Assessment Newsletter (Volume 8, Issue 38)

Wyoming Department of Education sent this bulletin at 05/07/2021 01:00 PM MDT

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

WDE Assessment Updates

05-07-2021  |  Volume 8, Issue 38

A BIG THANK YOU to all Wyoming educators who worked diligently to administer the WY-TOPP Assessments. This was an even larger endeavor due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The efforts made to provide these assessments in-person and safely are much appreciated. The data will help us continue to provide the most appropriate services for Wyoming students.

PANDEMIC IMPACT SURVEYS

Teachers & Administrators

The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) requests participation in a survey for the 2020-21 school year for teachers and for administrators. The data collected will provide valuable information about the pandemic impact on schools and classrooms across the state. The WDE will look to identify trends, and no individuals, schools, or districts will be reported. 

WY-TOPP STUDENT SURVEY

Reminder to have Grade 3-10 Students Complete by May 21, 2021

  • The survey will show up as a separate test opportunity and is to be taken by every student after they finish their content assessments. 
  • The survey will be open until May 21, 2021.
  • The survey is intended to gather further data to help the WDE validate, to the best of its abilities, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student learning.

For more information, contact Jessica Steinbrenner, WDE Assessment Team Supervisor, at 307-777-8568 or jessica.steinbrenner@wyo.gov.

TEACHERS NEEDED FOR ASSESSMENT REVIEW COMMITTEES

WY-TOPP SCIENCE CONTENT AND FAIRNESS COMMITTEES

Applications Due June 7, 2021

  • The WDE seeks educators to participate in either the Science Assessment Item Review or the Science Fairness Review Committee meetings being held virtually June 29 - July 2, 2021.
  • To participate in these committee reviews, all participants must be available to attend a morning training 8:30-9:30 a.m. MDT on June 29, 2021.
  • All committee members selected will be eligible for an honorarium that will be paid out after committee meetings have taken place.
  • Apply here. All applications submitted by June 7, 2021 will be considered.

For more information, contact Shannon Wachowski, Science Consultant, at 307-777-8753 or shannon.wachowski@wyo.gov.

WY-ALT CONTENT AND FAIRNESS REVIEW COMMITTEES

Application Due May 18, 2021

  • The WDE is seeking Wyoming educators, both special education teachers and content experts in ELA, math, and science, to participate in either the WY-ALT Item Review or the WY-ALT Fairness Item Review Committee meetings (ELA, Math, & Science). Meetings will be held virtually the week of June 14, 2021.
  • Participants must be available to attend a morning training on Tuesday June 15, 2021.
  • Committee members will be eligible for an honorarium that will be paid after all committee work is complete.
  • Apply here. All applications submitted by May 18, 2021 will be considered.

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR 2021 ADMINISTRATION

State Accountability Waived during the COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Full information on State Accountability and Federal Accountability was released in the March 19, 2021 edition of the Assessment Newsletter, second article.
  • In October, the Wyoming State Board of Education approved a motion to waive all state accountability requirements for school year 2020-21.
  • For students who were not able test due to the COVID-19 pandemic, districts should provide that information on a Student Not Tested Form (SNTF) as was also outlined in the March 19, 2021 edition, first article.
  • Submit all SNTF by May 14, 2021.

CUT SCORES FOR WYOMING ASSESSMENTS

Remain Unchanged for 2021 Administration

  • WY-TOPP Cut Sores were established by teacher committees in July 2018.
    • Committees referenced the Wyoming Content Standards, the Performance-Level Descriptors (PLDs), and student performance data from the 2018 WY-TOPP Summative Assessment. 
    • Panelists bookmarked items representative of minimum performance of Basic, Proficient, and Advanced.
  • WY-ALT Cut Scores were established by teacher committees in July 2019.
    • Committees followed the same process as outlined above.
  • WY-TOPP and WY-ALT cut scores are found on the WDE Cut Scores page.
  • More information can also be found on the FAQ WY-TOPP Scale Score Proficiency Ranges or on the FAQ for WY-ALT Cut Scores.

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

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • September 1-June 18: WY-TOPP Modulars.
  • April 13-May 7: WY-TOPP Spring K-2 Interims.
  • April 13-May 7: WY-TOPP Summative Assessments, grades 3-10.
  • May 24: Districts Receive Online Reports for ACCESS.
  • June 14-16: Districts Receive Printed Reports for ACCESS.