Assessment Newsletter (Volume 5, Issue 29)

Wyoming Department of Education sent this bulletin at 09/08/2017 11:14 AM MDT

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

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September 8, 2017  |  WDE Assessment Updates  |  Volume 5, Issue 29

SPOTLIGHT: WY-TOPP UNIVERSAL TOOLS

The training test will be available throughout the year for students, educators, and parents. The purpose of the training test is to become familiar with the look and functionality of the new online assessment. Accommodations are selectable prior to starting the training test. We encourage students and educators to practice using the universal tools. Students with IEPs are encouraged to practice using his or her specific accommodation(s) in addition to the universal tools that are available to all students. 

UNIVERSAL TOOLS

TUTORIAL- short video demonstrating how to respond to a question type
MARK FOR REVIEW - used to create an icon reminder to review a question
NOTEPAD - used to enter notes while thinking through questions
HIGHLIGHT SELECTION - used to highlight sections from prompts or passages
STRIKETHROUGH - used on multiple-select questions to cross out answer options
ZOOM IN/OUT - used to enlarge text and images on a test page
CALCULATOR (when applicable) 

ACT CONDITION OF COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS 2017

The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2017 is now available. Wyoming is 1 out of 17 states where all students participate in the ACT assessment. Please see the Wyoming Key Findings document for Wyoming specific data on all 2017 high school graduates. 

WY-TOPP TEST-THE-SYSTEM DAY SURVEY

Thank you for participating in the "Test-the-System" day! If your campus or district participated in the September 5th event, please share your experience with us on the appropriate survey. The purpose of the survey is to determine how WDE can help your district or school prepare for the WY-TOPP modulars, interims, and summative assessment.

District Survey link for Assessment Coordinators and Curriculum Directors

School Survey link for Principals and Instructional Facilitators

GRADE 9 AND 10 STUDENTS WILL NO LONGER TAKE THE ACT ASPIRE

Starting this 2017-2018 school year, the state will no longer provide the ACT Aspire assessment. School accountability will be measured using the WY-TOPP assessment for grades 3-10.

Reminder: The Aspire Portal will close on October 15, 2017 so please collect any data needed for your files.

Individual Student Reports (ISR) and all aggregate-level reporting for schools and districts are available for access in the ACT Aspire Portal.

For detailed instructions on accessing various reports via the ACT Aspire Portal, please refer to the ACT Aspire Portal User Guide (pages 109-118).

For support, please contact ACT Aspire Customer Service at 888.802.7502. 

WY-TOPP REGIONAL TRAININGS

Mark your calendar! Regional WY-TOPP trainings will start the week of October 9 - 13. AIR will conduct half-day trainings during the week of October 9th. District Assessment Coordinators and Building Coordinators are encouraged to attend one of the regional trainings. 

Topics that will be discussed during the training include:

  • Wyoming Assessment Portal
  • Test Delivery System (TDS)
  • Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE)
  • AIR Ways
  • Online Reporting System (ORS)

    TRAINING LOCATIONS

    October 9, 2017 - 8:30-11:30-Cheyenne

    October 10, 2017 - 8:30-11:30-Green River

    October 11, 2017 - 8:15-11:15-Jackson

    October 11, 2017 - 4:00-7:00-Thermopolis *New Training Location*

    October 12, 2017 - 8:30-11:30-Casper

    October 12, 2017 - 4:00-7:00-Gillette

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    WY-TOPP BLUEPRINTS

    2017-2018 WY-TOPP assessment blueprints are available. Please see WDE's assessment blueprints webpage for the full list of blueprints or follow the links below. 

    ELA assessment blueprint

    Math assessment blueprint

    Science assessment blueprint

    IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

    • September 12-13: Evanston - Phase I & II Literacy and Formative Assessment Workshop
    • September 13-14: Casper - ACT Preparation Teacher Workshop
    • September 19: Casper - WIDA Online Screener Training 
    • September 21: Rock Springs/Green River - WIDA Online Screener Training 
    • October 3: WY-TOPP Online TA Certification Course is open
    • October 3: WY-TOPP TIDE is open
    • October 9-13: WY-TOPP Regional Trainings 
    • October 11-12: Casper - Phase III The Art and Science of Teaching, Unit 1
    • October 18-19: Green River - Phase III The Art and Science of Teaching, Unit 1
    • October 23: WY-TOPP Assessment Viewing Application is open
    • October 23: WY-TOPP AIR Ways Reporting is open
    • October 23: WY-TOPP Modular assessments are available (Grades 3-10)
    • October 23-November 17: WY-TOPP Fall Interim window (Grades 3-10)
    • January 16-February 9: WY-TOPP Winter Interim window (Grades 1-10)
    • January 22-23: Casper - Phase I & II Literacy and Formative Assessment Workshop
    • January 29-30: Casper - Phase III The Art and Science of Teaching, Unit 2
    • February 1-2: Green River -  Phase III The Art and Science of Teaching, Unit 2
    • February 26-March 28: WY-ALT testing window (Grades 3-11)
    • March 20: Option 1 - ACT paper test day
    • April 3: Option 2 - ACT paper test day
    • April 3-5 and 10-12: Option 3 - ACT online testing window
    • April 16-May 11: WY-TOPP Interim Spring window (Grades K-2)
    • April 16-May 11: WY-TOPP Summative testing window (Grades 3-10)
    • April 17-May 1: WorkKeys testing window (Grades 11-12)