Assessment Newsletter (Volume 9, Issue 13)

Wyoming Department of Education sent this bulletin at 11/05/2021 02:10 PM MDT

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

WDE Assessment Updates

11/05/2021  |  Volume 9, Issue 13

NEW ACT CUSTOMER CARE PHONE NUMBER

  • ACT has a new Wyoming specific customer care telephone number: 319-337-1591. This number is found on the WY State ACT page under the Helpful Links section.
  • Note: This number will not be included in emails that go to districts, or in any of the manuals.

For more information, contact Tahnee Hutchinson, WDE Assessment Consultant, at 307-777-5296 or tahnee.hutchinson1@wyo.gov.

WY-ALT AND EXTENDED STANDARDS

Appropriate Use - Federal Guidelines

With appropriate services and supports, the vast majority of students with disabilities should be expected to make academic progress in the general curriculum. The alternate academic achievement standards (Wyoming Extended Standards) were designed to be appropriate only for a very small number of students, with significant cognitive disabilities, who are unable to participate in the general assessment even with accommodations. Federal regulation limits this to no more than 1.0 percent of all assessed students. IEP teams should identify students who will take the WY-ALT Assessment and include that information in the school’s SIS. The WY-ALT Participation Guidance may help IEP teams make this determination.

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

ACCESS FOR ELLs TESTING SCHEDULES AND SECURITY VISITS

Due by December 17, 2021

  • The WDE will perform Statewide Assessment Monitoring and Quality Assurance site visits with districts between January 19 and February 26, 2022 during the ACCESS for ELLs Assessment Administration window. The WDE will review school/district implementation and compliance with both federal and state laws and regulations, including evaluating test security, administration practices, and review of documents related to ACCESS assessments for the 2021-22 school year. 
  • Complete this Google Testing Schedule Form by December 17, 2021 for each Test Administrator in your school/district and for each domain testing session. For districts with a large number of test sessions, the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) will email an Excel spreadsheet to EL Coordinators. 
  • Prior to the administration window, review the ACCESS for ELLs Online Checklist to identify tasks that schools or districts must complete before, during, and after testing.
  • Further guidance will be provided to districts on what to expect and how to prepare for the monitoring visits by mid-November. During the visits, the WDE will dedicate time to answer questions and provide technical assistance.

For more information, contact Antoinette Hallam, WDE EL Consultant, at 307-777-5217 or antoinette.hallam@wyo.gov.

SY 2021-22 IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • September 14-June 17: WY-TOPP Modulars (optional).
  • October 13-November 22: ACCESS Test Materials Ordering via WIDA AMS.
  • December 1-February 25: WIDA AMS Test Setup Available.
  • January 4-6: ACCESS Test Materials Received in District.
  • January 5-February 18: ACCESS Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS.
  • January 11-February 4: WY-TOPP Interim Winter (optional).
  • January 18-February 25: ACCESS & ALT-ACCESS Assessment Window.
  • January 24-March 4: NAEP Assessment Window.
  • March 1: ACCESS Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC.
  • March 1-April 22: WY-ALT Assessment Window.
  • March 18-31: ACCESS Pre-Reporting Data Validation for LEAs in WIDA AMS.
  • March 29: ACT Test Opportunity 1 Paper.
  • March 29-31 & April 1, 4-8: ACT Accommodated Paper Window.
  • March 29-31 & April 5-7: ACT Online Standard & Accommodated Window.
  • April 12: ACT Test Opportunity 2 Paper.
  • April 12-14, 19-21: ACT Online Standard & Accommodated Window.
  • April 12-15, 18-22: ACT Accommodated Paper Window.
  • April 12-May 6: WY-TOPP Interim Spring (optional).
  • April 12-May 6: WY-TOPP Summative.
  • April 18-29: WorkKeys Spring Window (optional).
  • April 26: ACT Test Opportunity 3 - Emergency Window Paper.
  • April 26-28, May 3-5: ACT Online Standard & Accommodated Dates.
  • April 26-29, May 2-5: ACT Accommodated Paper Window.
  • May 4: ACCESS Reports and Data Files Available Online in WIDA AMS.
  • May 20-24: ACCESS Printed Reports Available in Districts.
  • June 17: ACCESS Updated Data Posted in WIDA AMS.