Question of the Week
Q: As schools begin opening for the 2021-2022 school year, will new back-to-school trainings and videos be released?
A: Yes. The Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA) is releasing several training videos and PowerPoint presentations as schools begin to open. The Back-to-School trainings are available on the Meetings and Trainings page.
Summative Assessment Name Changes
As Kentucky transitions to a new assessment and accountability system that meets the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS), the current names of K-PREP and Alternate K-PREP are being sunsetted. Moving forward, the 2021-2022 summative assessments will be called: Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA) and Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment (AKSA).
Cut Scores
The 2020-2021 K-PREP and Alternate K-PREP Cut Scores are being provided to assist with the identification of student performance levels (Novice, Apprentice, Proficient, and Distinguished) during the fall data review.
Cut Scores are provided to assist with defining the identification of scale scores to performance level (novice, apprentice, proficient and distinguished) for the K-PREP and the Alternate K-PREP.
August DAC Monthly Webcast
The Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA), Division of Assessment and Accountability Support (DAAS) hosted its live Monthly DAC Webcast on Aug. 13. The meeting was hosted by Jennifer Stafford, Director of DAAS. She was joined by DAAS consultants Devon Avery, Ben Riley and Chris Williams. Agenda topics included:
- Name Change! Kentucky Summative Assessment and Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment
- Speech-to-Text Pilot/Introduction
- K Screen Updates
- Data Review Reminders
- School Report Card -- Past Reporting and What’s Different
- Back to School Trainings
The DAC Webcast PowerPoint and the DAC Webcast Video links are available on the right-hand side of the KDE Meetings and Trainings webpage. The recorded session is posted on the KDE Media Portal.
Future broadcasts are scheduled for the second Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. ET on the KDE Live Stream.
EOC State Administration Training (Reminder)
District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) and/or DAC designees register for the End-of-Course (EOC) State Administration Virtual Training. ACT school test coordinators or district and school administrators assisting with EOC test administration should plan to attend one of the virtual Test Administration Trainings. The training sessions will be on Monday, Aug. 23 (12 noon – 2 p.m. ET) and Monday, Nov. 1 (12 noon – 2 p.m. ET). The training is an opportunity to administer the 2021 EOC Exams successfully. An EILA Credit will be provided for the training. For any questions or concerns, please contact Shara Savage.
Register for the Aug. 23 Training:
EOC State Administration Training
Scott Trimble Workshop
The Kentucky Association for Assessment Coordinators (KAAC) is proud to offer the Scott Trimble Workshop in person on October 25-26. This is the registration link. Come to participate in great sessions and keynotes by the Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA) and Donnie Piercey, Kentucky Teacher of the Year.
WIDA Secure Portal: Updates and Reminders
As the date gets closer to Sept. 1, the day the Redesigned WIDA Secure Portal goes live, World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) asks that districts take note of the following updates and reminders.
- WIDA Secure Portal downtime: The WIDA Secure Portal will be down for a planned upgrade beginning Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 3 p.m. until Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 7 a.m. CT.
- Completing the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten Training Course: Test Administrators who have started the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten training course must complete the course before Aug. 31 for the certification history to move to the redesigned portal. Reminder: test administrators must pass both certification quizzes to complete the course.
- 2021-2022 WIDA assessment manuals and training course updates will be available on Sept. 1.
“With an enrollment of approximately 1,900 students, the Danville Independent School District (DISD) serves students in PreK - Grade 12 in the heart of central Kentucky. The DISD consists of Mary G. Hogsett Primary School (PreK - Grade 1), Edna L. Toliver Intermediate School (Grades 2 - 5), John W. Bate Middle School (Grades 6 - 12), Danville High School (Grades 9 - 12), and the Anchor Academy (Grades 6 - 12). The DISD also services the Sunrise Children’s Campus with students in K – Grade 12.
“Our mission is to engage all students in the pursuit of the Danville Diploma, which encompasses creative learning opportunities that build on individual interests, develop new strengths, and provide ultimately for college and career success. As an innovative district, we look for new and meaningful ways students can learn by doing, show what they know, and contribute to the community and wider world.
“The Danville Independent School District believes:
- In engaging and creative instructional experiences that connect, build and propel all students in their learning.
- In developing and expanding skills, knowledge and capacities to ensure all students reach aspirations that benefit self, family and society.
- All students, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status, will have an equitable opportunity to achieve their maximum potential.
- It is our responsibility to dedicate all district resources with integrity to create a positive and safe environment to maximize student success.
- The visual and performing arts, verbal and written communication, and the use of multiple forms of technology are essential components of all students’ education.
- As members of a diverse community (local and global), we are accountable to all stakeholders to provide all students with the opportunity to learn and succeed at high levels.
“In the DISD, we are excited to start the 2021 - 2022 school year with our students and hopefully make it the best year yet! #wearethedanvilleschools.”
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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