Question of the Week
Q: When will the Alternate Assessment Writing and Social Studies Selected Standards and Targets be released?
A: On Thursday, June 18 the selected Kentucky Academic Standards and the Alternate Assessment Targets will be shared for writing and social studies as part of a Special Alternate Assessment Email. Also, a PowerPoint will be provided that will share the following items:
- Alternate Assessment Targets/Kentucky Academic Standards
- Alternate Assessment Target Development
- Alternate Assessment Targets/Kentucky Academic Standards Rollout by Content Area
- Instruction/Professional Development Plans
Reminder: K Screen Brigance OMS Staff File Due Today
DAC Action Required
Repeat from the May 11, 2020 Monday DAC Email
In order to build the Online Management System (OMS) staff file for the 2020-2021 school year, the existing staff file must be edited. The District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) must access the spreadsheet from the KDE secure web applications site and choose Student Data Detail (Excel and PDF). The staff file is included in one zip “SD21_districtnumber_K_Sreeen_Users_DistrictName_20200420.xlsx”.
The district’s spreadsheet will be pre-populated with the information originally submitted for the 2019-2020 school year. The spreadsheet provides a list of staff with specific roles that Curriculum Associates will use to build the Brigance OMS each year. In addition, the spreadsheet has been updated to include staff communication preferences, explained on the information tab of the spreadsheet. Please review and make any corrections or additions as needed. Please email the updated staff file by June 15 to KDE Assessment.
If you are unable to access the KDE secure application site, check with your WAAPOC and/or the KETS Service Desk. The KETS Service Desk can also be reached at (502) 564-2002 or (866) 538-7435.
Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) Planned Outage
A planned system outage affecting WIDA Assessment Management System (AMS) will take place Saturday, June 27 at 11 p.m. CT to Sunday, June 28 at 11 a.m. CT. World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) and DRC apologize for any inconvenience caused by this routine maintenance.
Please contact WIDA Client Services or by phone (866) 276-7735 if districts have questions.
June DAC Webcast Recording
The June DAC webcast recording is available on the Meetings and Trainings webpage. Jennifer Stafford, Director, in the Division of Assessment and Accountability Support (DAAS) and staff presented information on these topics: Kentucky Alternate Assessment Updates, Standards and Assessment Process Review Committee (SAPRC) Members Appointed, ACT Fall Testing and Evaluating Students Guidance Document.
Please join DAAS for the next live webcast on July 9 at 11 a.m. ET.
2019-2020 Senior Make-up Testing EOP and TRACK Assessments – Available in Fall 2020
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), Office of Career and Technical Education and Student Transition (OCTEST) to offer make-up testing for the following 2019-2020 CTE testing windows closed on March 13 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)
The make-up testing window for those students interested in pursuing the end-of-program articulated credit or TRACK certificate will only be available for 2019-2020 seniors/early graduates who were registered for the spring 2020 testing and did not test. If in-person classes are in session, the following tentative fall 2020 testing window options have been identified by the KDE:
- Aug. 3 – 7
- Sept. 7 – 11
- Oct. 12 – 16
All assessments offered during the make-up window shall be administered in-person 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. Districts and schools will be responsible for scheduling and administering the assessments. District Assessment Coordinators and CTE EOP / TRACK Assessment Coordinators with eligible students will receive additional information and instructions for identifying their school’s 2019-2020 senior make-up testing window.
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).
IMPORTANT NOTE: 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.
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. The 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.
“Located on the banks of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River and nestled in what was once an isolated region of the Appalachian Mountains, Pikeville Independent had its humble beginnings as the first public high school in Pike County. In the fall of 1915, the school opened its doors to 150 students in grades 1 through 12 that were taught by nine teachers, who also met the needs of the Normal School. Pikeville’s Normal School was purposed with educating the county teachers who could be certified having completed the eighth grade and passing a state exam. My grandmother was one of those early students who rode the train each weekend to stay in the dormitory and attend classes throughout the week. Since that time, Pikeville Independent remains a small district by today’s standards, with 1,200 students comprised of one elementary school (P-6) and one junior high/high school (7-12).
“Many changes have happened in education over the course of 100 years, but high expectations for learning has persisted from then until now. Today we find ourselves faced with providing for the needs of students in a technologically advanced society where information is no longer hard to reach, but what is most valuable will be the skillful use of knowledge. Like all schools across the Commonwealth, here at Pikeville we are continually in the struggle to keep up with what will prepare our students best for an ever-evolving future. As District Assessment Coordinator (DAC), it seems that my role best serves when we can find ways to leverage assessment and accountability for student learning. We understand that assessment and accountability are separately defined; whereby assessment in the daily life of a student and teacher becomes the most powerful for learning – used to inform, motivate and move learning forward.
“I was once told that education changes much like the rings of a tree grows, and in many ways I guess this is true, but in reflecting on Kentucky and the humble beginnings of our education system, I feel confident that the same drive to educate so many years ago, still exists today. Thank you for the opportunity to share and we look forward to the work ahead.”
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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