1

Apr 3 2013 1:47PM

ODE is seeking current or former educators with assessment expertise for the Essential Skills Review Panel. Responsibilities AESRP makes recommendations on: The phasing in of Essential Skills for inclusion in the high school diploma and...

2

Apr 3 2013 1:40PM

The spring online writing test window opens on Monday, April 1, 2013. As a reminder, only Grade 11 students who have not yet met or exceeded the achievement standard and who did not test during the winter test window are eligible to test during the s...

3

Mar 14 2013 10:21AM

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 durin...

4

Mar 14 2013 10:15AM

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...

5

Mar 14 2013 9:30AM

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 sin...

6

Mar 6 2013 11:40AM

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 t...

7

Mar 6 2013 11:35AM

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 sh...

8

Mar 6 2013 11:26AM

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...

9

Mar 6 2013 11:11AM

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 all...

10

Feb 27 2013 2:10PM

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 P...

11

Feb 27 2013 2:03PM

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 ...

12

Feb 27 2013 11:58AM

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 Mon...

13

Feb 20 2013 4:42PM

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 t...

14

Feb 13 2013 3:28PM

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 onli...

15

Feb 13 2013 3:27PM

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 studen...

16

Feb 13 2013 3:24PM

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 s...

17

Jan 30 2013 5:07PM

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...

18

Jan 23 2013 1:19PM

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 detaile...

19

Jan 23 2013 12:56PM

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 assessme...

20

Jan 10 2013 9:40AM

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 er...

21

Jan 9 2013 10:58AM

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 ...

22

Jan 3 2013 10:42AM

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 m...

23

Dec 12 2012 4:50PM

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. S...

24

Dec 12 2012 4:46PM

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 i...

25

Dec 12 2012 4:11PM

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;...

26

Dec 12 2012 2:56PM

On December 4, Smarter Balanced released a technology planning framework for member states preparing to implement the assessment system in the 2014-15 school year. The framework, developed by Navigation North on behalf of the Consortium, provides min...

27

Dec 6 2012 8:54AM

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 wil...

28

Nov 28 2012 5:32PM

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 attenti...

29

Nov 28 2012 1:42PM

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

30

Nov 28 2012 9:54AM

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 Inter...

31

Nov 8 2012 11:04AM

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 alte...

32

Nov 8 2012 10:06AM

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 acce...

33

Oct 18 2012 5:34PM

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 ra...

34

Oct 18 2012 12:47PM

The order window for the winter paper-based Writing test opens Thursday, October 18, 2012. Districts will have from October 18 through December 10, 2012 to complete their winter test orders for eligible* grade 11 and 12 students. Districts may ...

35

Oct 18 2012 12:38PM

The State Board of Education has approved the ACT Writing test as an assessment option for the Essential Skill of Writing, with an achievement standard, or “cut score” of 19. Please keep in mind that this is the combined English/Writing test, meaning...

36

Oct 18 2012 12:26PM

Extended Assessment: Braille and Large Print Ordering Information The window for ordering Oregon’s Extended Assessments in Braille and Large Print is November 18, 2012-January 18, 2013. The ordering form (with additional instructions) can be foun...

37

Oct 10 2012 11:36AM

Today Smarter Balanced released sample items and performance tasks to help teachers, administrators, and policymakers implement the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and prepare for next-generation assessments. The Smarter assessments are being des...

38

Oct 4 2012 1:07PM

During the 2011 legislative session, in response to budgetary restrictions the Oregon Legislature voted to suspend funding for the state writing test at grades 4 and 7 and to restrict eligibility to take the high school writing test to students in gr...

39

Oct 4 2012 10:37AM

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 will be loaded to Student Centered Staging on November 8, 2012. This includes students who took and met or...

40

Sep 27 2012 8:38AM

TO: Superintendents, Principals, and Testing Coordinators RE: High School Writing Assessment Eligibility Summary: For the 2012-13 school year, OAKS Writing will be available to students enrolled in grades 11 and 12 who have not yet met or e...

41

Sep 20 2012 12:18PM

The Technology Readiness Tool is designed to support states as they transition to next-generation assessments. Since March 2012, State Readiness Coordinators have been working with districts and schools to collect baseline data on key readiness indi...

42

Sep 20 2012 12:05PM

Students will have an opportunity to participate in a field test of prompts for Oregon’s Writing Assessment this November and December. ODE’s Office of Assessment is seeking students in Grades 11 and 12 to complete essays on prompts under development...

43

Jun 28 2012 5:38PM

Test records from the spring 2012 paper-based writing window posted in the online reporting system and Student Centered Staging on June 26, 27, and 28 may have been attributed to the wrong students because of a scanning issue. ODE and its test vendor...

44

Jun 28 2012 5:10PM

OAKS Online partial test records (any test where the student completed one or more questions, but never finished the test) were loaded on Friday, June 15. Records where the student completed 1-4 questions have a Test Attempt flag of 'P' and no s...

45

May 31 2012 2:29PM

Districts who administered the spring paper-based Writing test must ensure that all completed tests are shipped for scoring by Monday, June 4. In addition, by June 4 districts must ensure that all unused test booklets, including blank overage booklet...

46

May 17 2012 2:13PM

Smarter Balanced has developed hardware and operating system specifications for new technology purchases as part of a comprehensive approach to technology guidance. These guidelines provide clear information for schools and districts making new instr...

47

May 3 2012 4:40PM

Return kits for high school paper writing tests should have arrived in districts on May 2 or 3. The instructions included with the kits stated that the deadline for returning writing tests is Monday, March 5. This was the deadline for returning Winte...

48

May 3 2012 4:20PM

The OAKS Online, Online Writing, and paper-based Writing test windows will close on Thursday, May 17. Once the window closes, students will no longer have access to their online tests, and AIR will push through all partial OAKS Online and Online Writ...

49

Apr 12 2012 2:52PM

The Dynamic Integrated Scoring Calibration System (DISCS) is now available! DISCS is an online scoring guide training tool designed to aid educators in calibrating to the Oregon Official State Scoring Guides for the Essential Skills of Reading, Writi...

50

Apr 12 2012 12:10PM

The spring paper-based Writing test window opened on Wednesday, April 11 (the online Writing test window opened on March 26). Districts must ensure that all secure test materials are stored in a secure area in accordance with Part IV – Test Security ...

51

Apr 4 2012 5:56PM

OAKS Writing test scores from the winter window (paper-pencil as well as online) are currently available for download and editing in Student Centered Staging and for download only in the Assessment Warehouse Extract application on the ODE district se...

52

Apr 3 2012 9:26AM

Due to budgetary restrictions, during its 2011 Session, the Oregon State Legislature determined that the Writing Performance Assessment will only be available for students enrolled in Grade 11. This restriction went into effect starting in 2011-12. Abs...

53

Mar 21 2012 11:38AM

Beginning on April 2, students’ Writing responses will be available for download through the OAKS Online Reporting System as a PDF instead of as an image in the Web browser. PDF files can be downloaded for individual students as well as for batches o...

54

Mar 21 2012 11:35AM

The spring Online Writing test window opens on Monday, March 26. The spring paper-based Writing test window opens on Wednesday, April 11. Districts that ordered spring paper-based writing tests will receive their shipment of secure materials between ...

55

Mar 14 2012 2:54PM

The State Board of Education has approved a change to the policy requirement regarding writing work samples (used as evidence to satisfy the Essential Skill of Writing graduation requirement), realigning the requirement for sufficient documentation o...

56

Mar 14 2012 2:49PM

As the 2011-12 testing window enters full swing, districts should be sure to review key test security requirements with test administrators, including test administrators for the OAKS, ELPA, Writing, and the Extended Assessments. As the Braille Inter...

57

Mar 14 2012 2:47PM

The winter Online Writing test window closes on Friday, March 16. Districts administering the winter Online Writing test must ensure that students complete the test and submit it for scoring by the end of the day on March 16. At that time, AIR will p...

58

Mar 14 2012 2:43PM

The order window for the spring paper-based Writing test (grade 11 only) closes on Monday, March 19. Districts will have through March 19 to complete their orders for the spring test window. Districts may order paper-based writing tests for their stu...

59

Mar 14 2012 2:40PM

The content standards and achievement standards will continue to be the same in 2012-2013. The 2012-2013 OAKS Science will be based on the content standards adopted in 2009, and the 2012-2013 OAKS Social Sciences will be based on the content standard...

60

Mar 7 2012 4:46PM

The winter Online Writing test window closes next Friday, March 16, 2012. Districts administering the winter Online Writing test must ensure that students complete the test and submit it for scoring by the end of the day on March 16. Students will no...

61

Mar 7 2012 4:37PM

As of March 5, 2012, sixty-nine school districts have reported test improprieties. The table below shows the breakdown of reported improprieties by type, identifying whether the impropriety was initiated by an adult or by a student. Type of ...

62

Feb 29 2012 10:42AM

Districts who administered the winter paper-based Writing test must ensure that all completed tests are shipped for scoring by Monday, March 5. In addition, by March 5 districts must ensure that all unused test booklets, including blank overage bookl...

63

Feb 22 2012 12:09PM

The winter paper-based Writing test window closed on Thursday, February 23, 2012 (students taking the online Writing test have through March 16 to complete testing). By Monday, March 5, districts must ensure that: all unused test booklets, includi...

64

Feb 15 2012 11:37AM

On February 22 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. ODE will host a final training session of Level 2 & Level 3 Training of Trainers for the Essential Skill of Reading - Using Work Samples. Training of trainer sessions on developing local work samples and on ...

65

Feb 15 2012 11:23AM

The winter paper-based Writing test window closes next Thursday, February 23, 2012. Districts administering the winter paper-based Writing test must ensure that students complete the test by the end of the day on February 23 (students taking the onli...

66

Feb 15 2012 11:20AM

The order window for the spring paper-based Writing test (grade 11 only) is currently open. Districts will have through March 19, 2012 to complete their orders for the spring test window. Districts may order paper-based writing tests for their studen...

67

Feb 8 2012 2:58PM

ODE has added one more session of Level 2 and Level 3 Training of Trainers for the Essential Skill of Reading – Using Work Samples on February 22 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The training session will show local facilitators how to present introductor...

68

Feb 8 2012 2:55PM

Districts who ordered paper-based Writing tests for the winter Writing test window will receive a return kit on Thursday, February 9, 2012. This return kit includes return mailing labels, a return checklist, and an overage certification form. Distric...

69

Feb 7 2012 2:20PM

The SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) has released draft Item Specifications and Guidelines for review and comment. These item specifications will provide item writers with specific guidance on how to translate the Common Core State Stand...

70

Jan 25 2012 5:23PM

Oregon's ESEA Waiver Request has been submitted to the US Department of Education. If the waiver is approved, then the existing AYP reporting and associated school improvement list would no longer be produced. In its place would be a revised report c...

71

Jan 25 2012 12:17PM

The order window for Spring Paper-Pencil Writing (grade 11 only) opens January 26, 2012. Districts will have from January 26 through March 19, 2012 to complete their orders for the spring test window. Districts may order Paper-Pencil writing tes...

72

Jan 25 2012 11:00AM

Students who first encounter a reading, writing, or math work sample under the pressure of high school graduation are less likely to be successful. Middle school teachers are eager to use these powerful instructional and formative assessments in the...

73

Jan 18 2012 4:01PM

Opportunities for individuals to be trained to present local workshops on scoring and developing Essential Skills Work Samples will continue through the winter. Each WebEx session, held from 2:00 to 4:00 PST, provides future trainers with informatio...

74

Jan 18 2012 3:55PM

Friday, January 20, 2012 is the last day of Oregon’s Alternate Assessment (Extended Assessment) Braille and/or Large Print order window for Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Writing. To order please complete, sign, and submit the attached order form...

75

Jan 11 2012 4:19PM

The window to order Oregon’s Alternate Assessment (Extended Assessment) in Braille and/or Large Print opens November 10, 2011. To order please complete, sign, and submit the attached order form via email or fax to Bob Disher at Oregon's Textbook an...

76

Jan 5 2012 8:00AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for January 5, 2012 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: 2011-12 Winter Writing Test Win...

77

Jan 4 2012 9:31AM

Due to budgetary restrictions, during its 2011 Session, the Oregon State Legislature determined that the Writing Performance Assessment will only be available for students enrolled in Grade 11 who have not already met or exceeded the state achievemen...

78

Jan 4 2012 9:11AM

The Winter Writing test window opens for Grade 11 students only on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. The online writing test window lasts from January 11 - March 16. The paper-based writing test window lasts from January 11 - February 23. Districts admini...

79

Dec 19 2011 9:25AM

On December 1, 2011 ODE presented the draft Best Practices Guide to the State Board of Education for the Board’s consideration. ODE will bring the draft Best Practices Guide back to the Board for formal adoption on January 19, 2012. In response to st...

80

Dec 15 2011 8:15AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for December 15, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: OAKS Online Scheduled Down Ti...

81

Dec 14 2011 12:03PM

ODE has recently received several questions from the field regarding the potential for high school students who did not meet the standard on an OAKS Writing assessment to revise their test for use as one of the three required writing work samples to ...

82

Dec 14 2011 11:55AM

The 2012 Winter Writing test window opens on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. Districts administering the paper format of the Winter Writing test will receive their shipment of secure test materials between Monday, January 2, 2012 and Wednesday, January ...

83

Dec 8 2011 7:25AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for December 8, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Out of District Test Scores Av...

84

Dec 7 2011 10:34AM

The order window for Winter Paper-Pencil Writing (grade 11 only) is now open. Districts will have through Monday, December 12, 2011 to complete their orders for the winter test window. Districts may order Paper-Pencil writing tests for their students...

85

Dec 1 2011 8:00AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for December 1, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Development of the Common Asse...

86

Nov 30 2011 4:43PM

WebEx training sessions which provide local facilitators with the materials and background to conduct local workshops on scoring reading, writing and math Essential Skills worksamples will continue during early December. Scheduled trainings incl...

87

Nov 30 2011 3:10PM

The order window for Winter Paper-Pencil Writing (grade 11 only) is now open. Districts will have through December 12, 2011 to complete their orders for the winter test window. Districts may order Paper-Pencil writing tests for their students u...

88

Nov 23 2011 11:33AM

In response to stakeholder feedback, ODE has updated the draft Best Practices Guide to further clarify the appropriate use of OAKS as a summative assessment. The draft guide is scheduled to go to the State Board of Education for review on December 1,...

89

Nov 16 2011 10:27AM

Only a few opportunities remain for local facilitators to receive Essential Skills WebEx trainings in November and December. Trainings will resume in mid-January. WebEx training sessions for November and December include the following: Nov ...

90

Nov 10 2011 9:00AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for November 10, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Draft Best Practices Guide fo...

91

Nov 9 2011 11:14AM

In response to Senate Bill 801, ODE has recently updated the draft Best Practices Guide to include clarified guidance around retesting students in grades 3 - 8 who have already met or exceeded the achievement standards. The draft guide is scheduled t...

92

Nov 9 2011 10:57AM

With high schools in full implementation of Essential Skill graduation requirements, many educators are interested in opportunities to improve student performance at the middle school level so that those students are well-situated to demonstrate high...

93

Nov 8 2011 5:38PM

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 alte...

94

Nov 3 2011 7:28AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for November 3, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: 2011-12 OAKS Online Test Windo...

95

Oct 27 2011 8:07AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for October 27, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Science and Science Alternate ...

96

Oct 26 2011 2:37PM

The order window for Winter Paper-Pencil Writing (grade 11 only) is now open. Districts will have through December 12, 2011 to complete their orders for the winter test window. Districts may order Paper-Pencil writing tests for their students u...

97

Oct 20 2011 7:22AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for October 20, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Best Practices Guide for Admin...

98

Oct 14 2011 11:40AM

Districts may now access the scores for the Spring 2011 Statewide Writing Assessments submitted for rescoring as part of the appeals process. A team of expert raters have re-scored the papers, and the new scores have been entered into Student Staging...

99

Oct 12 2011 3:53PM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for October 13, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: OAKS Online Practice Test Offl...

100

Oct 12 2011 3:34PM

The order window for Winter Paper-Pencil Writing (grade 11 only) opens October 20, 2011. Districts will have from October 20 through December 12, 2011 to complete their orders for the winter test window. Districts may order Paper-Pencil writing...

101

Oct 6 2011 10:06AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for October 6, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Out-of-District Assessment Scor...

102

Oct 5 2011 11:43AM

A document responding to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the assessment of essential skills has been posted on the ODE Assessment of Essential Skills page. The questions and answers have been categorized by Requirements, Assessment Options, an...

103

Oct 5 2011 11:37AM

Based on legislative action the writing performance assessment will only be available to students enrolled in the 11th grade and who have not yet met the high school achievement standard. To ensure those students have the ability to access the online...

104

Sep 29 2011 8:56AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for September 29, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: First Period Cumulative ADM ...

105

Sep 22 2011 10:55AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for September 22, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Reminder - Regional DTC Trai...

106

Sep 21 2011 1:13PM

The editing window for 2010-2011 Science, Writing, Social Sciences, and ELPA records will close on September 30, 2010 at 11:59 PM. All 2010-2011 test records will be read-only after September 30. Contact(s) for this Announcement Regional...

107

Sep 21 2011 11:52AM

There is still time to register for the remaining Assessment of Essential Skills WebEx training sessions in September. These sessions are designed to train local presenters to provide training to teachers. Sept 27 Level 2 Intro to Scorin...

108

Sep 21 2011 11:35AM

Official State Scoring Guide trainings sessions will be available in October via WebEx. These training sessions are designed to enable teachers, administrators or others to deliver timely and accurate information on diploma requirements for the Essen...

109

Sep 2 2011 1:49PM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for September 2, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Required 2011-2012 District Test Coo...

110

Sep 2 2011 12:20PM

WebEx training sessions on assessing the Essential Skills of Reading, Writing and Math will be offered in September. These trainings are targeted to local district/school personnel who would then present the workshops to teachers. Workshops focus o...

111

Aug 25 2011 11:47AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for August 25, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Policy Contacts in Office of As...

112

Aug 18 2011 11:02AM

Two sessions on assessing Essential Skills through work samples will be held next week via WebEx to provide local district staff developers with training and materials to conduct workshops. August 23 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm PDT will provide partic...

113

Aug 11 2011 9:08AM

TO: Superintendents, Principals, and Testing Coordinators RE: OAKS Writing Assessment Eligibility Summary: Starting this school year, OAKS Writing and OAKS Extended Writing Assessments will be limited to students enrolled in grade 11. ...

114

Aug 10 2011 4:08PM

On Wednesday, August 17, from 1-3 PM, the Oregon Department of Education will be holding a WebEx webinar for Districts, about the new OAKS Online Braille Interface. This interface will be available to blind and visually impaired students beginning in...

115

Aug 10 2011 9:14AM

Overview workshops on assessing the Essential Skills of reading, writing and mathematics are available for local districts to use with a variety of audiences. The workshops, which have been updated for 2011-12, provide basic information on the requir...

116

Jul 28 2011 3:33PM

Writing test scores from the spring writing assessment window are currently available for download and editing in Student Centered Staging. Be sure to resolve errors before downloading or reviewing records online so that the data is as accurate as po...

117

Jul 28 2011 3:26PM

ODE will offer a wide array of WebEx training sessions in 2011-12 designed to train school/district personnel to provide professional development on Essential Skills assessments, particularly the use of work samples and scoring guides. Workshops cove...

118

Jul 15 2011 4:39PM

Districts may now access the scores for the Winter 2011 Statewide Writing Assessments submitted for rescoring as part of the appeals process. A team of expert raters have re-scored the papers, and the new scores have been entered into Student Staging...

119

Jun 9 2011 8:24AM

Score sites located in four regions of the state (Portland, Medford, Bend, and LaGrande) are in operation scoring the spring writing assessment administered to high school students in April/May. As papers are scored, the results will be posted in Stu...

120

May 25 2011 3:25PM

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has worked diligently to enhance the OAKS Online testing system for the 2011-12 school year, allowing students who use Braille who previously took the paper-based Braille version of OAKS to access the OAKS Onl...

121

May 19 2011 11:52AM

Student Scores from the winter writing assessment window, whether taken with paper-pencil or online, are now available in OAKS Online Reports and in Student Centered Staging. Reminder: Only the High School writing assessment score may be appeal...

122

May 5 2011 11:17AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for May 5, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: ELPA Scores Available on OAKS Online ELPA...

123

May 3 2011 2:48PM

Districts that administered the paper-based writing assessment must ensure that all completed tests are shipped to AIR for scoring by Monday, May 9, 2011. Tests shipped after this date will not be scored. ODE has posted a checklist to http://www.ode....

124

Apr 28 2011 11:25AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for April 28, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Spring Writing Window Closes April 28 ...

125

Apr 28 2011 11:11AM

WebEx sessions to train local district personnel to deliver workshops on Reading and Writing Essential Skills and Scoring Guides continue through May 12. To view the remaining training topics and dates go to http://www.ode.state.or.us/wma/teachlearn...

126

Apr 28 2011 10:35AM

Both the paper-based and online Spring Writing test windows for high school close on Thursday, April 28, 2011. This deadline also applies to writing tests in Braille. Districts administering the paper-based writing assessment must ensure that a...

127

Apr 21 2011 11:20AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for April 21, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Winter Writing Scores Monthly DTC WebE...

128

Apr 21 2011 9:46AM

Training opportunities in using work samples to demonstrate proficiency in the Essential Skills will end May 12. WebEx sessions in reading, writing and mathematics are being offered until then. To view the schedule for the remaining sessions, click...

129

Apr 21 2011 9:21AM

A small number of writing scores from this year’s first window may still be missing from Student Staging as ODE is reconciling errors in SSIDs. This should be completed within a week. ODE is also re-examining papers that were miscoded as unscorable d...

130

Apr 14 2011 3:20PM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for April 14, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Grade 11 Testing Reminder ODE Telephon...

131

Apr 7 2011 11:45AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for April 7, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: New Web Browsers to be Compatible with O...

132

Apr 6 2011 2:47PM

OAKS Online Writing performance assessments are currently in the process of being posted to Student Centered Staging Application on the ODE district secure website. As the scoring of the writing responses are completed and loaded, additional records ...

133

Apr 6 2011 11:37AM

ODE’s Assessment office is recruiting Oregon educators to serve a three-year term on the Assessment of Essential Skills Review Panel (AESRP). This panel is responsible for advising ODE on practices and procedures for assessing the Essential Skills an...

134

Mar 31 2011 1:35PM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for March 31, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Writing Assessment Data Available in St...

135

Mar 30 2011 3:59PM

Paper-based spring writing tests for high school will be delivered to districts between Monday, April 4 and Wednesday, April 6, 2011. The testing window will open on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 and close on Thursday, April 28, 2011. For districts ...

136

Mar 17 2011 9:40AM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for March 17, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: ELPA January 2011 Test Scores Posted O...

137

Mar 16 2011 12:55PM

OAKS testing will be available on Friday, March 18. This includes a one-day extension to the winter Online Writing test window for Grade 7 and high school. The updated test schedule is posted at http://www.ode.state.or.us/wma/teachlearn/testing/sched...

138

Mar 10 2011 2:32PM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for March 10, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: OAKS Online System Improved Winter Online Writ...

139

Mar 9 2011 11:26AM

The winter Online Writing test window for grades 7 and high school closes on Friday, March 18, 2011. Students taking the online writing test this winter must submit their tests for scoring by the end of the day on March 18. Any online writing tests t...

140

Mar 9 2011 11:22AM

The order window for the spring paper-based writing test closes on Monday, March 21, 2011. Districts will have through the end of the day on March 21 to order spring paper-based writing tests through TIDE. Instructions for ordering tests are availabl...

141

Mar 3 2011 3:40PM

The Assessment & Accountability Update for March 3, 2011 is now available. You can access this and past issues of the Assessment & Accountability Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Smarter Assessment WebEx Available to Vi...

142

Mar 2 2011 3:02PM

The Winter Writing Assessment window for paper-based tests closed on March 1. Districts must ship all completed tests for scoring no later than Wednesday, March 9, 2011. In preparing completed tests for return shipment, District Test Coordinator...

143

Feb 24 2011 9:05AM

The Grade 7 and High School Online Writing test window is open through Thursday, March 17, 2011. This date does not apply to paper-pencil writing tests. Contact(s) for this Announcement Regional Assessment Support Partners

144

Feb 23 2011 4:10PM

District personnel responsible for delivering staff development on assessing the Essential Skills are invited to attend WebEx training sessions. Each session will provide participants with materials and strategies to deliver effective staff developme...

145

Feb 23 2011 3:50PM

Starting with the 2011 Winter Writing Window, all Oregon Statewide Assessments will be scanned into a central scoring system and electronically distributed to Oregon raters for scoring. To ensure readable scanned images, AIR staff continuously monito...

146

Feb 23 2011 3:40PM

The paper-based Winter Writing test window for grades 4, 7, and high school ends Tuesday, March 1, 2011. All completed tests must be returned by Wednesday, March 9, 2011 for scoring. Districts that complete testing early should use the 4-day UPS...

147

Feb 23 2011 3:33PM

The order window for Spring pre-coded High School Writing ends Monday, March 21, 2011. School districts may upload pre-code files into the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) using the 2009-2010 .CSV pre-code file format (170 data elemen...

148

Feb 16 2011 12:35PM

Additional WebEx training sessions have been scheduled for those who were unable to attend previous sessions. These WebEx sessions are intended to train district or regional staff to deliver high-quality in-person training to teachers and other educa...

149

Feb 10 2011 12:10PM

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for February 10, 2011. You can access this and past issues of the A & A Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: 2010-11 Student Enrollment Numbers Released Introduction to SMARTER Asses...

150

Feb 10 2011 12:06PM

Two new Essential Skill of Writing workshops are available: The Essential Skill of Writing: an Introduction for Content Area Teachers (90 minutes to 2 hours) The Essential Skill of Writing: a Refresher for English Language Arts Teachers (2 - 3 ...

151

Feb 4 2011 1:05PM

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for February 4, 2011. You can access this and past issues of the A & A Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Reading Achievement Standards Update Spelling Resources for Educators ELPA...

152

Feb 4 2011 12:13PM

When administering the Online Writing test over multiple days, it is important that students remember to pause their test at the end of each session and not to submit their test for scoring until they have completed the test. To help prevent stu...

153

Jan 26 2011 11:55AM

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for January 26, 2011. You can access this and past issues of the A & A Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: SMARTER Receives $15.8 Million Supplemental Budget Reading Achievement Stan...

154

Jan 26 2011 11:34AM

The Winter Writing test window for grades 4, 7, and high school opened on January 12. Districts will have through Tuesday, March 1, 2011 to complete testing. All completed tests must be shipped for scoring by Wednesday, March 9, 2011. As distric...

155

Jan 26 2011 11:24AM

Starting Thursday, January 27, 2011 districts may order pre-coded High School writing tests using the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) in OAKS Online. The order window for Spring Writing will run through Monday, March 21, 2011. Starti...

156

Jan 13 2011 1:57PM

The paper-based winter writing testing window opened on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 and will close on Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Districts have received a Test Coordinator kit from the American Institutes for Research (AIR) containing 4-day UPS Ret...

157

Jan 6 2011 1:39PM

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for January 6, 2011. You can access this and past issues of the A & A Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Numbered Memo Released for Math Standards Class Size Data Collection Opens ...

158

Jan 6 2011 11:12AM

Paper-based winter writing tests for grades 4, 7, and high school will be delivered to districts on either Friday, January 7, 2011 or by 10:30am on Monday, January, 10, 2010. The testing window will open on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 and close on Mo...

159

Dec 2 2010 10:31AM

The order window for the paper-based Winter Writing assessment is currently open. Districts will have through Monday, December 13 at 11:59 pm PDT to order paper-based writing assessments for students in Grades 4, 7, and high school using TIDE. F...

160

Nov 10 2010 12:30PM

New for 2010-11, ODE now allows students in Grade 7 and high school to use a spell check feature that identifies multiple spelling errors throughout a document rather than at the individual word level as an allowable resource when taking the Sta...

161

Oct 28 2010 4:59PM

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for October 28, 2010. You can access this and past issues of the A & A Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Math Achievement Standards Approved 2010-11 Test Records in Staging Readin...

162

Oct 28 2010 4:44PM

The order window for the paper-based Winter Writing Assessment opened Thursday, October 21. Districts will have through Monday, December 13 at 11:59 pm PDT, to order paper-based writing assessments for students in Grades 4, 7, and high school using t...

163

Oct 28 2010 2:47PM

As announced at the August 5, 2010 Data Collection meeting, new for 2010-11, districts will no longer order writing tests using the ODE data collection website. Instead, districts must order precoded writing tests using the Test Information Distribut...

164

Oct 21 2010 11:04AM

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for October 21, 2010. You can access this and past issues of the A & A Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Math Problem Solving Scoring Guide Volunteers Needed 2010-11 Test Records in ...

165

Oct 21 2010 10:32AM

To order Braille tests for the 2010-11 Writing and Multiple Choice Assessments, please use the Braille Order Form at http://www.ode.state.or.us/wma/teachlearn/testing/admin/braille-order-form-2010-11.doc . Vision specialists should communicate with t...

166

Oct 14 2010 2:38PM

Thanks to all the schools that have agreed to participate in our Fall Writing Field Test. We have filled our available slots and no further applications will be reviewed.

167

Sep 29 2010 2:42PM

The editing window for 2009-2010 Science, Writing, Social Sciences, and ELPA records will close on September 30, 2010 at 11:59 PM. All 2009-2010 test records will be read-only after September 30.

168

Sep 23 2010 10:15AM

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for September 23, 2010. You can access this and past issues of the A & A Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Back to School Resources for Diploma Implementation OAKS Practice Tests ...

169

Sep 22 2010 9:21AM

Registration is currently open for those interested in participating in a fall field test of writing prompts. ODE is seeking students in Grades 5, 8, 10, 11, and 12 to complete essays on prompts under development for future writing assessments. Schoo...

170

Sep 8 2010 1:53PM

Background: In 2008-09, ODE administered an operational pilot of Online Writing for high school students through the OAKS Online testing system. In 2009-10, ODE offered Online Writing as an option for all high school students and administered an o...

171

Sep 2 2010 10:58AM

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for September 1, 2010. You can access this and past issues of the A & A Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: September DTC WebEx Rescheduled Online Writing Assessment Features Spell Ch...

172

Sep 2 2010 10:39AM

Beginning this year, a spell check option will be available as part of ODE's online writing assessment software. Earlier this summer, ODE staff met with school district representatives for an in-depth discussion about the pro's and con's of enabling...

173

Aug 25 2010 5:13PM

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for August 25, 2010. You can access this and past issues of the A & A Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Final AYP Release To Be Delayed New Ordering Process for Paper-Based Writin...

174

Jul 22 2010 3:21PM

Writing test scores from the spring paper-pencil window are currently available for download and editing in Student Centered Staging. Be sure to resolve errors before downloading or reviewing records online so that the data is as accurate as possible...

175

Jul 7 2010 2:50PM

OAKS Online Writing records are currently available for download and editing in Student Centered Staging. District Test Coordinators who wish to view or download records for students who took an OAKS Online Writing Assessment in 2009-10 may select...

176

Jul 7 2010 2:47PM

Winter Writing Appeals 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. ...

177

Jul 1 2010 1:06PM

The testing schedule for the 2010-11 school year has been posted at: http://www.ode.state.or.us/wma/teachlearn/testing/schedules/testschd_1011_final.pdf Students in grades 3-8 and high school are required to be tested at eligible grades in th...

178

May 12 2010 3:57PM

Paper-pencil writing test scores from the winter window are currently available for download and editing in Student Centered Staging. Be sure to resolve errors before downloading or reviewing records online so that the data is as accurate as possi...

179

May 5 2010 1:45PM

The majority of Online Winter Writing test records are now available in Student Centered Staging. Paper-pencil Winter Writing test records will be available starting Friday, May 7. Writing records downloaded from Staging will reflect 3 perf...

180

May 5 2010 1:42PM

Districts which administered the paper-pencil version of the Spring Writing Assessment must ship all completed tests for scoring and securely destroy all unused writing testing materials by Monday, May 10. Contact(s) for this Announcement Regio...

181

Apr 28 2010 2:02PM

The test window for the Spring High School Writing Performance Assessment (both Online and paper-pencil) closes this Friday, April 30. Districts administering the paper-pencil version of the Writing Assessment must ship all completed tests fo...

182

Apr 20 2010 3:33PM

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for April 20, 2010. You can access this and past issues of the AA Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Third Period Cumulative ADM Third Period Cumulative ADM WebEx WebEx Meetings with ...

183

Apr 20 2010 3:17PM

The test window for the Spring High School Writing Performance Assessment (both Online and paper-pencil) closes next Friday, April 30. Districts administering the paper-pencil version of the Writing Assessment must ship all completed tests for sco...

184

Apr 7 2010 4:16PM

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for April 7, 2010. You can access this and past issues of the AA Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: OAKS Paper/Pencil Test Window Closes This Friday Cohort Graduation Rate WebEx Remin...

185

Apr 7 2010 3:52PM

The first batch of Online Writing test scores is currently available for download and editing in Student Centered Staging on the secure district website. Districts may print reports of these records from the Secure Assessment Reports application...

186

Apr 7 2010 3:43PM

The test window for the spring High School Writing Performance Assessment opens next Monday, April 12. This testing window is for high school students who did not participate in Winter Writing. Please remember to review Part IV – Test ...

187

Apr 7 2010 3:39PM

As we transition from the old CIM model to our new Essential Skills requirements, we occasionally come across old language that is no longer relevant or applicable to our current system. We were recently alerted to several instances of language relat...

188

Mar 31 2010 4:07PM

High school students who start the online writing test after spring break will have until April 30 to complete it. For more information on Online Writing, please see the 2009-10 Test Administration Manual.

189

Mar 31 2010 3:35PM

The test window for the spring High School Writing Performance Assessment opens on Monday, April 12. Districts who ordered Spring Writing materials will receive test materials starting on Monday, April 5. Please remember to review Part I...

190

Mar 29 2010 4:45PM

This is the Assessment & Accountability Winter Wrap Up Update for March 29, 2010. Welcome back from Spring Break! To help you prepare for the last few months of the school year, we have compiled information on a range of issues addressed in As...

191

Mar 17 2010 2:14PM

Over Spring Break, AIR will switch the prompts available for the High School Online Writing test. Starting on Monday, March 29, 2010, new prompts will appear, and the current prompts will no longer be available. While schools may continue testin...

192

Mar 10 2010 2:35PM

All students who have started a high school online writing test must complete that test by March 18. Prompts will be switched out over spring break and tests started before the break will no longer be available when school resumes. Stu...

193

Mar 4 2010 4:24PM

The deadline for shipping paper-and-pencil Winter Writing Assessments to scoring sites is March 8. Winter Writing Assessments not shipped by this date will be counted as nonparticipants in assessment and accountability reports. Reminder: As prev...

194

Feb 25 2010 2:51PM

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for February 25, 2010. You can access this and past issues of the AA Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Assessment of Essential Skills Toolkit Ready for District and School Use Winter ...

195

Feb 25 2010 2:32PM

ODE and AIR have identified an issue with the undo/redo buttons on the Online Writing Test and, due to concerns about the potential impact on students, AIR will disable these buttons pending further investigation. These buttons have been functioning ...

196

Feb 25 2010 2:28PM

The test window for the Winter Writing Performance Assessment closes this Friday, February 26. By February 26, all students at Grades 4, 7, and High School taking the paper/pencil version of the Writing Assessment must complete testing. Contact(s)...

197

Feb 25 2010 2:25PM

Students taking the High School Online Writing Assessment may continue testing through April 30. Please note: high school students who have begun online writing tests prior to spring break, must complete those tests by March 18. High school online wr...

198

Feb 19 2010 8:27AM

This is the Assessment & Accountability Update for February 19, 2010. You can access this and past issues of the AA Update on the ODE website. In This Issue: Winter Writing Test Window Closes February 26 Math Read-Aloud Training Materials...

199

Feb 19 2010 8:18AM

The test window for the Winter Writing Performance Assessment closes next Friday, February 26. By February 26, all students at Grades 4, 7, and High School taking the paper/pencil version of the Writing Assessment must complete testing. ...

200

Feb 19 2010 8:05AM

One of the benefits of online writing is that students will receive their scores more quickly than those taking paper-and-pencil writing tests. ODE’s goal going forward is that students taking online writing should generally be able to access sc...