Question of the Week
Q: When can accommodated materials for the Kentucky Academic Standards Field Test and the operational K-PREP assessment be ordered?
A:Ordering accommodated materials (Braille, Large Print, Text Reader and Audio CD or Audio Flash Drive) in PearsonAccessnext opened today for all Field Tests and remains open for the Operational Test. For additional details such as when accommodated kits may be ordered, consult the Accommodations Materials Ordering document
All Field Test orders must be ordered at the district level via an additional order in PearsonAccessnext. All Operational Orders must be placed as a normal order during the district’s ordering window. For assistance in completing an order for accommodated materials contact the Pearson Help Desk at (888)437-1430 or via e-mail. The KDE Online Testing Toolbox (pg. 16) also has a section on ordering paper materials which may be useful.
QSCS Survey Included in Accountability
For 2019-2020, with the inclusion of the Quality of School Climate and Safety (QSCS) survey, the complete set of legislatively required indicators will be included in Kentucky's school accountability system. Similar to other indicators (i.e. proficiency, separate academic, growth, transition readiness, etc.), the QSCS will be included in the school’s 5-star rating system. The survey responses will be converted into a score that will be combined into an indicator score for the school. The indicator score will be included in the overall score using weights approved by the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE).
For 2019-2020 school accountability, the QSCS survey indicator score will be included in the overall score. Weights for accountability are
Elementary/Middle Schools
- Proficiency = 35
(Reading and Mathematics)
- Separate Academic = 26
(Science, Social Studies and Writing)
- Growth = 35
(including ELs)
- Quality of School Climate and Safety = 4
High Schools
- Proficiency = 45
(Reading and Mathematics)
- Separate Academic = 15
(Science, Social Studies and Writing)
- Quality of School Climate and Safety = 4
- Transition Readiness = 30
(including ELs)
- Graduation = 6
(Four- and Five-Year Cohort)
Kentucky educators will be sought to participate in a standard setting. One outcome of the standard setting will be to determine labels of very low, low, medium, high, or very high for the QSCS indicator. Another outcome of the standard setting will be to incorporate the QSCS indicator into the five star system.
Additional details will be shared as they are finalized.
Upcoming February/March DAC Trainings
The Division of Assessment and Accountability Support (DAAS) looks forward to the annual Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA), District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) trainings. As a reminder, all materials are available in electronic form. No paper materials will be distributed at the meetings. Participants are encouraged to bring their computer. If you would like paper copies, please print them to bring with you.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and will be followed by the training sessions scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (local meeting location time).
Note: Participants focused on elementary and middle school content may wish to register later. Please review topics and times below to determine the best time to arrive.
The agenda contains the following topics and approximate times:
- 8:30-9:30 High School: Operational Testing, EOCs, ACT, and Transition Readiness
- 9:30-10:00 High School: Pearson Training
- 10:00-11:00 Elementary, Middle and High: Accommodations, Test Security and Alternate Assessment
- 11:00-12:30 Elementary, Middle and High: SDRR*
- 12:30-1:30 Lunch
- 1:30-2:30 Elementary and Middle: K-PREP
- 2:30-4:00 Elementary and Middle: Pearson Training
*This will be an interactive session. Please have your username and password available to log into SDRR. District VPN connection will need to be established.
There are two ways to obtain the meeting materials: receive an electronic copy, or at the meeting at the link below,
2020 Feb DAC Training SharePoint Link
2020 Feb DAC Training GOOGLE DRIVE
To receive a copy at the meeting, you may copy the materials to your computer or USB flash drive. Instructions on how to access the Wi-Fi will be available at each site.
Materials may be updated or new things added to the cloud, as they become available this month (i.e. K-PREP DAC/BAC manual).
The DAAS believes that safety of the participants is most important. Some people may not be able to attend the DAC meetings due to weather (snow, ice, flood, etc.) or other circumstances. For these reasons, DAAS is planning to offer a recorded or an electronic version of the training as well.
In case of inclement weather on a scheduled DAC meeting, the Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA) will cancel the meeting if the county or district hosting the meeting has cancelled school for the day (i.e., if Warren County Schools are closed, the GRREC DAC training is cancelled; if Ashland Schools are closed, the KEDC DAC training is cancelled). Check Murray State University for closing.
We look forward to seeing each of you soon.
2020 K-PREP Testing Format Items and Times Chart Now Available
The Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA) is pleased to provide the new operational 2020 K-PREP Testing Format Items and Times chart for Grades 3-8, 10 and 11. It is now available on the K-PREP page on the KDE website.
Scores in Infinite Campus (IC)
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) strives to publish student results data in Infinite Campus (IC) as it becomes available. In this spirit, 2019-2020 KYOTE scores have been imported into the State Edition of Campus. KDE will publish these scores to all districts beginning on Tuesday February 11.
Please email KDE data services inbox with any questions on this matter.
Cohort Primary Report for 4-year and 5-year
The Preliminary 4-year and 5-year Adjusted Cohort Student Listings are now available in the Student Data Review and Rosters (SDRR) application. These reports allow District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) the opportunity to review the students associated to the district/school. When checking for changes made in Infinite Campus (IC), please note the Data Last Updated date in red in the Cohort section of SDRR. These reports are for information only. Submission of change requests will be available after the end of the current school year (July 31). It is a good time to review and filter for students associated to the district/school with On Time status of No, and Non-Participation set to Participated.
For assistance, click on the “I NEED HELP” button in SDRR or Cohort Tool. If you do not find the answer there, contact KDE Assessment via email or phone (502) 564-9853.
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DAC Spotlight
Martha Jones
Woodford County Schools
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Located in the charming towns of Versailles and Midway, Woodford County Schools is a district comprised of seven schools that educate just over 4,300 students every day. The district is committed to creating a safe, positive environment in which students are both encouraged and challenged as they learn and grow. Continuously achieving this standard requires not only the engagement of each student but also the collaborative efforts of every teacher, administrator and support staff member. In this way, the district motto, “Where Great Minds Meet,” is truly demonstrated.
Woodford County Schools is dedicated to equipping teachers with the tools and encouragement necessary for providing exceptional classroom instruction for all students. Teachers are supported through the following initiatives: the Best Practice Academy (a district-implemented professional development opportunity), the New Teacher Induction and Mentoring Program (a program designed for teachers in their first four years of the profession), and various other staff training, conferences, and professional development opportunities. To ensure student achievement and continuous improvement throughout the district, administrators from each building convene once per month to share ideas, discuss data, and receive valuable information regarding state testing, standards, and more. Additionally, ELEOT walk-throughs take place multiple times throughout the year. This consistent, objective feedback allows principals to make certain that student engagement and learning are reaching optimal levels in every classroom.
The district makes conscious efforts to provide all students with the opportunities and support needed to graduate college, career, and life ready. In the 2019-2020 school year, 266 students are participating in 726 dual credit classes (this number has grown from just 25 student participants in the 2015-2016 school year). Woodford County High School has 19 Career and Technical Education pathways for students to pursue as well as several industry certifications they may achieve. To support its elementary students, the district implements a summer reading program targeted at students who will most benefit from continued instruction throughout the break. Also, in the summertime, all elementary students are invited to participate in a STEM enrichment day every week.
Woodford County Schools strives to provide students with a wide range of extracurricular activities. From robotics club and theater to academic team and athletics, the district loves to help students engage interests and develop passions. They are particularly excited about the music, art and theater opportunities in each school. Additionally, the district-wide orchestra program is available for students at all three levels and has experienced immense growth since it began in 2011.
Woodford County Schools continues to create a positive school culture in which all of students and staff are valued and inspired to reach their highest potential.
Disclaimer: Any views or opinions presented in the article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).
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