1. Criteria for Procuring and Evaluating High-Quality Assessments: A State Perspective National Conference on Student Assessment New Orleans, Louisiana June 25, 2014

2. …can make State Assessment Directors, SEA staff, and educators feel… anxious uncertain f earful of change and the unknown Good news: The Criteria can help! Assessment Transitions… The Criteria: A “go-to guide” containing characteristics critical to the development and administration of high-quality assessments aligned to college- and career-ready standards….

3.  Content Clearly delineates important components within ELA and Math Focus on key areas: –Rigor and relevance –Range of cognitive demand –Depth and breadth of CCR standards Strengths of the Criteria – Part 1

4.  Supports Indiana’s Priorities Involvement of Indiana educators Aligned assessment system—including formative and summative components Focus on interoperability of items Test security Importance of technical quality Attention to evaluation of learning for special populations (Students with Disabilities, English learners) –Support for sunsetting of the modified assessment Data privacy Strengths of the Criteria – Part 2

5.  Results Accurately measure student progress toward college- and career- readiness…on a continuum Provide valid, actionable data Instructionally valuable—informs teaching and learning Easily understood by all audiences: students, parents, educators –User testing to ensure utility of reports for each intended audience –Scores and sub-scores support intended interpretations and minimize the possibility of misinterpretation Strengths of the Criteria – Part 3

6.  RFP Use to develop a high-quality RFP –Focused, specific and thorough to clearly communicate Indiana’s needs  Rubric Use to develop a rubric for evaluation of submitted proposals –Make informed judgments regarding vendors’ claims of quality –Examine evidence  PD Facilitates professional development and training for those reviewing proposals Assists in educating policymakers Usefulness of the Criteria

7.  QA Institute quality assurance and other processes to monitor quality throughout assessment development and administration  Evaluation Evaluate evidence periodically to ensure criteria are being met by the vendor Identifying Best Practices

8. Thank You Questions? Dr. Michele Walker, Director Office of Student Assessment