Assessment Updates
August 2024
NDE Assessment Roadshows
Roadshow Dates (all Roadshows 8:30 am-12:00 pm except SAC Roadshow)
Sept. 9- Scottsbluff, ESU #13
Sept. 19- Auburn, ESU #4
Sept. 23- Kearney, Archway
Sept. 24- Norfolk, Lifelong Learning Center
Oct. 8- Lincoln/Omaha, SAC Museum (9:00 am-12:00 pm)
NSCAS Growth
*NSCAS Growth Fall Q&A webinar: August 6, 2024 at 10 am CT: NSCAS Growth Q&A Zoom Link
*Watch the 2024-2025 training video before the Q&A: NSCAS Growth Test Administration Training video
*2024-2025 training PowerPoint: NSCAS Growth Training Administration PowerPoint
*NSCAS Growth Checklist: NSCAS Growth Readiness Checklist
*NWEA-NE Portal page for DACs: NWEA New.Assessment Coordinators
ACT
Nebraska Test Accommodations & English Learner Supports Training: September 3, 2024 at 10 am CT: Register Here
PreACT
Fall PreACT Pretest Webinar: August 20, 2024 at 4 pm CT: Register
Fall PreACT Test Day Webinar: September 5, 2024 at 10 am CT: Register
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR DISTRICTS ADMINISTERING MAP GROWTH THIS YEAR!
MAP Growth has a NEW Enhanced Item Selection Algorithm (EISA) for the Math assessment the 2024-2025 school year. Studies have shown that students taking MAP with the new algorithm have higher achievement scores on the Math assessment of 1-5 RIT points with an average of a 3 RIT point increase.
All districts who will be administering the MAP Growth assessment are automatically upgraded to the new algorithm unless they completed the form to opt out of the new update in June.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MY DISTRICT?
If districts did not opt out, it will be important to note that students' MAP Growth Math scores will likely increase. The effect of this overall increase will have implications for cut scores that are used to place students in classes or interventions. To continue to compare the RIT scores to the 2020 norms (compare apples to apples and continue to use your current decision rules for classes and interventions), data must be entered into a concordance table to adjust the scores.
Click here to watch a video about the new algorithm and find the MAP Growth Concordance Tables to convert the data to the 2020 Norms.
Contact Amy or Denise with any questions.
Updated DAC Task Checklist & Statewide Assessment Contact
Use these tools to help you stay organized this year!
*NEW* Individual Reading Plan Guidance Document
- IRIP Guidance Document
- Originally created in 2018, last updated in December 2023
- There are no changes to the requirements of the law. Updates were made to match current NeMTSS language and models, along with wording that supports information related to learning disabilities, including Dyslexia.
NSCAS Growth & General Science
*2023 ISR Parent Letters
- English version: ISR Family Letter 2023-2024 (pdf); ISR Family Letter 2023-2024 (doc)
- Spanish version: ISR Family Letter 2023-2024 Spanish (pdf); ISR Family Letter 2023-2024 Spanish (doc)
*NSCAS Interpretive Guide for Parents (English) The NSCAS Interpretive Guide for Parents provides information needed for Parents/Guardians for the NSCAS Spring 2023 assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics in grades 3–8, and Science in grades 5 and 8.
*NSCAS Interpretive Guide for Parents (Spanish) The NSCAS Interpretive Guide for Parents in Spanish provides information needed for Parents/Guardians for the NSCAS Spring 2023 assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics in grades 3–8, and Science in grades 5 and 8.
*NSCAS Growth Reports Interpretive Guide: The 2023-2024 NSCAS Growth Reports Interpretive Guide is designed to help teachers and administrators interpret the Nebraska Student Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) test reports in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics in grades 3–8, and Science in grades 5 and 8.
2023-2024 Training & Guides
NSCAS Growth Retest Guidelines
Resources
Test Administration Training recording
Utilizing NSCAS Growth Reports (vimeo.com)
MAP Reports Suite Information from NSCAS Growth Overview
MAP Reports Suite Information from NSCAS Growth FAQ
Condensed MAP Reports Portfolio
23-24 NSCAS Assessment Security Manual
NSCAS Growth Readiness Checklist
NSCAS User and Student Management Guide
NSCAS Assessment Coordinator Guide
NSCAS Growth Scheduling Guidance
NSCAS Growth User Roles and Permissions
2022-2023 Standards, Assessment, and Accountability (SAA)
NDE-Districts-NWEA Partnership Newsletters
2022 Math Standards
The NSCAS Math Achievement Level Descriptors and NSCAS Math Table of Specifications are updated for the 2022 Mathematics Standards. Information shared by grade level can be found at the following URL: https://www.education.ne.gov/assessment/nscas-general-summative-assessment/nscas-mathematics/.
Upcoming Training
- ACT Now Platform Opens Monday, August 5, 2024
- ACT Accommodations and EL Support Webinar- Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10am CT
- ACT Accommodations Opens September 16, 2024
NEW! PreACT and ACT Test Administration Platforms:
Beginning August 2024, districts and schools will use ACT Now, ACT's new test administration platform, to administer PreACT State testing. This will be used in conjunction with Test Center Manager (TCM), replacing PearsonAccess next and CCRIS (PreACT ordering system).
ACT State Testing will also be using these platforms instead of PearsonAccess next, if you have reports you want to download from PAnext, please do so before October 1, 2024. Scoring and Reporting will continue to be available on the Success.ACT.org platform. Accommodations and EL Supports will continue to be submitted in the TAA system.
Trainings and more information will be made available starting in August. DACs and Test Coordinators will receive email invitations as we get closer to test dates.
ACT Test Dates for Spring 2025
TEST WINDOW 1- Initial
Standard Administration (PAPER): March 25, 2025
Accommodations Administration (PAPER): March 25-28 & March 31, April 1-4
Standard & ACT Authorized Accommodations (ONLINE): March 25-28 & March 31, April 1-4
TEST WINDOW 2- Initial and Makeups
Standard Administration (PAPER): April 8, 2025
Accommodations Administration (PAPER): April 8-11 & April 14-18
Standard and ACT-Approved Accommodations (ONLINE): April 8-11 & April 14-18
TEST WINDOW 3- Makeups ONLY
Standard Administration (PAPER): April 22, 2025
Accommodations Administration (PAPER): April 22-25 & April 28-30, May 1-2
Standard and ACT-Approved Accommodations (ONLINE): April 22-25 & April 28-30, May 1-2
PreACT Test Dates and Webinars
PreACT Fall test dates: October 7-November 22, 2024 Fall Schedule of Events
- Fall PreACT Pretest Webinar: 8/20/2024 at 4 pm CT. Register
- Fall PreACT Test Day Webinar: 9/5/2024 at 10 am CT. Register
PreACT Spring test dates: March 10-April 24, 2025 (Schedule of Events TBD)
- Spring PreACT Pretest Webinar: 2/4/2025 at 4 pm CT. Registration late fall
- Spring PreACT Test Day Webinar: 2/18/2025 at 4 pm CT. Registration late fall
Resources:
- ACT online practice tests
- Quick Start Guide for Requesting Accommodations and/or English Learner Supports (pdf)
- Setting Up for Success - Online Reporting and TAA (pdf)
- ACT Training Information Graphic-English Learner (EL) Supports (pdf)
- Accessibility Supports Guide for the ACT (web content)
- FAQ Sunsetting English Braille American Edition (pdf)
Request Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports
Websites:
Resources:
ELPA21 & ALT ELPA
- Alt ELPA Scores are scheduled to be delivered: 9/15/23
Redesignated English Fluent students (Districts)
- Remember to code all your Redesignate as English Fluent “Proficient” students correctly in your data system and in ADVISER Validation.
ELPA On Track Report (Districts)
- The ELPA On Track Report in the NDE Portal has been updated to include 2023 results. A portal code is needed to access the report; contact your superintendent or data steward if you need one.
ELPA21 Screener (Districts & external programs)
- The ELPA21 Screener is available now on the NE ELPA21 Portal for the 2023-2024 school year
Updated Guidance following US Dept. of Education Monitoring Visit
- Foreign exchange students follow the same standardized entrance procedures for identification of English Learners, including the completion of a Home Language Survey and if warranted, screening for eligibility as English Learners.
LINKS
ESU 10 NWEA Certified Facilitators
Denise O'Brien, dobrien@esu10.org
Amy Walters, awalters@esu10.org