bridges assessments in Otus, this document will walk you through what to expect and how to navigate the system.
Please note: the Bridges Assessments in Otus are accessible to current Bridges users. If your district is interested in using the Bridges curriculum, please reach out to The Math Learning Center to inquire.
What Are Bridges Assessments?
In collaboration with The Math Learning Center, Otus now offers Bridges assessments in a fully digital format, streamlining the assessment process and making it easier to administer, collect, and analyze student results. These assessments in Otus are intended to be used with the Bridges materials, and the digital assessments are as close to print assessments as possible.
About The Math Learning Center
At The Math Learning Center, we believe that well-designed assessments provide meaningful, strengths-focused information about students’ thinking and enable educators to make instructional decisions that support students’ mathematical growth.
Which Assessments are in Otus?
Each unit of instruction contains three to six assessments in the form of:
Screeners | Grades 1–5: one per unit; designed to show the prerequisite skills.
Checkpoints | Grades K–5 one to two per unit; designed to show student understanding of concepts part-way through the unit of instruction.
Work Samples | Grades 2–5: one to two per unit; designed to provide more opportunities for students to respond to open-ended problems that highlight their thinking and strategies.
Unit Assessments | Grades 1–5: one per unit; designed to assess student understanding of concepts from the entire unit.
Baseline and Interims (K): units 1, 2, 4, 6, & 8; designed to allow teachers to monitor student progress through the year with key numeracy skills.
Bridges Intervention (BRINT); Volumes 1-9.
Placement Assessments; designed to help teachers select a module using the Starting Points information from the scoring guides
Progress Monitoring Assessments; designed to inform decisions about future intervention sessions and determine whether the interventions are working
Assessment Format Options
The Math Learning Center and Otus collaborated to create digital versions of Bridges assessments in Otus that match the original paper-based versions with fidelity. As a result, each assessment is available in two formats:
1. Advanced Assessment (Student-Facing in Otus)
This is a digital version of the student assessment from the Bridges curriculum.
Students complete the assessment directly within Otus, taking advantage of digital tools, embedded visuals, and auto-scoring where applicable.
2. Rubric Assessment (Educator-Facing in Otus)
This version mirrors the scoring guide from the Bridges curriculum.
Students complete the assessment on paper, following the standard Bridges format.
Educators then enter scores directly into Otus using the Rubric Assessment, capturing the same data points, standards, and point values as the digital version.
Choosing Between the Two Versions
Both assessment types capture the same standards-aligned data and point values — the choice depends on how the educator prefers to integrate Otus into their classroom.
Use the Advanced Assessment if you want students to complete the assessment digitally in Otus, benefiting from automatic scoring and online assessment tools.
Use the Rubric Assessment if you prefer students to complete the assessment on paper, but still want to record scores and track assessment data within Otus.
The Advanced Assessments and Rubric Assessments also enable teachers to have some students take an assessment digitally while others take their assessment on paper.
A Special Note Regarding Kindergarten and Bridges Intervention Assessments
Kindergarten
We made a deliberate decision to provide only Rubric Assessments within Otus. This choice reflects both the structure of the Bridges Kindergarten assessments and the developmental needs of young learners.
Kindergarten assessments are a blend of interview-based and written activities, with a strong emphasis on writing numerals by hand. Developing this foundational skill is an essential part of early math instruction, and completing these assessments on paper ensures students have meaningful, hands-on opportunities to practice numeral formation.
Bridges Intervention
Similar to Kindergarten, most BRINT assessments include interview and written tasks. The individual interviews are intended to be performance tasks that provide the teacher with insights that cannot be gained by administering and scoring written tasks alone.
By using the Kindergarten and BRINT Rubric Assessment version in Otus:
Educators can administer assessments on paper, maintaining the integrity of these learning experiences.
Teachers can quickly enter scores and notes into Otus, capturing the same data — including points and standards — for easy reporting and analysis, without having students complete the assessment digitally.
How Bridges Assessments Look in Otus
Bridges assessments in Otus closely reflect the paper versions but are adapted for a digital environment. Here’s what you can expect:
Assessment Layout:
Each question is displayed on its own screen or grouped logically if it is a multi-part question. Students can easily navigate forward and backward within the assessment, as well as navigate to a specific question.
Question Types and Student Workspaces
Bridges assessments in Otus include a variety of question types, designed to match the content and format of the original Bridges materials. These include:
Fill-in-the-Blank
Multiple Choice
Extended Response
Workspaces for Showing Work
Other tech-enhanced question types, such as; Drag and Drop, Matching, Drop Down, and more.
What if students need to measure or use manipulatives? See this section below to learn more
Here’s how some of the interactive features work:
Traditional Fill-in-the-Blank
For questions where students aren’t required to label their answer, a blank text box is provided. A math keypad will appear along with the response box, allowing students to enter their answer using either the on-screen keypad or their keyboard.
Fill-in-the-Blank with Labeling
Some questions ask students to include both a numerical answer and a label (for example, 12 inches). In these cases, students will see two response boxes: one for the number and one for the label.
Multiple Choice and Extended Response
Students select the correct answer from a list of predefined options to demonstrate knowledge or understanding. In addition, students may be asked construct a longer, open-ended written response to explain reasoning.
Drag and Drop
Students move answer choices into designated areas to visually demonstrate their understanding or categorize information.
Drop Down
Students select an answer from a list of options embedded within a sentence or structure to complete or modify it accurately.
Showing Thinking (Drawing)
Many questions require students to demonstrate their thinking. When this is the case, students are provided with a digital workspace where they can either type their explanation or use drawing tools to show their work.
Scoring:
Auto Scoring
Most items in the Bridges Advanced Assessments are designed to be auto-scored by Otus, using the scoring guide from the Bridges curriculum. Educators also have the ability to adjust or override any auto-scored point values at their discretion, ensuring that final scores most accurately reflect student performance.
Manual Scoring
Some items — such as those requiring students to show their work, explain their reasoning, or complete open-ended tasks — will need to be manually scored by the teacher. Teachers should refer to the assessment's scoring guide to determine how to score these items.
Alignment with Standards:
Each assessment is aligned with grade-level Common Core State Standards, just like the original Bridges materials. The standards linked to each question match the standards outlined in the Bridges Scoring Guides for each assessment.
Using Physical Tools During Digital Assessments
Some Bridges assessment questions ask students to use physical tools — like rulers, tiles, or Unifix cubes — to measure, build, or model as part of their response.
In certain situations, hands-on measurement and building activities are more effective when done with physical tools rather than digitally. Measuring with a real ruler or arranging physical tiles helps students develop a clearer, more concrete understanding of the concept. To support this, questions that require tools like rulers, cubes, or tiles include a message prompting students to complete part of the task on paper using the appropriate tools (such as measuring with a ruler or building with tiles). Once they’ve completed the hands-on part, they will enter their final answer into Otus.
Example:
Which Questions Require Printed Pages and Tools?
Before administering the assessment, educators should ensure that any required printed pages and tools are prepared for students. Certain questions involve hands-on tasks — like measuring a line or building a model — that can’t be fully completed on a screen. In these cases, students will need both the printed assessment page (for example, a page with a line to measure) and the appropriate tool (such as a ruler or cubes). Make sure to consult the corresponding session in the Bridges teacher’s guide for necessary materials for an assessment (measuring tools, colored tiles, pattern blocks, Unifix cubes). Any question on an assessment that needs materials will be noted in green on the question in Otus.
Click to see a list of the assessments and specific questions that require printed pages and physical materials.
Click to see a list of the assessments and specific questions that require printed pages and physical materials.
Grade 1 Unit 6 Shapes Checkpoint, Q4
Grade 1 Unit 6 Assessment Q8
Grade 2 Unit 4 Inches, Feet, & Yards Checkpoint, Q1b
Grade 2 Unit 4 Assessment Q1a, b, c
Grade 2 Unit 6 Geometry Checkpoint - educators may want to give this entire assessment on paper, as each question asks to use a geoboard or tiles, and is likely better suited for paper-pencil
Grade 2 Unit 6 Assessment Q5a, b
Grade 2 Unit 7 Assessment Q1a, b, c
Grade 3 Unit 4 Screener Q4
Grade 3 Unit 5 Assessment Q9
Grade 3 Unit 7 Screener Q2
Grade 4 Unit 5 Angles Checkpoint Q2
Grade 4 Unit 5 Lines and Angles WS - educators may want to give this entire assessment on paper, as each question asks to use a ruler or protractor, and is likely better suited for paper-pencil
Grade 4 Unit 5 Geometry Checkpoint Q1 (geoboard)
Grade 5 Unit 6 Assessment Q5
Finding and Assigning Bridges Assessments in Otus
Assessment Location
In Otus, the assessments are organized into folders. The first-level folder is by grade level. Once in a grade level, it is further divided into units. After clicking into a unit folder, you’ll see individual assessments, and an additional folder. The individual assessments are the Advanced Assessments (the ones the students take in Otus). The folder contains the scoring guides (Rubrics)
Note:
WS denotes "Work Sample"
CHK denotes "Checkpoint"
Assigning the Assessment
Educators can assign Advanced Assessments to individual students, groups, or entire classes directly from the Drafts section of the Assessments module.
Assignment Options Include:
Selecting Recipients: Choose specific classes, student groups, or individual students.
Scheduling: Set start dates, due dates, and availability windows to control when students can access the assessment.
Instructions: Provide customized instructions for students to view before beginning the assessment.
Assessment Settings: Configure options such as time limits, student annotation tools, and accessibility features like the Texthelp SpeechStream toolbar.
Grading the Assessment
After students complete an Advanced Assessment, educators can review and grade responses through the Assigned section of the Assessments module.
Grading Features Include:
Auto-Scored Questions: Automatically graded based on predefined correct answers.
Manual Scoring: Manually grade open-ended responses or override auto-scored items as needed.
Score Adjustments: Adjust the overall assessment score without altering individual question scores.
Feedback: Leave comments on the overall assessment to provide feedback to students.
Portfolio Integration: Add assessments to student portfolios for comprehensive performance tracking.
Enhancing the Assessment Experience with Otus Tools
Otus Advanced Assessments offer a variety of digital tools designed to support diverse learning needs and enhance student engagement. These tools can be enabled during the assessment assignment process to tailor the experience to your classroom's requirements.
Student Annotations
When enabled, students have access to annotation tools that facilitate active engagement with assessment content:
Notepad: A movable digital notebook for jotting down thoughts or calculations, accessible throughout the assessment.
Sticky Notes: Attach notes to specific questions, aiding in organization and thought processes.
Highlight Tool: Emphasize key parts of questions or instructions.
Drawing Tool: Visually represent ideas or work through problems directly on the assessment.
To enable these tools, check the "Allow Student Annotations" option when assigning the assessment.
Accessibility Options
Certain accessibility features are built-in to the student experience. They include:
Changing the color scheme: supports students with visual sensitivities or color perception challenges, helping reduce eye strain and improve focus.
Changing the font size: makes text easier to read for students with visual impairments or reading difficulties, supporting better comprehension and access.
Texthelp SpeechStream Toolbar
This accessibility feature provides a range of support options:
Text-to-Speech: Reads assessment content aloud, aiding comprehension.
Dictionary and Translator: Offers definitions and single-word translations to support vocabulary understanding.
Highlighters: Allow students to mark important information for easy reference.
Drawing Tool: Allow students to free-hand draw over the item.
Enable this feature by selecting the "Texthelp SpeechStream" option during assessment assignment.