Assessment Newsletter (Volume 6 Issue 77)

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

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10-19-2018  |  WDE Assessment Updates  |  Volume 6, Issue 77

2018-2019 WY-TOPP INTERIM, MODULAR, AND SUMMATIVE BLUEPRINTS

Cartoon figures holding a puzzle in the shape of a table

The WY-TOPP assessment system consists of Modular, Interim, and Summative assessments. Each type of assessment has a blueprint that is used to create the assessment. Blueprints are available by content area and by grade level. Please follow this link to view the WY-TOPP Assessment Blueprints and Rubrics webpage  


WY-TOPP AIR WAYS REPORTING SYSTEM WEBINAR

November 1, 2018 at 3:30

American Institutes for Research (AIR) will host an additional reporting results webinar on November 1 that will focus on WY-TOPP Interim and Modular results.

AIR Ways Webinar 

  • WY-TOPP assessment system: connections between Modular, Interim, and Summative Assessments
  • reports available & navigation
  • results of Interims: overall and reporting category interpretation
  • results of Modulars interpretation
  • longitudinal Reports
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WY-TOPP ONLINE REPORTING SYSTEM (ORS) WEBINARS

October 30, 2018 at 2:00 and 3:30

Mark you calendar! American Institutes for Research (AIR) will host two webinars on October 30 that will focus on WY-TOPP Summative results. 

ORS Webinar (administrators) October 30 at 2:00 p.m.:

  • WY-TOPP assessment system: connections between Modular, Interim, and Summative Assessments
  • reports available & navigation (focus on school and district level reports)
  • results of summative assessments: overall and reporting category interpretation (aggregate reports)
  • differences between ORS reporting and formal reporting for accountability

ORS Webinar (teachers) October 30 at 3:30 p.m.:

  • WY-TOPP assessment system: connections between Modular, Interim, and Summative Assessments
  • reports available & navigation (focus on individual and classroom group reports)
  • results of summative assessments: overall and reporting category interpretation (at student level)
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2:00 pm for Administrators

 

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3:30 pm for Teachers


WY-ALT COGNITIVE LABORATORIES

The word "observation" on a sign

This application is for any Wyoming special education educator working with students whose IEP teams have determined they will take the WY-ALT. We are looking for a representation of students in grades 3-10 with various cognitive levels and disabilities. You will be expected to administer a sample of WY-ALT items to (preferably) two of your students. There will be a short pre- and post- questionnaire. The test administration will be recorded by WDE staff; you will be asked to take notes on student response during the testing. The Cognitive Labs will be scheduled during the typical school day, at the student's home school, and facilitated by WDE staff. Teachers will gain valuable insight into how their students think and process information. Applicants may use this form to apply. 

If you have any questions, please contact Kascinda Fleming at kascinda.fleming@wyo.gov. 

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WY-ALT ITEM CONTENT AND FAIRNESS REVIEW COMMITTEE

November 5-7, 2018

Wyoming educators are invited to participate in the upcoming Wyoming Alternate Assessment (WY-ALT) Content and Fairness Committee Meeting on November 5-7, 2018. The session on Monday, November 5 will be an afternoon session. The November 6 session will last the full day. The November 7 session will be over by noon.

This committee will review items from the ALT collaborative's partner states. As a member of the committee, you will review items for alignment to the state academic content standards, target difficulty level, appropriate use of language, clear instructions, and any possible bias issues.

Selected panelists will receive a flat reimbursement of $300/full day and $150/half day to cover their travel expenses. This amount will not exceed $600 for this event. If you are interested in serving on the Content and Fairness Committee, please complete the application form found at the registration button below by Wednesday, October 31.

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ACCESS FOR ELLS DISTRICT & BUILDING TEST COORDINATOR & TEST ADMINISTRATOR TRAINING

November 5, 2018 - Evanston, Wyoming  

Audience: District Test Coordinators, Building EL Coordinators, Test Administrators/Coordinators, Principals & anyone interested

During the morning session, participants will learn: 

  • ordering and distributing materials, 
  • setting up testing schedules, 
  • monitoring test administrator certifications. 

During the afternoon session, test administrators will explore how the WIDA Standards and Assessment System is connected to the ACCESS for ELLs Online. 

Participants will: 

  • Learn to administer the online test to students,
  • Access sample items and the WIDA Assessment Management System,
  • Identify the purpose of the WIDA Accessibility and Accommodations Framework,
  • Explain the technology basics for ACCESS for ELLs,
  • Describe the administrative functions of test coordination in WIDA AMS,
  • Explain scheduling, test administration monitoring and materials management,
  • Discuss the features of each of the different ACCESS for ELLs suite of assessments, 
  • Identify the different aspects of paper test administration such as domain test details,
  • Explain the procedure for scoring the speaking test.

 

(Participants may attend ½ day of training, but are encouraged to attend the full day).

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ACCESS FOR ELLS 2.0 WRITING FIELD TEST

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

WIDA is seeking Wyoming educators and students who are interested in participating in the ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Writing field test. This is an excellent opportunity for students and administrators to practice for ACCESS for ELLs 2.0. 

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, 2018 through February 15, 2019. (All students in grades 1-3 will hand write their responses)
  • The window for grades 4-12 is December 3, 2018 through March 1, 2019. (All students in grades 4-12 will keyboard their responses)

The field test may be administered before or after a student completes their operational testing.

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.


ACCESS FOR ELLS AND ALTERNATE ACCESS FOR ELLS TESTING MATERIALS

Test material ordering window is October 17- November 28.

If you are administering ACCESS for ELLs you must place a materials order, regardless of testing mode (online or paper). Please be advised that if you do not order tests for your school or district during this time frame, you WILL NOT receive any materials in the materials shipment. Pre-ID labels will be included in the initial materials shipment regardless of materials ordered.

View the Ordering Materials tutorial in the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs training course. You may access the training course on the WIDA Secure Portal by logging in at the top right corner of the homepage. Once you are logged in, you can select the appropriate training course.

All ACCESS for ELLs test materials will be ordered from DRC using WIDA AMS. Building Test Coordinators/District Test Coordinators will need to follow the test materials ordering procedures outlined in the WIDA Assessment Management System (WIDA AMS) User Guide which is located on WIDA AMS.  

HOW TO ORDER MATERIALS.     

  1. Log in to WIDA AMS. 
  2. Click Materials>Materials Ordering
  3. Choose the administration WY ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 2018-2019.
  4. Click Show Materials.

Important Note: There has been a change with DRC in shipping testing materials to District Coordinators versus school locations. For the 18-19 year, testing materials will continue to be sent to the same locations as in the 17-18 year. Changes will not occur until the 19-20 school year and districts will be notified well-in-advance to prepare for any possible changes.  


PROVIDING EL SERVICES TO A STUDENT WITH AN IEP

If a student qualifies for English Language (EL) and Special Education Services, they are required by law to receive appropriate instruction and services for both. How those services are provided should be addressed in the IEP. They may be provided in a special education or regular education setting as long as they are appropriate to the student’s level of EL needs, are provided by qualified staff, and will help the student progress towards their linguistically appropriate goals and objectives.

An EL with a disability can be “exited” from Active EL status when the student no longer meets the definition of an Active EL. This occurs when the student meets the state’s definition of “proficient” in English on the State EL Assessment. All ELs, including those with disabilities, must participate in ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 or must take the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs.  There is no provision in the IDEA that would authorize the IEP Team to remove the “EL” designation before the student has attained English proficiency. Nor does LEA school personnel have the authority under Federal law to remove a student’s EL designation before the student has been deemed proficient in English solely because the student has an IEP.


ACT REPORTS DEADLINE

Please save your ACT reports locally before they are no longer available on PAnext. Beginning Saturday, November 3, access to the spring 2018 administration in PAnext, including the published reports, will no longer be available. 


UPCOMING 2018-2019 ACT WEBINARS

  • November 8, 2018 3:30 pm - Accommodations Q & A webinar
  • January 29, 2019 3:30 pm - Test Administration Q & A webinar
  • February 28, 2019 3:30 pm - Test Administration Q & A webinar

Webinar registration for January 29 and February 28 will open at a later date. Please mark your calendars and register for the November 8 training below. 

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IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • October 22-23: WY-TOPP ELA, Math, and Science Item Review Committee - Cheyenne
  • October 24: Train-the-Trainer eWorkshop: Cultivating Practices to Support Language Learner Success, 2:00 pm
  • October 30: WY-TOPP results webinar (ORS) for administrators 2:00
  • October 30: WY-TOPP results webinar (ORS) for teachers 3:30
  • November 1: WY-TOPP results webinar (AIR Ways) 3:30
  • November 5: ACCESS 2.0 Test Coordinator Training 8:00 - 11:00 - Evanston
  • November 5: ACCESS 2.0 Test Administrator Training 1:00 - 4:00 - Evanston
  • November 8: ACT Accommodations Q&A Webinar at 3:30
  • December 3: ACCESS 2.0 Test Coordinator Training 8:00 - 11:00 - Riverton
  • December 3: ACCESS 2.0 Test Administrator Training 1:00 - 4:00 - Riverton
  • December 18-19: WIDA Engaging ELs in Science Workshop - Green River
  • January 7: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training - Cody/Powell area
  • January 9: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training - Gillette
  • January 10: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training - Casper
  • January 11: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training - Green River/Rock Springs area
  • January 14: ACCESS 2.0 Test Coordinator Training 8:00 - 11:00 - Cheyenne
  • January 14: ACCESS 2.0 Test Administrator Training 1:00 - 4:00 - Cheyenne
  • January 15-February 8: WY-TOPP Winter interim window (Grades 3-10)
  • January 22: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training - Cheyenne
  • January 22-February 26: ACCESS 2.0 assessment window (Grades K-12)
  • January 28-March 8: NAEP assessment window (Grades 4 & 8 for selected campuses)
  • January 29: ACT Test Administration Q&A Webinar at 3:30
  • February 28: ACT Test Administration Q&A Webinar at 3:30
  • March 11-12: WIDA Scaffolding Workshop - Sheridan
  • March 11-April 24: WY-ALT online assessment window (Grades 3-10)
  • April 2: ACT paper test day (Grade 11)
  • April 2-4, 9-11: ACT online test window (Grade 11)
  • April 15-May 10: WY-TOPP Spring Summative window (Grades 3-10)
  • April 15-May 10: WY-TOPP Spring Interim window (Grades K-2)
  • April 16-30: WorkKeys assessment window (Grades 11 & 12)
  • May 20: ACCESS 2.0 Interpreting Score Reports for Instruction Workshop - Riverton
  • May 21: ACCESS 2.0 Interpreting Score Reports for Instruction Workshop - Casper