February 26. 2016 | WDE Assessment Updates | Volume 4, Issue 8
The testing window for WorkKeys is April 19-May 3. WDE and ACT will be offering WorkKeys in two different formats this year: online and paper/pencil. On March 7, ACT test coordinators will receive an email with credentials to access the portal for the online assessment. Also on March 7, the portal for ordering online materials and a link to order paper materials will become available. For those who prefer the paper/pencil assessment, a link will be posted on the ACT Wyoming webpage so schools may order materials. Please watch the newsletter for continuing updates about these tools and other materials concerning WorkKeys.
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If you are administering WorkKeys online, there are a number of suggested training webinars available to assist Test Coordinators and Test Administrators with that transition.
ACT WorkKeys Test Administration Training for Online Testing Webinar (Duration: 1 hr.)
March 11 (1 pm), April 1 (10 am), or April 12 (1 pm)
This webinar is intended for new test coordinators and proctors administering the online version of ACT WorkKeys.
Register here: WorkKeys Test Administration Training for Online Testing
ACT WorkKeys Groups and Batch Load Training for Online Testing Webinar (Duration: 1 hr.)
March 29 (1 pm), or April 15 (2 pm)
This training will cover using "Groups" and/or "Batch Loading" as part of the ACT WorkKeys online test administration process.
Register here: ACT WorkKeys Groups and Batch Load Training for Online Testing
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It has recently come to our attention that there is some confusion in the field about whether the new Aspire assessments in grades 9 and 10 are optional and whether the data will be used for school accountability.
As you know, the ACT retired the Explore and Plan assessments, effective at the end of the 2014-15 school year. In order to minimize design changes to the WAEA high school accountability model, statute from last year's legislative session was developed that essentially substituted Aspire for Explore and Plan beginning in the spring of 2016.
Given statute, Aspire is a required assessment and it will be used in place of Explore and Plan for school accountability under WAEA. All 9th and 10th grade students are expected to participate in Aspire (with or without accommodations); students with the most significant cognitive disabilities are expected to participate in the Wy-ALT instead.
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Now that schools have access to the Aspire portal, it is time to do an Infrastructure Trial, verify student data, input students’ accommodations, and finally begin setting up test sessions and groups. Schools should also be checking the portal for transfer approvals. If you are unsure about the transfer process, please review the Transferring Students training module.
The Test Management System (actaspire.tms.pearson.com) contains many tutorials and further information about test administration, or the ACT page on the WDE website (edu.wyoming.gov/educators/state-assesment/act/) for other helpful tools including the following:
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Wyoming educators are invited to apply for consideration to participate in PAWS reviews for the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE), July 18 to July 21, 2016, in Sheridan, WY. Educators from around the state will review test questions and field-test data. Teachers will also make suggestions that will guide the development of the state assessments. ETS will provide pre-paid hotel accommodations for those who need them. In addition, participants will be reimbursed for mileage and meals outside those provided during the meetings and receive a stipend.
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Updated test specification documents have been posted to the WDE PAWS webpage. The blueprints identify the focus, number of items, and the emphasis that domains will receive on the PAWS assessments. The emphases are the same as the 2015 blueprints; they have simply been updated and reformated to reflect the new year.
To access the blueprints, visit the PAWS webpage. Scroll down to the 'Materials By Grade' section and use the toggles to access the blueprint for each subject and grade-level.
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The 2016 Released Test Questions (RTQs) for PAWS reading, math, and science are currently available on the website. Please use these newly-released questions along with the older ones as samples of how individual domains may be addressed on the assessment. These resources can be found on the PAWS page. To access the RTQs, scroll down to Materials By Grade; select a grade level; then select the items to be viewed based upon subject and release date.
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School staff are responsible for ensuring maximum student participation in the statewide assessment system. School staff are also responsible for ensuring test security. As noted in the PAWS Building Coordinator’s Manual, district staff may transport test booklets between buildings (including to a student’s home) with approval from the Wyoming Department of Education to facilitate student participation in exceptional circumstances. In order to grant approval, WDE will need to review and approve the process the district or school will implement while moving the testing materials in question. This process should include:
1. An assessment calendar which identifies the administration dates and testing locations and names of Test Administrators (TAs)
2. The processes that ensure the security of PAWS materials while being distributed, transported, and re-collected/returned
3. Practices that ensure the optimal test environments for students
4. Any accommodations required for addressing needs of students with disabilities
All secure materials transportation requests must be submitted via email to Deb Lindsey (deb.lindsey@wyo.gov).
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Assessment Literacy and Formative Assessment Resource Development Training
Presented by Jan Hoegh, this two-day session is a repeat of the “Assessment Literacy and Formative Assessment” training that was provided across the state of Wyoming during 2015. The information shared in these two days provides foundational knowledge for each of the upcoming Phase II sessions.
- March 29-30, 2016
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Casper: Parkway Plaza, 123 W. E Street
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Assessment Development for Elementary Educators
Presented by Jan Hoegh, this training will provide information to specific grade bands. April 12 is for K-5/6 educators (with a component for primary teachers). Approximately half of the day will be presentation of information and the second half of the day will be allocated to supported assessment development time. Participants should bring assessment development materials and plan to leave with new or enhanced classroom tools.
- April 12
- Riverton: Holiday Inn Convention Center, 900 E. Sunset Drive
Assessment Development for Secondary Educators
This training will provide information to specific grade bands. April 13 2 is for secondary teachers. Approximately half of the day will be presentation of information and the second half of the day will be allocated to supported assessment development time. Participants should bring assessment development materials and plan to leave with new or enhanced classroom tools.
- April 13
- Riverton: Holiday Inn Convention Center, 900 E. Sunset Drive
ELA and Social Studies Assessment Development
Presented by Jan Hoegh, this training session will provide information specific to English Language Arts and social studies educators. Approximately half of the day will be presentation of information and the second half of the day will be allocated to supported assessment development time. Participants should bring assessment development materials and plan to leave with new or enhanced classroom tools.
- April 26
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Green River: Sweetwater #2 District Offices, 320 Monroe Avenue
Below please find the various helpdesk lines for statewide assessments. Please use these numbers when you have questions about PAWS, Wy-ALT, or any of the ACT assessments. For any policy-related questions, please contact WDE assessment team.
WORD OF THE WEEK
high stakes
Significant consequences for an individual or an organization, used in education reform to refer to tests or assessments that have serious sanctions or rewards for students, teachers, administrators, schools, or school systems. An exam that must be passed in order to receive a high school diploma is an example of high stakes for students. Examples of high stakes for schools include loss or gain of accreditation or funding of increases in teachers’ salaries.
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February 29: Wy-ALT Testing Window Opens
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March 7: PAWS Testing Window Opens
- March 11: Last Day to Return ACCESS for ELLS Materials
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March 29-30: Assessment Literacy and Formative Assessment Resource Development Training - Casper
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March 30: Last Day to Ship PAWS Materials
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April 11 - 14: ACT: Test Coordinator Receives Secure Shipment of Testing Materials
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April 11: ACT Aspire Testing Window Opens
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April 11: ACT COMPASS Testing Window Opens
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April 12: District Assessment Development Training for Elementary Educators - Riverton
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April 13: District Assessment Development Training for Secondary Educators - Riverton
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April 19: ACT Test Administration
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April 19: ACT WorkKeys Testing Window Opens
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April 26: ELA and Social Studies District Assessment Development Training - Green River
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April 27: Math/Science/STEM/CTE District Assessment Development Training - Green River
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May 2: ELA and Social Studies District Assessment Development Training - Sheridan
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