Assessment Newsletter (Volume 5, Issue 9)

Update from the Wyoming Department of Education  |  view online |  website

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March 10, 2017  |  WDE Assessment Updates  |  Volume 5, Issue 9


New Assessment System 2017-2022

There are a lot of questions around the new assessment system including what it will look like and when it will be administered.  We are in contract negotiations with American Institutes for Research (AIR) for the Gr. 1-10 assessments and with ACT for the College and Career Readiness Assessments.  Once those contracts are in place, we will communicate further information to the school districts.  This will occur before the end of the school year so you can have time to plan for the next school year.  You can find some preliminary information on our State Assessment System webpage.


Further information including timeline of availability (interim), testing dates, and technology specifications will be sent to the districts once we have our contracts in place.


Wy-ALT: Testing Window February 28 - March 24

     Reminders

  • One test kit per subject per grade band
  • AIR 1-888-897-8024

PAWS: Testing Window March 6 - 24

Reminders

  • Cover/clear classroom walls (any item that may give a group of students an unfair advantage on the assessment)
  • Follow test security protocols.  
  • Implement a test material sign-in/sign-out routine
  • A student must complete all sections in one subject  before starting a new subject.
  • Notify District Coordinators regarding testing irregularities.         
  • ETS 1-877-327-9415
  • Observation visits will be conducted throughout the window. See observation checklist here.

ACT Aspire: Important Dates

March 13: Proctor Caching                                                     March 17: Deadline to order accommodated paper exams (Complete PNPs and place students in test sessions)             March 17: Deadline to create paper test sessions             March 21: 3:00 pm Test Administration Webinar                     March 23: 3:00 pm Test Administration Webinar                     March 31: Deadline to conduct technology readiness testing

View the ACT Aspire administration Checklist for Success


REGISTER: ACT Aspire Administration Webinar

You have two sessions available for ACT Aspire Administration training. Please Register prior to the training date. You will learn about the Aspire Landing page, TestNav, ProctorCache software, creating test sessions, creating additional orders, viewing status reports, and portal enhancements. 

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March 21st - 3:00 pm



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March 23rd - 3:00 pm


ACT Aspire: Check for Transfer Students

Please check ACT Aspire platform que for student transfer requests. 


WorkKeys: Important Dates

March 9: Deadline to update Validus for online administration   March 10: Deadline to order paper materials                         March 13: Proctor Caching                                                   March 16: Validus Update                                                     March 17: Deadline to order additional materials


REGISTER: ACT Administration Q & A Webinar

You have two sessions available for ACT Administration training. Please Register prior to the training date. We encourage individuals interested in participating in the ACT Question and Answer session to register for one or both of the upcoming sessions.

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March 14th - 3:30 pm 
Join: https://act.ilinc.com/join/ypjckjt
Primary Dial-In: 800-260-0712
Passcode: 403382


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March 16th - 10:00 am
Join: https://act.ilinc.com/join/wzxmsmt
Passcode: 403383
Primary Dial-In: 800-260-0712



ACT: Important Dates

March 10: Deadline to confirm student accommodations (TAA) March 14: 3:30 pm Test Administration Q & A                         March 16: 10:00 am Test Administration Q & A                       March 16: Deadline to confirm student data (PANext)           March 16: Deadline to test site readiness and install ProctorCache software


ACT Online Testing and Paper Testing

Campuses will be mailed paper materials for all students entered in PANext by March 16th. After March 16th, if you want to change a student from paper testing to online testing, please call Jeremiah Barnhart 1-319-337-1386. 


IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • Feb 15 - March 16: ACT Aspire student data and accommodations confirmation window
  • Feb 15 - March 16: ACT Student data confirmation window
  • February 28 - March 24: Wy-ALT Administration Window Open
  • March 24: Wy-ALT deadline to edit student information in TIDE
  • March 6 - 10: ACT WorkKeys window to order materials for paper testing
  • March 6 - 24: PAWS Administration Window Open
  • March 13 - April 14: ACT Approved accommodations late consideration window
  • March 14 @ 3:30 pm: ACT Test Administration Q & A Webinar
  • March 16 @ 10:00 am: ACT Test Administration Q & A Webinar
  • March 16: ACT last day to test site Readiness and install Proctor Cache software
  • March 16: ACT WorkKeys Validus Update
  • March 16: ACT deadline to submit reconsideration request for ACT-approved accommodation in TAA
  • March 17: ACT WorkKeys deadline to order additional materials
  • March 17: ACT Aspire Last day to order paper exams
  • March 21 @ 3:00 pm: ACT Aspire Test Administration Webinar
  • March 23 @ 3:00 pm: ACT Aspire Test Administration Webinar
  • April 3 - 18: ACT (paper/pencil) window to conduct pretest sessions and proctor training
  • April 3 - May 8: ACT (online) window to conduct pretest sessions
  • April 7: ACT Aspire last day to create Online test sessions and set up Proctor Cache
  • April 10 - May 3: ACT Aspire Administration Window Open
  • April 12: ACT (online) Deadline for Tech Coordinator to perform final system check
  • April 14 - May 3: ACT (online) Window to precache test content before test day
  • April 19: ACT Administration (paper/pencil)
  • April 19 - May 3: ACT Administration Window Open (online)