Question of the Week
Q: Will the 2020-2021 Social Studies Field Test be held this spring?
A: Yes. The Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA) is happy to announce the Spring 2021 Social Studies Field Test for grades 5, 8 and 11 will be held. Thank you to everyone in the 111 districts that volunteered to be part of the field test. Without their involvement, there would not have been enough student representation needed to have a successful field test.
District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) from the districts that volunteered received a confirmation email of participation last week. Thanks to the districts that volunteered, there was no need to ask or require additional schools or districts to participate who did not volunteer.
All grade 5, 8 and 11 students in the participating districts receiving in-person or hybrid instruction should be tested. Students on remote able to complete testing are welcome to participate. The social studies online field test should be scheduled during the spring K-PREP testing window. It should be the final content assessment given during the last 14 instructional days.
Thanks again to the districts that make the field test possible!
UPDATE: Alternate Assessment CWEC and ESAR – Career Readiness
In 2020-2021, given the circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, additional guidance (Work Based Learning for CWEC during COVID) was released regarding the career work experience for Career Work Experience Certification (CWEC). However, given the ongoing challenges related to COVID-19, the minimum work experience hours requirement for CWEC will be waived for 2020-2021, if the COVID-19 situation prevented the student from completing the minimum hours. It must be documented in the Career Ready Alternate Assessment Ready Folder (CRAAF) what options were available, but unable to be completed due to COVID-19. This year, if a student has met all other CWEC coursework, then the district may recognize the student for CWEC.
If a student is assessed in the Employability Skills Attainment Record (ESAR) and completes the CWEC in 2020-2021, their score and completion status may be entered in the Career Ready Database (CRD), by June 4, to potentially count toward future accountability if the student does not exit this year. Districts and schools may enter ESAR and CWEC data into CRD or retain data locally and recognize student achievement in completion of career readiness measures for students that are exiting this year. , by June 4, to potentially count toward future accountability if the student does not exit this year. Districts and schools may enter ESAR and CWEC data into CRD or retain data locally and recognize student achievement in completion of career readiness measures for students that are exiting this year.
For questions related to the ESAR or CWEC, please contact Kiley Whitaker or Sherri Craig. For CRD technical assistance, please contact Darrell Mattingly.
K Screen Ordering Window Reminder
Since March 1, Curriculum Associates has been accepting orders for the 2021-2022 school year. The ordering window will be open until April 16. To place district orders for the 2021-2022 school year, visit the Kentucky Brigance website. Under the section labeled "Ordering," click on "2021 Order Form." Download the order form, click to enable editing and save the file after replacing “Curriculum Associates” with the district name.
For example, the file name would change from Curriculum Associates KY BRIGANCE Form 2021 to District Name KY BRIGANCE Form 2021. Once all information is entered into the three tabs, save the spreadsheet and email as an attachment to Curriculum Associates at FulfillmentOps@cainc.com. A confirmation email will be sent after the submission has been received.
If further guidance is needed, watch this step-by-step K Screen materials ordering instructional video.
Taylor County Schools is located in the heart of Central Kentucky with Campbellsville serving as its county seat. Enrollment is approximately 2,600 students and includes a primary, intermediate, middle, and high school, along with the Central Kentucky Career Academy. Nearly 60% of Taylor County’s students qualify for free- and reduced-price lunch, and approximately 26% of the students opted to be virtual learners this year.
This past year Taylor County staff was challenged with meeting the needs of its students whether they were in school or not. Technology skills improved as there were lots of Google Meets. Staff participated in Microsoft Teams meetings for virtual learning and professional learning. Teachers held dual roles as in-person and virtual teachers (and they are very much looking forward to summer break!). Plans for a very focused, targeted summer program are in place for K-12 students, for which they hope to have a record-breaking number attend. Taylor County Schools continue to look for the positives during this unprecedented time and hope that the next school year will bring back a better sense of normalcy for students and staff.
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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