Teachers Needed: ELPA Content Panel

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 20:32:00 GMT

ODE is recruiting new members for the English Language Proficiency Assessment Content Panel. This advisory panel will review items to be field tested in 2013-14 and also calibrate items that were field tested this year. ODE is looking for experienced ELD teachers and specialists who are familiar with Oregon's English Language Proficiency Standards and the ELPA testing environment. ELD teachers from all regions of Oregon are encouraged to apply.

The first meeting of the 2013-14 ELPA content panel will be on June 19, 20, and 21, in Salem. There is a possibility of additional work days on June 24 through June 28. Generally, content panel members can expect to meet 6 to 9 days during the school year. Appointments to the ELPA panel generally have a duration of 3 school years.

Interested teachers need to fill out the ELPA Content and Assessment Panel Application under the ELPA Content Panel subheading at:

Review Period Extended for ELPA Standards Verification Executive Summary and Performance Level Descriptors

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 19:19:00 GMT

The preliminary documentation and results of the ELPA Standards Verifications workshops have entered the review period. Although originally scheduled from March 19 through April 5, ODE will be accepting feedback about the ELPA Performance Standards Verification Executive Summary and the updated Performance Level Descriptors via a survey extended through Friday, April 19. The documents and the survey link can be found under “Proposed ELPA Performance Standards” at www.ode.state.or.us/go/elpa, under the "Proposed ELPA Performance Standards" subheading.

2012-13 PSAT Data

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 19:16:00 GMT

Due to data processing issues there will be an additional delay of 1-2 weeks in releasing 2012-13 PSAT data. The College Board is working to resolve the issues quickly, and will inform ODE of any additional delays.

For additional information please contact Nancy Potter by email at npotter@collegeboard.org .

ESD Partners Now Support Achievement Compacts

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 19:13:00 GMT

ODE has contracted with Intermountain ESD to provide help desk services in support of Achievement Compacts. Any questions you may have about data definitions, due dates, or your responsibilities with respect to completing and submitting your Achievement Compact, please direct them to your Regional ESD Data Collection Support partners at IMESD. When the data entry application becomes available May 9, it will be supported by the ESD Partners at IMESD as well.

Important Dates for April - May 2013

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 19:07:00 GMT

Date

Event

February 20
- May 10

Smarter Balanced Scientific Sample Pilot Testing

District Site, and select the “Report Card/Accountability Reports” application. Select the validation from the dropdown menu to view the aggregate data. Please note that there are six validations in this set; be sure to validate each one. If there are no errors you can click “Accept.”

For an explanation of how staff FTE, teacher characteristics and self-contained class size are calculated, please refer here: Validation Guidance ...MORE

Assessment and Accountability Update - March 21, 2013

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:19:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for March 21, 2013.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:

Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 - Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy
Oregon's Alternate Assessment Transition
Extended Assessment: Dates to Remember

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

ELPA Cut Score Review Period
ELPA Batch 1 Data Available April 4
Last Day for Winter Online Writing Assessment is March 22
Kindergarten Assessment Required Beginning Fall 2 ...MORE

ELPA Batch 1 Data Available April 4

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:21:00 GMT

Due to additional data review, the ELPA Batch 1 results will be posted in Student Centered Staging on April 4, 2013. The results are going through additional quality control at American Institutes for Research (AIR) and ODE to ensure accuracy of the final data in Batch 1.

ELPA Cut Score Review Period

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:16:00 GMT

The preliminary documentation and results of the ELPA Standards Verifications workshops have entered the review period. From March 19 through April 5, ODE will be accepting feedback about the ELPA Performance Standards Verification Executive Summary and the updated Performance Level Descriptors via a survey. The documents and the survey link can be found under “Proposed ELPA Performance Standards” at http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1224.

Assessment and Accountability Update - March 14, 2013

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:22:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for March 14, 2013.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:

Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 - Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy
Oregon's Alternate Assessment Transition
Extended Assessment: Dates to Remember

Assessment of Essential Skills

4th- and 7th- Grade OAKS Writing Assessment

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

Spring Paper-Based Writing Order Window Closes March 14
Last Day for Winter Onl ...MORE

OAKS Writing Assessment at Grades 4 and 7

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:21:00 GMT

The 4th and 7th grade OAKS Writing assessments will not be returning for the 2013-14 school year. Over the past few weeks, ODE has received a strong message from the field in a variety of venues that those assessments should not be administered during the 2013-14 school year. The 11th and 12th grade OAKS Writing assessments (winter window only for students in grade 12) will return for the 2013-14 school year. As districts continue to implement the Common Core State Standards and prepare for the Smarter Balanced assessment in 2014-15, it's important to continue measuring students' writing ability locally in order to address any knowledge and skill gaps effectively.

Please contact Derek Brown (derek.brown@state.or.us ) if you have any questions, at 503-947-5841.

Last Day for Winter Online Writing Assessment is March 22, 2013

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:15:00 GMT

The winter online Writing test window closes next Friday, March 22, 2013. Districts administering the winter online Writing test must ensure that students complete the test by the end of the day on March 22. All un-submitted online writing tests will be manually pushed through for scoring at the close of the test window.

Kindergarten Assessment Required Beginning Fall 2013

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:54:00 GMT

In 2012, House Bill 4165 directed the Early Learning Council and the Department of Education (ODE) to jointly develop a kindergarten assessment to be piloted in the fall of 2012 and ready for statewide implementation by the fall of 2013. On March 7, 2013 the Board of Education adopted Oregon Administrative Rule 581-022-2130 mandating ODE implement a kindergarten assessment as part of the statewide assessment system beginning with the 2013-14 school year.

The assessment is a critical component of Oregon's efforts towards an integrated Preschool to Workforce system and will measure areas of school readiness. Results of the kindergarten assessment will help answer the following questions:

Are Oregon's children (as a population) arriving at kindergarten ready for school?
Is their level of school readiness improving or declining over time?
Are there disparities (geographical, cultural, racial, or socio-economic) between groups of children that must be addre ...MORE

Upcoming Professional Development with ODE Staff Assessment Presenters

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:38:00 GMT

Thursday-Friday, March 14-15	State English Learner Conference (Eugene) Confederation of Oregon School Administrators (COSA)
Friday, April 26	Essential Skills, Alternative Assessment and Diploma Options (Eugene) Oregon Association for Central Office Administrators (OACOA)
Sunday - Tuesday, July 21-23	Malheur Summer Institute (Vale) Malheur Education Service District
Thursday - Friday, August 1-2	Summer Assessment Institute (Eugene)

OAKS Mathematics: Spanish Read Aloud

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:33:00 GMT

A few districts have asked whether the Spanish Computer-Based Read Aloud for the OAKS Math assessments is bilingual. Although students have access to bilingual read-aloud for some test items, the intent is for Spanish read aloud only.

Due to background programming within the testing system from our test vendor (American Institutes for Research, AIR), about 70% of the items in the Spanish stacked screen have an option for students to hear the item in Spanish and also hear it read aloud in English. This is an aspect of the programming of the AIR system that ODE is not able to change. The Spanish read-aloud is not meant to be bilingual, and approximately 30% of the math items will not have the English read-aloud available in the Spanish screen. The “English read-aloud in the Spanish screen” issue can help students using the Spanish stacked version of the Math test, but is not available for all math items presented to the students.

One cause of confusion is that on the ...MORE

Smarter Balanced Pilot Test Question of the Week - March 14, 2013

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:30:00 GMT

What is a performance task?

Performance tasks challenge students to apply their knowledge and skills to respond to real-world problems. They can best be described as collections of questions and activities that are coherently connected to a single theme or scenario. These activities are meant to measure capacities such as depth of understanding, research skills, and complex analysis, which cannot be adequately assessed with selected- or constructed-response items.

Performance tasks in reading, writing, and mathematics will be part of the Smarter Balanced summative year-end assessment. Performance tasks can also be administered as part of the optional interim assessments throughout the year. The performance tasks will be delivered by computer (but will not be computer adaptive), and they will take one to two class periods to complete.

Send your questions to sbac@wested.org

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Updates

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:16:00 GMT

Technology Clarification to the Field

During the first year of the operational Smarter Balanced testing (which will be spring of the 2014-15 school year) districts will need to have headphones for each student during the English Language Arts/Literacy assessments in order to engage with the listening test items, and for students requiring the text-to-speech option for the math assessments.

However, during 2014-15 districts should not need any additional technology devices for the online assessments. Technology evolution continues to generate smaller, faster, cheaper computers and accessories.

As these devices evolve, schools and districts will need to make the best possible decisions about which technology (platform, operating system and peripherals) will best serve students today and in the future for both instructional and assessment purposes.

As these devices evolve, Smarter plans to also develop their assessments to be ...MORE

Entering Freshman Profile - Class of 2011 Now Available

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:03:00 GMT

Entering Freshman Profiles for the high school graduating class of 2011 are available by high school, district, or state at: http://www.ous.edu/dept/ir/hsprofile.

The Entering Freshman Profile is created for Oregon high schools with at least five new freshmen in the Oregon University System in 2011-2012, public or private, to provide information about student performance at Oregon University System (OUS) institutions. The profile looks at students who graduated from an Oregon high school and attended an OUS institution as first-time freshmen (FTF) during the subsequent academic year. The report includes information on where students are going in OUS, how they performed in high school, and how well they did in their first year at OUS.

Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO)

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:57:00 GMT

Oregon's ESEA Flexibility Waiver removed the requirement for school and district Adequate Yearly Progress designations, but the requirement to report subgroup performance against Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs) remains. Beginning with the 2012-13 school year, ODE will no longer produce separate AMO reports. Instead, AMO reporting will become a component within newly redesigned School and District Report Cards. Information about the AMO targets for achievement in the areas of reading and math, as well as for graduation, attendance and participation in assessments can be found at http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=3881. Webinar training will be available May 15 for Assessment data; June 12 for Report Card Details; and June 20 for Report Card Summary Reports.

For more information, please contact Jon.Wiens@state.or.us

Date

Event

February 20
- May 10

Smarter Balanced Scientific Sample Pilot Testing

Assessment & Accountability Update for March 7, 2013.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:

Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 - Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy
Oregon's Alternate Assessment Transition
Extended Assessment: Dates to Remember

Assessment of Essential Skills

Update to Appendix K: Assessment of Essential Skills
New Essential Skills Case Study Now Available

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

Spring Paper-Based Writin ...MORE

Update to Appendix K: Assessment of Essential Skills

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 18:46:00 GMT

ODE has posted a revision to Appendix K: Assessment of Essential Skills of the Test Administration Manual. The revised Appendix K contains the following updates: (1) added definitions of the Essential Skills; (2) reorganized the Assessment Options section around assessment types for greater clarity; (3) added ACT as a writing assessment option; (4) updated writing work sample assessment option; and (5) reformatted text from paragraphs into tables for greater clarity. The revised Appendix K is available at http://www.ode.state.or.us/go/tam.

Spring Paper-Based Writing Order Window Closes March 14, 2013

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 18:40:00 GMT

The spring paper-based writing order window closes on Thursday, March 14, 2013. Districts may only order tests for eligible grade 11 students who do not have a banked writing score. As a reminder, students in grades 9, 10, or 12 may not test during the spring test window. Also, grade 11 students who tested during the winter test window may not test.

For information or assistance, contact your Regional Assessment Support Partner .
New Essential Skills Case Study Now Available

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 18:35:00 GMT

In the summer of 2012, ODE conducted a case study of nine districts currently using work samples as a part of their Essential Skills assessment system. The purpose was to identify various methods and strategies that districts are using in order to share this information with other districts and to inform ODE's future development of Essential Skills resources.

The case study is now posted on the Essential Skills webpage (http://www.ode.state.or.us/home/go/es) and it focuses on the following topics related to work samples:
- Identifying and supporting students who will complete work samples;
- Development and maintenance of work samples;
- Professional development;
- Policy decisions; and
- Parent communication.
Smarter Balanced Pilot Test Update - March 7, 2013

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 18:26:00 GMT

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) Pilot test launched February 20, 2013 at 1:00 pm Pacific time. Testing began with grades 7, 8 and 9 in mathematics and grades 7 and 8 in English Language Arts/Literacy, in 337 scientifically selected schools across twenty-one states. Thirty-seven of these schools are in Oregon, including schools in Clackamas, Coos, Crook, Douglas, Grant, Harney, Jackson, Jefferson, Lane, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Sherman, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill counties. While the majority of the Pilot Test (scientific sample) launched on February 20, 2013, special forms will be available for schools by March 14, 2013; participating schools will be notified directly once these forms are ready to launch. These forms are to be used in 7th grade only:
- Spanish side-by-side translation (Math)
- Online Spanish Glossary (Math)
- Braille (Math and ELA)
- Text-to-Speech (Math and ELA)
- Online English Glossar ...MORE
Smarter Balanced Technology Requirements

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 18:11:00 GMT

The Smarter Balanced Technology Strategy Framework and System Requirements Specifications (http://www.smarterbalanced.org/smarter-balanced-assessments/technology/) provide minimum hardware specifications and basic bandwidth calculations that will allow schools and districts to evaluate which of their existing computers will support the administration of the assessment system in the 2014-15 school year.

Operating Systems for which the Smarter Balanced Assessments will be available:
- All the current OAKS supported systems (Mac, Linux, Windows), plus:
- Thin Clients
- Chrome Books
- Android/iPad/Windows based tablets
Note: All students will need to have headphones (earbuds) due to Claim 3 (Listening and Speaking) items on the ELA assessments. Students will also need access to headphones (earbuds) in order to access Text-to-Speech (Math and EL ...MORE
Reminder: Class Size Audits

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 18:07:00 GMT

Class Size Audits will open Monday, March 11, and will remain open until Friday, March 22. The Consolidated Collections application for reviewing audits is not functioning, so you will receive a spreadsheet with the audits from your ESD Partner.

Remember that audits are not necessarily errors. You should read the comment associated with each audit and review the record in question. If the record is correct as submitted, click to confirm it. Otherwise, you may make edits and add or delete records as necessary to correct your submission. After reviewing the audits please send an e-mail to tony.knudson@ode.state.or.us so he can track validation progress.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your Regional ESD Data Collections Suppor ...MORE
Assessment and Accountability Update - February 28, 2013

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:38:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for February 28, 2013.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:
Extended Assessments
- MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 - Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy
- Oregon's Alternate Assessment Transition
- Extended Assessment: Dates to Remember
Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing
- Spanish Computer-Based Read Aloud for OAKS Online Math
- Shipping Deadline for Winter Paper-Based Writing is March 4
- ELPA Font Study for K-1 Students Is In Progress
- Oregon ...MORE
Smarter Balanced Pilot Test Questions and Answers

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:10:00 GMT

Will students' Pilot Test scores be available to the public?

The Pilot Test is designed to be a test of the items, performance tasks, and testing system—not an opportunity to report on student learning. Therefore, schools participating in the Pilot Test will not receive student scores.

Is the list of schools participating in the Pilot Test public information?

To avoid distractions for students and schools, this information should not be shared publicly.

Oregon Schools Participating in Pilot Test of Next-Generation Assessments

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:03:00 GMT

In the coming weeks, schools across Oregon will participate in the Pilot Test of the Smarter Balanced assessments in grades 3-11. The Pilot Test will allow Smarter Balanced to evaluate the performance of assessment items and the test delivery system under real-world conditions. This information will be used to develop additional items and performance tasks, conduct initial scaling, and refine the test engine over the next 18 months.

Participation in the Pilot Test is voluntary. Schools will have access to support and resources, including a training test to become familiar with the format of the online assessment. Since the Pilot Test is designed to be a test of the items and performance tasks—not an opportunity to report on student learning—schools will not receive student scores and the test will not replace other statewide assessments.

There are two important phases to the Pilot Test. Approximately 126 schools were recruited to participate in the scientific sample based ...MORE

ELPA Font Study for K-1 Students Is In Progress

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:28:00 GMT

The new font study for the ELPA K-1 grade band debuted in January. This font study is a result of requests from the field to explore a Denealian font (like Century Gothic in the chart below) for students in the earliest grades, to more closely match the print style that Kindergarten and 1st grade students experience in the classroom. Working with the test vendor, American Institutes for Research (AIR), ODE chose the “Century Gothic” font for the font study. AIR programmed the K-1 ELPA to administer the font study every other week throughout the ELPA testing window. Students are randomly selected based on the week that they first sign in and begin their tests. Segment 1 of the ELPA consists of the listening, reading and writing domains. During Segment 1 of the K-1 ELPA, students participating in the study will be administered a set of items in the current ELPA font, then a few items in the Century Gothic font, then the test reverts to the current font for final items for Segment 1. Students not partici ...MORE

Shipping Deadline for Winter Paper-Based Writing is March 4, 2013

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:58:00 GMT

The winter paper-based Writing test window closed on Thursday, February 21, 2013. Districts must ensure that all unused test booklets, including blank overage booklets, are securely shredded and that all completed tests are shipped for scoring by Monday, March 4.

When packaging completed tests for return shipping, districts must use the return mailing labels included in the Return Kit delivered to districts during the week of February 9. The Return Kit also included a return checklist and an overage certification form. Districts submitting non-precoded “overage” booklets for scoring must sign this form and include it with their shipment certifying that overage booklets were only used to test eligible Grade 11 and 12 students who had not previously taken and passed the High School Writing test. Districts should use the same boxes in which the test booklets originally arrived for use in returning completed Writing tests for scoring. Instructions for packaging completed ...MORE

Spanish Computer-Based Read Aloud for OAKS Online Math

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:54:00 GMT

Beginning in 2011-12, the OAKS Online Math test has supported a Spanish computer-based read-aloud option for students taking the side-by-side English/Spanish Math test. Please note that the Spanish computer-based read-aloud provides a Spanish-only read-aloud and does not support a bilingual English/Spanish read-aloud for students; however, due to a behind-the-scenes programming issue, there are some items for which the Read-Aloud feature will read aloud in both Spanish and English. To access the Spanish computer-based read-aloud, districts must install an approved Spanish voice pack and assign Spanish as the student's test language and designate the read-aloud functionality for the student in the OAKS Online Test Information Delivery Engine (TIDE). At this time the Spanish Computer-Based Read-Aloud is not available for the science or social sciences assessments. For more information, please refer to the

Date

Event

February 4

Last day for Staff Position Collection

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:59:00 GMT

Issues and Recommendations for Best Practice, a report on practices that support the integrity of test results, is now available. The report is part of a broader effort by the Department of Education to identify and disseminate practices and policies to assist efforts to improve the validity and reliability of assessment results. The report draws upon the opinions of experts and practitioners who responded to the Department's Request for Information (RFI), the comments and discussions from NCES' Testing Integrity Symposium, and, where available, policy manuals or professional standards published by State Education Agencies (SEAs) and professional associations.

The report focuses on four areas related to testing integrity: (1) the prevention of irregularities in academic testing; (2) the detection and analysis of testing irregularities; (3) the response to an investigation of alleged and/or actual misconduct; and (4) testing integrity practices for technology-based assessments.

Assessment and Accountability Update - February 21, 2013

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:53:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for February 21, 2013.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:
Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 - Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy

Oregon's Alternate Assessment Transition

Extended Assessment: Dates to Remember

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

Last day for Winter Paper-Based Writing Assessment - February 21, 2013

Spring Paper-Based Writing Order Window Open

ELPA Test Takers Must Have LEP Flag Set on SSID Record

Smarter Balanced Pilot Test (Scientific Sample) Launched February 20 with Special Forms Available March 14

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:42:00 GMT

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Pilot Test launched yesterday at 1:00 pm Pacific time. Testing will begin with grades 7, 8, and 9 in mathematics, and grades 7 and 8 in English Language Arts, in 337 scientifically selected schools across twenty states. Thirty-seven of these schools are in Oregon, including schools in Clackamas, Coos, Crook, Douglas, Grant, Harney, Jackson, Jefferson, Lane, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Sherman, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler, and Yamhill Counties.

While the majority of the Pilot Test (scientific sample) launches today, special forms will be available for schools by March 14; participating schools will be notified directly. These forms are to be used in 7th grade only:

Spanish side-by-side translation, math only

Online Spanish Glossary, math only

Braille, math and ELA

Text-to-speech, math and ELA

Online English Glossary, math only

Participating schools w ...MORE

Reminder: Class Size Collection Closes March 1, 2013

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:02:00 GMT

Class Size collection will be closing on Friday, March 1. The Audit window will be open from March 11 to March 22.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your Regional ESD Data Collection Support Partner .

Assessment and Accountability Update - February 14, 2013

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:11:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for February 14, 2013.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:
Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 - Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy

Oregon's Alternate Assessment Transition

Extended Assessment: Dates to Remember

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

ELPA Test Takers Must Have LEP Flag Set on SSID Record

Last day for Winter Paper-Based Writing Assessment - February 21, 2013

Spring Paper-Based Writing Order Window Open

Extended Assessment: Dates to Remember

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:38:00 GMT

Per the 2012-13 Current Test Schedule PDF posted at http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=2691:

OAKS Extended Assessments are available for download after 2/14/13 in the Extended Assessment application on the district secure site: https://district.ode.state.or.us/home/ (see your district security administrator for access).

OAKS Extended Assessment test administration and data entry window opens 2/21/13

OAKS Extended Assessment test administration window closes 4/25/13

OAKS Extended Assessment data entry window closes 5/17/13

If you have additional questions, please contact Brad.Lenhardt@state.or.us .

Last day for Winter Paper-Based Writing Assessment - February 21, 2013

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:28:00 GMT

The winter paper-based Writing test window closes next Thursday, February 21, 2013. Districts administering the winter paper-based Writing test must ensure that students complete the test by the end of the day on February 21 (students taking the online Writing test have through March 22 to complete testing). Paper-based tests completed after February 21 will be treated as invalid and will not be scored.

Districts must ensure that all unused test booklets, including blank overage booklets, are securely shredded and that all completed tests are shipped for scoring by Monday, March 4. When packaging completed tests for return shipping, districts must use the return mailing labels included in the Return Kit delivered to districts during the week of February 9. The Return Kit also included a return checklist and an overage certification form. Districts submitting non-precoded "overage" booklets for scoring must sign this form and include it with their shipme ...MORE

Spring Paper-Based Writing Order Window Open Through March 14, 2013

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:27:00 GMT

The order window for the spring paper-based Writing test (grade 11 only) is currently open. Districts will have through March 14, 2013 to complete their orders for the spring test window. Districts may order paper-based writing tests for their students using the Test Information Delivery Engine (TIDE) of the OAKS Online System. The TIDE User guide which is posted at http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?391, includes detailed instructions on the order process.

Please remember that the spring administration of the Writing Assessment will only be offered for students currently enrolled in Grade 11 who have not already taken and passed the assessment. ODE will not fill orders submitted by districts for students enrolled in a grade other than Grade 11 or for Grade 11 students who already have a passing score. In addition, please remember that students who participated in the Winter Writing window (either ...MORE

ELPA Domain Exemption Now Available

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:25:00 GMT

During the final quality control review of the ELPA test delivery system in January, ODE’s test vendor, American Institutes for Research (AIR), found that the new ELPA restricted resource that allows districts to exempt specified ELPA domains for students on IEPs was not functioning as expected. This issue has been fixed, and students who qualify for a domain exemption are now approved to begin testing.

For instructions on how to assign the domain exemption restricted resource to students in TIDE, please refer to p. 20 of the TIDE User Guide or contact your regional ESD partner for assistance.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Technology Requirement Clarification

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:24:00 GMT

At this time, neither microphones nor stylus devices have been identified as necessary input devices for the 2014-15 Smarter Balanced assessment. However, Smarter Balanced anticipates integrating manipulative media and interactive data elements for students as a means to generate more authentic input capacities. These advancements will ultimately help to capture predominant reasoning, drafting, revising and general formative thinking processes taken by students when approaching solutions to various test items.

Smarter Balanced anticipates that by the 2016-17 school year, up to 25 percent of the mathematics assessment will comprise of items/tasks requiring student-produced illustrations or calculations. As such, in 2016-17, students will need access to a tablet (or other device) that employs a stylus for user input.

Additional information about the Smarter Balanced Technology requirements is available at http://www.ode.state.or.us/news/announcements/announcement.aspx?ID=8863&TypeID=4

Staff Position Audits

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:22:00 GMT

Staff Position Audits opened Monday, February 11, and will remain open until Friday, February 22. To review your audits, log in to the Consolidated Collections application and go to “Review Audits,” under Staff Collections, Staff Position 12-13 Review, Error Management.

Remember that audits are not necessarily errors. You should read the comment associated with each audit and review the record in question. If the record is correct as submitted, click to confirm it. Otherwise, you may make edits and add or delete records as necessary to correct your submission.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your Regional ESD Data Collection Support Partner .

Assessment and Accountability Update - February 7, 2013

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 17:15:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for February 7, 2013.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:
Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 - Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy

Oregon's Alternate Assessment Transition

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

Assessment and Accountability Checklist Updated

ELPA Test Takers Must Have LEP Flag Set on SSID Record

Winter Paper Writing Return Kits Arrive in Districts Feb. 8, 2013

Reminder: Approving Student Settings

Eng ...MORE

Assessment and Accountability Checklist Updated - February 5, 2013

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 00:25:00 GMT

ODE provides District Test Coordinators, Data Submitters and Superintendents with an Assessment and Accountability Checklist which includes:

Assessment testing windows for the 2012-13 school year

Key events and district responsibilities related to the ordering, handling, administration, and reporting of Oregon Statewide Assessment results

Data collection windows, related to the school and district accountability reports for the 2012-13 school year

Key events and district responsibilities related to student and staff level data collection used in school and district report cards, and assessment group reports

The February 5 revision contains numerous changes to report release dates, primarily for the 2012-13 Report Card, now scheduled for public release on September 17, 2013.

A complete revision history can be found on pages 51 & 52.

This document is available in Word Format at: http://www.ode.state.or.us/go/tam). < ...MORE

Revised Smarter Balanced Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs)

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 00:20:00 GMT

The revised Smarter Balanced Initial Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs) for both Math and English language arts/literacy, which include the draft college content-readiness definition and policy framework, are now posted for review.

ALDs describe performance on a standardized test in terms of levels or categories of performance. The Smarter Balanced system of ALDs is based upon four levels of achievement that describe whether students have demonstrated “deep command,” “sufficient command,” “partial command,” or “minimal command” of knowledge, skills, and processes across the two assessed content areas of English language arts/literacy and mathematics.

The most commonly understood use of ALDs is to communicate the meaning of test scores to teachers, parents, and students. Smarter Balanced is developing a system of ALDs that serve different purposes for item writing, standard-setting, and reporting results. Governing States are expected to adopt ...MORE

Assessment and Accountability Update - January 31, 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:04:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for January 31, 2013.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:
Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 - Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy

Extended Assessment: Test Administrators

Oregon's Alternate Assessment Transition

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

ELPA Domain Exemption Reminder

Winter Paper Writing Return Kits Arrive in Districts Feb. 8, 2013

Reminder: Approving Student Settings

English Learners Alliance Conferen ...MORE

Winter Paper Writing Return Kits Arriving in Districts February 8, 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:07:00 GMT

Districts who ordered paper-based Writing tests for the winter Writing test window will receive a return kit on Friday, February 8, 2013. This return kit includes return mailing labels, a return checklist, and an overage certification form. Districts submitting non-precoded "overage" booklets for scoring must sign this form and include it with their shipment certifying that overage booklets were only used to test eligible Grade 11 and 12 students who had not previously taken and passed the High School Writing test. Districts should use the same boxes in which the test booklets originally arrived for use in returning completed Writing tests for scoring. Instructions for packaging completed tests for return shipment and scoring are included on p. G-19 of the Test Administration Manual and are also repeated in checklist format in the return checklist included in the return kit.

Reminder: Approving Student Settings

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:05:00 GMT

It is important that test administrators review the name, SSID, grade, test subject and opportunity number, and test settings for each student waiting to begin testing and confirm that all information is correct before approving students to test in the OAKS Online System. This is done through the session monitoring screen of the TA Interface, which identifies every student who logs in to a testing session. Reviewing the list of students and verifying that all student information is correct prior to approving students to test helps TAs to more effectively prevent test improprieties such as:

Approving students to test under the wrong SSID (example: a student is given the SSID card of another student with a similar name)

Approving students to test in the wrong format (example: the student is assigned to take the Extended Assessment or to take a side-by-side Spanish test)

Approving ineligible students to retest (example: the student is in grade 3 - 8, has a p ...MORE

Smarter Balanced Pilot Test (Scientific Sample) Replacement Schools

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:03:00 GMT

In mid-December 2012, ODE received the initial list of schools from Oregon that were randomly selected to participate in the scientific sample of the Smarter Balanced Pilot Test. Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) has been recruiting schools since that time. As anticipated, some of the schools have declined participation, and so Smarter Balanced is required to replace these schools with comparable ones in order to meet the requirements of the sample plan. Smarter Balanced is still in the process of randomly selecting schools to participate in the Smarter Balanced Pilot Test (Scientific Sample) and ODE receives an updated list each two weeks of schools that have been picked as replacement schools.

ODE will contact district test coordinators from each of the districts that had schools selected as replacements for the scientific sample of the Pilot test via email. Districts that receive an email from ODE in regard to being selected to participate in the scientific sample of the pilot tes ...MORE

Smarter Balanced Pilot Test (Scientific Sample) Update

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:55:00 GMT

The Scientific Sample Pilot testing will take place between February 20 and May 10, 2013. Tests at different grade levels and content areas will be available during different specific testing windows within this broader window and this will determine when each school will administer the pilot. Each school will be assigned a specific testing window.

Grades 3-11 will be assessed in the content areas of English language arts/literacy and mathematics. Schools will be assigned one or two grades to administer either an ELA or mathematics assessment in each designated grade.

The assessment is computer based and will feature the new selected-response and performance task item types. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium's website is an excellent resource to learn more about the item types and content specifications: www.smarterbalanced.org. Most testing times will range anywhere from 2 t ...MORE

2011-12 Graduation, Dropout, and Essential Skills Reports Published

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:50:00 GMT

The 2011-12 Cohort Graduation, Dropout, and Essential Skills Reports were published the morning of January 31. You can find the reports at:

Cohort Graduation Rate: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=2644

Dropout Rate: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1

Essential Skills: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=2042

Key Assessment and Accountability Dates for February 2013

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:47:00 GMT

Date Event

February 4 Last day for Staff Position Collection

2012-13 Staff Position Report is Monday, February 4, 2013. The collection will reopen for Audit Review from February 11 to February 22.

If you have questions, please contact your Regional Collections Support Partners .

Oregon Continues to Identify New ELP/D Standards Corresponding to CCSS

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:44:00 GMT

As announced in the May 10, 2012 edition of the Assessment and Accountability Update, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) Offices of Educational Improvement and Innovation and Assessment and Information Services, in collaboration with members of districts from around the state, began the selection of new English Language Proficiency Development (ELP/D) Standards that correspond to the Common Core State Standards. This work coincides to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Flexibility Waiver application, which included an assurance that Oregon will adopt English Language Proficiency Development standards corresponding to Oregon's college-and career-ready standards no later than the 2013-14 school year. With the recent approval of Oregon's Flexibility Waiver, the review of Oregon’s ELP standards, originally adopted in 2005, became a necessity.

In May 2012, it was anticipated that the new ELP/D standards would be recommended for adoption by the State Board of Education in ...MORE

Assessment and Accountability Update - January 24, 2013

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 20:29:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for January 24, 2013.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:
Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 - Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy

Extended Assessment: Test Administrators

Oregon's Alternate Assessment Transition

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

ELPA Domain Exemption Reminder

Spring Paper-Based Writing Order Window Jan. 24 - Mar. 14

English Learners Alliance Conference

Smarter Balanced Accessibility & Accom ...MORE

Spring Paper-Based Writing Order Window: January 24 - March 14, 2013

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:19:00 GMT

The order window for the spring paper-based Writing test opens January 24, 2013. Districts will have through March 14, 2013 to complete their spring test orders through TIDE for eligible* 11th grade students only. The TIDE User Guide includes detailed instructions on the order process.

*Only students enrolled in grade 11 who have not yet met or exceeded the Writing achievement standard are eligible to test in the Spring Window. ODE will not fill orders submitted by districts for students enrolled in grades 9, 10, or 12, or students in grades 11 who have already met or exceeded the achievement standard.

For information or assistance, please contact your Regional ESD Support Partner .

Smarter Balanced Accessibility and Accommodation Guidelines

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:16:00 GMT

The Accessibility and Accommodation Guidelines for the Smarter Balanced Pilot Tests are now posted to the Smarter Balanced portal. They are under “Additional Resources” on the Resources and Documentation page:

http://sbac.portal.airast.org/Pilot_Test/resources.html?pilot#additional

Smarter Balanced Pilot Test Update

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:09:00 GMT

Smarter Balanced has launched a Pilot Test page on the Smarter Balanced website. This website is a useful resource for anyone interested in information about the Pilot Test. It contains background information about how Pilot Test items were developed, the Pilot Test sample design, school participation information, and links to test administration manuals and FAQs. The Pilot Test page is located at: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/pilot-test/.

Districts and schools will have until March 27, 2013 to sign up for the volunteer version of the Smarter Balanced Pilot Test. ODE encourages districts to participate in the volunteer version of the Smarter Balanced Pilot test, in order for students to become familiar with the new assessments. To sign up to participate, please complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SmarterBalancedPilot.
...MORE

Smarter Balanced Technology Strategy Framework and System Requirements Specifications Updated

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:56:00 GMT

The technology planning framework has been updated to clarify the minimum hardware and software requirements that will allow schools and districts to evaluate which of their existing devices will support the administration of next-generation assessments. The recommended minimum hard drive space for new purchases has been amended from “recommending an 80 GB hard drive” to “recommending an 80 GB hard drive or at least 1 GB of hard drive space available.” Additionally, the minimum requirements for users with Windows-based tablet devices running Windows 8, now excludes Windows Runtime (RT). The full Smarter Balanced Technology Strategy Framework and System Requirements Specifications report can be accessed at http://www.smarterbalanced.org/smarter-balanced-assessments/technology/.

Final Public Draft of the Next Generation Science Standards

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:39:00 GMT

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) final public review is now open! This draft of the NGSS will be available for feedback from January 8, 2013 through January 29, 2013. This is the last public review period before the standards are completed in March 2013. ODE fully encourages all interested parties to review the draft NGSS as individuals or in groups and provide feedback to the Lead States and writers.

Please visit http://www.nextgenscience.org/next-generation-science-standards to access the online survey and the support documents available for your review. To go directly to the online survey, please visit http://interceptum.com/ngss/how.html. This page provides instructions on how to register and access the online survey. You will need to choose which of the two views (by disciplinary core idea or by topic) you want to access. When you choose ...MORE

Reminder: Class Size 2012-13 Closes March 1, 2013

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:32:00 GMT

The Class Size data collection opened January 17, 2013. It will close on March 1, 2013. The 2012-13 Manual has been updated and posted to the Schedule of Due Dates page. If you missed the video training, a recording of it will be posted on the Video Training site.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your Regional Collections Support Partner .

Important Dates for the Coming Weeks

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:24:00 GMT

Important Dates for the Weeks Ahead

December 5 - January 30 Report Validation window (via spreadsheet) for:

Fall Membership

December 20 - February 4 Kathy.brazeau@state.or.us .

All sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 9:00 - 10:00 am.

February 6, 2013

March 6, 2013

April 3, 2013

May 1, 2013

To access the WebEx, go to: www.oregoned.webex.com on the date and time scheduled. The password for all of these meetings is: education. Please enter your name and district when you log into the WebEx. For example: Joe Doe (Bl ...MORE

Assessment and Accountability Update - January 17, 2013

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:46:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for January 17, 2013.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:
Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 - Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy

Extended Assessment: Test Administrators

Extended Assessment: Braille and Large Print Ordering Information

Oregon's Alternate Assessment Transition

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

ELPA Domain Exemption Reminder

English Learners Alliance Conference

Update on the Final Public Draft o ...MORE

Region One Assessment Support Update

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:01:00 GMT

Amy Rockwell's son was born on December 28, and she is out on leave until April 1. If you are a region 1 school district and have an assessment question, you can continue to call her phone number (800-970-8372 ext. 1), and her phone line will ring at InterMountain ESD. InterMountain ESD will be providing support to region 1 and 3 school districts and their direct contact information is as follows:

Connie Lobato
1-800-706-4447 x3220
Connie.Lobato@imesd.k12.or.us

Peter Campbell
1-800-706-4447 x3203
Peter.Campbell@imesd.k12.or.us

Karen Brown Smith
1-800-706-4447 x3124
Karen.Brown@imesd.k12.or.us

ELPA Domain Exemption Reminder

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:12:00 GMT

As published last week, during the final quality control reviews of the ELPA test delivery system, ODE's test vendor, American Institutes for Research (AIR), found that the new ELPA restricted resource that allows districts to exempt specified ELPA domains for students on IEPs is not functioning as expected. AIR anticipates that this restricted resource will be available for student testing by February 11, 2013. Until AIR resolves the issue with this restricted resource, districts must refrain from testing students needing a domain exemption. Therefore, the ELPA testing window is delayed for any eligible student that will be exempted from any ELPA domain (that is, listening, reading, writing, and/or speaking). All other students could begin testing as of January 9.

As a reminder, districts may continue to assign this restricted resource to students in TIDE in preparation for test administration after February 11. To avoid accidentally testing students needing domain exempti ...MORE

Fall Membership Report Deadline

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:11:00 GMT

Preview 3 of the Fall Membership report was distributed this week. This is the last editable preview. All changes must be made in first period Cumulative ADM 2012-13 by January 25, 2013, in order to be reflected in the final report.

There is a final preview scheduled for the week of January 28, 2013. This preview will reflect changes made by January 25, and is your chance to preview the data as it will appear in the public release scheduled for February 7, 2013. The final preview is not editable.

If you have questions or need assistance, or if you did not receive a copy of your district's Fall Membership report to review and would like one, please contact your Regional Collections Support Partner .

Class Size 2012-13 Opens January 17, 2013

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:10:00 GMT

The Class Size data collection opens January 17, 2013. It will close on March 1, 2013. The 2012-13 Manual has been updated and posted to the Schedule of Due Dates page. If you missed the video training, a recording of it will be posted on the Video Training site.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your Regional Collections Support Partners .

Update - 12th Grade Access to Online Writing

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:40:00 GMT

When the 2012-13 Winter Writing test window opened yesterday, Wednesday, January 9, 2013, ODE's test vendor, American Institutes for Research (AIR), discovered that eligible Grade 12 students were unable to access the Online Writing test due to an error. AIR resolved this issue last night and has confirmed that eligible students in Grade 12 are now able to test.

ODE and AIR apologize for any inconvenience this delay may have presented. Should your eligible Grade 12 students continue to experience any difficulty accessing the Online Writing test, please contact your regional ESD partner for assistance.

Assessment and Accountability Update - January 10, 2013

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:18:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for January 10, 2013.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:
Extended Assessments

Extended Assessment: Braille and Large Print Ordering Information

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 - Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy

Extended Assessment: Test Administrators

Oregon's Alternate Assessment Transition

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

ELPA Domain Exemption Update

English Learners Alliance Conference

Update on the Final Public Draft of ...MORE

Preview Final Reports for Cohort Graduation, NCES Dropouts and Essential Skills

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 21:21:00 GMT

The final posting of the Cohort Graduation Reports, NCES Dropout Reports and Essential Skills is currently available for preview using the secure district validation application (Report Card/Accountability Reports). These reports have been refreshed to reflect all approved appeals and updates, changes in the Exit Adjustment Window, and resolved merged student issues. Additional appeals or update forms are no longer being accepted for these reports. All reports are embargoed until January 31 at 12:01 AM.

Our ODE Communications has scheduled the public release of the Cohort Graduation and NCES Dropout Reports for January 31. A WebEx will be available for districts to attend on January 28 at 12:30 to 1:30 PM. More details on the WebEx will be available in the next newsletter.

If you have further questions or would like the final student level data, please contact your Regional ...MORE

Update on the Final Public Draft of the Next Generation Science Standards

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 21:06:00 GMT

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) final public review is now open! This draft of the NGSS will be available for feedback from January 8, 2013 through January 29, 2013. This is the last public review period before the standards are completed in March 2013. ODE fully encourages all interested parties to review the draft NGSS as individuals or in groups and provide feedback to the Lead States and writers.

Please visit http://www.nextgenscience.org/next-generation-science-standards to access the online survey and the support documents available for your review. To go directly to the online survey, please visit http://interceptum.com/ngss/how.html. This page provides instructions on how to register and access the online survey. You will need to choose which of the two views (by disciplinary core idea or by topic) you want to access. When you ...MORE

Access to Online Writing for 12th Graders

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 17:58:00 GMT

The 2012-13 Winter Writing test window opened today, Wednesday, January 9, 2013. ODE's test vendor, American Institutes for Research (AIR), has discovered that due to an error eligible Grade 12 students are currently unable to access the Online OAKS Writing Assessment. AIR has identified a solution which will go into the system this evening. AIR anticipates that students in Grade 12 will be able to test starting tomorrow, Thursday, January 10, 2013. ODE will send out another communication by 9 a.m. tomorrow morning confirming that the fix was successfully deployed. ODE and AIR apologize for any inconvenience this delay may present.

ELPA Domain Exemption Update - January 7, 2013

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 22:05:00 GMT

The 2012-13 ELPA test window opens this Wednesday, January 9, 2013. During final quality control reviews of the ELPA test delivery system, ODE’s test vendor, American Institutes for Research (AIR), found that the new ELPA restricted resource that allows districts to exempt specified ELPA domains for students on IEPs is not functioning as expected. AIR anticipates that this restricted resource will be available for student testing by February 11, 2013. Until AIR resolves the issue with this restricted resource, districts must refrain from testing students needing a domain exemption. Therefore, the ELPA testing window is delayed for any eligible student that will be exempted from any ELPA domain (that is, listening, reading, writing, and/or speaking). All other students may begin testing as of January 9.

As of January 7, 2013, only nine districts have assigned this restricted resource to a total of 49 students across the state. ODE’s regional ESD partner helpdesk sta ...MORE

Assessment and Accountability Update - January 3, 2013

Thu, 3 Jan 2013 18:38:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for January 3, 2013.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:
Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 – Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy

Extended Assessment: Test Administrators

Extended Assessment: Braille and Large Print Ordering Information

Oregon's Alternate Assessment Transition

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

OAKS Online Field Test Items

OAKS Online Retest Opportunities

Winter Writing Eligibility

Wint ...MORE

Oregon's Alternate Assessment Transition

Thu, 3 Jan 2013 17:49:00 GMT

In an effort to keep districts and schools up-to-date with the Oregon Department of Education's alternate assessment transition efforts, additional information and resources have been posted to the Common Core State Standards - Alternate Assessment website (http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=3709) entitled NCSC Resources. As the description under this link states, the resources and documents on this page are designed to assist districts and schools to better understand this project - building an alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS) for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities - the goal of which is to ensure these students achieve increasingly higher academic outcomes and leave high school ready for post-secondary options.

Also, a working version of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) PDF about the NCSC Summative Alternate Assessment is now posted. FAQs on NCSC AA ...MORE

OAKS Online Field Test Items

Thu, 3 Jan 2013 17:47:00 GMT

On January 9, 2013, ODE will introduce additional test items into the OAKS Online assessments. As of January 9, students will see approximately 5 additional test items per test compared to tests administered in the fall. These additional test items are field test items and will not impact student scores. Once testing for the 2012-13 school year is complete, ODE staff will analyze student responses to these field test items and determine whether to include these items operationally in future years.

For more information about the role of field testing in Oregon's test development process, please refer to ODE's Technical Manual Volume 2: Test Development (http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=1305). For subject-specific information, please refer to the Test Specifications and Blueprints (http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=496).

OAKS Online Retest Opportunities Now Available

Thu, 3 Jan 2013 17:45:00 GMT

As of January 2, 2013, OAKS Online multiple test opportunities are now available for those districts with policies allowing for students to retest. High school students have up to three total test opportunities in OAKS Online Reading, Math, and Science, as well as up to two test opportunities in OAKS Online Social Sciences.

New for 2012-13, students in grades 3-8 have up to two total test opportunities in OAKS Online Reading, Math, Science, and Social Sciences, as available by grade. Please remember that districts may only retest students in grades 3-8 who have already met or exceeded the standard if the district first receives explicit parental consent. Criteria for collecting explicit parental consent are included on p. 33 of the Test Administration Manual. In addition, the Best Practices Guide provides guidance on how to appropriately identify students who would benefit from an ...MORE

Writing Security Reminders

Thu, 3 Jan 2013 17:42:00 GMT

The winter writing test window opens next week on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 for both the online and paper-based administrations. In preparation, ODE encourages districts to review the following security reminders with staff:

All printed test materials must be collected, inventoried, and securely stored between test sessions. This includes student notes, outlines, rough drafts, test booklets (paper-based administration), and printed prompts (online administration).

For students taking the paper-based administration who will use a word processing program during the drafting phase, districts must ensure that the program's grammar check and auto-spell correction features are disabled.

Districts must also ensure that any word-processed drafts are saved securely and are not accessible by the student or others outside of the secure test environment. This means that student drafts should not be saved to a student's school account if the student has access to that ...MORE

2012-13 ELPA Test Window Opens Next Week

Thu, 3 Jan 2013 17:33:00 GMT

The English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) window opens on Wednesday, January 9, 2013. This assessment is required each year for all students eligible to receive NCLB Title III services. For additional information about the ELPA, please refer to Appendix H of the Test Administration Manual. In anticipation of the opening of the 2012-13 ELPA test window, ODE has the following reminders and recommendations (excerpted from the Test Administration Manual and the TA User Guide):

Continuing in 2012-13, the ELPA is a single assessment made up of two segments. The first segment of the ELPA will include the Reading, Writing and Listening items. At the end of the first segment, students are given the opportunity to review their answers prior to finalizing them. Next, there is a second segment for the Speaking items. A separate Test Administrator (TA) approval is required for the speaking segment, so that districts can have local fl ...MORE

English Learners Alliance Conference

Thu, 3 Jan 2013 17:27:00 GMT

COSA and the Oregon Department of Education are sponsoring a State English Learners Alliance Conference, March 14-15, 2013 at the Eugene Hilton. This conference will focus on “best practices” for all English learners. Click here to register.

Second Period Cumulative ADM Closing January 14, 2013

Thu, 3 Jan 2013 00:06:00 GMT

Reminder - The Second Period Cumulative ADM data collection will close on Monday, January 14, 2013 at 11:59 PM. If you need assistance submitting your data, please contact your ESD Regional Data Collection Partner . More information on the Second Period Cumulative ADM data collection can be found at https://district.ode.state.or.us/apps/info/docs/regional_education_service_district_partners.doc .

Smarter Balanced Update on Assessment Report Design

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:06:00 GMT

The Oregon Department of Education would like to share the following update from Smarter Balanced regarding a progress update about the data reports that will be developed for the assessment.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium
WestEd - Project Management Partner
www.smarterbalanced.org

Dear Smarter Balanced K-12 State Leads:

We are excited to announce the posting of a Progress Update from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Reporting Work Group and Wireless Generation (Reporting Development contractor for Smarter Balanced).

The Progress Update serves as a brief introduction to the key concepts and methodology being used to drive the development of stakeholder-focused reporting of assessment results. In addition, the document provides preliminary findings about some of the reporting system's primary user groups and their priorities, as well as a sample us ...MORE

Smarter Balanced Pilot Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Available

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:49:00 GMT

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (Smarter) will administer a pilot of the Smarter assessments from February 20 - May 10, 2013. As the start of the Pilot approaches, many districts from across the consortium have submitted questions to Smarter. To help address these questions, Smarter has developed a Frequently Asked Questions document .

As Smarter continues to develop training materials and other resources to help districts prepare for the Pilot, ODE will provide additional information to the field. Please continue to submit any questions your district may have about the Pilot to SmarterBalancedHelpDesk@air.org .

Assessment and Accountability Update - December 13, 2012

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:23:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for December 13, 2012.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:
Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 – Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy

Extended Assessment: Test Administrators

Extended Assessment: Braille and Large Print Ordering Information

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

OAKS Test Delivery System Offline Dec. 19 - Jan. 1

Winter Writing Eligibility

Winter Writing Delivery Dates

Student Confidentiality

...MORE

OAKS Test Delivery System Offline December 19 - January 1

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:54:00 GMT

In the December 6, 2012 edition of the Assessment & Accountability Update, ODE announced that OAKS Online would be offline for scheduled maintenance from 5:00 p.m. on December 17 through 7:00 a.m. on January 1. ODE has since received feedback from districts that will still be in session the week of December 17 expressing concern about the impact on their testing schedules. In response, OAKS Online will remain available until 5:00 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, giving districts an additional day for testing. ODE cannot further delay the scheduled maintenance without impacting the deployment of the ELPA and the Winter Online Writing Assessment.

The TA and Student Interface of OAKS Online will now be offline starting at 5:00 p.m. PT on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 until 7:00 am PT on January 1, 2013. During this time, the Training Site, TIDE, and the Online Reporting System will remain available for authorized users.

Contact( ...MORE

Winter Writing Eligibility

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:50:00 GMT

Before distributing paper-based winter writing materials to schools for administration, districts should check to ensure that only eligible Grade 11 and 12 students are tested.

Students in Grades 9 or 10 may not access the writing assessment.

Students in Grade 11 or 12 who have a banked "meets" or "exceeds" score from a previous year may not retest.

Please note that if your district has any Grade 12 students who have not already met or exceeded and who would like to use the writing assessment to meet their Writing Essential Skill graduation requirement, those students may test during the winter test window only; Grade 12 students may not test during the spring test window. If you have eligible Grade 12 students who need access to the writing assessment who did not have a paper-based test ordered for them, you may either use a "blank" overage booklet or administer the test online.

Winter Writing Delivery Dates in 2013

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:46:00 GMT

The order window for the winter paper-based writing assessment closed on Monday, December 10, 2012. The test window for both the winter online and paper-based writing assessments opens on Wednesday, January 9, 2013. Those districts who will be back in session the week of January 2 will receive their paper-based writing materials January 3 - 4, 2013, one week prior to the start of the Winter Writing test window. Those districts who will be back in session the week of January 7 will receive their materials January 8 - 9, 2013. Districts will also receive a small number of overage booklets with their shipment to address any fluctuations in enrollment after the close of the order window.

Contact(s) for this Announcement

Regional ESD Partners
...MORE

Student Confidentiality

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:39:00 GMT

Part III of the Test Administration Manual provides guidance to districts on how to protect student confidentiality. In particular, districts should remember that SSIDs associated with student names or other personally identifiable student data must not be sent in an e-mail or fax, both of which are considered non-secure. To ensure student confidentiality, if student information is to be sent via e-mail or fax, include only the student's SSID, not the student's name. As a reminder, this security requirement applies to Test Impropriety Reports submitted to ODE; these reports should never include student names.

Tips on securely transmitting confidential student information are located at http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=2444.

Network Bandwidth Checker Available to Help Schools Prepare for Smarter Balanced Assessments

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:11:00 GMT

Smarter Balanced has launched an online tool to help schools check the bandwidth of their network in preparation for the assessment. The bandwidth checker is compatible with Mozilla Firefox on computers with Windows, OS X, or Linux operating systems; Safari on tablets using the iOS operating system; and Chrome on tablets using the Android operating system. The bandwidth checker cannot be accessed using Internet Explorer. The tool and instructions can be accessed here: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/smarter-balanced-assessments/technology/.

ELPA Standards Verification Workshop Event Held November 6-9, 2012

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:03:00 GMT

In order to ensure that Oregon's state educational standards stay current, ODE staff and stakeholders reviewed the Performance Standards (or cut scores) used to determine whether an English Language Learner (ELL) is making progress toward English language proficiency. The workshop was held Tuesday 11/6/12 through Friday 11/9/12, with 83 leaders and participants from across the state. ODE recruited statewide to school districts and social service/community agencies. Below is a representation of the districts and outside agencies that had representatives at the workshop.

During Phase One of the workshop, each grade level group from Kindergarten through High School came to internal consensus about the cut scores for their grade. Next, during Phase Two, ODE staff and a cross-section of participants will move forward w ...MORE

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Mathematics Webinar Recordings Available

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:57:00 GMT

On September 7 and November 15, Student Achievement Partners’ Jason Zimba and Smarter Balanced Director of Mathematics Shelbi Cole presented an informational webinar about the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) to the Consortium. The September 7 webinar provided a deeper understanding of the standards with a focus on Smarter Balanced and its development of assessments aligned to the CCSSM, and provided an overview of the CCSSM's implications for assessment, including criteria for evaluating CCSS-aligned items and tasks. The November 15 webinar focused on identifying three shifts called for by the standards in assessment items through analysis of examples and non-examples. The webinar recordings are available at http://www.smarterbalanced.org/resources-events/webinars/.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Conducts Cognitive Lab Sessions with Students

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:14:00 GMT

Smarter Balanced is working its way through 945 cognitive-lab sessions in about a dozen states nationwide (including Oregon). As part of SBAC’s item-development contract with the test-vendor CTB/McGraw-Hill, experts from the American Institutes for Research (AIR) are looking for individual student feedback on sample test items. Many of the questions at the heart of the Smarter Balanced cognitive labs focus on the interaction of students with technology (desktop computer vs. tablets), since the group’s tests will be computer-based and computer-adaptive. “We want to make significant changes in the way assessment items look, and we don’t want to make those changes without actually seeing how items function when they’re put in front of kids,” said Shelbi Cole, SBAC’s director of math. “This helps us know earlier in the process so we don’t develop a bunch of items that don’t measure the new standards (CCSS) the way we want.” The full article is available at:

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Pilot Test Update - December 13, 2012

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:50:00 GMT

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium will be working with schools from partner states around the country to pilot test items this spring. Smarter Balanced will be conducting both a scientific pilot and a broader, non-scientific pilot. The Oregon schools which will participate in the scientific pilot have been identified and were notified by ODE in late November. Selected schools will also be contacted by the American Institutes of Research’s (AIR) recruiting partner, Data Recognition Corporation (DRC), between early December 2012 and January 2013 to be formally invited to participate in the pilot test.

The schools, approximately 10% in each state, were selected based on predetermined demographic criteria, to ensure that the pilot items are administered to a representative sample of students. These schools will provide critical data about the items developed to date as well as about how the system is functioning.

While the schools participating in the scientific pilo ...MORE

Secure Assessment Group Reports Updated for 2011-12

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:37:00 GMT

Participation, Performance, Non-Linked Trend, and Strand/Trait Reports within the Assessment Group Reports application have been updated with 2011-12 data on the secure district web site (https://district.ode.state.or.us/apps/login/) as of December 6, 2012.

The Cohort Trend Reports have not been updated.

Urgent! Students Needed to Participate in ELPA Study!

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:56:00 GMT

As you know, ODE is endeavoring to evaluate alternative English language proficiency assessments that may be used for students to demonstrate sufficient English language skills, as part of the eligibility criteria which then allows students to meet the Essential Skills graduation requirements in their home language. This provision is allowed under OAR 581-22-0617 (Essential Skills Assessments for English Language Learners).

In order to accomplish this work, we need to collect a data set that will allow us to compare student performance on two different assessments. As such, we’ve been recruiting school districts to participate in a concurrent validity study in which students would take the ELPA and one of two other English language proficiency tests that are used commonly across the state (Woodcock-Munoz and IPT). We need 500 student responses for each “pair” of assessments, meaning 500 students to take the ELPA and Woodcock-Munoz, and another 500 to take the ELPA and IPT. The test admin ...MORE

Assessment and Accountability Update - December 6, 2012

Thu, 6 Dec 2012 18:54:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for December 6, 2012.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:
Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 – Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy

Extended Assessment: Test Administrators

Extended Assessment: Braille and Large Print Ordering Information

Essential Skills

ELPA Concurrent Validity Study (Woodcock-Munoz and IPT)

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

Online Testing Available on State Furloughs, January 18 and Ap ...MORE

OAKS Test Delivery System Offline December 17 - January 1

Thu, 6 Dec 2012 15:56:00 GMT

The TA and Student Interface of OAKS Online will be offline for scheduled maintenance starting at 5:00 pm PT on Monday, December 17, 2012 until 7:00 am PT on January 1, 2013. During this time, the Training Site, TIDE, and the Online Reporting System will remain available for authorized users.

Contact(s) for this Announcement

Regional ESD Partners

Smarter Balanced Technology and System Requirements

Thu, 6 Dec 2012 15:54:00 GMT

The Smarter Balanced Technology Strategy Framework and System Requirements Specifications provide minimum hardware specifications and basic bandwidth calculations that will allow schools and districts to evaluate which of their existing computers will support the administration of the assessment system in the 2014-15 school year.

The framework was developed with input and feedback from Smarter Balanced member states, work groups, and data from the Technology Readiness Tool, an online inventory of technology resources launched in 2012. Based on the research and data analysis, Smarter Balanced estimates that the majority of schools and districts in member states will be able to successfully administer the assessments with their existing infrastructure.

The requirements apply only to the Smarter Balanced assessments and should not be considered minimum specifications to support instruction, which may require additional technology. In addition, all hardware choices shou ...MORE

Next Generation Science Standards Update - Draft Public Review

Thu, 6 Dec 2012 15:53:00 GMT

The release of the second and final public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) is set for the first week in January 2013. In recognition of the hectic schedules in December and the approaching holidays, the NGSS staff wanted to ensure all educators, stakeholders and the public had appropriate access to the draft. ODE encourages all interested parties to review the draft as individuals or in groups and provide feedback to the Lead States and writers.

The NGSS will be completed in March of 2013. Since the May draft release, the Lead States and the writers evaluated all feedback and worked on revising the standards. As a result, over 90% of the standards have been revised. In addition, the lead states charged the NGSS team with finalizing the definition for college and career readiness in science. The NGSS then went through a second round of revision to ensure the standards supported this definition.

More information will be provided as ...MORE

Second Period Cumulative ADM Opening December 13, 2012

Thu, 6 Dec 2012 15:50:00 GMT

The Second Period Cumulative ADM data collection opens Thursday, December 13, 2012. The collection will remain open through Monday, January 14, 2013. The data reporting period is July 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. The Second Period WebEx training materials are posted on the ODE web page link below. Scroll down to December 6, 2012. https://district.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=226

If you have questions or need assistance in submitting your student data, please contact your Regional ESD Partner .

Staff Position Collection Training December 13, 2012

Thu, 6 Dec 2012 15:48:00 GMT

The Staff Position training WebEx will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, December 13. See https://district.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=226 for more information.

The 2012-13 Staff Position collection will open Thursday, December 20, and remain open through Monday, February 4. It includes information about staff who were actively employed on December 1, 2012. See https://district.ode.state.or.us/apps/info/DataCllctnDetail.aspx?id=171&Collection_ID=782 for more details and reporting guidance, or contact your Regional ESD Partner .

Important Dates for the Weeks Ahead

Thu, 6 Dec 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Important Collections & Reporting Dates

December 4-7 Fall Membership Preview 1 distributed to Districts

December 5 - January 30 Assessment & Accountability Update for November 29, 2012.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:
Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 – Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy

Extended Assessment: Test Administrators

Extended Assessment: Braille and Large Print Ordering Information

Essential Skills

ELPA Concurrent Validity Study (Woodcock-Munoz and IPT)

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

OAKS Online Braille Interface Training for Teachers of the Vi ...MORE

Winter Writing Delivery Dates

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:32:00 GMT

As published in the 2012-13 Assessment and Accountability Checklist, the delivery dates for the paper-based Winter Writing test are January 3 - 4, 2013, one week prior to the start of the Winter Writing test window. It has since come to ODE’s attention that not all districts will be back in session by January 4, so ODE will support a second delivery between January 8 - 9, 2013 for those districts who are returning late from Winter Break. Please note that the statewide test administration window will still open on January 9, 2013.

Over the course of the next week, your regional ESD partner will be contacting you to confirm when your district will receive its Winter Writing materials based on when your district is scheduled to return from Winter Break. Please be sure to follow up with your regional ESD partner by Friday December 7, 2012 to submit any necessary corrections.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Pilot Test Update

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:06:00 GMT

The scientific sample of schools to participate in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (Smarter) Pilot test in Oregon have been identified, and schools that were selected to participate will be notified by ODE on November 30, 2012 via email (School Principal and District Test Coordinator). The “Scientific” component will impact a representative sample of schools and will provide critical data about the items developed to date as well as about how the system is functioning. Schools (approximately 10% in each state) will be selected to participate in this scientific pilot based on predetermined demographic criteria, to ensure that the pilot items are administered to a representative sample of students. Selected schools will also be contacted by the American Institutes for Research’s (AIR) recruiting partner, Data Recognition Corporation (DRC), between early December 2012 and January 2013 to be invited to participate in the scientific component of the Pilot Test.

All schools that are ...MORE

Smarter Balanced Draft Initial Achievement Level Descriptors Released for Public Review

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:00:00 GMT

The Consortium released draft initial achievement level descriptors (ALDs) for feedback and review through January 15, 2013. The initial ALDs describe levels of student performance in English language arts/literacy and mathematics on the Smarter Balanced assessments. Smarter Balanced has also released a college content-readiness definition with associated implications for 12th grade and postsecondary coursework at each achievement level on the 11th grade assessment. The ALDs, college content-readiness definition documents can be accessed at http://www.smarterbalanced.org/achievement-level-descriptors-and-college-readiness/. Feedback on the documents can also be submitted through an online survey at the same web page site.

Online Testing Available on State Furloughs, January 18 and April 19

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:42:00 GMT

OAKS Online and ELPA testing will remain open on state furlough days, Friday, January 18, 2013 and Friday, April 19, 2013.

Contact(s) for this Announcement

Regional ESD Support Partners

2011-12 Dropout Report, Cohort Report, and Essential Skills Report

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:07:00 GMT

The public release date for the Dropout, Cohort Graduation and Essential Skills Reports has been moved from January 29, 2013 to January 31, 2013. This change was made to ensure adequate ODE staff is available to answer questions on the day of the public release.

Remember that the window for Exit Adjustments closes Friday, November 30 and thereafter, will be available by request only through Friday, December 7 at 5pm. In addition, the opportunity to appeal and/or provide updated student outcome data will close Friday, December 7 at 5pm.

For more information, please contact: Regional ESD partners .

OAKS Online Braille Interface Training for Teachers of the Visually Impaired and Test Administrators

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:54:00 GMT

In addition to Test Administration and Security Training, any individual administering OAKS Online through the Braille interface is required to participate in the ODE-provided OAKS Online Braille Interface Training.

The OAKS Online Braille Interface Training will prepare Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) to set up and administer OAKS Online using the Braille interface and supporting Braille technologies (JAWS 12 or 13 Screen Reader, Duxbury Braille translation software, refreshable Braille display and embosser).

In partnership with the Blind and Visually Impaired Student Fund and NWRESD, ODE will provide six on-site trainings for the 2012-13 school year:
- January 7, 2013 - Columbia Regional 8:30-12:30
- January 8, 2013 - NWRESD/Eastern 8:30-12:30
- January 9, 2013 - Lane 12:30-4:30
- January 11, 2013 - WESD/Cascade 12:30-4:30
- January 15, 2013 - Southern 8:30-12:30
- January 17, 2013 ...MORE

ELPA Concurrent Validity Study (Woodcock-Munoz and IPT)

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:45:00 GMT

Under Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 581-22-0617 (Essential Skills Assessments for English Language Learners), students that meet certain eligibility criteria may be given the opportunity to satisfy Essential Skills graduation requirements in their respective home languages. The eligibility criteria, as described in the OAR listed above, include: 1) enrolled in U.S. schools five (5) years or less; 2) on track to meet all other graduation requirements; and 3) demonstrated sufficient English language skills using an English language proficiency assessment option that is approved by the State Board of Education. Currently, Oregon’s English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) is the only English language proficiency assessment approved by the State Board of Education, with an achievement standard, or “cut score,” of three (3).

A number of districts have requested that ODE examine other English language proficiency assessments in order to provide greater flexibility to students in meetin ...MORE

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Pilot Test Participation

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 16:57:00 GMT

In spring 2013, the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (Smarter) will conduct a pilot of the Smarter mathematics and English language arts assessments with students in grades 3 - 11. The attached flyer contains an overview of the pilot and information about the testing window. Within the coming days, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) will be in contact with Oregon schools selected to participate in the scientific sample of the pilot. Schools that are not recruited for this scientific sample may still volunteer to participate in the pilot using non-secure test items.

To ensure that all Oregon schools understand the purpose and process for the Smarter pilot, ODE encourages you to forward the attached flyer to district and school personnel to inform them of what to expect regarding the pilot and to encourage schools to volunteer to par ...MORE

Important Dates for November-December 2012

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:35:00 GMT

Important Collections & Reporting Dates

November 8 - May 23 OAKS Online student scores available for Reading, Mathematics, Science & Social Sciences (including Braille interface)

November 15 - 28

2012-13 OAKS Online Reporting System Training on November 20, 2012

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:32:00 GMT

The 2012-13 OAKS Online Reporting System deployed on November 6, 2012. To assist district and school level users in using the OAKS Online Reporting System, ODE and its test vendor, American Institutes for Research (AIR) co-hosted a WebEx training event on Thursday, November 15.

For those who were unable to participate in the November 15 event, ODE and AIR will provide an additional WebEx training event next Tuesday, November 20 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PT. To join this training event, click here and enter the meeting password: education. You do not need to sign up to participate in either of these training opportunities.

Assessment and Accountability Update - November 15, 2012

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:11:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for November 15, 2012.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:
Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 – Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy

Extended Assessments: Test Administrators

Extended Assessment: Braille and Large Print Ordering Information
Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

2012-13 OAKS Online Reporting System Training on November 20

Winter Paper-Based Writing Order Window Open through December 10

2012-13 OAKS Online Test Windo ...MORE

Request for Proposals for Oregon's 2014-15 Assessment System Now Posted

Thu, 8 Nov 2012 20:09:00 GMT

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE)'s current contract for the delivery of the OAKS and ELPA assessments expires at the close of the 2013-14 school year. On Monday, November 5, 2012 ODE posted a request for proposals to the Oregon Procurement Information Network (ORPIN) soliciting proposals from vendors experienced in web-based student assessment test delivery, scoring methodology, and related services to provide a web-based testing system. This solicitation will determine the test vendor who will host Oregon’s assessments in science, social sciences, and English language development starting in the 2014-15 school year. It is also Oregon’s intent that the resulting testing system will be compatible with the specifications of the Smarter common assessment for mathematics and English language arts/literacy.

Interested vendors may find additional information about this request for proposals through ORPIN (http://orpin.oregon.gov/open ...MORE

First Period Cumulative ADM 2012-13 Audit Review – week of November 5, 2012

Thu, 8 Nov 2012 18:15:00 GMT

The First Period Cumulative ADM Data Collection will be opened November 15 - November 28, 2012 to allow all districts the opportunity to review the audit report of data submitted and make corrections. The collection will be automatically open to all districts during the audit review window.

The instructions and overview for this process are located on the ODE district web page under the Schedule of Due Dates for the Cumulative ADM collection documents section – Data Collection Audits and Reviews Word document https://district.ode.state.or.us/apps/info/DataCllctnDetail.aspx?id=246

The audit review will contain ODE recommended changes to the data submitted during the First Period Cumulative ADM collection. Districts will have an opportunity to confirm the audits as being correct, edit existing records, submit new records, or delete incorrect records. Audits that are not confirm ...MORE

Banked Assessment Tests Available in Student Centered Staging on November 8, 2012

Thu, 8 Nov 2012 18:04:00 GMT

All "banked" assessment tests where a student took and met or exceeded on a high school math, reading, science, or writing test in a prior year have been loaded to Student Centered Staging. This includes students who took and met or exceeded the alternate achievement standard on the statewide Extended Assessment in a prior year. The test records were loaded into Staging based on verification of the students’ enrolled grade as grade 11 during the 2012-13 school year in the Consolidated Student SSID system.

This process will be re-run periodically during the school year. District Test Coordinators should use this information to make sure all high school students enrolled on May 1, 2013 are tested in the required subjects.

Contact your Regional Support Partner for more information.

Video Training/WebEx on November 14, 2012

Thu, 8 Nov 2012 17:54:00 GMT

The Video Training/WebEx “Student Centered Staging and Accountability Warehouse Extract” is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14 at 2 PM. Handouts will be available on the Video Training website: https://district.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=226.

To join the online meeting, go to https://oregoned.webex.com/oregoned/j.php?ED=208545192&UID=496451152&RT=MiM0 and enter your name and email address. Password: training123

As with all videoconference sessions offered by ODE, streaming video copies will be available following the session. To maximize the value of these opportunities, however, try to be present and to participate live so that we have a chance to address your questions immediately and with the broadest possible audience.

Additional timelines are available in the Assessment and ...MORE

Smarter Balanced Pilot Test 2013 Update

Thu, 8 Nov 2012 17:27:00 GMT

The Smarter Balanced Pilot test window will be February 20 - May 10, 2013. All Oregon schools will be encouraged to volunteer to participate in the Smarter Balanced Pilot Test Administration. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium will select a sample of Oregon schools to participate in the Pilot based on pre-determined demographic criteria to ensure that the Pilot is carried out with a sample that is representative of consortium states. Schools selected as part of the scientific sample will be assigned a two-week testing window during the February to May 2013 timeframe. To the degree possible, window assignment will be scheduled to avoid extensive overlap with OAKS and ELPA testing. Schools that volunteered for the Pilot Test that were not selected as part of the scientific sample will be able to administer a released set of Pilot Test items to their students.

Smarter Balanced Pilot Test Timeline:

Late N ...MORE

2012-13 OAKS Online Test Window Now Open

Thu, 8 Nov 2012 17:17:00 GMT

The 2012-13 OAKS Online test window opened on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. Between November 6 and January 2, 2013, each student will have access to only one test opportunity per subject. Additional opportunities will become available as of January 2. As a reminder, students in grades 3 – 8 will have a total of two test opportunities per subject; students in high school will retain three test opportunities in Math, Reading, and Science and two test opportunities in the optional Social Sciences assessment. Districts may only retest students in grades 3 – 8 who have already met or exceeded the achievement standard for their grade if the district first receives explicit parental consent. The requirements for receiving parental consent are described on p. 33 of the Test Administration Manual.

To help districts coordinate appropriate testing practices, p. 32 of the Test Administration Manual c ...MORE

Winter Paper-Based Writing Order Window Open through December 10

Thu, 8 Nov 2012 17:06:00 GMT

Districts have through Monday, December 10, 2012 to complete their winter paper-based writing test orders for grade 11 and 12 students who have not yet met or exceeded the Writing achievement standard. Students enrolled in grades 9 or 10 may not access the test under any circumstances; similarly, students in grades 11 or 12 who have already met or exceeded the achievement standard may not test. ODE will not fill orders submitted by districts for ineligible students. Districts may order paper-based writing tests for their students using the Test Information Delivery Engine (TIDE) of the OAKS Online System. The TIDE User Guide includes detailed instructions on the order process. For information or assistance, contact your Regional Support Partner .

Assessment and Accountability Update - November 8, 2012

Thu, 8 Nov 2012 16:48:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for November 8, 2012.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:

Important Dates for the Week Ahead

Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 – Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy

Extended Assessments: Test Administrators

Extended Assessment: Braille and Large Print Ordering Information
Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing

Winter Paper-Based Writing Order Window Open through December 10

2012-13 OAKS Online Test Window Now Open
...MORE

First Period Cumulative ADM 2012-13 Audit Review

Fri, 2 Nov 2012 22:21:00 GMT

The First Period Cumulative ADM Data Collection will be opened November 15 - November 28, 2012 to allow all districts the opportunity to review the audit report of data submitted and make corrections. The collection will be automatically open to all districts during the audit review window. Do not submit a request to reopen form.

The instructions and overview for this process are located on the ODE district web page under the Schedule of Due Dates for the Cumulative ADM collection documents section – Data Collection Audits and Reviews Word document https://district.ode.state.or.us/apps/info/DataCllctnDetail.aspx?id=246

The audits will contain ODE recommended changes to the data submitted during the First Period Cumulative ADM collection. Districts can either edit the record or identify the record as being correctly submitted by clicking on the green checkmark to confirm the aud ...MORE

Report Card/AYP application is now the Report Card/Accountability Reports application

Fri, 2 Nov 2012 22:10:00 GMT

The ‘Report Card/AYP’ application will now be known as the ‘Report Card/Accountability Reports‘ application. This is a name change only. The application functionality is unchanged. The application will still be used by District and School staff for the validation of the Report Card(s) and related Accountability Reports, such as the upcoming Cohort graduation validations. Contact: ODE Helpdesk at ODE.Helpdesk@ode.state.or.us or 503-947-5715.

Validation Refresh Dates for Dropout Report and Cohort Graduation Reports

Fri, 2 Nov 2012 22:00:00 GMT

The reports will be refreshed on the following days:

November 1 (reflecting edits and updates submitted by October 30 at 5pm)

November 15 (reflecting edits and updates submitted by November 13 at 5pm)

November 29 (reflecting edits and updates submitted by November 27 at 5pm)

December 6 (reflecting edits and updates submitted by December 4 at 5pm)

January 10 (final preview, with all approved appeals applied).

Validations will close at 11:59 pm on the day before a refresh, and reopen in the afternoon on the day of the refresh.

For more information, see http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=2644 for graduation rates and http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1 for dropout rates. Contact:

Essential Skills Report Validation

Fri, 2 Nov 2012 21:24:00 GMT

A new Essential Skills report will be released to the public on January 29, 2013. The report will provide information about students from the 2008-2009 cohort (Class of 2012) and how they met the Essential Skill of Reading requirement. The report will provide state and district level data, disaggregated by subgroup, on the number of students meeting the requirement via: 1) OAKS assessments; 2) other standardized tests; and 3) other means, such as work samples. The report will also include how those students performed on the OAKS assessment (based on the students’ best OAKS Reading testing event) by achievement level (Very Low/Low, Nearly Meets, and Meets/Exceeds). There will be separate reports for regular and modified diplomas.

On November 8, the Essential Skills validation windows will open. You can log into the window via the Report Card/AYP application on the district secure site and see your school and district data. Once the window opens, your regional ESD partner ...MORE

Free Windows Spanish Voice Pack Now Available

Fri, 2 Nov 2012 21:16:00 GMT

New for 2012-13 -- American Institutes for Research (AIR) has purchased licenses for a new Spanish voice pack for the computer-based read-aloud for Windows machines. The new Spanish voice pack, called “Violeta,” is free for districts to use, but only in the OAKS testing environment. The TIDE User Guide contains information about downloading the “Violeta” voice pack, including installation and usage agreements.

Test Administration Policy Changes for 2012-13

Fri, 2 Nov 2012 19:53:00 GMT

The OAKS Online test window opens next week on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. In preparation, ODE would like to remind districts of the following important test administration policy changes that are in effect for 2012-13. These changes are described in greater detail in the 2012-13 Test Administration Manual (page numbers are referenced below):

Districts must use ODE-provided training modules when training school test coordinators and test administrators on test administration and security. Training must also provide an opportunity for trainees to ask questions and receive clarification. (pp. 5 – 7)

To reinforce proper use of OAKS as a summative assessment and reduce the impact of testing on instructional time, students in grades 3 – 8 now have two test opportunities per subject. Students in high school retain three opportunities for Math, Reading, and Science and two opportunities for the optional Social Sciences assessment. (p. 29)

< ...MORE

Assessment and Accountability Update - November 2, 2012

Fri, 2 Nov 2012 19:32:00 GMT

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for November 2, 2012.

You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website.

In This Issue:

Extended Assessments

MEMORANDUM NO. 002-2012-13 – Extended Assessment: High School Retake Policy

Extended Assessments: Test Administrators

Extended Assessment: Braille and Large Print Ordering Information
Assessment of Essential Skills

ACT Option for Assessment of Essential Skills in Writing

Work Sample Spreadsheet posted on ODE Website

Test Administration - OAKS Online, ELPA & Writing
< ...MORE

AWE is now the Accountability Warehouse Extract

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 17:15:00 GMT

The Assessment Warehouse Extract (AWE) application will now be known as the Accountability Warehouse Extract. This is a name change only. The application functionality is unchanged.

This change reflects the addition of content beyond assessment data. Specifically, National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) higher education enrollment and degree attainment data will be included in regional extracts beginning November 1, 2012..

In the future, additional data will be included in the AWE.

Appeals of Spring 2011-2012 Writing Results

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:34:00 GMT

Appeals of 2011-12 winter and spring writing records are now complete and have been loaded to Student Centered Staging. Materials submitted by districts for rescoring as part of the appeals process have been returned to districts. A team of expert raters re-scored the papers. You can access the new scores by following the directions included in the cover memo sent with the materials.

You can also print Individual Student Reports (ISRs), Combined ISRs, and Class Roster Reports by logging in on the district site and going to Secure Assessment Reports (https://district.ode.state.or.us/apps/AssmtRpt/default.aspx). Select the radio button for the desired report and then select the subject, school and any other criteria you need.

For more information on writing appeals, contact Ken.Hermens@state.or.us Regional ESD partner . The contact information is located on the Schedule of Due Dates Documents Section at the following link - https://district.ode.state.or.us/apps/info/DataCllctnDetail.aspx?id=246&Collection_ID=816.

Extension to 2011-12 Exit Adjustment Window

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 22:39:00 GMT

In order to allow districts more time to validate their data for the Cohort Graduation Report, Dropout Report, and Essential Skills Report, ODE has extended the Exit Adjustment Window. The window will now remain open statewide through November 30, then by request only through December 7, when the Cohort Graduation Report and Dropout Report Validations are scheduled to close.

This extension has been updated in the Assessment & Accountability Checklist . For further information on the Exit Adjustment window, contact your Regional ESD partner or Isabella Jacoby at Isabella.Jacoby@state.or.us

Student Growth Targets WebEx

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 22:20:00 GMT

ODE will be hosting a WebEx on October 25 at 1 pm to review student level growth target data that ODE will be sending to districts. The webinar will begin with an overview of the growth model used for the identification of priority, focus, and model schools. We shall then discuss the growth targets the model produces and explain the student level data that will be made available following the end of the webinar.

To log into this meeting, please go to https://oregoned.webex.com/. No password is required.

New Essential Skills Report

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 22:15:00 GMT

A new Essential Skills report will be released to the public January 29, 2013 along with the 2011-12 Dropout and Cohort Graduation Rate reports. A preview of the 2011-12 Essential Skills report will be made available to districts through the Report Card/Accountability Reporting Validation site.

There will be separate Essential Skills reports for regular diplomas and modified diplomas, based on the 2008-09 adjusted cohort. Each report will be disaggregated by district and subgroup, showing the number and percent who met essential skills via: 1) OAKS assessments; 2) other standardized tests (e.g. SAT); and 3) other means (e.g. work samples). The reports will also summarize OAKS assessment results for each of these three categories.

For further information about the Essential Skills report, contact Kevin Hamler-Dupras at Kevin.Hamler-Dupras@state.or.us Hardware Purchasing Guidelines

ODE News Office of Assessment and Information Services

Assessment and Accountability Update - April 4, 2013

In This Issue:

Opportunity to Contribute to Assessment Policy

Spring Online Writing Test Window Now Open

State Testing Available on April 19

Teachers Needed: ELPA Content Panel

Review Period Extended for ELPA Standards Verification Executive Summary and Performance Level Descriptors

2012-13 PSAT Data

ESD Partners Now Support Achievement Compacts

Important Dates for April - May 2013

Assessment and Accountability Update - March 21, 2013

In This Issue:

ELPA Batch 1 Data Available April 4

ELPA Cut Score Review Period

Assessment and Accountability Update - March 14, 2013

In This Issue:

OAKS Writing Assessment at Grades 4 and 7

Last Day for Winter Online Writing Assessment is March 22, 2013

Kindergarten Assessment Required Beginning Fall 2013

Upcoming Professional Development with ODE Staff Assessment Presenters

OAKS Mathematics: Spanish Read Aloud

Smarter Balanced Pilot Test Question of the Week - March 14, 2013

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Updates

Technology Clarification to the Field

Entering Freshman Profile - Class of 2011 Now Available

Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO)

In This Issue:

Update to Appendix K: Assessment of Essential Skills

Spring Paper-Based Writing Order Window Closes March 14, 2013

New Essential Skills Case Study Now Available

Smarter Balanced Pilot Test Update - March 7, 2013

Smarter Balanced Technology Requirements

Reminder: Class Size Audits

Assessment and Accountability Update - February 28, 2013

In This Issue:

Smarter Balanced Pilot Test Questions and Answers

Oregon Schools Participating in Pilot Test of Next-Generation Assessments

ELPA Font Study for K-1 Students Is In Progress

Shipping Deadline for Winter Paper-Based Writing is March 4, 2013

Spanish Computer-Based Read Aloud for OAKS Online Math

Assessment and Accountability Update - February 21, 2013

In This Issue:

Smarter Balanced Pilot Test (Scientific Sample) Launched February 20 with Special Forms Available March 14

Reminder: Class Size Collection Closes March 1, 2013

Assessment and Accountability Update - February 14, 2013

In This Issue:

Extended Assessment: Dates to Remember

Last day for Winter Paper-Based Writing Assessment - February 21, 2013

Spring Paper-Based Writing Order Window Open Through March 14, 2013

ELPA Domain Exemption Now Available

Smarter Balanced Assessment Technology Requirement Clarification

Staff Position Audits

Assessment and Accountability Update - February 7, 2013

In This Issue:

Assessment and Accountability Checklist Updated - February 5, 2013

Revised Smarter Balanced Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs)

Assessment and Accountability Update - January 31, 2013

In This Issue:

Winter Paper Writing Return Kits Arriving in Districts February 8, 2013

Reminder: Approving Student Settings

Smarter Balanced Pilot Test (Scientific Sample) Replacement Schools

Smarter Balanced Pilot Test (Scientific Sample) Update

2011-12 Graduation, Dropout, and Essential Skills Reports Published

Key Assessment and Accountability Dates for February 2013

Oregon Continues to Identify New ELP/D Standards Corresponding to CCSS

Assessment and Accountability Update - January 24, 2013

In This Issue:

Spring Paper-Based Writing Order Window: January 24 - March 14, 2013

Smarter Balanced Accessibility and Accommodation Guidelines

Smarter Balanced Pilot Test Update

Smarter Balanced Technology Strategy Framework and System Requirements Specifications Updated

Final Public Draft of the Next Generation Science Standards

Reminder: Class Size 2012-13 Closes March 1, 2013

Important Dates for the Coming Weeks

Assessment and Accountability Update - January 17, 2013

In This Issue:

Region One Assessment Support Update

ELPA Domain Exemption Reminder

Fall Membership Report Deadline