With Wyoming schools unable to finish the last year of field testing for the (new) 2016 Science Standards due to COVID-19, it will need to be done in the next school year and timelines adjusted accordingly. The current plan is below, but may change if further issues affect the projected timeline.

Science Interims Will Be Delayed One Year - Scheduled SY 2021-22

The Science Interims aligned to the 2016 Science Standards are scheduled to be available at the start of School Year 2021-22.

NEW Science Modulars (Aligned to 2016 Standards) - Available September 1

The WY-TOPP Science Modulars, aligned to the 2016 Standards, will be available starting September 1, 2020, in three grade bands: Elementary (grades 3-5), Middle School, and High School. These new modulars will be available for the entire school year through June 18, 2021.  

Updated Science Practice Tests (Aligned to 2016 Standards) - Available September 15

The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE), through Cambium Assessments, will add Science Practice Tests to the Training Tests found on the Wyoming Assessment Portal.

Spring 2021 Summative - Continue Assessing on 2008 Standards for Another Year

The Science Summative test will continue to assess on the 2008 Science Standards for another year.

Science Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs)

A review committee convened in June 2020 to revise the PLDS that were created the previous summer. The Current Draft Science PLDs reflect the Content Standards, aka Performance Expectations, at the proficient level. These Draft PLDs are currently out for Educator input through September 13, 2020. These PLDs, written to four performance categories: advanced, proficient, basic, and below basic, will assist the test vendor with alignment of science test items.

Contact Shanon Wachowski, WDE Science Consultant, at 307-777-8733 or shannon.wachowski@wyo.gov, with questions.

Due to the recent changes in the log-in process for the Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) system platform, ACT has made the decision to extend the accommodation request deadline to Tuesday, August 25 at 11:00 p.m. MST.

For more information, contact Michelle Carroll, WDE Assessment Consultant, at 307-777-3618 or michelle.carroll@wyo.gov.

The ACT is requesting confirmation on schools selecting October 20, 2020 as their state testing date for 2019-20 juniors. Complete the brief survey below for each school testing on that date.

For more information, contact Michelle Carroll, WDE Assessment Consultant, at 307-777-3618 or michelle.carroll@wyo.gov.

Make-up Test Date for 2019-20 Juniors

The emergency date for the ACT Fall Test window is October 20, 2020. It will not be listed in the PANext system as a designated test date, and it is not listed in the drop downs for managing participation. Schools should take the following steps: 

1. Manage participation for the make-up test date on October 6 (select this date). 
2. Change enrollment counts to 0 so your school does not receive any secure materials.
3. When the ordering window opens for the emergency test date, schools should order materials for the emergency test date.

For more information, contact Michelle Carroll, WDE Assessment Consultant, at 307-777-3618 or michelle.carroll@wyo.gov.

Dates for National Testing: Sept. 12, 13, 19, and Oct. 10, 17, 24, 25.

Deadline: August 26, 2020

The WDE is accepting requests for ACT vouchers for Fall 2020 Testing on behalf of 2019-20 Juniors unable to take the test last year due to COVID-19. The vouchers must be requested by schools (not students or parents) and are for use on National Testing Dates.  They must be used at the time the student registers for testing. To request a voucher for student use, a single point of contact at each school must complete the survey below. Reminder: Fall 2020 ACT testing is not open to incoming Juniors; they will participate in Spring 2021 ACT testing.

For more information, contact Michelle Carroll, WDE Assessment Consultant, at 307-777-3618 or michelle.carroll@wyo.gov.