Assessment Newsletter (Volume 6 Issue 99)

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

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April 12, 2019  |  WDE Assessment Updates  |  Volume 6, Issue 99


WY-ALT SCORES

Preliminary WY-ALT scores will not be immediately available after test administration is completed during the 2019 test window. This summer, the WDE will host teacher committees for Standard Setting to establish cut scores and determine the minimum performance required for levels of achievement on the alternate assessment. Anticipated release of official WY-ALT scores is mid-August. 

If you would like to participate in the Standard Setting process, please submit your information by 11:59 p.m. on May 1, 2019, for consideration. The WDE encourages general education, special education, administrators, and facilitators to apply.


ACCESS 2.0 FOR ELS - STUDENT NOT TESTED FORM (SNT)

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Deadline is Friday, April 12

Under ESSA, districts are required to annually assess the English proficiency of all students identified as an English Learner (EL) and track progress in the state’s accountability system. WDE requires districts to identify students who did not complete the ACCESS assessment. Submit a “Student Not Tested Form” for each student who did not participate or complete the ACCESS assessment during 2019 administration. Antoinette Hallam will send districts an Excel spreadsheet with a list of students and districts can cross check their information with WDE's to ensure all SNT have been identified. 


INTERPRETING ACCESS FOR ELS 2.0 SCORE REPORTS

May 21 in Casper or May 22 in Riverton

EL Teachers, EL Coordinators, administrators, and instructional coaches have the opportunity to learn how the ACCESS for ELs 2.0 Score Reports provide important information about students’ academic English language proficiency. Participants will examine the different types of reports available and each report’s function. Participants will also discuss the connection between the score reports and the WIDA ELD Standards and Assessment System, and how these reports can serve as a tool to initiate discussion about instruction. This is a great opportunity to get any questions you might have answered. Participants have the option to bring score reports or learn how to pull score reports at the workshop.

Follow this link to register for the Casper location.

Follow this link to register for the Riverton location.


EL MONITORING - WDE684 ERROR REPORT CORRECTIONS DUE

Deadline is Monday, April 15

The WDE is collecting final edits on the WDE684 file. This data collection provides WDE information for accountability. It also defines the number of students in subpopulations. The number of Active ELs and those students on Monitor Status in each school, district, and the entire state are checked after all districts have submitted their data. The WDE created an error report of information that is not accurate and districts are required to correct their data by April 15. WDE teammates appreciate the time districts spend on making sure the WDE684 data is correct.. 


WY-TOPP TESTING AND TIDE ERRORS

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As the WDE prepares for WY-TOPP, it has been determined that some students are mislabeled or missing from schools’ informational systems (SIS). This is a reminder that students who attend a school should have a primary enrollment at that school even if they are homeschooled or have been placed within an institution. Reminder: Accountability for the state is pulled using the information within the WDE684 file. The primary enrollment information is primarily used for uploading students within the assessment system. Double check your systems to ensure your files are clean and complete to help in our efforts to produce valid and reliable data throughout the state.


UPDATE: NEW TEST SECURITY AGREEMENT FOR GRADES K-2

The WDE Test Security Agreement has been updated for grades K-2 to reflect the unique testing environment. Update your test security agreements for the appropriate grade-level. There has been no change for the Test Security Agreement (Grades 3 -10).


IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • February 25-April 17: WY-ALT additional paper response options ordering window
  • March 11-April 24: WY-ALT online assessment window (Grades 3-10)
  • April 15-26: WY-TOPP additional paper form ordering window
  • 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: Last day to submit ACT exemptions
  • April 16-30: WorkKeys assessment window (Grades 11 & 12)
  • April 26: Last day to submit WY-TOPP exemptions
  • April 26-27: Wyoming English as a Second Language Conference - Casper
  • May 21: ACCESS 2.0 Interpreting Score Reports for Instruction Workshop - Casper
  • May 22: ACCESS 2.0 Interpreting Score Reports for Instruction Workshop - Riverton