Statewide Enrollment Capture Dates for 19-20 Administration
The Maine DOE data and assessment teams would like to remind all district enrollment personnel that the assessment student eligibility & enrollment (eMPowerME Math & ELA/Literacy, high school SAT, MSAA Alternate Math & ELA/Literacy, Science Alternate Assessment (SAA), and MEA Science) reports should be reviewed for accuracy and completeness. State-wide enrollment will be captured and uploaded into the respective assessments for spring 2020 administration. It is critical that enrollments are current and complete in Synergy to ensure the assessment student eligibility and enrollment report in NEO is correct and accurate. These reports can be found in NEO under Student Data/Student Reports. The alternate flag is located in the Special Services tab in Synergy.
Please ensure all updates are reflected in Student Information Systems (SIS) and pushed to Synergy State Edition on or before the following deadlines.
You will notice there is no capture date indicated below for the eMPowerME assessment. Enrollment changes will be addressed through the daily change files which begin on 2/6/20 and will run through 4/20/20. Please ensure all student enrollment is continuously updated, where applicable in the district SIS.
1/9/20 - MSAA and SAA upload of student enrollment data, via Synergy State Edition alternate flags in the Special Ed Student Services page, will occur at the end of business day. Students not flagged as alternate assessment students by 1/9/20 will be registered as general assessment students and will participate in the eMPowerME or SAT assessments.
1/27/20 - MEA Science upload of student enrollment data for test pre-ID labels via Synergy/NEO reports. Please have your 3rd year students updated in your SIS prior to 1/27 and data pushed to Synergy State Edition. Any students who move into your district/school after 1/27 will not receive pre-ID labels and will need to pencil/bubble in their information on the answer sheet cover pages.
2/7/20 - SAT bulk registration enrollment data for test pre-ID labels via Synergy/NEO reports. Please have your high school students updated in your SIS prior to 2/7 and data pushed to Synergy State Edition. Any students who move into your district/school after 2/7 will not receive pre-ID labels and will need to pencil/bubble in their information on the answer sheet cover pages.
As a reminder, all updates must be made in Synergy to be reflected in NEO. Questions, comments or concerns in regard to accessing the NEO student enrollment reports should be directed to the MEDMS help desk at MEDMS.Helpdesk@Maine.gov or (207) 624-6896.
PAAP changes to Science Alternate Assessment (SAA)
Maine is beginning to prepare for the new Science Alternate Assessment. The testing window for this paper-based field test is April 6, 2020 through May 22, 2020. This new assessment will transition to an on-line Science Alternate Assessment in spring 2021 within the MSAA platform. The new Expanded Performance Expectations are now available.
Multi-State Alternate Assessment and Science Alternate Assessment (SAA) Updates:
Professional learning will be provided during the following dates and times:
March 3 – Abromson Center at USM, Portland (session will be recorded)
March 4 – Black Bear Inn in Orono.
Registration links will be available within the February assessment monthly update, found here: https://www.maine.gov/doe/Testing_Accountability/MECAS
We recognize the early March workshops are close to the assessment administration windows. The provision of additional time was necessary to ensure the assessment administration and user guide materials for the new science assessment are complete and available.
The morning sessions at each of the training locations will provide information related to the Science Alternate Assessment (SAA) with 100 seats available for teachers.
The afternoon sessions at each of the training locations provide information related to the MSAA with 60 seats available. Those that have administered the assessment in prior years need not attend. MSAA training modules will be available in the MSAA system March 2.
Please note the testing dates related to each of the assessments:
MSAA assessment window March 16 – May 1
SAA assessment window April 6 – May 22
Filter Management Guide within MAARS:
As shared during the November MAARS training, and based on participant feedback, the Filter management option has been added to the portal. This can be located in the left navigation bar within the portal. 
Once this is selected, the user will be able to use the following:
MAARS Filter Group Template: opens an excel document which can be manipulated to add additional filter groups within MAARS.
Upload Filter groups: upload additional filter groups to the system using the MAARS Filter Group Template
Download Filter Groups: Download a copy of current filter groups within MAARS.
In order to view student data according to filter groups, drag a column header into the blue box. The data field below will populate with the applicable data.
Materials for Families: Cut Score/ISR Template
A template letter is available within the Communication Toolbox explaining the recent issues related to the overlapping cut score achievement levels contained on the downloaded and printed ISRs that may have been provided to parents. This notice and template letter has also been provided directly to all Superintendents.
Upload of ISR to School Messenger
Many districts have shared an interest in sending ISRs electronically. The Department is excited to provide instructions regarding how School Messenger can be utilized to provide ISRs electronically to families. The instructions are located within the Communication Toolbox on the assessment webpages.
ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs – Test Administration Opens
January 6, 2020
Test materials were delivered on Thursday, December 19, 2019. Please check your district overage of materials before utilizing the Additional Materials Ordering Window available Thursday, December 19, 2019 through Friday, February 21, 2020. Initial test materials will be shipped to the address that is listed in WIDA AMS under Materials > Material Ordering.
Both Test Administrators (TAs) and Test Coordinators (TCs) are reminded to sign the appropriate Test Security Agreement documents found in the Additional Materials section here: https://www.maine.gov/doe/Testing_Accountability/MECAS/materials/access
Family ISR webinar
The assessment team has provided a webinar to share with families to assist with understanding the ISRs. This on demand recording is located within the Communication Toolbox on the Assessment Supports & Resources page.
Public Release of Data
All reported data will be available for public release via the ESEA Data Dashboard (formerly report cards) on January 20, 2020. Districts have password protected access to review the ESEA Data Dashboard beginning December 19, 2019. This password protection will expire on Monday January 20, 2020. Superintendents and DACs received an email with the password included.
The ESEA Data Dashboard includes all data elements required under ESSA (student and student behavior, finance, staff, academic - disaggregated by student group where applicable) and information related to a schools eligibility of support within Maine’s Model of School Support.
NAEP 2019
The NAEP 2019 results are available on the Nation’s Report card website at https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/.
Information and on demand training on the NAEP resources are being created and posted to the Supports and Resources page, under the National/International accordion.
Program for International Student (PISA) 2020 Field Test
Districts and schools selected as a part of the initial sample were notified in December and early January. Instructions for creating a school account and registering in the MyPISA platform were included in the school notification letter. Principals should place the assessment date on the school calendar, create an account, and designate a school coordinator. School Coordinators should register in the PIRLS platform as soon as possible.
Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2020
Selected districts and schools selected were notified in November. Please place the date of the assessment on the school calendar. Instructions for creating a school account and registering in the MyPIRLS platform were sent in December. Accounts should have been created and school coordinators should be designated within the MyPIRLS platform. School Coordinators should register in the PIRLS platform as soon as possible.
General Reminders
Please ensure all DAC contacts are current in NEO. 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 view the 2019/20 Assessment Administration Calendar for assessment administration dates.
Changes to SAT Test Administration
As part of the annual SAT planning meeting between the Department, Cognia and the College Board, the following updates regarding SAT school day administration for 2020 were shared:
Seating requirements have changed.
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The minimum distance between students has been reduced from 4 feet to 3 feet, measured from center of desk. This change will allow for 2 students to be seated at a table that is 6 feet or longer.
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Required staff-to-student ratios have been changed for accommodated rooms (excluding 1:1 testing)
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The ratio is now 1 staff member per 20 students (instead of 1 to 10).
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Coordinator on demand training is available. The Accommodations Training is available now and Implementation of the Maine SAT School Day training will be available soon.
Professional Development & Training
As a result of feedback from school and district staff and to support educators in their schedule planning, the assessment team will be providing in each monthly update, a schedule of upcoming professional development. Registration links will be made available here as well as the Professional Development calendar.
|
Dates |
Delivery Method |
Training |
Location |
|
February 12, 2020 |
In-person |
eMPowerME & SAT Test Administration |
Black Bear Inn, Orono |
|
February 13, 2020 |
In-Person |
eMPowerME & SAT Test Administration |
Abromson Center, USM Portland |
|
March 3, 2020 |
In-person |
Science Alt. Assessment (SAA) & MSAA |
Abromson Center, USM, Portland |
|
March 4, 2020 |
In-person |
Science Alt. Assessment (SAA) & MSAA |
Black Bear Inn, Orono |
Registration links for MSAA and SAA Training will be active beginning January 24, 2020.
Web updates
To keep administrators up to date on the new assessment team content for the 2019-2020 administration, we will be including a brief list of updated forms, modules, training, and manuals in these monthly updates for your convenience. Here are the most recent updates to the assessment team pages:
Maine Participation Guidance (Alternate assessments)
MAARS Workshop recording: COMING SOON
Test Administration Materials and Manuals
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
Alternate Assessment/WIDA Coordinator (MSSA, SAA, ACCESS for ELs, Alternate ACCESS for ELs)
Vacant - 624-6774 (Telephone messages will be checked periodically)
National & International Assessment Coordinator (NAEP, PISA, PIRLS, TIMSS)
Dr. Regina Lewis – 624-6715