Assessment Newsletter

Wyoming Department of Education sent this bulletin at 12/02/2022 11:00 AM MST

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

WDE Assessment Updates

12/02/22  |  Volume 10, Issue 17

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS

Check Accommodations and Practice Tools

  • District and Building Coordinators should have a process in place to ensure that all assessment accommodations are correctly loaded into the assessment systems.
  • Classroom Teachers must be aware of assessment accommodations and provide opportunities for students to utilize the specific accommodations available in the assessment systems.
  • Any accommodations that are not listed in the WY-TOPP and WY-ALT Guidance for Accessibility and Accommodations need to be submitted as an Exceptional Accommodation Request (see next article below). Complete this request early to avoid delays or invalidations during testing.
  • Test administrators must check that the correct accommodations are listed before a student joins the testing session.

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

EXCEPTIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS REQUEST

Request Website is Open

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

NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT

Steps to Participate in Assessments

  • Non-public schools intending to take part in statewide assessments must ensure that the school’s student list is uploaded via the WDE687 process by January 1, 2023.
  • The school must email the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) Assessment Team stating the intention to participate in statewide assessments. 
  • The WDE will provide a confirmation letter and links to the resources needed to participate.

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

ACT

Using iPads for ACT

  • Beginning in the spring 2023, ACT will support the use of Apple iPad devices on the ACT test taken as part of ACT State and District computer-based testing. 
  • The ACT National test is not currently available for digital devices.
  • Schools planning to allow iPads for testing are encouraged to prepare, and help students prepare, by using the practice test in TestNav. 
  • For practice/non-secure tests, students can use the TestNav app.
  • Students testing with iPads will be able to utilize available accessibility features and authorized accommodations and language supports. 
  • Support for iPads with assistive technology devices is still in development.
  • Students authorized to test with assistive technology devices can test on a laptop, desktop computer, or via paper testing.
  • For more information on TestNav and Proctor Cache system specifications, and installation instructions click here.

Third Administration Option/Online vs. Paper Administration Survey

  • The WDE is collecting information on time and mode of the ACT administration.
  • The PANext portal allows the selection of Options 1 or 2.
  • The student upload is defaulted to paper/pencil testing.
  • Complete this survey to verify that the school will be testing using the third option and which mode of testing will be used.
  • Respond to the survey by January 3, 2023.

How to Use the Third Option

  • For schools intending to use the third option for ACT testing, it is not accessible in PAnext. Follow these steps if testing during the third window:
    • In PAnext, select the second test window option.
    • When enrollment verification opens in January, change your school’s enrollment count to zero.
      • Verify the mode of testing is correct for your school.
    • When the second test window closes, update the enrollment count to the appropriate number.
  • Refer to the PAnext User Guide for help on test date and materials receipt selection.

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

ACCESS/ALT-ACCESS

Quality Assurance Monitoring

  • The WDE’s Monitoring Consultants have notified all districts and schools that will be monitored during the 2022-23 ACCESS for ELLs administration.
  • Test schedules for monitored schools are due to the WDE by December 19, 2022.
  • The Test Security and Statewide Assessment Administration Procedures Manual for each school is due to the WDE by January 9, 2023.

Testing Material Ordering Process

  • Test materials for the ACCESS for ELLs and ALT ACCESS for ELLs will be automatically ordered for all Active English Learners (ELs) based on information provided in the October WDE684 submission.
  • If new Active EL students enroll between November and January, test administrators can order materials during the additional test materials ordering window from January 4-February 17, 2023.
  • Accommodated test forms can also be ordered during the additional test materials ordering window.

Everything About ACCESS for ELLs Website

Supported System Requirements

ALT ACCESS for ELLs Field Test Information

  • Field test materials will be automatically ordered for schools based on the number of ALT ACCESS materials ordered during the 2021-22 school year.
  • Field test materials will arrive as early as February 7, 2023. 
  • The window to administer the field test is February 14-April 17, 2023.
  • If a newly enrolled Active EL student is also an ALT ACCESS test taker, they must participate in the ALT ACCESS field test. Additional field test materials can be requested using the Additional Material Order form during the additional field test materials ordering window from February 7-April 10, 2023.
  • More information about the required ALT ACCESS for ELLs Field Test is located on the ALT ACCESS Field Test webpage.

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

WY-ALT

Updated Learner Characteristics Inventory (LCI)

  • The purpose of the LCI is to describe the characteristics of students who participate in the Alternate Assessment, and use the Alternate Standards referred to in Wyoming as the Extended Standards.
  • The LCI should be completed by a student’s IEP team.
  • The Test Administrator will input the LCI responses into the Test Delivery System prior to the student entering the WY-ALT assessment.

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

SY 2022-23 IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • September 13-June 15: WY-TOPP Modulars (optional).
  • November 15-January 31: ACCESS/ALT-ACCESS Domain Exemption Submission Window.
  • December 13: ACCESS/ALT-ACCESS/K-ACCESS - Managing Students in WIDA AMS Webinar.
  • December 15: Winter Quarterly EL and Title III Webinar.
  • January 4-February 17: ACCESS/ALT-ACCESS Additional Test Materials Ordering Window.
  • January 5: ACCESS/ALT-ACCESS Technology Troubleshooting Webinar.
  • January 10: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training Registration Deadline.
  • January 10-February 2: WY-TOPP Interim Winter (optional).
  • January 11: Assessment Literacy PD Meeting 2.
  • January 17-February 24: ACCESS and ALT-ACCESS Assessment Window.
  • January 19, 23, 26: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training.
  • January 24: ACCESS/ALT-ACCESS/K-ACCESS- Returning Paper Materials Webinar.
  • January 26: ACCESS/ALT-ACCESS Online - Monitoring Completion for Test Coordinators Webinar.
  • February 3: ACT Deadline for Submitting Accommodations Requests for Spring Testing.
  • February 7: ALT-ACCESS Field Test Materials Arrive in Districts.
  • February 14-April 17: ALT-ACCESS Field Test Assessment Window.
  • February 28-April 7: WY-ALT Assessment Window.
  • March 7: ACCESS/ALT-ACCESS - Post Testing Data Validation Webinar.
  • March 14: ACCESS/ALT-ACCESS - Interpreting Score Reports Webinar.
  • March 14: ACT Online Test Administration Training.
  • March 16: Spring Quarterly EL and Title III Webinar.
  • March 16: ACT Paper Test Administration Training.
  • 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: ACCESS for ELLs Interpreting Score Reports Webinar.
  • May 10: Assessment Literacy PD Meeting 3.
  • May 18: Summer Quarterly EL and Title III Webinar.