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PROGRAMS
& SERVICES:
ASSESSMENT
(Updated 1/24/12)
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OVERVIEW
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This program coordinates
the implementation and administration of all components of the Vermont Comprehensive
Assessment System (CAS), including the development of alternate assessments, assessments that have been
modified to accommodate the specific testing needs of students who have disabilities.
The team also identifies, analyzes, and reports on outcomes and data measured by
the CAS.
Established by the
State Board of Education in 1996, the Vermont Comprehensive Assessment System (CAS)
evaluates student performance in the state's schools, based on Vermont's Framework of Standards
and Learning Opportunities,
with the goal of improving teaching and learning. Statewide assessments include:
- The New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) mathematics, reading and writing assessments are administered in grades 3-8 and 11 each October.
- The NECAP science assessment are administered to all students in grades 4, 8 and 11 each May.
Schools also assess
student performance in additional subject areas and at additional grade levels using
portfolios (collections of student work), norm-referenced standardized tests, and
locally developed assessments. |
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LINKS
TO CURRENTLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION
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Archived NECAP Webinars
These archived NECAP webinars enable principals, coordinators and teachers to access and view the presentations at a time that is convenient for them. The following are available online:
Test Coordination Workshop OSL
Recorded on: September 13, 2011
Test Administrator Presentation OSL
Recorded on: August 26, 2011
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2012 NECAP Test Administration Window for Reading, Writing & Mathematics
The administration window for this year's New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) Reading, Writing and Mathematics tests is October 1-23, 2012. All Vermont students in grades 3 through 8 and 11, including publicly funded students attending private independent schools, should participate unless a student qualifies for alternate assessment or an exemption for medical reasons, family emergency or personal crisis. Each school is responsible for creating its own testing schedule but should consider religious holidays and/or local events that may impact students' ability to participate. Schools should plan make-up test sessions toward the end of the administration window for students who miss testing for any reason. Please have all assessment materials packed and ready for UPS pick-up on Thursday, October 25 at 8:00 a.m.
Note: For planning purposes, please note that the NECAP Science Test administration for grades 4, 8, and11 will be May 7-24, 2012 with materials picked up on Friday, May 25, 2012. Contact: Mary Ann Minardo, Assessment Consultant, (802) 828-5410 or maryann.minardo@state.vt.us |
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NECAP Principal/Test Coordinator & Administrator Manuals
These documents outline all of the steps to be followed before, during and after test administration. Understanding of and compliance with each of these steps is vital for a successful NECAP assessment. NOTE: The testing window is from Monday, October 3, 2011 through Tuesday, October 25, 2011. Pickup of materials will be on Wednesday, October 26, 2011.
Principal/Test Coordinator Manual PDF
Test Administrator Manuals:
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NECAP Online Writing 2012
The VT Department of Education is pleased to announce an opportunity for schools to participate in the NECAP Online Writing Pilot at grades 8 and 11 this spring. Following a very successful first year, Measured Progress is expanding the program to provide additional schools with the chance to participate in the Online Pilot in order for the schools to do the NECAP Writing Assessment online this October. Schools must test between 90-100% of their eligible students. The use of pencil and paper will be viewed as an exception necessary to meet individual student needs only.
Additional Resources:
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SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) Frequently Asked Questions PDF
Vermont is a governing state for the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC), along with over 30 other states. SBAC is using a collaborative model to develop a comprehensive assessment system ready for implementation in 2015 and designed to measure student performance on the Common Core State Standards. The Department has created an SBAC Frequently Asked Questions document, to provide answers to questions we have heard over the past few months. |
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Assessment
Data Results Information
View links
to various student, school, supervisory unions/districts, state, and national assessment
results information (e.g., NECAP, NSRE, VT-DRA, VT-PASS, SAT, AP and the Nation's Report
Card [NAEP]). |
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Grade
Expectations for Vermont's Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities
This series of documents provides grade level expectations in mathematics, reading
and writing and grade cluster expectations for other contents areas. Grade level
expectations are more specific statements of the Vermont standards that form the
basis for the New England Common Assessment Program in mathematics and reading grades
3 through 8 and writing in grades 5 and 8. Grade cluster expectations provide guidance
for local assessment. Links to GE materials may also be accessed on the individual curriculum content pages. |
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Vermont Item Bank Assessments
These resources are designed to be used locally to address the gap in statewide NECAP assessment of student progress in reading and in math between the beginning of grade 8 and the beginning of grade 11. The multiple assessments are aligned with Vermont’s Grade Expectations and Webb’s Depth of Knowledge levels. Assessments are student-ready, and the teacher answer keys contain diagnostic information. The links below contain the “Suggestions & Guidelines for Use” for the Vermont Item Bank Assessments and the reading passage annotations. The Vermont Item Bank Assessments are housed on Riverdeep Learning Village (RLV).
For questions/information about RLV, contact Sigrid Lumbra at (802) 828-0200 or sigrid.lumbra@state.vt.us. For questions/information about item bank assessments, contact Marty Gephart at (802) 828-1462 or marty.gephart@state.vt.us.
- Suggestions & Guidelines for Use PDF
- Reading Passage Annotations PDF
- Permission to Use Student Work Letter PDF
The department is always seeking samples of student work to use in professional development with teachers. No student work is used without parental permission. Educators can download this letter for parents to sign, giving permission to use the work of their child for purposes of teacher training. All identifying information is removed from the work before it is used.
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Formative Assessment Project (FAP) Overview PDF
The purpose of FAP is to develop greater capacity for teachers to frequently monitor the learning of all students and adjust instruction to better meet their needs. In Vermont, formative assessment is defined in the ETS Keeping Learning on Track™ training program the department uses as “students and teachers using evidence of learning to adapt teaching and learning to meet immediate learning needs minute-to-minute and day-to-day.” Building on the extensive research on formative assessment and educator professional development, the project creates small sustainable teacher learning communities (TLCs) in which participants learn and refine the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively implement and sustain formative assessment practices in their classrooms. Use the link above for an overview with additional details and training information. Use the links below to view additional information.
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Information on the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC): Executive Summary PDF
Vermont has signed on as a governing state for the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) of 31 states. SBAC submitted one of two applications for the Race to the Top assessment grant from the U.S. Department of Education, proposals that will determine a new generation assessment system designed to measure student performance on the Common Core State Standards in 2014. Use the link above to view details about the SBAC proposal; view the department's press release. |
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Other Data Resources: |
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Standards & Assessment Team Contact List PDF
View names, responsibilities, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. For a Word version of the document, use the link below:
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No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA) Resources: |
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CONTACT
INFORMATION
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Mary Ann Minardo, Education
Consultant
(802) 828-5410 (P)
(802) 828-6563 (F)
maryann.minardo@state.vt.us |
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