Question of the Week
Q: With the waiver for assessment and accountability from the U.S. Department of Education (USED), will there be a need to have the fall data review?
A: Yes. The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is committed to accuracy of data for public reporting. To provide school and district staff an opportunity to review data before it is presented in the School Report Card, a Data Review will occur Aug. 7 at 9 a.m. ET through Aug. 21 at noon ET in the Student Data Review and Rosters (SDRR) application. When SDRR opens, Data Review for ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS for ELLs and Four Year (2020) and Five Year (2019) Cohort Graduation Rate will be available for districts to request changes if needed to the student level data. This will be the final opportunity to request student level changes. More details and training around Data Review for ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS and Cohort Graduation Rate will be sent closer to SDRR opening in August. For assistance, please click on the Help button at the top right of every page within SDRR, and also the Cohort Tool.
Reading, Mathematics, Editing/Mechanics Bias Review Participants Sought
Bias review committees participate in thoughtful and meaningful discussions about bias or sensitivity appropriateness for Kentucky students on Kentucky assessments. Individuals – not only educators -- are needed who bring differing perspectives. If someone in the district or community would make a good candidate, please encourage those individuals to complete the Bias Review Application (below) to indicate interest in participating by no later than 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 29.
Bias Review Application
The bias review committee meeting will convene virtually. Participants are asked to attend one of two virtual trainings offered on Aug. 6 (7 p.m.) or Aug. 7 (10 a.m.), and then complete assigned tasks between Aug. 6-14. There will also be a stipend or sub reimbursement offered to participants.
Social Studies Field Test Training
The Social Studies Field Test is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 14-18. The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is monitoring districts’ plans for opening school and the current pandemic situation. A final determination to hold or cancel the field test will be made when the situation becomes clearer. Until the final decision is made, preparations for the field test continue.
Districts and schools participating in the Social Studies Field Test are asked to attend a training session with Pearson and OAA on Aug. 3 at 1 p.m. ET. This is a Microsoft Live Event where participants can ask questions via the Q&A feature. The presentation is scheduled for 1 hour with additional time available for questions. Please use the PAN Training Live Event Link to join the meeting
WIDA Screener Q and A Webinars
Join World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) and Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) to learn more about WIDA Screener, including training, test administration, and scoring for the online and paper tests. These webinars are great for new Test Administrators and Test Coordinators who will be screening incoming students in person this school year.
-
WIDA Screener Online Tuesday Aug. 4, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. CT
-
WIDA Screener Paper Tuesday Aug. 11, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. CT
More information and login details can be found on the WIDA Q&A Webinar Schedule
ACT 2020 Fall State Administration Student Eligibility Spreadsheets Finalized
The ACT student eligibility listing spreadsheets for the ACT 2020 Fall State Administration has been finalized and are available in the Secure Web Application. If a school/district missed the July 22 deadline to add students to the eligibility list, please contact Shara Savage by Aug 17.
ACT PearsonAccessnext and TAA Opening
ACT Test Coordinators (TCs) will receive an email this week from statetesting@operations.act.org announcing the opening of PearsonAccessnext (PAN) and the Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) system for the upcoming 2020 fall state administration cycle. District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) will be copied on the email message which includes directions for accessing the systems and completing required tasks within the systems. It also includes links to system user guides with more detailed information.
Manage Participation
After logging in to the system, TCs will be able to submit participation information which must be confirmed by Aug. 21. For more information please see the new training tutorial available at the Kentucky State Testing ACT webpage.
Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) System
TCs will use the TAA system to request ACT-authorized accommodations for examinees with newly diagnosed disabilities which require assessment accommodations and/or supports. The TAA will also be used to manage the status of those requests. Please review the quick start guide for additional information about requesting accommodations for examinees with newly diagnosed disabilities. The deadline to submit requests for new accommodations is Aug. 14.
TCs may also move previously approved accommodations requests from the spring administration into the fall administration. For detailed instructions for moving previously approved accommodations requests please review the ACT quick accommodations guide. The deadline to move previously approved accommodations requests from the spring to the fall is Aug. 21.
Additional resources may be found at the Kentucky State Testing ACT webpage
Manage Contacts
If school TCs have changed since spring 2020 testing, DACs should forward the ACT email to the current TC, and then make the change to TC contact information in PAN. Directions for changing TCs can be found in the PAN User Guide for ACT or the Managing Contacts Training Tutorial. New DACs that do not have an account in PearsonAccessnext for ACT should email Shara Savage or call 502-564-4394.
ACT Test Administration Q&A Webinar Training
ACT is hosting two test administration Q&A webinars, one on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. ET and one on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 11 a.m. ET. School TCs and TACs are encouraged to attend. DACs are also welcome to attend. Registration is required.
Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. ET: Registration
Thursday, Aug. 6, at 11 a.m. ET: Registration
If testing staff is unable to join the live webinar training, the training will be recorded and posted on the Kentucky State Testing ACT webpage.
OAA/ACT Virtual Fall Administration Training, July 30 Reminder
DACs should share the following information with high school principals and ACT school test coordinators. ACT school test coordinators or district and school administrators who are assisting with the Fall ACT test administration should plan to attend.
The Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA) and ACT will be offering a one-hour virtual training session covering the Fall State Administration of the ACT. The session runs from 1-2 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 30. This training will provide guidance for district/school staff who will be administering the ACT.
Please register at KDE/ACT Training Registration by Tuesday, July 28. An email will be sent to registered participants with the link to join the meeting on Wednesday, July 29. The participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the live session.
For any questions or assistance, please contact Shara Savage.
ACT August Dates
- 3: ACT PAN and TAA Open for the Fall 2020 Cycle
- 4: ACT Test Administration Training
- 6: ACT Accommodation Training
- 10: Begin Verification of Student Enrollment
- 14: Deadline to Submit Requests for New Accommodations
- 21: ACT Manage Participation Deadline
- 21: ACT Verify Shipping Address Deadline
- 21: ACT Enroll/Unenroll Deadline
Located in the heart of western Kentucky, Hopkins County Schools is home to approximately 6,800 students on 15 campuses. In addition, a blended preschool/Head Start program serves nearly 300 students. The district’s mission statement is “Unite as one team to learn and inspire.” Each day school district personnel live and practice this mission statement by becoming its “hands and feet” within the ‘mission’ field … its classrooms and its community.
In Hopkins County, strong relationships exist between the school system and community partners, including local government, health care providers, business and industry, non-profit and faith-based agencies. These partnerships help children in the community, particularly those from traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations, receive the care and services needed to come to school ready to learn. Hopkins County Schools’ “One Team, One Mission, One Community” spirit has been on display like never before during the COVID-19 pandemic. A community-wide rallying behind young people is ensuring the basic needs, mental health and academic success of its students continue during this public health crisis.
This community-based mindset even reaches into the world of assessment and accountability. How so? During the 2019-2020 school year, monthly PLC meetings were scheduled in the conference/board rooms of various community partners, including: the Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, City Park, Housing Authority, Public Library, as well as other locations (although some were cut short due to COVID-19). Taking PLCs “on the road” so to speak, allows school personnel to network and meet individuals from the business world and private sector with whom paths may not normally cross. Not only that, it showcases many of the community resources Hopkins County students so often use. Further, it helps educate the community partners as to current trends in the school system.
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).
|
