From derek.brown at state.or.us Thu Jun 12 09:28:43 2014 From: derek.brown at state.or.us (BROWN Derek) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2014 16:28:43 +0000 Subject: [Assessment_Advisory_Committee] 2014-15 test administration window Message-ID: <414ce08245d24c2aae71f8fd09350d85@BL2PR04MB132.namprd04.prod.outlook.com> Assessment Advisory, As you know, the upcoming shift to Smarter Balanced assessments creates several unique problems with regard to the 2014-15 test administration window. We understand it's a time sensitive issue and would like to further engage you electronically to help inform decision-making in the weeks to come. Smarter Balanced has indicated at grades 3-8, no testing shall begin prior to 66% of instructional days being delivered. At the high school level, 80% of instructional days must be delivered before testing shall begin. This loosely corresponds to a 12-week window at grades 3-8 and a 6-week window at high school, both at the end of the school year. Based on this information, we established broader state level windows to account for varying district starting dates across the state. Our preliminary guidance (posted in the preliminary TAM, link below) indicates a Mar 3 - May 28 test window for grades 3-8, and a Apr 7 - May 28 test window for high school. Several districts have indicated these windows are too restrictive, leaving approximately 10 and 5 weeks respectively, as opposed to the 12 and 6 previously discussed. In addition, we know that a significant portion of the Smarter Balanced assessments will be hand scored. We are still negotiating the time it will take to score the assessments, but believe it will be approximately 45 days. Based on this information alone, we know the transition will impact our accountability system. It is certainly possible to extend the backend of the window, but every day/week we extend further stresses the accountability system, essentially delaying the delivery of important information districts need for planning purposes. Questions: - What are the advantages/disadvantages of extending the test window? - Is extending the test window to afford additional testing time worth the potential impact on accountability reporting? - Have districts completed an analysis of the available testing resources to confirm whether or not more time is necessary? Your feedback and discussion on these and other pertinent questions are greatly appreciated. Derek Derek Brown Director of Assessment Office of Learning Oregon Department of Education 255 Capitol St. NE Salem, OR 97310 Ph. 503-947-5841 Fax 503-378-5156 derek.brown at state.or.us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From derek.brown at state.or.us Fri Jun 27 16:47:21 2014 From: derek.brown at state.or.us (BROWN Derek) Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 23:47:21 +0000 Subject: [Assessment_Advisory_Committee] 2014-15 test administration window Message-ID: Assessment Advisory, Many thanks for the rich dialogue and feedback regarding the 2014-15 test administration window. As you know, the administration of Smarter Balanced assessments presents several issues we haven't dealt with in recent years, most specifically the test administration window and number of testing opportunities. Based on your feedback, it seems clear there is a need to extend the back end of the window and an understanding of the potential impact such an action will have on accountability reporting. You've also expressed the need to create more time on the front end, in particular for high schools on trimester schedules. Given those points, please give me your thoughts on the following test administration window for Smarter Balanced ELA and Math assessments: Grades 3-8, and high school (grade 11): Mar 3 - Jun 12 Regardless of the statewide test window set for these assessments, districts will be required to establish local windows that meet the threshold criteria of instructional days delivered prior to beginning testing, at the respective grade levels. In essence, I believe we can set a wider window at the state level and require districts to police themselves. Please note we've asked AIR for feedback regarding the impact of a wider statewide window, as suggested above, and will weigh their feedback as part of the decision making process. As you know, we're planning on releasing the interim 2014-15 TAM in early August, and would like to provide an updated Smarter Balanced test window at that time. Thanks in advance for your thinking and feedback on this important topic. Derek Derek Brown Director of Assessment Office of Learning Oregon Department of Education 255 Capitol St. NE Salem, OR 97310 Ph. 503-947-5841 Fax 503-378-5156 derek.brown at state.or.us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From derek.brown at state.or.us Mon Jun 30 08:40:25 2014 From: derek.brown at state.or.us (BROWN Derek) Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2014 15:40:25 +0000 Subject: [Assessment_Advisory_Committee] FW: 2014-15 test administration window In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <6082a3f8670144a2abde64fc622e71ef@BL2PR04MB132.namprd04.prod.outlook.com> Feedback from Bill Stewart... d Derek Brown Director of Assessment Office of Learning Oregon Department of Education 255 Capitol St. NE Salem, OR 97310 Ph. 503-947-5841 Fax 503-378-5156 derek.brown at state.or.us From: Bill Stewart [mailto:stewartw at bctonline.com] Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2014 10:20 AM To: BROWN Derek Cc: assessment_advisory_committee at listsmart.osl.state.or.us; Jon Wiens Subject: Re: [Assessment_Advisory_Committee] 2014-15 test administration window Derek and colleagues, >From my limited perspective, I think this is a definite value-added schedule....not only for my district but likely for many others. Personally, I don't see anything that further restricts flexibility for districts. I think the extension at the end AND the earlier opening for high schools give considerable opportunity for districts to make SBAC testing as workable as possible for their schools/staff/students. Regarding the statement - "...and require districts to police themselves". I think the kicker here will be to make sure that districts are FULLY aware of the threshold criteria and related rules so they can accurately calculate and implement the correct test windows, based on the annual calendar of instruction and/or schedule of their school(s). I can imagine that some districts might revert to the 6 & 12 week 'rules' that have been mentioned frequently and simply miss the mark regarding the percentage of instructional time that must be met BEFORE the 6-12 rule even applies. I would strongly encourage ODE to provide early and frequent communication to DTCs, Supts and other director lists regarding these rules...even if this test window proposal is NOT implemented. A few specific examples would go a long way toward enhancing the value of this sort of communication. Thanks for considering our input and creating a value-added proposal. I realize that this is NOT a done deal....yet! Hopefully it will be, soon...before the Summer Assessment Institute, at the latest! Bill Bill Stewart 503-805-8680 - c On Jun 27, 2014, at 4:47 PM, BROWN Derek > wrote: Assessment Advisory, Many thanks for the rich dialogue and feedback regarding the 2014-15 test administration window. As you know, the administration of Smarter Balanced assessments presents several issues we haven't dealt with in recent years, most specifically the test administration window and number of testing opportunities. Based on your feedback, it seems clear there is a need to extend the back end of the window and an understanding of the potential impact such an action will have on accountability reporting. You've also expressed the need to create more time on the front end, in particular for high schools on trimester schedules. Given those points, please give me your thoughts on the following test administration window for Smarter Balanced ELA and Math assessments: Grades 3-8, and high school (grade 11): Mar 3 - Jun 12 Regardless of the statewide test window set for these assessments, districts will be required to establish local windows that meet the threshold criteria of instructional days delivered prior to beginning testing, at the respective grade levels. In essence, I believe we can set a wider window at the state level and require districts to police themselves. Please note we've asked AIR for feedback regarding the impact of a wider statewide window, as suggested above, and will weigh their feedback as part of the decision making process. As you know, we're planning on releasing the interim 2014-15 TAM in early August, and would like to provide an updated Smarter Balanced test window at that time. Thanks in advance for your thinking and feedback on this important topic. Derek Derek Brown Director of Assessment Office of Learning Oregon Department of Education 255 Capitol St. NE Salem, OR 97310 Ph. 503-947-5841 Fax 503-378-5156 derek.brown at state.or.us _____________________________________________________ Assessment_Advisory_Committee mailing list Assessment_Advisory_Committee at listsmart.osl.state.or.us http://listsmart.osl.state.or.us/mailman/listinfo/assessment_advisory_committee Hosted by the Oregon State Library. The Library is not responsible for content. 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