[SE-Dir] Assessment Update

[SANDBERG Ruby - ODE]

The message below is being sent to you on behalf of:

Sarah Drinkwater, Ph.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Office of Student Services


January 22, 2018
________________________________________________________________________________________

DATE:               January 19, 2018
TO:                    Superintendents and Principals
FROM:              Acting Deputy Superintendent Colt Gill
SUBJECT:          Assessment Update


Dear Colleagues,

The purpose of this memo is to share an update on efforts to address stakeholder concerns related to testing time and the statewide high school summative assessment.

Shortened Test Blueprints
In an effort to be responsive to feedback from stakeholders, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE)’s Assessment Team worked with the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium to implement customized, shortened test blueprints<http://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/assessment/Pages/Test-Specifications-and-Blueprints.aspx> for all Smarter Balanced assessments. The new assessments:

*       Reduce testing time while maintaining reliability;

*       Include an estimated 1-hour reduction in testing time for English language arts (ELA) at all grade levels;

*       Go into effect when the 2017-18 test window opens on February 6, 2018.

High School Summative Assessment
ODE has also been exploring the possibility of replacing the high school Smarter Balanced assessment with another nationally recognized test, such as the SAT or ACT, as one way of addressing stakeholder concerns regarding testing at the 11th Grade. ODE released a Request for Information (RFI) to identify potential assessment options and allow us to make more accurate cost projections in May 2017.

Responses to the RFI, review of additional information shared by other states, and United States Department of Education Peer Review feedback raised issues related to:

●       Equitable access and benefits for historically underserved populations, including students of color, students experiencing poverty, students with disabilities, and English learners

●       Compliance with federal requirements related to technical adequacy, standards alignment, and accessibility within the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team assessment decision-making process within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and state assessment requirements related to language access

●       College-reportable results for all students, including those who test with ODE-approved accessibility supports

●       Logistical considerations around test administration, test windows, scheduling, and scoring and reporting timelines

●       Sufficient inclusion of Oregon educators in the test development process


Subsequent cost projections demonstrated that implementing a replacement nationally recognized high school assessment could cost approximately $5.2 - 5.7 million more per biennium than the current high school assessment.

Due to the issues listed above and the updated cost projections, it will not be feasible to switch to a new high school assessment in the 2018-19 school year.

ODE will seek feedback from stakeholders over the next few months as we consider next steps to resolve these issues or develop alternative options to address stakeholder concerns regarding the current approach to high school summative assessment in Oregon. Should it be determined, based on stakeholder input, to pursue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a replacement nationally recognized test, the significant budgetary impact would require ODE to submit a budget request to the 2019 Legislature to support a transition to a new assessment that would likely be implemented in the 2020-21 school year.

Key Dates and Activities
Date

Activity

January-April 2018

ODE engages stakeholders about potential changes to high school assessment

April 2018

ODE submits 2019-21 proposed budget in preparation for 2019 legislative session

Late Winter - Early Spring 2019

Legislature considers 2019-21 budget request



We will continue to keep you informed as we establish dates and locations for meetings with stakeholder groups. In the meantime, please feel free to contact Dan Farley, ODE Interim Director of Assessment (Dan.Farley at ode.state.or.us<mailto:Dan.Farley at ode.state.or.us>) or me (Colt.Gill at ode.state.or.us<mailto:colt.gill at ode.state.or.us>) with questions or comments.

We look forward to hearing from you.


[cid:image001.jpg at 01D27BBF.8C867E00]  Ruby Sandberg, Executive Assistant
  Oregon achieves…together!       to Assistant Superintendent Sarah Drinkwater
                                                         Office of Student Services
                                                         503-947-5738  www.oregon.gov/ode<http://www.oregon.gov/ode>

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