Assessment Newsletter (Volume 7, Issue 1)

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

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08-30-2019  |  WDE Assessment Updates  |  Volume 7, Issue 1

WY-TOPP INTERIM AND MODULAR ASSESSMENTS

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The WY-TOPP Interims and Modulars assess students on the 2012 general education standards in the content areas of Math and English Language Arts (ELA). These assessments are aligned to the WY-TOPP blueprints. It is important to note, these assessments are not intended nor appropriate for ALT students or those who have been identified, or are in the process of being identified, by the IEP team as a student with a significant cognitive disability.  

The assessment windows are:

  • Fall Interim: Sept. 10 - Oct. 4, 2019
  • Modular: Sept. 10, 2019 - June 12, 2020

For additional information, please visit the WY-TOPP assessment page.


WY-TOPP DISTRICT TEST COORDINATOR TRAINING

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Training date: September 5 at 3:30 pm (1 hour)

 An online District Test Coordinator training will occur on September 5. Topics that will be discussed during the training include:

  • Wyoming Assessment Portal
  • Test Delivery System (TDS)
  • Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE)
  • AIR Ways
  • Online Reporting System (ORS)

 

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**SAVE THE DATE** NEW WY-ALT PARTICIPANT CRITERIA GUIDANCE DOCUMENT WEBINAR

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AUDIENCE: Special Educators, General Educators, Principals, Directors of Special Education, Parents, Related Service Providers, Other IEP Team Members

In the spring of 2019, a committee of special educators, related service providers, parents, and administrators met to review and update the WY-ALT Participant Criteria Guidance Document. This webinar will provide an overview of the updated document and provide information on how IEP teams can use it when making assessment decisions. Questions about the WY-ALT will also be answered.   

Participants may choose one of these opportunities: 

  • SEPTEMBER 16, 2019       3:30-4:30pm
  • SEPTEMBER 19, 2019        4:00-5:00pm

2019-2020 EL GUIDEBOOK

EL Guidebook

The updated EL Guidebook is now available online. The guidebook is intended to define the conditions and methods for identifying, serving, and reporting student as an Active English Learner (EL) or Monitor Status. To view the updated guidebook, click here. For additional information about EL students and the resources available for schools and districts, please visit WDE's English Learner webpage


WIDA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS 2019-2020

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ACT MAKE-UP DATES EXPLAINED

If your school is paper testing, make-up test days will be one of the paper test days designated for successive administrations. For example:

  • if your school chooses Option 1 for your initial paper test date, your make-up day will be either the paper test date for Option 2 or Option 3. Alternatively, the student may be tested online during one of the designated administration windows for any of the three testing options.
  • If your school chooses Option 2 for your initial paper test date, the make-up option will be the initial paper test date for Option 3 or the student may be tested online during one of the remaining designated administration windows.
  • If your school chooses Option 3 for your initial paper test date, make-up tests will have to be administered online during the designated administration window as there is no additional paper testing date available.
  • If your school is testing online, any make-up testing may be completed within the designated online test administration windows.

2019-2020 WY-TOPP RESOURCES

Acceptable Use – Modular and Interim Assessment Items FAQ 2019-2020

AIRWays Reporting User Guide 2019-2020

Assessment Blueprints and Writing Rubrics

Assistive Technology Manual 2019-2020

Interim and Modular Test Administration Manual FA/WI 2019-2020

Test Administrator User Guide 2019-2020

Test Information Distribution Engine User Guide 2019-2020

WY-TOPP Accommodations and Accessibility Guide 


IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • September 10: WY-TOPP Fall Interim Testing Window Opens
  • September 10: WY-TOPP Modular Testing Begins
  • September 17: EL Quarterly Webinar
  • September 24-25: WIDA Professional Development
  • October 1-2: Superintendent's Policy Summit (S5S)