Question of the Week
Q: Will the Online Testing Toolbox be updated for 2021-2022 testing?
A: Yes. The Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA) along with guidance from Pearson, has updated the Online Testing Toolbox for the spring 2022 administration of the Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA). The Online Testing Toolbox contains information related to technology, general policy, accommodations, and accommodated testing as they relate to online testing. New information this year includes Form Group Read Aloud Sessions for the human reader accommodation as well as the updated process for requesting an unapproved calculator. OAA welcomes feedback on this important document to improve future development. Please direct questions and feedback on this resource to Devon Avery.
ACT State Testing Office Hour Feb. 10
OAA and ACT will be hosting an office hour session this Thursday, Feb. 10, at 1 p.m. EST, focusing on the Verify Enrollment Task. Although the focus will be on completing the non-test activity in MyACT, all questions related to the ACT state administration are welcome. The session will be hosted via a Microsoft Teams meeting. While the content will be focused on this policy, KDE and ACT encourage testing staff to attend and ask any questions they may have at this time. Please be sure to provide testing staff with this Feb. 10 Teams Meeting Link for this week's session.
February DAC Trainings Hybrid Question and Answer (Q&A) Sessions Registration (Reminder)
The Division of Assessment and Accountability (DAAS) looks forward to seeing you at the annual Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA), District Assessment Coordinator Q&A hybrid meetings.
As a reminder, the trainings have been recorded and released prior to the hybrid Q&A sessions. Each training topic will include a recorded video to watch, at the viewer's convenience, prior to attending one of the Q&A sessions for that topic. Most videos are approximately 30 minutes.
In order to make the most of the allotted time, the one-hour Q&A sessions will not include full presentations of content already covered in the recorded videos. Staff from the DAAS, other KDE offices and Pearson representatives will be available to assist with questions.
For in-person Q&A Sessions, registration will begin at 8:30 am and will be followed by the Q&A Sessions scheduled from 9 am to 4 pm. (local meeting location time.)
February DAC Trainings Hybrid Q&A Sessions:
- 9:00 Welcome and Updates
- 9:15 - 10:30 Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA)
- 10:30 - 10:45 Break
- 10:45 -11:15 Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment (AKSA)
- 11:15-11:45 Accommodations
- 11:45 - 12:15 High School and Test Security
- 12-15 - 1:30 Lunch
- 1:30 - 2:30 SDRR
- 2:30 - 3:30 KSA PAN
Below are the February/March DAC trainings scheduled around the state for the upcoming spring assessments. Registration is now open. Everyone planning to attend must register. Please carefully consider the in-person or virtual option and register just once for the appropriate session. For all in-person sessions, masks and social distancing are required.
Registration will end at midnight prior to each location date!
We welcome BAC's to attend but please keep in mind that DAC's will receive preference in the event a venue is booked to total capacity
The DAAS believes that the safety of the participants is of the utmost importance. Therefore, the meeting may be canceled due to weather, COVID-19 or other circumstances. In the event of a cancellation, the in-person session will be held virtually. A special DAC email will be sent with the appropriate links.
EILA credit will be offered for the February DAC Trainings that does not include the Q&A sessions. More details on EILA credit will be shared soon.
Nickie has the privilege of serving as DAC for the Carter County School District. She graduated from Morehead State University and Marshall University with Business Administration and Masters of Business Administration Degrees respectively. Following sixteen years in the banking industry, Nickie found her true love in teaching. She holds an Ed.S degree and National Board Certification. Stepping into the DAC role in August 2021, she is very appreciative of all the help she has received from fellow DAC's and the Office of Assessment and Accountability.
Nestled in the hills of north-eastern Kentucky, Carter County is an area of unmatched natural beauty. Visitors to Carter County can enjoy Grayson Lake and Greenbo Lake for fishing and boating in addition to beautiful scenery. Also within Carter County is Carter Caves Resort Park, an excellent choice for family fun and adventure. Visitors to the Caves can view Cascade Cave, and discover a 30-foot underground waterfall. With 20 miles of trails and a nine-hole golf course, Carter Caves is perfect for outdoor adventure.
Adjacent to Interstate 64, the Carter County seat of Grayson is home to a newly constructed sports complex. The facility spans over 64 acres of land. Work is in progress on three baseball fields and a soccer field that will be located near a concession stand and press box area. The park will have four soccer fields total, with some doubling as football fields, along with basketball and tennis courts.
The students of Carter County Schools, some 4,108 strong, are served by twelve schools. These schools include six elementary schools (two past Blue Ribbon winners), two middle schools, two high schools, a career and technical center, and a Virtual Academy. As a past District of Distinction, the vision of Carter County Schools is The Standard of Excellence. This vision translates into educators using best practice strategies for teaching, building relationships with students, their families, and ensuring that opportunities for success are available to everyone. Our community members, Board of Education, teachers, administrators, instructional assistants, cafeteria personnel, bus drivers, and custodians all play a vital role in setting the stage for student success. The most precious asset we have is our children and it is our pledge to empower every Carter County student to learn at high levels, graduate on time, and excel in reaching their lifetime goals.
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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