Assessment Newsletter (Volume 5, Issue 46)

Wyoming Department of Education sent this bulletin at 01/19/2018 08:18 AM MST

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

assessmentheader

January 19, 2017  |  WDE Assessment Updates  |  Volume 5, Issue 46

WY-TOPP ACCOMMODATIONS WEBINAR

person leaning on an "info" graphic

January 19th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Individual Learning is hosting an Accommodations Webinar today, January 19th. The webinar will review the allowable accommodations for WY-TOPP.

Webinar Login Information

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/884997690

Or iPhone one-tap: US: +16465588656, 884997690# or +16699006833, 884997690# 

Or Telephone: 
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 669 900 6833 

Meeting ID: 884 997 690 

WY-TOPP GRADES 1 & 2 INTERIM AND MODULAR ASSESSMENTS

Grades 1 & 2 Winter Interim and Modular assessments are available. The winter interim window is January 16th - February 9th. Modular assessments will be available until the end of the school year. Please follow this link to view the blueprints for interim and modular assessments. Note that ELA modulars for grades 1 & 2 include teacher directed prompts. ELA interims for grades 1 & 2 will not contain teacher directed prompts. 

WY-ALT INITIAL ORDERING WINDOW

The initial ordering window closes on Monday, January 22nd. 


Please ensure you complete the following tasks in the Test Information and Distribution Engine (TIDE):

Confirm your contact information – Verify or enter your contact and building shipping information. You must verify your information before you can review your preloaded initial orders for WY-ALT test materials. If an address change needs to occur, please contact the Wyoming Help Desk at wyohelpdesk@air.org or at 1.888.897.8024.

Review your preloaded initial orders

  • Orders were pre-loaded based on student information received during the Initial Pre-ID Window (October 3 – November 28, 2017).
  • Please note: Test Administration Kits (TA Kits) are intended for use with multiple students. There will not be an order for every student pre-identified. Your order will include one TA Kit for every four students pre-identified per grade band. Second Scorers will not receive a second TA Kit. If you have any questions, please contact the Wyoming Help Desk at wyohelpdesk@air.org or at 1.888.897.8024.
  • If your order quantity looks appropriate, no further action is needed. If your order quantity is insufficient or excessive, Test Coordinators can adjust the order in TIDE during the Initial Order Window. Any additional quantities requested are subject to review and approval by the Wyoming Department of Education.

If you have any questions regarding the TIDE system, please refer to the TIDE User Guide and FAQs located on the Resources section of the Portal. You may also contact the Wyoming Help Desk.

ACCESS 2.0 TESTING WINDOW

testing with a magnifying glass

The testing window is January 23rd - February 27th.

All students identified as an English Language Learner must be assessed annually in the language domains of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. EL students who also have an IEP or 504 plan may use documented accommodations on the ACCESS 2.0 assessment. IEP and 504 teams do not determine if a student will participate in the exam. These teams determine how a student will participate in the ACCESS 2.0 assessment. 

Test materials will arrive starting Monday, January 8th. There will be overage provided for both the district and the school. Should the shipment, including the overage, still fall short of the need, the window for supplemental orders will also be open at that time. 

You can 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.

ACCESS 2.0 TECH READINESS

desktop computer

EL Test Coordinators and Technology Coordinators should collaborate to perform all necessary tasks to support ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 administration in districts and schools. Here is a link to a quick reference guide that can be used by District Technology Coordinators in preparation for the upcoming ACCESS testing window. This document will guide you through your TSMs and configurations setup for the online testing system before the first day of testing.

ACT PROCTOR CACHING DEADLINE FOR ONLINE TESTING

CHECKLIST

To test online, complete proctor caching by Friday, February 2nd, following the instructions in the Technical Guide until you reach the “SUCCESS!” message in the instructions.

Make sure all examinees testing online have “online” marked as their delivery format in PearsonAccessnextTM. Follow the “How to Change an Examinee’s Test Format” instructions in the ACT Test Administration Manual Online Testing to view or change the format.

ACT recommends that you conduct a mock administration before the proctor cache deadline. This is one of the best ways to ensure your school can successfully test online.

If you know prior to the deadline that you won’t be testing online, please let ACT know so your campus can be switched to paper testing in advance. By doing so, you’ll receive your initial shipment of materials for paper testing as soon as possible.

ACT ACCOMMODATIONS APPLICATION IS DUE BY FEBRUARY 2ND

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. If you need to request ACT-approved accommodations or English learner supports, then 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).

ACT WORKKEYS

This spring, Wyoming schools will have an opportunity to administer the ACT WorkKeys Assessment in the following window:

Test Mode and Test Window

ACT WorkKeys- Online April 17-May 1, 2018
ACT WorkKeys- Paper April 17-May 1, 2018

ACT will communicate information about ACT WorkKeys by email in late February. The communication will include information about the ordering paper window, online testing realm set up, training, etc.

Key information to keep in mind about ACT WorkKeys:

Late February- School Test Coordinators will receive an email from ACT with information about ACT WorkKeys

3/5/2018 – 3/9/2018 - The window to order paper test and to receive online testing realm information

Training-Attend one of ACT WorkKeys’ webinars. ACT offers recorded and live webinars on topics such as Introductions to ACT WorkKeys Online Test Administration, ACT WorkKeys Test Administration Training for Paper Testing, Explore What’s changed with ACT WorkKeys, etc.

To view or register for a training please follow the link here.

For more detailed information please refer to the Wyoming- ACT WorkKeys Schedule of Events and the  Wyoming's ACT State testing Website.

ACT TEST ADMINISTRATION Q&A WEBINARS

ACT will host two Q&A webinars for Building Test Coordinators and District Test Coordinators. Topics that will be discussed during the webinar include:

  • Staff and facility requirements
  • Preparation activities, such as handling test materials and completing the examinee non-test information
  • Managing information in PearsonAccessnextTM
  • Test day policies and procedures
  • Returning test materials
  • Topics specific to your testing program

You must register 48 hours before the session start time.

assessment_register

Monday, January 29th, 3:30-4:30

 
assessment_register

Wednesday, February 28th, 3:30-4:30

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
  • January 8-12: ACCESS 2.0 Paper materials will be delivered to district offices
  • 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 19: WY-TOPP Accommodations Webinar
  • January 22: WY-ALT Initial ordering window closes
  • 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 5-30: WY-TOPP paper test initial order window
  • 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 16-25: WY-TOPP paper test late order 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)