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PROGRAMS & SERVICES:
ASSESSMENT:
NEW ENGLAND COMMON ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NECAP)
(Updated 10/5/09)

   
OVERVIEW
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Since 2005, Vermont students have been participating in the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP), a series of reading, writing, mathematics and science achievement tests, administered annually, which were developed in collaboration with the Rhode Island and New Hampshire departments of education. The NECAP tests measure students’ academic knowledge and skills relative to the Grade Expectations for Vermont’s Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities. Student scores are reported at four levels of academic achievement; Proficient with Distinction, Proficient, Partially Proficient and Substantially Below Proficient. Reading and math are assessed in grades 3-8 and 11, writing is assessed in grades 5, 8 and 11, and science is assessed in grades 4, 8 and 11. The reading, math and writing tests are administered each year in October. The science tests are administered in May. Use the following links to view:

   
GENERAL INFORMATION & REPORTING
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NECAP Assessment Windows for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010

  • Reading, Writing & Mathematics Test Administration Window for Fall 2009Clicking this link will open a PDF document
    The NECAP Assessments in Reading and Mathematics for all publicly funded students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11, plus Writing for all students in grades 5, 8 and 11 will be given from Thursday, October 1 through Thursday, October 22, 2009. All materials will be picked up from schools on Monday, October 26, 2009. Use the link above to view additional information about the schedule, "new" for 2009, ordering tests in Braille or large print, and test coordinator workshops.

  • Science
    The NECAP Science Assessment for all publicly funded students in grades 4, 8 and 11 will be given Monday, May 10 through Thursday, May 27, 2010. All materials will be picked up from schools on Friday, May 28, 2010. Detailed information will be provided at a later date.

For additional information contact Mary Ann Minardo at (802) 828-5410 or maryann.minardo@state.vt.us.

Advisory on Commercial Instructional Materials Using the Term NECAP
There are currently a number of test preparation materials on the market that include NECAP in the title. These items have not been authorized or reviewed by the Vermont Department of Education. The department does not endorse any commercial products or vouch for the quality of their effectiveness. Classroom instruction that is aligned with Vermont Standards and Grade Expectations, along with activities that increase student familiarity with various testing formats, is the best way to prepare students for our state assessments. Released items and practice tests for math, science, reading and writing are available at no cost on the NECAP Resources page. For questions or information, contact Michael Hock at (802) 828-3115 or michael.hock@state.vt.us.

   
NECAP ASSESSMENT RESULTS & RESOURCES (Updated 10/5/09)
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NECAP Assessment Results (Updated 10/5/09)
The NECAP reading, writing, mathematics and science tests measure students’ academic knowledge and skills relative to Grade Expectations which were developed by teams of teachers from Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Reading and math are assessed in grades 3-8 and 11, writing is assessed in grades 5, 8 and 11, and science is assessed in grades 4, 8 and 11. The reading, math and writing tests are administered each year in October. The science tests are administered in May. View the most recent data reports.

NECAP Resources
Use this link for information and links to practices tests, released test items, manuals and workshop materials for reading, writing, mathematics and science, as well as other resources such as tip sheets, hundreds tables, multiplication charts, scoring guides, alignment charts, target documents, test taking strategies, unifying themes, etc.

   
NECAP ACCESS OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL ASSESSMENT NEEDS
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NECAP Accommodations Guide (September 2009)Clicking this link will open a PDF document
This booklet includes the Table of Approved NECAP Accommodations with explanations and suggestions for use, guidelines and procedures for requesting approval of unique accommodations, an accommodations planning process, and other information on how to administer the NECAP tests to students with special assessment needs.

   
 

Nimble Tools Assessment Accommodation Test Delivery SystemClicking this link will open a PDF document
The department recently announced the availability of Nimble Tools, an online assessment accommodations test-delivery system that will be available for use by Grade 11 students during the May 2009 administration of the NECAP Science Assessment. Working in collaboration with the Vermont, New Hampshire and Rhode Island Departments of Education, Nimble Tools was awarded a Federal Enhanced Assessment Grant to develop a Web-based platform for providing an array of assessment accommodations to students with special assessment needs.

   
 

Demystifying Statewide Assessment for Students with Disabilities (SWDs)Clicking this link will open a PDF document
This presentation document provides resources and ideas for supporting the participation of SWDs in the NECAP in a more meaningful and reasonable way. NOTE: This file is 5MB.

   
CONTACT INFORMATION
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  For additional information or questions, contact Mary Ann Minardo at (802) 828-5410 or maryann.minardo@state.vt.us.
   

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