Assessment Update – On-Line Field testing; Provincial Achievement tests and Diploma Exams

A Digital Future… Inspiring Education contemplates a future where “provincial assessment could also be made available on-demand” Realizing this vision is only possible through digitally-based examination administrations

Digital-Format Field Tests A first step towards the movement towards digitally-based examination administrations is digital-format field testing Starting in September 2013, all grades 6, 9 and diploma math and science field tests will be exclusively administered in a digital format

Quest A+ Quest A+ is used to administer digital-format assessments The Quest A+ Locked Browser is a requirement This software can be installed on both Windows and Mac OS computers, including student-owned computers Assessment is working on a solution to enable Chromebooks to be used with Quest A+

“Adding Value” – Field Test Requests A new field test request system should be in place for September 2013 Instead of ing forms to Assessment, the online interface will allow for teacher field test requests and update of pertinent information (eg. Field test request times) The ability to alter field test times after the request allows teachers greater flexibility This field test request system will be used for both paper and digital format field test requests. In real-time, teachers will be able to see the status of field test requests.

“Adding Value” – Meaningful Reports Currently, teachers that administer both paper and machine-scored field tests simply receive the raw score for each student. An enhancement to Quest A+ will allow for reports to be requested by the teacher that will provide additional information, such as adding the reporting category for each question with the % of students in the class correct.

“Adding Value” – Teacher Access Digital field tests are proctored by the teacher. One common complaint from teachers is that the digital field test is only accessible during the field test administration. This leaves little or no time for the teacher to meaningfully comment on the field test itself. Asides from the student response data itself, Exam Managers heavily rely on high- quality teacher feedback from field tests. Starting in September 2013, digital format field tests will allow for a “window” of opportunity for a teacher to peruse the field test. This “window” may allow for a provision for teachers to review the field test with students. Combined with the “added value” report, this provides a great formative assessment opportunity for teachers, while contributing to the further development of provincial assessments.

Student Learning Assessments (SLAs) The primary purpose of the SLAs is to improve student learning –Neil Fenske met with ASBA, ASCA, ATA, CASS, Speak Out students, and the AAC to discuss purposes –A full purpose statement will be available soon

About SLAs Assessments will be: –Focused on literacy and numeracy –Digital, allowing for innovative item types and quicker reporting –Administered at the beginning of the school year, allowing for personalized instruction and decision-making –Administered during a “window”, allowing for flexibility of scheduling to meet the needs of students

SLA Timeline June 2013: –Last full-cohort Grade 3 PATs June/September 2014: –School authorities choose whether students write the Grade 3 PATs (June) or the pilot Grade 3 SLAs (September) September 2015: –Piloting of the Grade 6 SLAs September 2016: –Piloting of the Grade 9 SLAs

Diploma Examinations Diploma Examinations are undergoing two significant changes: 1)There will be increased writing availabilities, beginning in the school year when the current November and April examinations will be available for all student who pre-register to write. In subsequent school years more subject will be available in November and April and additional writing sessions will be added. 2)Over the next few years the diploma examinations will transition to digital delivery so that students write on computers and submit their completed exams digitally to Alberta Education

Questions? Comments? For more information contact: Tim Coates Director, Diploma Program Branch Dan Karas Director, Examination Administration Branch