Maine Department of Education Monthly Assessment Update July 2020
We recognize that school/district leaders and educators must prioritize educational continuity and access for students at this time. The information contained below is provided to ensure school and district leaders have all pertinent assessment information at this time.
Securing and Returning Received Assessment Materials
Thank you to all the schools who have already returned their high school science materials and eMPowerME paper-based test materials. Your timely response in returning the materials is greatly appreciated. To date we have 8 high schools with science materials outstanding. Maine DOE and Cognia will continue to reach out regarding outstanding materials.
Each Cognia assessment box contains a pre-paid return shipping UPS label. This label can be used whether you have UPS come to your school building, or if you drop off box(es) directly at a UPS location.
If you are scheduling UPS pick-up, someone must be physically available at the building or location to transfer the materials to UPS. Please do not leave the materials unattended outside the building.
If you cannot be at your building to wait for UPS to pick up and you prefer to take your Cognia MEA boxes directly to a UPS center, and please contact Cognia General MEA Science Service Center (866) 615-2745 or MEAScience@cognia.org to inform them you have taken your shipment to UPS.
WIDA Missing Assessment Materials
All districts with missing materials were contacted the week of May 20th. DACs will be reaching out to appropriate district offices and schools to retrieve these materials. Missing test materials may include test materials and teacher administration booklets. Please make sure all secure materials are returned to DRC as soon as possible to enable complete student score reports.
WIDA Student Score Report Correction Window
The student score report correction window closed July 1st. Thank you to those who informed the Department of errors on student reports and submitted a score report request. The adjusted score reports will be available in the WIDA AMS system on August 26th.
Welcome to the Assessment Team – Jodi Bossio-Smith
The assessment team is excited to share as of July 1, 2020, Jodi Bossio-Smith officially joins the assessment team as the Alternate and WIDA Assessment Coordinator. Please note the updated contact information below. We are excited to have Jodi as part of the team! Once Jodi is acclimated, we will provide a more formal introduction.
Assessment Literacy & Family Resources
We’ve been listening during our professional learning across the state and through emails received and heard loud and clear, assessment literacy and resources for families regarding assessment can be a challenge to provide. During the summer, Louisa Goldman, an intern through the Margaret Chase-Smith Policy Center, will be joining the assessment team. Louisa is working to develop materials, infographics and resources in addition to reframing assessment team webpages to make them more family friendly. Stay tuned for more information.
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.
Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2021 Postponed
PIRLS will not be conducted during the spring of 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 virus. An update will be provided when the assessment is rescheduled. The field studies implemented during the spring of 2020 were completed successfully. The required sample size was achieved ensuring all sample size requirements were for this international study were adhered to.
Programme for International Studies Assessment (PISA) Field Studies Postponed
Due to the current pandemic, PISA postponed the spring 2020 field studies. At this time, no information is available pertaining to whether the main study will be conducted during the fall of 2021 and/or whether the field studies originally scheduled for this spring will be conducted prior to the administration of the main study. Further information will be forthcoming as it is received.
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
Please ensure all DAC contacts and other 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.
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, 624-6770