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Testing Conditions for Benchmarks and MCA Assessments

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Purpose

To ensure that our assessment results accurately reflect what our students know and can do by making sure we have testing conditions that are consistent, intentional, and effective at maximizing results.

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The Why of Assessment Protocols

  • Students have an accurate understanding of where they are.
  • Parents deserve to understand what their child actually knows and can do.
  • In order to make good decisions, staff need to understand where students are at.
  • We need to show the community an accurate narrative of student learning.

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Strategic Direction

Equitable Access, Representation and Outcomes:

Ensuring all students can succeed is our moral and ethical responsibility as a district and community

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The district will provide a range of high quality programs, services and experiences that are available and accessible to all, ensuring that access and success are not predictable by demographic measures. Barriers will be identified and eliminated so systems, processes, and opportunities for engagement are designed and made available in ways that ensure equitable access, representation, and outcomes for all.

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  • Identify areas with disparities that will be targeted and establish baseline data in these areas
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  • Develop a district plan and building plans to begin addressing disparities
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  • Develop and communicate the district's equity values
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  • Raise student achievement in Math, Reading and Science on state and local assessments

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Testing Conditions and Protocols for Benchmark and MCA Assessment

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Principal’s Roles

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Resources: Principal's Roles/Responsibilities

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March/April/May Overview

Date

To Do

Resources

March 20th

MCA Training/Overall Kickoff

Initial Training

Introduce Testing Conditions

Teacher Responsibilities

Testing Protocols

March 22nd

State Assessment Training

**All staff

DAC Training Materials

March 27th

MCA Procedure Training

Building plan

**Prior to 3/27–staff have access to roles and responsibilities

April 3rd

MCA Training Accommodations

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April 10th

MCA Test Prep

Individual Test Preparation

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By March 20th

All Staff Will

Understand their roles and responsibilities in administering benchmark and state assessments.

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What Does That Mean?

  • Staff will know purpose and timelines for preparing for the assessments.
  • Using district guidance, staff will prepare for the before, during, and after assessment duties.
  • Using district templates and guidance, staff will increase buy-in through goal setting activities and parent communication.

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March 22nd

All Staff Will

Be trained on testing administration.

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March 27th

All Staff Will

Understand their building plans and procedures as they relate to MCA testing.

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What Does That Mean?

  • Staff will understand the specific plans for testing.
  • Staff will understand what role he/she plays in testing.
  • Staff will know the plan for specific, testing details (snacks, testing rooms, etc.)

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Two Weeks Prior to Testing

All Teachers in Tested Subjects Will

Meet with students 1:1 to set goals

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What Does That Mean?

  • Teachers will have 1:1 conversations with all students about testing
  • Students will set goals for MCA testing

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April 3rd

All Staff Will

Meet to coordinate and plan accommodations for students

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What Does That Mean?

  • Staff will bring rosters to plan accommodations
  • Teams will work together to provide the best possible testing experience for students

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Within ONE Week of Testing

All Teachers in Tested Subjects

Send a message home to families making them aware of the upcoming MCA assessment

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What Does That Mean?

  • Send a message about test importance
  • Send a message about what testing means to you

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April 10th

All Staff Will

Prep classrooms for testing, including removing instructional materials

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What Does That Mean?

  • Teachers will remove instructional materials
  • Teachers will print testing tickets and rosters
  • Teachers will finalize testing plans

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April 11 & 12

K-8 Sites Will:

Hold testing assemblies

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What Does That Mean?

  • K-8 schools will hold testing assemblies to stress the importance of testing
  • Buildings will continue to reinforce the importance of testing

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One Day Prior to Testing

All Staff Will

Explain protocols to students

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What Does That Mean?

  • Staff will explain test taking protocols to students
  • Staff will explain what to do before, during, and after assessment
  • Explain to students the WHY of the assessment
  • Need students to invest time/effort here
  • This will create a positive & supportive testing environment

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During the Test

Staff will

Contact assistance if issues arise

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What Does That Mean?

  • Teachers will contact building assessment coordinators if there are issues

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After the Test

Staff will

Meet 1:1 with students

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What Does That Mean?

  • Teachers will communicate results
    • Preliminary on-demand report
  • Celebrate

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Testing Expectations

Prior to Testing

  • Send message home to families making them aware of upcoming MCA assessment
  • Spotcheck devices for TestNav
  • Explain test-taking protocols to students
  • Explain what to do before, during, and after assessment
  • Explain to students the why of the assessment

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During Testing

  • Any testing issues, contact your Building Assessment Coordinator (insert name here)

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After Testing

  • Meet 1:1 with students to communicate preliminary results
  • Celebration

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Testing Protocols

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