KANSAS STATE ASSESSMENTS

There are many resources for the Kansas State Assessment on the links above located within our website and many more can be found on the Kansas State Department of Education's Student Support Services website.

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CETE Center for Educational Testing & Evaluation 

Assessment Updates October 2007

The KAMM Math Assessment has been reorganized to mirror the general math assessment.  There will be three sections.  A calculator will be an allowable accommodation in two sections.  The third section will not allow calculator use.  The non-calculator use section has numerous items for which a calculator is not necessary.  A multiplication chart may not be substituted for a calculator on the non-calculator use section.  The 2007-2008 accommodation manual should available at http://www.kansped.org in the near future.

There is not a pencil/paper version of the KAMM in science or social studies.  If you need a non-computerized test, there will be a pdf screen shot available for download.  You will need to request a bubble sheet to match the pdf download.  Science and social studies are not part of adequate yearly progress (AYP) and do not fall under the 1% and 2% guidelines for alternate and KAMM in reporting scores.  Science may be part of AYP in the future, depending on the change with reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. 

Read-Aloud accommodations have some significant changes.

 If a student will have the math assessment or the questions of the reading assessment read aloud, the need must be documented in one of the following:

This would indicate that the student needs the entire allowable assessment read-aloud, not just an occasional word or stem in the assessment.  If the allowable assessment is to be read to the student, this accommodation must be provided on a regular basis throughout the year.  Ideally, students who require a read-aloud accommodation should do so in a one to one setting.  The state understands that due to personnel availability that is not always possible.  Therefore you may read the allowable assessments in groups of no more than three.  In order for the students to have the same test form to be read aloud as a group, you will need to make application prior to February 15th, 2008 on the main assessment page at http://www.ksde.org. If you are using opportunity to learn (OLT) as it applies at the high school level, the application deadline is two weeks prior to the test administration.   This only applies if you wish to have two to three students have the same form to be read as a group.  If you are reading the assessment in a one to one situation, no application to the state is needed. 

New guidelines for human readers to implement the read-aloud accommodation

There will be no CD’s or KCA audio this year.  Only human readers who comply with KSDE guidelines will be able to provide the read-aloud accommodation.  Training on read-aloud practice is available via a PowerPoint presentation at the Kansas State Department of Education main assessment page, http://www.ksde.org. There are also guidelines for human readers.  We would suggest that you use an inservice or early release day in January for potential readers to go through the training.  It shouldn’t take more than an hour.  Please have them sign that they have completed the training.  Paraeducator and staff development points will be available with a copy of the sign in sheet. 

Science and Social Science KAMM tested indicators are available at the KSDE website.  Go to http://www.ksde.org assessment, then science or social studies.  A flip chart similar to the reading and math charts is at the science site.  There is currently no flip chart for social studies. 

Alternate Assessment Changes

New score sheets have been developed to simplify the alternate assessment process.  You may download the evidence labels from the HPEC website under State Assessment/Alternate Assessment.  Either label may be used.  The state has changed the user name and identification to access the alternate assessment site at CETE.  You will need to visit with your local test coordinator to access the alternate assessment site.  At the site, you will enter the student information, including the indicators that were chosen to be evaluated. The testing window is open from January 2nd to April 14th. Scoring information for the alternate assessment in math and reading must be entered by April 22nd. High Plains Educational Cooperative will host a scoring day on April 19th to assist staff in completing the process.  Due to a change at the state level, your testing coordinator must enter student scores.

Counting students as part of special education subgroup for AYP calculation

The federal government has provided some flexibility for determining the 1% and 2% group of students who may count at the proficient level with an “at standard” score.  Districts who do not have 1% of their students taking the alternate assessment may apply the remaining percentage to the 2% taking the KAMM.  The reassignment does not work in reverse.  Students who have been dismissed from special education services may count in the special education subgroup for 2 additional years. The addition of students who have exited services the previous 2 years does not affect the N size.

State Assessment Indicator Worksheets presented by Bill Losey of Southwest Plains Regional Service Center during several categorical meetings can be found on the Teacher Resource page.