1. Kansas Assessment Program
February 1, 2006
Update
Southwest Plains Regional Service Center
Sublette, Kansas

2. 2006 Testing Window Information
General Assessment Reading and Math -- March 1 through April 21
KAMM Mathematics -- March 1 through April 21.
KAMM Reading -- April 3 through April 28.
Alternate -- March 1 through April 21.
KELPA -- April 3 through May 12.

3. Enrollment Date Information
Because KSDE is now using the KIDS database, the decision has been made regarding a statewide date when students must be enrolled in buildings in order to be tested.
If a student is not enrolled in a building by FEBRUARY 27, he need not be tested. He will not be counted against the school for participation.

4. Paper and Pencil Forms
You had been informed that you could expect receipt of the paper and pencil forms by February 15. A couple of weeks ago, KSDE stopped the presses because of some issues KSDE had with some of the reading items and selections. Printing has begun again; however, the Printing Service tells us that paper and pencil forms may not be received in some districts until February 22.

5. Examiner’s Manual and More…
The paper-and-pencil Examiner's Manual will be out in early February. It will be available on KSDE and CETE websites. KSDE will let us know when the manual is uploaded. We will receive the final coding protocols for "accommodations" and "not tested" by next week.

6. Paper-Pencil KAMM Assessments
If a student needs a paper-and-pencil assessment for either the KAMM or the Spanish translation, you must order a screen shot of the assessment through CETE in lieu of a paper-and-pencil copy (this year only). The student should mark the answer on the paper copy, and a teacher should carefully transfer the answers to the computer screen. Because the teacher is acting as scribe, this should be marked as an accommodation. If "scribe" is not an available accommodation on the list, use ACCD 9 (Other).
If a student wants a paper-and-pencil assessment for either the KAMM or the Spanish translation IN ADDITION to using the computer version, you must order a screen shot of the assessment through CETE. The student should mark the answer on the computer screen. Because the student used dual modes of assessment, this should be marked as an accommodation. Use ACCD 9 (Other).

7. KAMM and Assessment Modifications
*Students with disabilities whose tests are administered under conditions that modify the assessment construct, such as reading the reading passages to a student, will be considered under the 1% cap for proficient scores. (These modifications MUST be listed in the IEP.)
*Students without disabilities and students with Section 504 plans whose tests undergo modifications of the assessment construct, such as reading the reading passages to a student, will be classified as "not tested," thereby effecting the building and district's participation rate.
This is a change in position by the KSDE from what you have been told earlier this year. KSDE sincerely hopes that it is a positive change for students and schools.

8. 2005-2006 Available Accommodations for English Language Learners (ELLs) on Kansas State Assessments
Reading
Mathematics
ELLs who have attended a US school for less than one calendar year (from when the assessment window opens) do not have to take the general reading assessment; however, they have to take the KELPA.
Students should take all assessments on grade level. The score of any student who is tested off grade level will be counted as “not tested”.
The “Listening Assessment” is no longer available.
Directions, test questions, and test answers/distractors may be read to the student, but reading passages may not (for students taking Paper/Pencil form).
The KCA has a tool which allows directions, test questions, and test answers/distractors to be read to the student with an automated voice.
All ELLs, regardless of time in a US school, must take the Math Assessment; however, the scores of ELLs who have attended a US school for less than one calendar year (from when the assessment window opens) do not count for QPA or AYP, but do count toward participation.
No separate “Plain English” form will be available, as all assessments were developed using “Universal Design” (a type of “plain English”).
The entire mathematics assessment may be read to students.
There is no side by side English/Spanish, as originally announced.
A Spanish version is available online.
For students who need access to both Spanish and English, take the Spanish KCA and refer to the English version on Paper/Pencil. When ordering the Spanish KCA, districts must indicate the additional number of English screen shots needed.
If the student needs a Spanish paper/pencil version, order a screen shot from CETE. The student should mark the answer on the paper. The teacher should transfer the answers to the computer screen.
The KCA has a tool which allows the entire assessment be read to the student with an automated voice, in English or Spanish.

9. Links to Access Important Documents…
Attached is the document "KELPA Trainer of Trainers Information." You can expect more information on these sessions soon. If you have questions about anything in this document, please phone Melanie Stuart at
Attached is the document, "Alternate Assessment Q and A." If you have questions about anything in this document, please phone Zo Torrey at
Attached is the document "KAMM Q and A." There is a tremendous amount of information in these documents about KAMM. If you have questions, please phone Zo Torrey at

10. More Links to Important Documents…
Attached is the document “NT (Not Tested) Coding on Answer Sheets and Data Editor”.
Attached is the document, “Allowable Use of Select Accommodations”.
Attached is the document “Clarification of Listed Accommodations”.

11. Information Updates
Weekly updates will be made available to test coordinators via .
Cherie Randall, Ph.D.
Assessment Coordinator
Kansas State Department of Education
120 S.E. 10th Street
Topeka, Kansas
fax
cell