Question of the Week
Q: When will the 2023-2024 Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment (AKSA) released items be available?
A: The 2023-2024 AKSA Released Items and performance data are now accessible on the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) website. These released items consist of operational test questions previously administered to students. After being used in testing, the items are removed from circulation and made publicly available, accompanied by data on student performance for each item. To maintain confidentiality, data for student groups with fewer than ten participants will not be disclosed. For questions or concerns, please contact Krista Mullins.
Student Registration Database (SRD) Training Available
The KDE is pleased to announce that the training for the Student Registration Database (SRD) is now available. Districts gained access to the SRD on Tuesday, Oct. 22, to begin editing and verifying student rosters for the upcoming testing Window.
The training is designed to ensure all district staff are fully prepared to navigate the SRD effectively, allowing for accurate updates and verification of student data. The training covers essential features of the database, including roster editing, data entry, and submission procedures.
It is highly recommended that all relevant district personnel complete the training prior to the SRD opening for score entry on Tuesday, Nov. 12, to ensure a smooth and efficient process. The SRD plays a critical role in managing student information, and timely updates are essential for compliance and reporting accuracy. A link to the SRD User Manual can be found on the SRD login page.
Links to Trainings:
SRD Training PowerPoint
SRD Training Video
For questions regarding the administration of the Attainment Tasks (ATs) or Transition Attainment Record (TAR), please contact Krista Mullins. For SRD system support, please contact Darrell Mattingly.
Career Readiness Database (CRD) Training – ESAR and CWEC Data Entry
The CRD training is now available for Kentucky’s Alternate Assessment Program. The CRD houses data for both the Employability Skills Attainment Record (ESAR) and the Career Work Experience Certificate (CWEC).
Refer to Working with Exceptional Children in Career and Technical Education (CTE) for more information related to CWEC and ESAR administration guidance and CRD training video and CRD training (PowerPoint).
Districts will use the CRD to report ESAR and CWEC data to the Kentucky Department of Education as a Postsecondary Readiness indicator for state accountability.
- The ESAR is a performance rating scale based on the Employability and Foundational Academic Standards – Alternate Assessment (EFAS-AA).
- The CWEC certification verifies the required coursework and work-based learning opportunities.
The CRD will open on Thursday, Oct. 30, for DACs or designated district-level access users to review and verify the student registration. The CRD is scheduled to open on Tuesday, Nov. 12, for ESAR and CWEC data entry. Refer to the CRD User Guide available on the CRD Login for more information.
Please contact Sherri Craig, Office of Career and Technical Education (OCTE), for assistance with questions related to administration of the CWEC and ESAR, and Darrell Mattingly, University of Kentucky – Human Development Institute (HDI), for assistance with the CRD system support.
Administration Code and Inclusion of Special Populations Regulations Online Live Training Nov. 7
The Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA) will offer an online live training session covering the Administration Code and Inclusion of Special Populations regulations on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 12:00-4:00 p.m. ET. This training is provided for district and school staff who received notification recommending additional training related to an allegation and any District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) or Building Assessment Coordinator (BAC) who wishes to attend.
Registration is required. Registered participants will receive an email with a meeting link to access the training the week of their scheduled training date. For additional support, please contact Tammy Bradley or Devon Avery via email or by phone at (502) 564-4394.
ACT Fall 2024 Optional Senior State Administration – Reporting Timeline
With the ACT fall 2024 optional senior state administration now complete, OAA and ACT want to ensure school and district staff have access to data and reports. As is detailed in the ACT Fall 2024 Score Report Schedule, scores will be released as processed by ACT, which will be completed approximately 3 to 8 weeks after the test is administered. The scores will be available within ACT’s Online Reporting System, which is housed at ACT Success for Organizations Website and students can access an electronic copy of theresults in the MyACT account. Final data and reports will be available no later than Thursday, Dec. 5. Please note that the results that are available within the online reporting system and MyACT accounts prior to Thursday, Dec. 5, are not embargoed. If there are questions about accessing data within the online reporting system, please complete this ACT Contact Webform.
For any questions, please contact Christen Roseberry.
ACT/OAA Spring 2025 Junior State Administration In-Person Training Opportunities – Reminder
OAA and ACT are partnering to offer testing staff the opportunity to attend in-person training sessions to provide information about the spring 2025 junior state administration of the ACT. The test administration training sessions will cover the essential tasks for test coordinators throughout the testing cycle. It will include information on the KDE policy and updates, ACT systems, pre-test activities, things to consider during testing, and post-test activities. This information is targeted primarily to assigned test coordinators, but other key testing staff, including test accommodations coordinators and district assessment coordinators, are welcome to participate. OAA and ACT will host two separate sessions in two different locations to accommodate as many attendees as possible. Note that the content will be the same across both training sessions. Please ensure attendees register using the appropriate link below based on preferred location.
Lexington: The Campbell House Lexington, Curio Collection by Hilton (*note that this is a different location than last year)
Address: 1375 S. Broadway
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 13
Time: Sign-in 8-8:30 a.m. ET, Training occurs 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
Pre-Register for the Lexington Event Here
Bowling Green: Holiday Inn University Plaza
Address: 1021 Wilkinson Trace
Date: Thursday, Nov. 14
Time: Sign-in 8-8:30 a.m. CT, Training occurs 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT
Pre-Register for the Bowling Green Event Here
For any questions, please contact Christen Roseberry.
New WIDA Alternate Can Do Descriptors
The brand-new Alternate Can Do Descriptors are the first-ever “Can Do Descriptors” for multilingual learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The Alternate Can Do Descriptors exemplify what students can do with communication and language at various stages of English language development.
Find the Alternate Can Do Descriptors and more information about how to use the Can Do Descriptors webpage.
For any questions, please contact Chris Williams.
November WIDA Assessment Webinars
Please join WIDA and DRC to learn about the following assessment topics:
-
ACCESS Technology Support and Online Preparedness Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 1-2 p.m. CT
-
Kindergarten ACCESS for New Test Administrators Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 1-2 p.m. CT
-
Managing Student Information for ACCESS Testing Thursday, Nov. 14 from 1-2 p.m. CT
-
WIDA Alternate ACCESS for New Test Administrators Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 1-2 p.m. CT
Learn more and add these upcoming webinars to the calendar on the Webinars page (login required).
Can’t make it? The recordings for Assessment Webinars are posted to the WIDA Secure Portal on the Webinars page within a week of the presentation.
Technology-related webinar links can also be found in WIDA AMS. On the landing page, select My Applications > General Information > Documents and filter the Document Type by Memos/Documents.
For any questions, please contact Chris Williams.
WIDA and DRC Customer Service Hours of Operation
The WIDA Client Services Center will hold extended hours starting on Monday, Nov. 4. They can be reached via telephone at 866-276-7735.
- Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT
- Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT
As a reminder, DRC Customer Service is available Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT via telephone at 855-787-9615.
Educator Participation in WIDA ACCESS for ELLs Events
Every year, WIDA asks the WIDA community to participate in events and activities that helps WIDA review and refresh our assessment tools. WIDA values the fresh eyes, unique perspectives and range of experiences that educators bring to ACCESS for ELLs test items, and WIDA revises test items based on this feedback from the field.
If educators would like to contribute to WIDA test development work, please visit the Building a WIDA Assessment page to learn more and apply.
For any questions, please contact Chris Williams.
|
