Maine Department of Education Monthly Assessment Update
Spring 2021 Assessment Administration
In a letter received from the U.S. Department of Education (Department) from Secretary DeVos dated September 3, 2020, the Secretary shared with state chiefs, it is the Departments, “expectation that states will, in the interest of students, administer summative assessments during the 2020-2021 school year, consistent with the requirements of the law and following the guidance of local health officials. As a result, you (States) should not anticipate such waivers being granted again.” As you may be aware, on August 11, 2020, the Maine DOE released a request for public comment through the Maine DOE newsroom regarding the waiving of requirements related to assessment, chronic absenteeism, accountability identifications and accountability components within Maine’s Model of School Support.
As a Department, we will continue to seek flexibilities and look for opportunities to revolutionize our assessment system to best inform instruction and support student learning. In the meantime, however, as messaged in September’s monthly assessment update, the assessment team will also continue to simultaneously plan for implementation of summative assessments, should a waiver not be approved by the U.S. Department of Education. We will of course continue to keep you updated as more information is received.
Independent District/School Administration of Fall SAT
As a reminder for any high schools who opt to administer the 2020 SAT to graduating cohort 2021 students that was cancelled this past April, districts are doing so independently – weekend and/or school day administrations. These fall SAT dates are not required nor used for any state participation or accountability. The College Board identified dates are:
* Wednesday 10/14/20 (also PSAT day)
*Tuesday 10/27/20 Make Up
*If schools need to use the October 27th SAT School Day Make Up administration as the primary test day, College Board asks that you follow the following steps.
New General Science Assessment
The Department recently concluded a Request for Proposals (RFP) resulting in the conditional award of a science contract to New Meridian. We are in the process of contract development and will share additional information when it becomes available.
The Science Alternate Assessment (SAA) will continue to be administered by Cognia. More to come on the spring 2021 administration soon!
Shifting the Culture of Assessment
Over the summer months, the team has been working hard with the help of an intern to develop information and infographics to support understanding about Maine’s summative assessments, their purpose and how educators utilize provided data. With this in mind, you’ll notice that the assessment team is removing “test” terminology and replacing it with the term “assessment.” This change in terminology reflects the intent of an assessment – to assess where a student is performing in relation to state expectations at a single point in time. Over the coming months, you will see changes in this language in the Departments Test Administration Manuals (TAM) now the Assessment Administration Manual, Test Security Handbook (TAS) now the Assessment Security Handbook, Test Security Agreements (TSA) now Assessment Security Agreements and other documents. You will not see changes related to language within the assessment platforms at this time. This is a more long-term project and will be implemented gradually.
AP Communications Toolkit
The College Board has released an AP Communications Kit for Districts. The kits allow for personalization and contain ready-made communications to share AP updates and supports with your school community. The new communications kit also includes email templates to parents and staff, social media and website posts, graphics, and more.
To download the kit, visit: apcentral.collegeboard.org/pptx/districts-communications-kit-ap-2020-21.pptx
WIDA ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs
There are several recent updates to the ACCESS for ELLs resources, via the WIDA portal, including:
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The ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs Materials Ordering Window for your state will take place Monday, October 12, 2020 through Wednesday, November 11, 2020. If you are administering the ACCESS or Alternate ACCESS test, you must place a materials order regardless of testing mode (online or paper). Please be advised that if you do not order tests for your school or district during this timeframe, you WILL NOT receive any materials in the initial materials shipment.
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The State Specific Page for Maine on the WIDA website, including our 2020-2021 assessment dates and information about ELL Placement and Identification.
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A toolkit of updated Parent and Family resources.
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The WIDA e-summit takes place from October 12th - 30th. Week 3 sessions will focus on the ACCESS suite of assessments as well as the different screener tools. More information here.
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Information and resources on test demos, test practice, and sample items for ACCESS Online and ACCESS Paper for grades 1-12 have been moved to a dedicated webpage for ACCESS Test Practice and Sample Items. In addition to the existing test demo, test practice, and sample items for ACCESS Online, test administrators can find a new guide on how to use these resources to prepare students for testing. Educators who will administer ACCESS for ELLs Paper for grades 1-12 this year can find an expanded selection of sample items, as well as a guide on using the sample items with students.
2020-21 ACCESS Technology Webinars for Technology Coordinators
Join DRC and WIDA for the following free Q&A webinars focused on technology coming up in October and November:
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Software Updates & Technology Readiness Checklist Tuesday, October 6 1:00pm-2:00pm CT
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Technology Installations Thursday, October 8 1:00pm-2:30pm CT
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Technology Coordinator Support for Test Administrators Tuesday, November 10 1:00pm-2:00pm CT
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More information and login details can be found on the WIDA Q&A Webinar Calendar in the Secure Portal, or on the Q&A Webinar Schedule for Technology Coordinators in WIDA AMS.
Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA)
The new and improved MSAA website is up and running – and soliciting feedback! The goal of the website is to serve as an information/resource center for educators and families. Please feel free to send your thoughts, feedback and questions to alternate assessment coordinator Jodi Bossio-Smith at jodi.bossio-smith@maine.gov.
Alternate Assessment Participation Webinar & Office Hours
Many thanks to those of you who joined virtually for office hours as well as the alternate assessment participation webinar this past month. Based on your feedback, future sessions are being planned and will be shared via the alternate listserv communications.
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Spring 2021
On August 26, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) informed Maine DOE of plans to proceed with a reduced administration of the congressionally mandated NAEP assessments of mathematics and reading at grades 4 and 8 during the 2020-2021 school year. The new sample contains of approximately 40 % of the number of districts and 50% of the number of schools as the NAEP 2019 sample. The NAEP 2021 assessment window has been extended and will occur between January 25 and March 19, 2021. Administration will take place in sampled schools which are providing on-site instruction to students. NAEP will ask school coordinators to forward an online survey questionnaire to all students who are participating only in distance learning. Since it is unclear whether students will be attending school in-person between January and March, NCES requests that selected districts and schools begin planning for NAEP as if it will occur. Districts and schools selected for participation in the NAEP 2021 should expect to be notified in the very near future. Please monitor your email for this communication.
The Maine Department of Education appreciates the commitment of Maine schools to fully participate in NAEP as an important step towards achieving our goals to provide quality education and growth for all students, including those with students receiving services and/or accommodations. The U.S. Department of Education encourages schools to provide data and participate to the degree possible under the circumstances of the pandemic.
Upcoming Data Deadlines
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Alternate Assessment Participation Enrollment should continue to be entered on a continual basis as initial and annual IEP meetings/decisions occur. This data is pulled from Synergy October 30, 2020.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for Schools
Department and Commissioner updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic are available for schools. Please also note a resource page for families contains updates materials and resources.
Professional Learning Opportunities
The new Maine DOE professional learning calendar is now available on the Maine DOE website. There are many opportunities for professional learning available to Maine educators. The new calendar has increased functionality including a search feature.
General Reminders
Just a friendly for the beginning of a new school year - please ensure all District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) contacts and other contacts are current in NEO. In this time of uncertainty and adaptation, it is imperative that all contacts be accurate and up to date. This will provide Maine DOE personnel the ability to contact the appropriate person in order to share applicable and important information in a timely manner. Such roles are listed in the DOE NEO Dashboard SuperSearch, which requires no login credentials. If a DAC needs to be updated/changed, follow the steps outlined here (login credentials required).
Teachers, district test coordinators may sign up to receive Assessment Listserv notices for general assessments and for the Alternate Assessment Listserv. For those looking for notifications regarding the ACCESS / Alternate ACCESS for ELLs, please subscribe to the ESL Communication list. Please use the following links to subscribe:
General Assessment (MEA) Listserv https://mailman.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/mea
Alternate Assessment Listserv https://mailman.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/alternateassessments
WIDA/ACCESS English Learner Listserv https://mailman.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/esl.communication
Comments or Suggestions?
Please email Janette Kirk with any comments, questions or suggestions regarding the monthly assessment update. We welcome feedback that helps us to support and clarify our work together.
Assessment Team Contact Information
Interim Assessment Team Leader
Janette Kirk – 624-6707
Assessment Coordinator (eMPowerME, SAT, Science)
Nancy Godfrey – 624-6775
National & International Assessment Coordinator (NAEP, PISA, PIRLS, TIMSS)
Dr. Regina Lewis – 624-6715
Alternate Assessment Coordinator (MSAA, SAA) & WIDA Coordinator (ACCESS for ELs, Alternate ACCESS for ELs)
Jodi Bossio-Smith – 624-6774
Assessment Team Management Analyst
Cheryl Brackett, 446-3019