PROGRAMS & SERVICES:
ASSESSMENT
(Updated 3/13/13)

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.

2013 NECAP Science Test Administration Window
The administration window for this year’s New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) Science tests is May 6 - 23, 2013. All Vermont students in grades 4, 8, and 11, including publicly funded students attending private independent schools and programs, should participate unless a student qualifies for alternate assessment or an exemption for medical reasons, family emergency, or personal crisis.

Administration Window: May 6-23, 2013
Materials Ready for UPS Pickup: May 24, 2013 at 8:00 a.m.

2012 Vermont School Science Results Memo PDF
This memo is from Measured Progress and was sent to all schools who gave the NECAP Science Assessment in grades 4, 8 and 11 last May.

2013 NECAP Test Administration Window for Reading, Writing & Mathematics
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.

Administration Window: October 1-23, 2013
Materials Ready for UPS Pickup: October 24, 2013 at 8:00 a.m.

NECAP Online Writing Pilot 2013 PDF
The VT Agency of Education is pleased to announce an opportunity for schools to participate in the NECAP Online Writing Pilot at grades 7, 8 and 11 this spring. Following a very successful second 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. The pilot test dates are March 25-29 and April 1-5, 2013.

Additional Resources:

NECAP Online Writing Pilot: Checklist for Selecting Participating Schools PDF Quick Start Guide for NECAP Online Writing Training Presentation Test & Technology Coordinators NECAP Online Writing User Guide Online Writing Practice Test – Test Administrator Manual for Grade 8 (September 1-27, 2011) Online Writing Practice Test – Test Administrator Manual for Grade 11 (September 1-27, 2011)

SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium
As a member of the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium, Vermont has joined with 27 other states to develop the next generation of educational tests for English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics. SMARTER Balanced will be fully aligned with the Common Core State Standards, use state of the art Computer Adaptive Testing and accessibility technologies, and will provide a continuum of summative, interim and formative tools that can be used for a variety of educational purposes.

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.

Principal/Test Coordinator Manual PDF

Test Administrator Manuals:

Grade 3 PDF Grade 4 PDF Grade 5 PDF Grade 6 PDF

Grade 7 PDF Grade 8 PDF Grade 11 PDF

• National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP)OSL
  Use this link to learn more about the NAEP on their Web site.
  • Vermont Performance Results

• U.S. Department of Education's NCLBA Web siteOSL
• Vermont Agency of Education
  View information related to the agency's NCLBA activities.

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:

• Using the NECAP Analysis and Reporting System for the Fall 2012 NECAP Assessment
  Recorded: February 2013
  
  
• Using the 2012 NECAP Reports
  Recorded: February 2013
  
  
• NECAP Analysis and Reporting System TrainingOSL
  Recorded on: February 24, 2012
  The Vermont Agency of Education and Measured Progress is providing a WebEx designed for principals, superintendents, and any staff members who are directly involved with student data and analysis of results of last fall’s NECAP Assessments. This WebEx provides a review of the various NECAP reports and support materials, and an overview of the NECAP Analysis and Reporting System, highlighting enhancements made to the system since last year.

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