Question of the Week
Q: Is there a way to submit feedback to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) on the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) Online Field Test and Quality of School Climate and Safety (QSCS) Survey?
A: KDE is seeking input on the KAS Online Field Test and QSCS survey. From February 24 through March 6, the QSCS survey and field tests in reading, mathematics, on-demand writing, and editing/mechanics were administered in elementary, middle and high schools.
Please complete the following survey by May 1. It will take approximately 20 minutes. Survey results will be used by Pearson and KDE as we prepare for future online assessments. The survey may be completed by anyone involved in preparing, administering, proctoring, or overseeing the field tests and survey.
2019-2020 CTE End-of-Program Pilot Assessments
Accounting, Financial Services, Automation Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Design and Mechanical Engineering
All pilot assessments and testing windows have been cancelled for this school year. The Office of Career and Technical Education and Student Transition (OCTEST) plans to complete pilots in the fall of the 2020-2021 school year. Testing windows for the pilots will be released during the summer, or when more details are available, to assist schools and students with planning for these pilot assessments. With successful pilots in the fall of 2020, the plan is to continue to offer these new valid CTE EOP assessments in spring 2021. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.
Should district have questions or concerns regarding this topic, please feel free to contact Kiley Whitaker or Sherri Craig by phone at 502-564-4286.
End-of-Program (EOP) and TRACK Assessments
Please see below for important COVID-19 related updates regarding Career and Technical Education (CTE) assessments and industry certifications for the 2019-2020 academic year.
The following CTE testing windows for the 2019-2020 academic year were closed on March 13, 2020 due to statewide school closures related to COVID-19:
- CTE End-of-Program (EOP) Assessments (for articulated postsecondary credit)
- Tech Ready Apprentices for Careers in Kentucky (TRACK) Assessments in the Skilled Trades of Carpentry and Electrical (component of a valid industry certification)
Notwithstanding, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Office of Career and Technical Education and Student Transition (OCTEST) will offer a make-up testing window for those students interested in pursuing the end-of-program articulated credit or TRACK certification; however, these assessments will only be made available for 2019-2020 seniors who were registered for the spring 2020 testing. Possible testing dates are being explored at this time by the KDE and additional information will be forthcoming and would likely extend into the summer or possibly fall. All assessments offered during the make-up window shall be administered at students’ home high schools and be proctored pursuant to 703 KAR 5:080, Administration Code for Kentucky's Educational Assessment Program and 703 KAR 5:070, Inclusion of Special Populations in the State-Required Assessment and Accountability Programs.
Please be advised that the make-up window assessment results will not be reported or included within a school or district’s 2019-2020 state and federal accountability, pursuant to Kentucky’s approved federal emergency waiver from the United States Department of Education (USED). Nevertheless, schools and districts are strongly encouraged to make this opportunity available to any eligible 2019-2020 senior student who is interested, as the successful passing of these assessments provide opportunities for postsecondary articulated credit and/or job advancement within the workforce.
Industry Certification
The KDE OCTEST recommends that 2019-2020 senior students wishing to pursue an industry certification be tentatively given the opportunity to do so during the summer or early fall months. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, guidance from the KDE OCTEST will be provided in the coming weeks. These assessment opportunities, whether written, virtual, performance-based or a combination thereof, should be administered and proctored pursuant to 703 KAR 5:080, Administration Code for Kentucky's Educational Assessment Program and 703 KAR 5:070, Inclusion of Special Populations in the State-Required Assessment and Accountability Programs. Additionally, testing guidelines established by the assessment vendor shall also apply. Please be advised that the KDE does not support non-proctored vendor testing that would otherwise be proctored live and in-person outside of the COVID-19 emergency.
Furthermore, please note there will be no additional funding distributed this academic year for industry certification exams; however, the KDE OCTEST is currently exploring options for the carry forward of state and federal funding that is already allocated for industry certifications. More information will be forthcoming on this topic as it becomes available.
Like EOP and TRACK assessments, please be advised that industry certification assessment results will not be reported or included within a school or district’s state and federal accountability for the 2019-2020 academic year. Any valid industry certifications earned by underclassmen prior to March 13, 2020 will carry forward for future years’ accountability. Again, schools and districts are strongly encouraged to make certification opportunities available to any senior student who is interested, as the successful earning of a valid industry certification or credential carries labor market value and often provides opportunities for postsecondary and career acceleration.
Should districts have questions or concerns regarding these topics, please contact the KDE OCTEST at 502-564-4286.
Rowan County is comprised of seven schools in rural eastern Kentucky. The district consists of a centralized preschool, four elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. The student population is “home” to over 3,000 students. Each of the schools has been fully accredited by AdvancEd. Rowan County School District was only the seventh school district in the Commonwealth of Kentucky to earn full district accreditation from AdvancEd.
Morehead is located next to Interstate 64, and the county is surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest. Within the northern part of the forest, tourists visit Cave Run Lake to boat, fish, hike, and view wildlife. The community is home to Morehead State University, which is only one of four universities in the nation to offer a space science degree. Maysville Community and Technical College is in the MMRC Regional Industrial Park. MCTC’s Rowan Campus offers students training for the workforce in specialized fields. St. Claire Regional Medical Center is the general medical and surgical facility within Morehead. It is a collaboration teaching hospital between Morehead State University and the University of Kentucky.
The district has put a focus on developing and implementing effective systems for curriculum, assessment and instruction. All schools with Rowan County used the new improvement planning process of “Strategies.” This year, district and school administrators have been participating in the Clarity for Learning book study. School administrators are rolling out the five modules with their teachers. The district’s Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) and school principals monitor implementation at schools by conducting Eleot walk-throughs. Additionally, the ILT is working with teachers at all grades and for all content areas to revise the curriculum following the Model Curriculum Framework. They are also creating assessments that align to the new Kentucky Academic Standards. Rowan County administrators are in the process of developing a new mission and vision for the district as well.
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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