Transcript Integrated Access Management

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
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A new field test request system should be in place for September 2013
• Instead of emailing 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
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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
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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 highquality 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
2013-2014 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
email: [email protected]
Dan Karas
Director, Examination Administration Branch
email: [email protected]