The testing window for WorkKeys is April 19-May 3. WDE and ACT will be offering WorkKeys in two different formats this year: online and paper/pencil. On March 7, ACT test coordinators will receive an email with credentials to access the portal for the online assessment. Also on March 7, the portal for ordering online materials and a link to order paper materials will become available.  For those who prefer the paper/pencil assessment, a link will be posted on the ACT Wyoming webpage so schools may order materials.  Please watch the newsletter for continuing updates about these tools and other materials concerning WorkKeys.

If you are administering WorkKeys online, there are a number of suggested training webinars available to assist Test Coordinators and Test Administrators with that transition.

ACT WorkKeys Test Administration Training for Online Testing Webinar (Duration: 1 hr.)

March 11 (1 pm), April 1 (10 am), or April 12 (1 pm)

This webinar is intended for new test coordinators and proctors administering the online version of ACT WorkKeys. 

Register here: WorkKeys Test Administration Training for Online Testing

ACT WorkKeys Groups and Batch Load Training for Online Testing Webinar (Duration: 1 hr.)

March 29 (1 pm), or  April 15 (2 pm)

This training will cover using "Groups" and/or "Batch Loading" as part of the ACT WorkKeys online test administration process. 

Register here: ACT WorkKeys Groups and Batch Load Training for Online Testing

It has recently come to our attention that there is some confusion in the field about whether the new Aspire assessments in grades 9 and 10 are optional and whether the data will be used for school accountability.

As you know, the ACT retired the Explore and Plan assessments, effective at the end of the 2014-15 school year.  In order to minimize design changes to the WAEA high school accountability model, statute from last year's legislative session was developed that essentially substituted Aspire for Explore and Plan beginning in the spring of 2016.  

Given statute, Aspire is a required assessment and it will be used in place of Explore and Plan for school accountability under WAEA.  All 9th and 10th grade students are expected to participate in Aspire (with or without accommodations); students with the most significant cognitive disabilities are expected to participate in the Wy-ALT instead.

Now that schools have access to the Aspire portal, it is time to do an Infrastructure Trial, verify student data, input students’ accommodations, and finally begin setting up test sessions and groups. Schools should also be checking the portal for transfer approvals. If you are unsure about the transfer process, please review the Transferring Students training module.

The Test Management System (actaspire.tms.pearson.com) contains many tutorials and further information about test administration, or the ACT page on the WDE website (edu.wyoming.gov/educators/state-assesment/act/) for other helpful tools including the following:

• Computer-Based Testing Step-By-Step
• Paper/Pencil Testing Step-By-Step

School staff are responsible for ensuring maximum student participation in the statewide assessment system. School staff are also responsible for ensuring test security. As noted in the PAWS Building Coordinator’s Manual, district staff may transport test booklets between buildings (including to a student’s home) with approval from the Wyoming Department of Education to facilitate student participation in exceptional circumstances. In order to grant approval, WDE will need to review and approve the process the district or school will implement while moving the testing materials in question. This process should include:

1. An assessment calendar which identifies the administration dates and testing locations and names of Test Administrators (TAs)

2. The processes that ensure the security of PAWS materials while being distributed, transported, and re-collected/returned

3. Practices that ensure the optimal test environments for students

4. Any accommodations required for addressing needs of students with disabilities 

All secure materials transportation requests must be submitted via email to Deb Lindsey (deb.lindsey@wyo.gov).  

WORD OF THE WEEK

high stakes

 Significant consequences for an individual or an organization, used in education reform to refer to tests or assessments that have serious sanctions or rewards for students, teachers, administrators, schools, or school systems. An exam that must be passed in order to receive a high school diploma is an example of high stakes for students. Examples of high stakes for schools include loss or gain of accreditation or funding of increases in teachers’ salaries.