School Readiness Assessment Menu Update

Pursuant SB 08-212 Colorado’s Achievement Plan for Kids (CAP4K)

Presentation to the State Board of Education, September 2014

Purpose

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To provide the State Board of Education information about the recommended assessment menu additions from the School Readiness Assessment Subcommittee

Overview of School Readiness within CAP4K

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Requirements of State Board

 Define school readiness  Adopt one or more assessments aligned with definition of school readiness  Following adoption of the school readiness assessment, the state board is required to adopt a system for reporting population-level results that provide baseline data for measuring overall change and improvement in students' skills and knowledge over time.

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Requirements of local education providers

 Beginning in the fall of 2013, ensure all children in publicly funded preschool or kindergarten receive an Individual School Readiness Plan  Administer the school readiness assessment to each student in kindergarten

Timeline for Colorado’s School Readiness Initiative

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December 2012: State Board votes to offer districts a menu of school readiness assessments and approved Teaching Strategies GOLD as the first assessment

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Fall 2013: School Readiness Committee conducts a second assessment review process; no additional assessments found to meet criteria

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December 2013: State Board agrees to department recommendation to extend phase-in period to 2015-16

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August 2014: School Readiness Committee conducts a third assessment review process

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September 2014: Department presents recommended assessment menu additions to State Board

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October 2014: State Board votes on recommendations

Context

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Beginning year two of a three year phase-in process of school readiness assessment

 Year 1: 88 districts, 424 schools, ~12,000 children  Year 2: 108 districts, 533 schools, ~16,000 children 

Feedback from teachers and administrators

 Value choice in assessment selection  Shift in thinking about the role and value of observational assessment for young children as teachers learn the tool  General concerns about assessment requirements consistent with WestEd study (i.e., time, cost, duplication)  How the school readiness assessment works with reading assessments

Assessment Review Criteria

Requirements

The assessment… Has strong psychometric properties Provides information related to statutorily required areas Is research based Promotes assessment practices appropriate for young children Is aligned to standards Increases opportunities to learn Has a clear rating system Allows for authentic based assessment strategies Has features that make broad participation likely

Desired Attributes

Includes a method for ensuring quality use Has online functionality

Assessments Reviewed

Assessment Publisher

Desired Results Developmental Profile California Department of Education (DRDP-K 2015) Kindergarten Early Learning Scale (K ELS) Lakeshore Riverside Early Assessments of Learning (REAL) Teaching Strategies GOLD Survey Riverside Teaching Strategies, LLC Work Sampling System, 5th edition Pearson Other state systems (Oregon and Georgia) Respective state departments of education

Subcommittee Recommendation

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Add the following assessments to the State Board approved menu of assessments

 Riverside Early Assessments of Learning (REAL)  Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP-K 2015)  Teaching Strategies GOLD Survey

Additional Information about the Recommended Assessments

Assessment

Teaching Strategies GOLD Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP-K 2015) Riverside Early Assessments of Learning (REAL)

Cost per Student

$9.95

$8.00 with possible additional cost for online component $12.99

Training

Required: Online inter-rater reliability Optional: Multiple free online modules and fee based face-to-face trainings Fee based face-to-face trainings Required: Fee based 1 day face-to-face training or 2 online modules

Training Cost

Free online modules Option face-to-face training available: $2225/group 1 day: $150/participant 2 days: $250/participant 3 days: $350/participant $2800/group for face to-face trainings $400/group for online modules

Next Steps

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October State Board meeting

 State Board votes on additions to the school readiness assessment menu 

Continued support to districts for implementation

 School readiness assessment guidance document  Funding for school readiness assessment subscriptions through 2015-16 from the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Fund  Technical assistance for implementation of school readiness in tandem with the READ Act  Plan templates available (School readiness, READ, combined)