Assessment Newsletter (Volume 10, Issue 3)

Wyoming Department of Education sent this bulletin at 08/19/2022 01:08 PM MDT

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

WDE Assessment Updates

08/19/22  |  Volume 10, Issue 3

ASSESSMENT NEWSLETTER SPECIAL EDITION

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  • This week’s newsletter was sent to all Wyoming Educators as there are many professional development opportunities, an educator recruitment, and information about the assessment authoring tool that is available to all educators. (these last two are toward the end of the newsletter)
  • Next week, the Assessment Newsletter will only be sent to subscribers.
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OFFICE HOURS WITH WDE STANDARDS & ASSESSMENT STAFF

3:30-5 p.m. on September 12, 2022 (Zoom)

  • The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) Standards & Assessment Division will host an online ‘open office’ style forum on September 12, 2022 for school district leaders and interested educators. 
  • From 3:30-4 p.m., the Standards & Assessment Teams will provide updates for the current school year.
  • From 4-4:30 p.m., the Assessment Director & Assessment Supervisor will share statewide assessment data from the spring 2022 administration and answer questions.
  • From 4:30-5 p.m., the WDE will answer questions and listen to school districts’ thoughts and concerns. This time will be ‘open office’ so attend as available.

INVITATION:

3:30-5 p.m. on September 12, 2022

Join with this Zoom link or use the call in information below:

1-669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 922 7426 0145
Passcode: 998146

For more information, contact Laurie Hernandez, WDE Director of Standards & Assessment, at 307-777-3469, or laurie.hernandez@wyo.gov.

ACT

Training: “The ACT Test and Your Data”

  • The WDE is partnering with ACT to provide training on ACT data. Five, three-hour training sessions will be available at four locations across the state from September 26-30, 2022.
  • Registration is open to all school and district staff who will benefit from ACT data training. Locations and times are listed in the registration.
  • Register here by August 26. Submit the form only once. 
  • Spring 2022 ACT Reports are now available. Participants should ensure they have appropriate access to Success in order to view their school’s data.
  • Please bring a laptop to the training.

Fall Senior Retake

  • School Test Coordinators should log in to PANext and complete Test Date Selection by August 26, 2022. Schools should select the October 18, 2022 testing date in PANext for both online and paper/pencil testing.
    • If schools are testing: Complete the Test Date & Materials Receipt Selection section in PANext.
    • If schools are not testing: Complete the Not Testing section on the Test Date Selection screen in PANext.
  • Schools must confirm the shipping address on the PANext Manage Contacts screen is correct for receiving materials.
    • If it is correct, no further action is needed.
    • If it is incorrect, submit an Address Change Request Form. If you are unsure what address should be used, contact your district office.

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

WORKKEYS

Fall Administration

  • The Workkeys administration window is September 12-November 18, 2022.
  • On August 17, ACT emailed the Workkeys Online Realm Information to all school-level test coordinators.
  • On August 22, ACT will be sending the welcome email that announces the paper ordering window in CCRIS.

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

ACCESS/ALT-ACCESS

Alternate Access Field Test

  • The ALTELLA Alternate Access Field Test is required for all ELs that are identified as Alternate Assessment takers in grades K-12. 
  • Part of the test development work is to expand Alternate ACCESS so that it includes kindergarten.
  • The ALTELLA Field Test window will be February 14-April 20, 2023.
  • More information about the ALTELLA Field Test can be found on the  WIDA webpage.

For more information, contact Becca Velikaneye, WDE Assessment Consultant, at 307-777-6804 or rebecca.velikaneye@wyo.gov.

WY-ALT

Alternate Assessment Student Participation

  • The WDE has guidance to help districts appropriately identify students to participate in WY-ALT.
  • Districts should review the Wyoming Alternate Assessment Participation Guidance document and video with staff members.
  • IEP teams are required to revisit the decision annually for Wyoming Extended Standards use and WY-ALT participation for each student.

For more information, contact Becca Velikaneye, WDE Assessment Consultant, at 307-777-6804 or rebecca.velikaneye@wyo.gov.

WY-TOPP & WY-ALT

Spring 2022 Science Summative Scores

  • Scores for the WY-TOPP and WY-ALT 2022 administration will be available in Centralized Reporting on August 31, 2022.
  • Please reference the Centralized Reporting User Guide for more information about accessing the scores.

For more information, contact the Wyoming Help Desk at 888-897-8024 or wyohelpdesk@cambiumassessment.com.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Accessibility and Accommodations Manual

2022-23 Braille Survey for All Districts

  • The WDE requests all districts to respond to the Braille Survey.
    • If there are no Braille readers in your district this year, mark that option on the survey.
    • If there is more than one Braille reader in your district, complete a separate survey for each student.
  • The survey requests information about the type(s) of Braille students use to access the statewide assessment system.

For more information, contact Becca Velikaneye, WDE Assessment Consultant, at 307-777-6804 or rebecca.velikaneye@wyo.gov.

ASSESSMENT LITERACY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Assessment Literacy Training for Teachers

  • The WDE will engage a cohort of Wyoming educators in discussions about assessment using resources created through a partnership with the National Center for Improvement of Education Assessment. 
  • The goals of the assessment literacy training are to challenge and revise misconceptions about assessment, enhance knowledge about assessment, and provide opportunities to practice appropriate and accurate assessment uses.
  • Educators will complete prerecorded modules prior to meeting virtually with WDE staff to engage in assessment discussions.
  • Current and preservice teachers are all welcome to participate at no cost; preferred registration by September 23. Participants will receive a confirmation email with meeting details and instructions for accessing modules.
    • Meeting 1: 3:30-5 p.m. on October 13, 2022.
    • Meeting 2: 3:30-5 p.m. on January 11, 2023.
    • Meeting 3: 3:30-5 p.m. on May 10, 2023.
    • Meeting 4: 3:30-5 p.m. on September 7, 2023.

For more information, contact Cat Palmer, WDE Assessment Supervisor, at 307-777-8568 or catherine.palmer@wyo.gov.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL TOOLKIT

2022-23 Toolkit is Available

  • Provides basic information, FAQs, and updates about education in Wyoming. 
  • Refer to the Back-to-School Toolkit for resources that can be shared with staff, students, parents, and community members.

For more information, contact Cat Palmer, WDE Assessment Supervisor, at 307-777-8568 or catherine.palmer@wyo.gov.

TEST SECURITY

2022-23 Assessment Security Guide

Test security is important for all assessments. Any violation of test security, whether intended or accidental, can compromise our ability to make inferences about student performance on state assessments. The WDE emphasizes proactive practices — before, during, and after testing — as the primary method of ensuring test security. Following appropriate procedures regarding preparing for testing, handling test booklets, and administering tests is fundamental to ensuring public confidence in the results the department reports. 

Reference the updated 2022-23 Assessment Security Guide for more information on test security practices.

For more information, contact Cat Palmer, WDE Assessment Supervisor, at 307-777-8568 or catherine.palmer@wyo.gov.

EDUCATOR RECRUITMENT

WY-TOPP and WY-ALT Science Alignment Studies

  • The WDE seeks educators to participate in a workshop to review and discuss content standards, blueprints, PLDs, ALDs, operational test items, and preliminary alignment findings. 
  • Each four-day workshop will be held virtually, from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, on September 26-29, 2022.
  • Panelists must be available to participate the full week and will be eligible for a $300 stipend that will be paid after the event has been completed.
  • If interested, apply here by August 25, 2022.

For more information, contact Cat Palmer, WDE Assessment Supervisor, at 307-777-8568 or catherine.palmer@wyo.gov.

ITEM AUTHORING TOOL

WY-TOPP Authoring Tool is Available

Webinar Recordings

Link to Webinar 1 - Assessment Item Writing Training

  • How to write effective and valid assessment items.

Link to Webinar 2 - Authoring Tool Training 

  • How to create and publish online test items and assessment.
  • How to create workgroups to share items and assessments.

Mark Your Calendar for the WY-ALT Item Authoring Training

  • 3:30-5 p.m. on September 14, 2022.

For more information, contact the Wyoming Help Desk at 888-897-8024 or wyohelpdesk@cambiumassessment.com.

SY 2022-23 IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • August 18-26: Science WY-TOPP and WY-ALT Confidential Assessment Data Review Window.
  • August 19, 23: DTC and BC Training.
  • September 8: WY-TOPP Writing Scoring Webinar.
  • September 12: S&A Open House - Assessment Results and Updates.
  • September 12-November 18: WorkKeys Fall Window (optional).
  • September 13-October 7: WY-TOPP Interim Fall (optional).
  • September 13-June 15: WY-TOPP Modulars (optional).
  • September 14: WY-ALT Item Authoring Training.
  • September 26-29: WY-TOPP and WY-ALT Science Alignment Study.
  • September 26, 27, 29, 30: ACT PD Roadshow - “ACT Test and Your Data.”
  • October 18: Senior Retake Paper Test Window.
  • October 18-20, 25-27: Senior Retake Online Standard and Accommodated Window.
  • October 18-21, 24-28: Fall Senior Retake Accommodated Paper Test Window.
  • November 29: ACCESS for ELLs Online Test Administrator Training.
  • November 30: ACCESS for ELLs Test Coordinator Training.
  • January 10-February 2: WY-TOPP Interim Winter (optional).
  • January 17-February 24: ACCESS and ALT-ACCESS Assessment Window.
  • January 19, 23, 26: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training.
  • February 7: ALT-ACCESS Field Test Materials Arrive in Districts.
  • February 14-April 20: ALT-ACCESS Field Test Assessment Window.
  • February 28-April 7: WY-ALT Assessment Window.
  • March 28: ACT Test Opportunity 1 Paper.
  • March 28-30 & April 4-6: ACT Online Standard and Accommodated Window.
  • March 28-31 & April 3-7: ACT Accommodated Paper Window.
  • April 11: ACT Test Opportunity 2 Paper.
  • April 11-13, 18-20: ACT Online Standard and Accommodated Window.
  • April 11-14, 17-21: ACT Accommodated Paper Window.
  • April 11-May 5: WY-TOPP Interim Spring (optional) Assessment Window.
  • April 11-May 5: WY-TOPP Summative Assessment Window.
  • April 17-28: WorkKeys Spring Window (optional).
  • April 25: ACT Test Opportunity 3 Paper - Emergency Window.
  • April 25-27, May 2-4: ACT Online Standard and Accommodated Window.
  • April 25-28, May 2-5: ACT Accommodated Paper Window.
  • May 9: Interpreting ACCESS for ELLs Score Reports Webinar.