Assessment Newsletter (Volume 10, Issue 20)

Wyoming Department of Education sent this bulletin at 01/06/2023 11:35 AM MST

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

WDE Assessment Updates

01/06/23  |  Volume 10, Issue 20

K-2 INTERIM ASSESSMENT REFRESH

K-2 Interim Assessment Item Review Committee

  • The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) is recruiting Wyoming educators to participate in an independent educator item review committee. Committee members will review assessment items within a secure platform, independently during their own time, January 18-27, 2023. 
  • Committee members will review ELA and Math items in grades K-2.
  • Committee members must attend one 90-minute training session.
    • Option 1: January 17, time: TBD
    • Option 2: January 18, time: TBD
  • A $300 stipend will be paid to each committee member who completes the item review.
  • To apply, complete an application form here.

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

EXEMPTION REQUEST PROCESS FOR STATEWIDE ASSESSMENTS

Submissions Accepted Beginning January 13, 2023

  • On behalf of a student, school administrators may apply for an exemption from participation in the WY-TOPP or WY-ALT for the following criteria:
    • The student is expelled for the entire testing window.
    • The student is an English Learner who has been enrolled in a U.S. school for less than one year. (Exemption from the ELA portion only. The ACCESS test must still be taken.)
    • The student is placed in an out-of-state facility for the entire testing window.
  • View the SAER site training video to learn how to submit exemption requests. 
  • Submit an exemption with this direct link to the SAER webpage.
  • Exemption Requests must be received by:
    • January 31, 2023, for ACCESS for ELLS.
    • March 14, 2023, for WY-ALT.
    • April 25, 2023, for WY-TOPP.
    • April 14, 2023, for ACT.

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

ACT

Extended Authorized Accommodations Request Window

  • The window to request student accommodations through the Test Accessibility and Accommodations System (TAA) has been extended to February 10, 2023. 
  • Reference the TAA User Guide for more about how to request accommodations. 

ACT WorkKeys “Work Ready Communities” Webinar

  • Please join us to learn how ACT Work Ready Communities (WRC) empowers states, regions and counties with data, processes and tools that drive economic growth.
  • Participants are leveraging the ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®) to measure and close the skills gap and build common frameworks that link, align and match their workforce development efforts.
  • The webinar will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2023.
  • Please register here.

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

ACCESS/ALT-ACCESS TESTING WINDOW

January 17-February 24, 2023

  • All students, who are active ELs during the assessment window, must participate in the ACCESS assessments.
  • District and Building Coordinators can confirm students’ EL status by contacting the district’s WISE Coordinator.

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

WY-ALT

WY-ALT Test Administration Training Registration

  • The spring 2023 WY-ALT TA Training Registration will close on January 10, 2023.
  • No additional requests for registration will be taken after registration closes. 
  • The WDE recommends having at least one staff member trained, per campus, to administer the WY-ALT assessment to prepare for a possible late enrollment of an ALT test taker.
  • All spring 2023 Alternate Assessment Test Administrators (ALT-TAs) must attend a WY-ALT training this year. Additionally, all spring 2023 ALT-TAs must complete the online Test Administrator Certification Course.

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

WY-TOPP WINTER INTERIM TESTING WINDOW

January 10-February 2, 2023

  • The WY-TOPP Interim Testing Window will open for the following content areas and grades:
    • ELA: Grades 3-10.
    • Mathematics: Grades 3-10.
    • Science: Grades 4, 8, and 10. Note: The grade 4 Science Interim will be available for the first time this winter.
    • Writing: Grades 3, 5, 7, and 9.
  • Ensure that accommodations and rosters are appropriately set in TIDE prior to testing.

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

SY 2022-23 IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • September 13-June 15: WY-TOPP Modulars (optional).
  • January 4-February 17: ACCESS/ALT-ACCESS Additional Test Materials Ordering Window.
  • January 9: ACCESS/ALT-ACCESS Test Security and Statewide Assessment Administration Procedures Manual Due to WDE.
  • January 10: WY-ALT Test Administrator Training Registration Deadline.
  • January 10-February 2: WY-TOPP Winter Interim (optional).
  • January 11: Assessment Literacy PD Meeting 2.
  • January 17-31: WY-ALT Initial Paper Order Window. 
  • January 17-February 24: ACCESS and ALT-ACCESS Assessment Window.
  • January 18-27: K-2 Interim Assessment Independent Item Review Committee.
  • 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.
  • January 31: ACCESS/ALT-ACCESS Exemption Request Deadline. 
  • February 3: ACT Deadline for Submitting Accommodations Requests for Spring Testing.
  • February 7: ALT-ACCESS Field Test Materials Arrive in Districts.
  • February 7-April 10: ALT-ACCESS Field Test Additional Materials Ordering Window.
  • February 10: ACT Deadline for Submitting Accommodations Requests for Spring Testing.
  • February 14-April 17: ALT-ACCESS Field Test Assessment Window.
  • February 21: WY-ALT Materials Due in Districts.
  • February 21-March 31: WY-ALT Additional Paper Order Window. 
  • February 28-March 24: WY-TOPP Initial Paper Order 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 14: WY-ALT Exemption Request Deadline.
  • 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: WY-ALT Materials Due in Districts. 
  • 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 12-28: WY-TOPP Additional Paper Order Window.
  • April 17-28: WorkKeys Spring Window (optional).
  • April 25: WY-TOPP Exemption Request Deadline.
  • 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.