Question of the Week
Q: What opportunities are available for teachers interested in the review of assessment items?
A: The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA), is seeking classroom teachers and content specialists working in support of teachers to review items for future Kentucky assessments in reading and writing, mathematics and social studies. Senate Bill 1 (2017) requires that the department implement a process to review Kentucky's Academic Standards (KAS) and the alignment of corresponding assessments for possible revision or replacement.
Current classroom teachers or content specialists working in support of teachers interested in the review of assessment items are needed. A pool of candidates is being gathered for this critical work and participants will be notified if accepted. Currently, applications are being accepted through July 1.
At this time, item review meetings taking place in the fall of 2020 will most likely be done virtually, but applicants may also be asked to meet in person in Frankfort or Lexington. Virtual meetings may take place during or after school hours or a combination of both.
The online application found in this application document, which will be posted for 30 days. Substitute teacher expense along with travel will be reimbursed. Timeline of activities will be communicated to individuals once they are determined, with work taking place as early as the end of July. If you have any questions, please email them to KDE DAC Information.
NAEP to Continue in 2020-2021
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as The Nation’s Report Card will occur for the 2020-2021 school year. The U.S. Education Department (USED), in conjunction with NAEP, will notify schools of delays across the nation.
The announcement of which Kentucky schools have been chosen to participate in NAEP is also delayed. School districts will be notified of their selection sometime during the summer or before the start of the school year.
In addition to NAEP testing, schools will be selected for International and Pilot testing for the 2020-2021 school year. Once the Kentucky school sample is selected by NAEP, notifications will be sent to Superintendents, DACs and Principals. Please stay tuned.
K Screen Materials to Arrive this Week
The Brigance K Screen materials are scheduled to arrive in districts this week, June 8-12. All materials will ship to the central office location. If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Akin.
June DAC Monthly Webcast (Note Date Change)
The Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA), Division of Assessment and Accountability Support (DAAS) is committed to supporting District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) during this COVID-19 situation. Due to a conflict with the broadcast studio at the regular scheduled time, the June DAC Monthly Webcast will be held on Wednesday, June 10 remotely from 11 a.m. – 12 noon ET.
The live webcast will be hosted by Jennifer Stafford, Director, in the Division of Assessment and Accountability Support (DAAS). Topics will include: Kentucky Alternate Assessment Updates, i.e., Alternate Assessment and Accountability Folder (AAAF), Social Studies at Grade 11, and the Operational Field Test. Other timely assessment and accountability items will be shared. The June DAC Webcast PowerPoint will be available on June 10. Please join Jennifer at 11 a.m. ET for the virtual broadcast. Questions may be asked by sending an email to KDE DAC Information.
Kentucky Coalition for English Learners (KyCEL) Summer Learning Series
Margaret Heritage will be the presenter for the first of a Summer Learning Series called “Equalizing Opportunities to Learn for English Learners” on June 16 at 10 a.m. ET/9 a.m. CT.
“Equalizing Opportunities to Learn for English Learners" -- How are opportunities to learn equalized for English learners? This webinar will consider the important question through the lens of formative assessment. Specifically, an exploration of how ambitious teaching and learning with integrated formative assessment can support English Learners to acquire concepts, analytical practices, and disciplinary language to successfully achieve academic standards. In addition to a presentation, there will be opportunities to engage in interaction.
Margaret Heritage is an independent consultant in education. For her entire career, her work has spanned both research and practice. In addition to spending many years in her native England as a practitioner, a university teacher and an inspector of schools, she had an extensive period at UCLA, first as principal of the laboratory school of the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, and then as an Assistant Director at the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing (CRESST) at UCLA. She has also taught courses in the Departments of Education at UCLA and Stanford. Her current work centers on formative assessment used to equalize opportunities for learning. Her work is published in peer reviewed journals, edited books and practitioner journals. Heritage’s recent books include The Power of Assessment for Learning: Twenty Years of Impact in UK and US Classrooms (Corwin) with Christine Harrison, and Formative Assessment in the Disciplines: Framing a Continuum of Professional Learning (Harvard Education Press) with Caroline Wylie.
Don't miss the rest of the KyCEL Summer Learning Series!
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June 23--Jessica Sanderson and Erin Sudduth, KDE - Title I and Title III Updates
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June 30--Dr. Haiwen Chu, Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL) - "Any Time, Any Place: Supporting English Learners to Learn Mathematics at a Distance"
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July 7--Adrienne Eisenmenger, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Louisville and Fayette County Public Schools Culture Advocates - "The Importance of Building Cultural Proficiency and Creating a Welcoming Environment in Schools"
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July 14--Audrey Long, EL Teacher, Bryan Station High School, Fayette County Public Schools - "Making Content Accessible"
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July 21--Dr. Tina Cheuk, Ph.D., California Polytechnic State University - "A Focus on Newcomers: School, Classroom and Instructional Levers that Promote Academic Success"
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July 28--Dr. Alba Ortiz, Professor Emeritus, University of Texas at Austin - “Oral Language Assessment: Key to Ensuring that English Learners Become Effective Readers”
EILA credit is available for administrators and professional development credit for online presentations may be awarded by the district. A link to the sign-in sheet will be posted in the chat box when once logged in. Certificates of Attendance will be issued to all who sign in. The modules will be conducted on the Zoom Meeting platform. Please register for the following series of trainings. For questions about the Summer Learning Series contact Skip Cleavinger.
Reminder: Feds, State Law Requires Weblinks to School Report Card
The following information released to School Report Card Contacts on June 8, 2020 may be of interest to District Assessment Coordinators (DACs).
The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires all local school districts to place a link to the Kentucky School Report Card (SRC) somewhere on their district’s website. In addition, 703 KAR 5:140 includes a requirement to post a link the Kentucky School Report Card on district and school websites.
In preparation for FY20 performance monitoring by the U.S. Department of Education, the Kentucky Department of Education surveyed district websites for compliance with ESSA 1111h (2)(B)(iii)(I) and found not all districts have published the required links. Two issues were found:
- Wrong SRC links posted: Some districts were not linking to the newest Kentucky School Report card website. Please use the URL specific to your district’s SRC page.
- No SRC link posted: Several school district websites did not have – or KDE could not find – a link to the SRC. Per ESSA and KAR requirements, the SRC must be accessible to the public and be available on the local education agency and school websites.
You can find your school or district URL by entering your district or school name into the search bar of the Kentucky School Report Card website. Then copy the URL from the landing page to your school or district site.
As SRC contacts, please check with your school and district web managers to ensure your district and schools are following state and federal regulations by including links to their applicable School Report Card sites.
Questions can be addressed to KDE data services
2020-2021 School Reconfiguration Changes
The Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA) asks that DACs submit information on A1 schools with service area changes for the 2020-2021 school year by June 30. Changes to school service area (reconfiguration) requests need to be made if any of the following situations apply:
- the grade range in an A1 school changes;
- a new A1 school is opened;
- an A1 school is closed;
- an A1 school boundary changes;
- a shift in student population of more than 40% occurs.
The reconfiguration spreadsheet, instructions, and Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the Forms page located on the Assessment and Accountability section of the KDE website.
In addition, changes must be submitted through the District and School Collection Repository (DASCR) application. Please see the DASCR User Guide if unfamiliar with this web application. Your district Web Apps Admin Point of Contact (WAAPOC) handles access. WAAPOCs may contact the KETS Service Desk with questions/issues with DASCR at (866) 538-7435.
The Johnson County School System is home to over 3500 students and over 500 employees. The school district is located in the foothills of eastern Kentucky. The school district consists of five elementary schools--Central, Flat Gap, Highland, Porter, and W.R. Castle Memorial. There is also Johnson County Middle School, Johnson Central High School, Eagle Academy, and the newest addition, Johnson County Virtual Learning Program. Each school has a Family Resource or Youth Service Center to help meet the needs of students, break barriers of learning and promote student success.
The Johnson County School System employs a superior staff of highly qualified teachers and instructional support personnel to assist and nurture the students through a successful school day. They have a thriving transportation department that travels thousands of miles daily to transport students to and from school and extracurricular events. They offer a multitude of teaching and learning methodologies, filled with digital learning opportunities. The district is currently working hard to provide a computer device for every student so virtual scenarios of teaching and learning can be successful across the district. Teachers and school staff are provided with an array of professional learning opportunities annually. They have an in-depth New Teacher Induction program that assists newer staff members to be very successful.
The school district is proud of every academic achievement ever awarded. The district is also very proud of the many accomplishments made by students and staff members in competitions at the local, state and international levels. The school system shines in academics, athletic programs and in proactive initiatives such as Leader in Me, Mastery Learning, Future Problem Solving, and Community Based Problem Solving. The Johnson Central High School offers over 27 college and career pathways for students as a way of preparing for a successful transition to adult life. They have many educators with degrees and certifications well beyond the regular requirements.
The Mission of the Johnson County School System is to provide the Ultimate Educational Experience for Every Child Every Day. The Vision is to be an Innovative School District that Focuses on Learning Without Boundaries. They focus on core values such as Integrity, Leadership, Commitment and Service. And across the district every day, principals and staff members welcome all students with words of encouragement, including Pride and Respect.
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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