Assessment Newsletter (Volume 5, Issue 35)

Wyoming Department of Education sent this bulletin at 10/22/2017 12:53 PM MDT

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

assessmentheader

October 20, 2017  |  WDE Assessment Updates  |  Volume 5, Issue 35

WY-TOPP MANUALS

Test Coordinator Manuals

User Role and Access Chart
TIDE User Guide (Test Information Distribution Engine)
Test Administrator User Guide
Test Administration Manual (Modular and Interim Assessments)
Modular Previewing System User Guide
AIR Ways Reporting User Guide 

Technical Coordinator Manuals

Secure Browser Installation Manual
Technical Specifications Manual for Online Testing

System Requirements for Online Testing

WY-TOPP ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT

The text-to-speech accommodation is available on WY-TOPP modular, interim, and summative exams. Student information may be edited in TIDE, by the building coordinator, to reflect supports needed based on a student's IEP. The Text-to-speech options that are available to students include:

  • Speak Items
  • Speak Passages
  • Speak Passages and Items

Please see the TIDE manual for embedded supports information and for information on downloading and installing voice packs. 

ASSESSMENT BEST PRACTICES GUIDE

Please review the Assessment Best Practices Guide and become familiar with what to consider before testing, during testing, and after testing.  Also, at the bottom of this guide are WY-TOPP specific Technology Best Practices.  Please share this document with all test administrators and tech coordinators.

WY-TOPP TDS ALLOWABLE SYSTEMS UPDATE

iOS 11 has been whitelisted. However, please note that the secure browser will allow other programs to be opened during testing. If your campus intends to use any device that runs iOS 11 for the Fall Interim, please have test administrators ensure all programs are closed down first, and closely monitor students during the exam.

ENGLISH LEARNER AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE CONSULTANT

Antoinette

The Wyoming Department of Education is excited to welcome Antoinette Hallam to the Standards and Assessment team. She holds a Master’s degree, is ELL certified, and is a National Board Certified Teacher who has worked in both national and international English Language Programs. Antoinette was an educator in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she worked in English language-learner classrooms with a diverse group of Native American, Arabic, Mexican, Hispanic, and South American students. She also taught in International schools in Egypt, Thailand, and Indonesia, educating students from various backgrounds. Antoinette is actively involved in developing strategic plans for diverse learners, participating in cultural events, and looks forward to her work in Wyoming.

WIDA WORKSHOP: ENGAGING ELLS IN SCIENCE

Mark your calendar for the next WIDA training! This training focuses on combining English Language Development Standards and Science Practices. Please click here for a description of the workshop. Click the button below to register.

Who: EL coordinators and EL teachers
What: WIDA Science training (2-days)
When: November 7th-8th from 8:00-3:30
Where: Gillette at the Lakeway Learning Center in the Aspen Room

 assessment_register

WY-ALT CONTENT FAIRNESS AND BIAS REVIEW COMMITTEE

Mark your calendar! The Wyoming Department of Education and American Institutes for Research are inviting Wyoming educators to apply for consideration to participate in the WY-ALT Content and Fairness review committee. Educators will review WY-ALT items for Math, ELA, and Science that are aligned to the Wyoming Extended Standards for each subject. The committee will meet in Cheyenne on December 11th-15th. All applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on October 30, 2017 will be considered. Follow this link to apply for consideration to participate.

 

WY-TOPP CONTENT FAIRNESS AND BIAS REVIEW COMMITTEE

List

This application is for any Wyoming educator interested in participating in either the Content Alignment Review Committee or the Bias & Sensitivity (Fairness) Review Committee meeting for WY-TOPP Science items. The committee will be meet in Cheyenne on December 5, 2017. Due to these committee meetings being held concurrently, applicants will only be selected for one committee, but applicants may use this single form to apply for either or both committees. Travel and lodging reimbursements will be offered to committee members traveling from outside of Cheyenne. All applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on October 30, 2017 will be considered. Follow this link to apply for consideration to participate.

WY-TOPP WRITING RUBRIC WEBINARS

typewriter

The Wyoming Department of Education would like to invite educators to attend a 30-minute Writing Webinar to gain information around the new WY-TOPP Writing Assessment. During the webinar, we will guide educators through accessing the writing rubrics and writing resources.

No registration is required. Please click on the link below when you are ready to join the specific webinar. 

October 24, 2017 - 7:15-7:45 a.m.

October 25, 2017 - 12:00-12:30 p.m.

October 26, 2017 - 4:00-4:30 p.m.

Please follow this link to the WY-TOPP Assessment Blueprints and Rubrics webpage to view the writing rubrics prior to the webinar.

ACT UPDATES

The 2017-2018 ACT administration will include Writing. Pursuant to Wyoming Law W.S.21-2-202(xxx) "The college entrance examination shall at a minimum test in the areas of English, reading, writing, and mathematics for all students in grade eleven (11) or twelve (12)."

ACT's policy regarding the extended time accommodation has changed. Please see this Extended Time Testing Policy FAQ for more information.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • October 23: WY-TOPP Modular Previewing System is open
  • October 23: WY-TOPP AIR Ways Reporting is open
  • October 23: WY-TOPP Modular assessments are available (Grades 3-11)
  • October 23-November 17: WY-TOPP Fall Interim window (Grades 3-10)
  • November 6-December 1: ACT Manage participation and shipping dates in PAnext
  • November 6-February 2: ACT Request ACT-approved accommodations
  • November 7-8: WIDA Training in Gillette 8:00 - 3:30
  • November 9: ACT Accommodations Q&A webinar @ 3:30 p.m.
  • December 4-February 2: ACT Install ProctorCache software and setup proctor cache
  • January 8: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training in Sheridan 8:00 - 4:00
  • January 9: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training in Riverton 8:00 - 4:00
  • January 10: WY-ALT TA Refresher Training in Riverton 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
  • January 10: WY-ALT TA Refresher Training in Riverton 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
  • January 12: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training in Green River 8:00 - 4:00
  • January 16-February 9: WY-TOPP Winter Interim window (Grades 1-10)
  • January 16-February 2: ACT Verify student information in PAnext
  • January 29: ACT Standard Administration Q&A webinar @ 3:30 p.m.
  • January 22-23: Casper - Phase I & II Literacy and Formative Assessment Workshop
  • January 23-February 27: ACCESS testing window
  • January 24: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training in Cheyenne 8:00 - 4:00 p.m.
  • January 25: WY-ALT TA Refresher Training in Cheyenne 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
  • January 25: WY-ALT TA Refresher Training in Cheyenne 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
  • January 29-30: Casper - Phase III The Art and Science of Teaching, Unit 2
  • January 30: WY-ALT TA Refresher Training Webinar 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
  • February 1: WY-ALT TA Refresher Training Webinar 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
  • 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)
  • February 28: ACT Standard Administration Q&A webinar @ 3:30 p.m.
  • 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)