March 2020

Public Release of Data  

In response to district and school leadership requests regarding the disaggregation of Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) data, the Maine Student Performance on State Assessments dashboard is now available for public access.  This dashboard contains all MEA results disaggregated by grade and student population.  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.  

Maine Student Performance on State Assessments dashboard

ESEA Data Dashboard

Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) and Science Alternate Assessment (SAA) Training :  

The registration window to for the upcoming professional learning is fast approaching. Training will be provided:  

March 3 – Abromson Center at USM, Portland (session will be recorded) Click here to register. 

March 4 – Black Bear Inn in Orono. Click here to register. 

Please note that all students must be identified with an Alternate Flag under Special Ed. Student Services in Synergy by March 9, 2020.  DACs should communicate with Data Specialists (where applicable) to ensure they are aware that student enrollment records  must be updated by March 9th.  

MSAA System: 

Users will have access to the MSAA System on March 2nd and will be able to access the mandatory training modules.   TAs and TCs are reminded to check student lists and contact the Department for necessary changes. 

Science Alternate Assessment (SAA) Update 

The Test Administration Manual will be available electronically March 2nd. 

Testing Materials for students in grades 5, 8, and third year high school will arrive at schools March 23rd. 

ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs – Assessment Administration Closed February 28, 2020  

The WIDA ACCESS for ELs assessment closed February 28th.  Tests that have a status of In Progress or Completed at the close of your testing window will be included in final scoring and reporting. Tests that have a status of Not Started will not be included. 

The deadline for UPS pickup of ALL secure test materials for return to DRC is Friday, March 6, 2020.   Remember, if you do not have daily UPS pickup, you must call UPS to schedule the day before you need the pickup.    

Program for International Student (PISA) 2020 Field Test  

Principals and School Coordinators of sample schools should continue to complete the activities in MyPISA platform as necessary.  A list of enrolled students will need to be provided shortly.  The PISA Help Desk is available to assist School Coordinators and Principals with this task.   

Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2020 

Principals and School Coordinators should continue to complete the associated activities as necessary.  The PIRLS Help Desk is available to assist School Coordinators and Principals with this task.   

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2021 

NAEP 2021 activities will begin soon.  Please update and/or verify all contact information in NEO.  Sampled districts and schools should receive notification of selection and the date of assessment administration prior to the summer break.   

Upcoming Assessment Windows for March 

Please view the 2019/20 Assessment Administration Calendar for assessment administration dates.  

Please note, the MEA assessment letter for parents will be posted to the Maine DOE Assessment pages the week of March 2, 2020.  

Assessment Title	Administration Dates	Administration Window	Method of Delivery	Intended for
PIRLS	3/1/20 - 4/15/20	7- weeks	Online	Grade 4 students at schools in sample
eMPowerME - Mathematics & ELA/Literacy	3/16/20 - 4/10/20	4-weeks	Online	Students in grades 3-8
MSAA - Alternate Mathematics & ELA/Literacy	3/16/20 - 5/1/20	6-weeks	Online	Students with significant cognitive disabilities; Grades 3-8, third year HS
PISA	3/16/20 - 4/24/20	5-weeks	Online	15 year olds (students born in 2004) at sampled schools
Science - High School (HS)	3/30/20 - 4/10/20	2-weeks	Paper / Pencil	Third year HS students

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
March 3, 2020	In-person	Science Alt. Assessment (SAA) & MSAA	Abromson Center, USM, Portland  Register Here   (closes March 2, 2020)
March 4, 2020	In-person	Science Alt. Assessment (SAA) & MSAA	Black Bear Inn, Orono  Register Here   (closes March 3, 2020)

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.   

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, trainings, and manuals in these monthly updates for your convenience. Here are the most recent updates to the assessment team pages:  

• College Board/SAT Training 2/12/20 

• eMPowerME/eMetric Training Webinar 2/13/20 

• MEA Science Test Administration Manuals (Grades 5, 8, High School) 

• eMPowerME Technology Guidelines Update Version 2 

• Science Alternate Assessment Test Administration Manual