West Irondequoit Central School District

Board of Education Community ForumFebruary 1, 2016

Test Refusals, NYS Common Core Standards & APPR:

A Community Discussion

Assessment-Philosophies and Principles

“We believe in EVERY

child.”

Assessment in NYS….A Historical Context

• 1930s+, NYS Regents Exams, Grades 9-12

• 2000, NCLB led to Math and ELA assessments, Grades 3-8

• 2012-2013, Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR)

Plans tie NYS Assessments (3-8, Regents and others) directly

to Teacher Evaluation

• 2013, Grades 3-8 Assessments shifted to NYS Common Core

Learning Standards in Mathematics & ELA

How are Assessments used in WI?

How are Assessments used in WI? K-6 Assessment Tools

ELA

• AIMSWEB • Reading Fluency

• Reading Comprehension

• Baseline Assessments

• Fresh Reads for Comprehension

• Unit / Weekly Assessments

• Word Study

• 3-6 NYS CC ELA Assessments

Mathematics

• iReady• Diagnostic (x3/year)

• Unit/Weekly Assessments

• Math Inventory (Beginning and End of Year)

• Quick Quizzes

• Fluency Checks

• 3-6 NYS CC Math Assessments

How are Assessments used in WI? 7-8 Assessment Tools

ELA

• iReady Diagnostic (x3/yr.)

• Unit Assessments

• Checkpoint Assessments

• Performances of Understanding (Writing Pieces/Projects, etc.)

• Word Study

• Grades 7-8 NYS CC ELA Assessments

Mathematics

• iReady Diagnostic (x3/yr.)

• Chapter/Unit Assessments

• Checkpoint Assessments

• Performances of Understanding (Projects, etc.)

• Grades 7-8 NYS CC Math Assessments

2015 Test Refusal Data

English Language Arts

# of Refusals Total Enrollment %Grade 3 91 256 35.55%Grade 4 79 261 30.27%Grade 5 105 262 40.08%Grade 6 117 258 45.35%Grade 7 143 285 50.18%Grade 8 165 296 55.74%

Mathematics

# of Refusals Total Enrollment %Grade 3 96 256 37.50%Grade 4 79 261 30.27%Grade 5 111 262 42.37%Grade 6 114 258 44.19%Grade 7 159 285 55.79%Grade 8 184 296 62.16%

Use of NYS Assessments-NYS Report Card (data.nysed.gov)

Use of NYS Assessments-NYS Report Card

Impact Points….

Title Funding & Participation Rate: What we know…

“Under the new federal education reform bill that was signed into law this past December, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), states are allowed to create their own testing opt-out laws, but still have to meet the federal requirement for 95 percent participation in tests.”

NYS Common Core Task Force Recommendations-Framing where are we now…

Significantly Reduce Testing Time and Preparation and Ensure Tests Fit Curriculum and Standards:

• Provide ongoing transparency to parents, educators, and local districts on the quality and content of all tests, including, but not limited to publishing the test questions.

• Reduce the number of days and shorten the duration for standards-aligned State standardized tests.

• Provide teachers with the flexibility and support to use authentic formative assessments to measure student learning.

• Undertake a formal review to determine whether to transition to untimed tests for existing and new State standardized tests aligned to the standards.

• Provide flexibility for assessments of Students with Disabilities.

• Prevent students from being mandated into Academic Intervention Services based on a single test.

NYS Common Core Task Force Recommendations-Framing where are we now…

Recommendation #21 from the NYS Common Core Task Force…..

“Until the new system is fully phased in, the results from assessments aligned to the current Common Core Standards, as well as the updated standards,

shall only be advisory and not be used to evaluate the performance of individual teachers

or students.”

Assessment ProvidersWhere we were in December…

2016 – Last Year of Pearson Produced Assessments, 3-8; Small Pilot opportunity for

Questar CBT, Spring 2016

2017 – First Year of Questar Produced Assessments, 3-8, including options for

Computer Based Testing (CBT)

2016 3-8 AssessmentsWhere we are now… based on the most recent NYSED Memo 1/27/16…

• Tests will be “untimed.”

• The assessments have been shortened.

• Questar, the new assessment provider, will be playing a larger role in the development of this year’s assessments. • Teacher committees were convened to select

assessment questions.• Test forms and test guides will be produced by

Questar, not Pearson.

• 3-8 Assessments will not be used as an evaluative tool for principals & teachers for the next 4 years.

Please Don’t Hesitate to Reach Out….

Mrs. Christina Miga

K-6 Director of Instruction

(585)336-2984

Christina_Miga@Westiron.Monroe.edu

Mrs. Karen Finter

7-12 Director of Instruction

(585)336-2986

Karen_Finter@Westiron.Monroe.edu

Next Steps…..

• Review of Pertinent Information

• Small Group Discussions

• Wrap-Up