March 29, 2018 | WDE Assessment Updates | Volume 5, Issue 56
 WY-TOPP & WY-ALT SPECIAL EDITION
The Wyoming Department of Education convened a committee of Special Education teachers and directors to review and give input on the Accommodations Manual for state testing. This committee helped finalize the 2018 Guidance for Accessibility and Accommodations manual and will convene again following the WY-TOPP testing window to make any necessary adjustments and finalize the 2019 Accommodations Guidebook. Here is a link to the Guidance for Accessibility and Accommodations Manual. |
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The WY-ALT Independent Field Test window is April 9- April 27.
The WY-ALT Independent Field Test (IFT) Test Deliver System manual will be posted on March 30th and can be found on the Wyoming Assessment Portal on the WY-ALT resources webpage. Currently, there is a WY-ALT Test Delivery System manual posted as a resource. This link and manual will be update on Friday, March 30th to include Wyoming specific images. A PowerPoint will also available on March 30th and can be used to train WY-ALT test administrators for the upcoming IFT window.
 Cheyenne on June 21-22
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. 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 March 30, 2018 will be considered. Follow this link to apply for consideration to participate.
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This application is for any Wyoming educator interested in contributing to setting the proficiency standards for the WY-TOPP assessments in English Language Arts grades 3-10, mathematics grades 3-10, or the legacy science for grade 10. The standards setting meeting will be held in Cheyenne on July 10-12, 2018. Travel and lodging reimbursements will be offered to panel members traveling from outside of Cheyenne. All applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on April 2, 2018 will be considered. Follow this link to apply for consideration to participate.
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Schools may allow students to organize and draft their responses on scratch paper. Keep in mind that the test will still need to be attended to as it will "time-out" after 30 minutes of inactivity. Once started, the writing section must be finished. Please ensure that all scratch paper is securely destroyed after testing. It is recommended to schedule the writing assessment earlier in the school day to ensure sufficient time for administration.
Please follow the link below to view a new FAQ about auto-scoring the writing segment of the WY-TOPP assessment.
NEW FAQ Auto Score
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 As you prepare to administer the WY-TOPP spring Interim assessment and/or the WY-TOPP summative assessment, please remember to add/edit student information. Information for students in grades K-2 must be uploaded prior to testing day. Log in to TIDE to update or add student information. Here is the link to the Wyoming Assessment Portal. See pages 24 and 41-44 in the TIDE manual for guidance on uploading student information. Please call the help desk at 888-897-8024 if you have issues with your student upload.
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It is very important to maintain test item security before, during, and after test administration. We suggest that campuses communicate a strict policy for communication devices during testing. For campuses that do not have cell phone or communication device policy, please follow this link to an example of a communication device policy that can be read or distributed to faculty, staff, and students during state testing. |
 The following test security agreements are now available:
1) Test Security Agreement for test administrators and proctors
2) Test Security Agreement for Assessing a Homeschool/Private School Student on a Wyoming Public School Campus (MUST SUBMIT TO WDE)
3) Test Security Agreement to Administer the WY-TOPP Assessment at a Private School Campus. (MUST SUBMIT TO WDE)
Please click on the following link to upload and submit test security agreements.
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Please follow the links below to view the allowable resources on the WY-TOPP Assessment. Contact Catherine Palmer at catherine.palmer@wyo.gov or Michelle Carroll at michelle.carroll@wyo.gov if you have any questions.
Allowable Resources on WY-TOPP online assessments
Allowable Resources on WY-TOPP paper assessments
April 23rd - deadline to submit exemption requests for the WY-TOPP assessment
This year the department will be using a Secure Google Drive folder to collect exemption request documents from districts. Please contact Catherine Palmer at catherine.palmer@wyo.gov to request access to your campus' Secure Google Drive Folder. Here is a link to the exemption request document. Please view this tutorial on how to submit your exemption request and documentation.
In the Spring of 2014, the WDE requested an opinion from the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office regarding parent opt outs from state-mandated testing (e.g., WY-TOPP, ACT, WY-ALT). The following is part of the AG’s response:
“In summary, the State Board of Education is authorized to establish the statewide accountability system pursuant to state law, including the Wyoming Accountability in Education Act. It has promulgated rules that require districts to administer the relevant assessments to all students in the appropriate grade levels. These requirements are within the authority granted to the board by the legislature. Consequently, districts may not allow students or their parents to opt them out of the assessments provided by law.”
Click here to view the full opinion of the Wyoming Attorney General's Office.
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February 26-March 28: WY-ALT testing window (Grades 3-11)
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March 5-30: WY-TOPP paper test initial order window
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April 2-6: WorkKeys Schools will receive paper test materials
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April 3: Option 2 - ACT paper test day
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April 3-5 and 10-12: Option 3 - ACT online testing window
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April 4-5: WY-ALT Blueprint Committee - Cheyenne
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April 5: Marzano - Phase IV: Standards Based Grading - Casper
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April 9-10: Marzano - Phase I & II: Assessment Literacy and Formative Assessment
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April 9-27: WY-ALT Independent Field Test window
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April 16-25: WY-TOPP paper test late order window
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April 16-May 11: WY-TOPP Interim Spring window (Grades K-2)
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April 16-May 11: WY-TOPP Summative testing window (Grades 3-10)
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April 17-May 1: WorkKeys testing window (Grades 11-12)
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April 23: Deadline to submit exemption requests
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May 3: Marzano - Phase IV: Standards Based Grading - Evanston
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June 21-22: WY-TOPP Science Content Bias and Fairness Review in Cheyenne
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July 10-12: WY-TOPP Standard Setting Educator Panel in Cheyenne
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