Assessment Newsletter (Volume 5, Issue 42)

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

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December 15, 2017  |  WDE Assessment Updates  |  Volume 5, Issue 42


WY-TOPP GRADES 1-2 WINTER INTERIM ITEM REVIEW AND FALL INTERIM RESULTS WEBINAR

December 18th at 4 p.m. and December 19th at 7 a.m.

Mark your calendars! WDE and AIR will co-host a webinar focused on the WY-TOPP Winter Interim items for Grades 1-2 and WY-TOPP Fall Interim results for Grades 3-10. Both webinars will address the same topics. Please plan to attend one of the two webinar options. 

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ACCESS 2.0 TEST SESSION SET UP

 You can now set up test sessions in the WIDA AMS. The window for test session setup is from 12-4-17 to 2-27-18. Please note, that campuses may add newly enrolled EL students to test sessions who were not classified as ELs on the 684 file that was submitted in October.

Please click on the link to view the WIDA AMS User Guide.

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ACCESS 2.0 FOR ELLs CHECKLIST

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It is important for District & School Test Coordinators and Test Administrators to use the Wyoming ACCESS for ELLs Checklistbefore, during, and after testing. The checklist is a summary of all tasks that need to be completed for online and paper administration by all personnel involved. This is a "working document" that we are asking coordinators/administrators to provide feedback by adding/changing information on the document that would make it more helpful or accurate. Please follow this link to provide feedback on the checklist.


WIDA LESSON PLANNING WORKSHOP

Register TODAY! January 17-18 in Casper

This two-day learning opportunity, presented by Suzanne Johar from WIDA, will enhance participants' lesson planning processes. Specifically, participants will focus on creating contexts for meaningful language use within settings that integrate content and academic language learning. Throughout this process, participants will explore elements of the WIDA Standards Framework in depth as they design instruction that promotes students' content learning and language development. Registration will open soon.

Please contact Antoinette Hallam at 777-5217, if you have questions about the workshop.

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ACCESS 2.0 FIELD TESTING

If you would like to participate, please contact Alex Bauer at 1-608- 265-0601 or email alex.bauer@wisc.edu as soon as possible. 

As we prepare for the third operational year of the ACCESS 2.0 assessment, the department would like to share with you the details of an upcoming writing field test for the computer-based ACCESS for ELLs 2.0. This will be the only field test for this year, and it is on a volunteer basis and may be administered before or after a student completes the operational test. This field test gives students and administrators practice and preparation for testing.

  • Testing time will be approximately 20-30 minutes and participating campuses will receive a small stipend for school supplies.
  • Students in grades 1-3 may test November 14, 2017 through February 16, 2018. (All students in grades 1-3 will hand write their responses)
  • The window for grades 4-12 is December 4, 2017 through March 2, 2018. (All students in grades 4-12 will keyboard their responses)

WIDA states are held to the following U.S. Department of Education Peer Review Guidance.

  • Must provide evidence of appropriate field testing
  • Field test student sample must be representative of the “population” of final test takers (of adequate size and diversity).

Thank you for your continued dedication and effort supporting the development of ACCESS for ELLs 2.0. Please contact Antoinette Hallam at 777-5217 with questions regarding Wyoming state policy for the ACCESS 2.0 assessment.


ACT ACCOMMODATIONS APPLICATION

The accommodations application window is open; these applications are submitted through the Test Accessibility & Accommodations System (TAA) and must be submitted by February 2, 2018. ACT highly recommends starting your applications early to allow your site time to resubmit the application if there are any issues with your original application. 

If you have any questions regarding accommodations, please contact the Wyoming ACT help desk at 800-553-6244 ext 1788 (Wyoming school code = 51).


IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • November 6-February 2: ACT Request ACT-approved accommodations window
  • December 4-February 2: ACT Install ProctorCache software and setup proctor cache
  • December 5: WY-TOPP Science Content alignment Review Committee
  • December 5: WY-TOPP Science Bias & Sensitivity Review Committee
  • December 11-15: WY-ALT Math, ELA, and Science Content Fairness and Bias Committee
  • December 18: WY-TOPP Interim for Grades 1-2 and Interim Results Webinar @ 4:00 p.m.
  • December 19: WY-TOPP Interim for Grades 1-2 and Interim Results Webinar @ 7:00 a.m.
  • January 8-12: ACCESS 2.0 Paper materials will be delivered to district offices
  • January 8: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training in Sheridan 9:00 - 4:00
  • January 9: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training in Riverton 9:00 - 4:00
  • January 10: WY-ALT TA Refresher Training in Riverton 9:00 - 12:00 p.m.
  • January 10: WY-ALT TA Refresher Training in Riverton 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
  • January 12: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training in Green River 9:00 - 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 17-18: WIDA Lesson Planning Workshop in Casper
  • 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 2.0 testing window
  • January 24: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training in Cheyenne 9:00 - 4:00 p.m.
  • January 25: WY-ALT TA Refresher Training in Cheyenne 9:00 - 12:00 p.m.
  • January 25: WY-ALT TA Refresher Training in Cheyenne 1:00 - 4:00 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 - 4:00 p.m.
  • February 1: WY-ALT TA Refresher Training Webinar 9:00 - 12:00 p.m.
  • February 1-2: Green River -  Phase III The Art and Science of Teaching, Unit 2
  • February 2: ACT Deadline for accommodations approval
  • February 26-March 28: WY-ALT testing window (Grades 3-11)
  • February 28: ACT Standard Administration Q&A webinar @ 3:30 p.m.
  • March 3-9: WorkKeys Window to order paper materials
  • March 3-9: WorkKeys Schools will receive online testing realm email and information
  • March 20: Option 1 - ACT paper test day
  • April 2-6: WorkKeys Schools will receive paper test materials
  • 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)