Getting our students used to online testing before this spring

So, we don't yet know who the content provider will be for this spring's assessments. We know it won't be Smarter Balanced. Here's just the little we do know:

• The assessments will be online and testing windows have been assigned
• Specific dates have been assigned for assessment for those school that elect to do paper-pencil testing instead
• The mathematics assessments will be offered grades 3-8
• The content of the assessments will be taken from our Common Core State Standards
• The platform used will be the same as the platform for the Interim Assessments.

So, how can we get our students ready to take online assessments? The answer might sound a little strange: Sign up for the Michigan Interim Field tests.

Why? There are now two good (big) reasons to do this.

1. Students can become familiar with the testing platform that will be used this spring. They'll get their practice now in a no-stakes testing environment.
2. School Districts will earn a $3.00 minimum participation incentive per completed test for the Fall 2014 Interim Assessment Field Test

Although the interim assessment field test window begins Monday, September 15, testing does not have to begin Monday and there is still time for your district or school to participate.

Funding is being made available through the Technology Readiness InfrastructureGrant (TRIG), furthering the TRIG goal to support and build state capacity in technology.

Additional Reasons to Participate

• The Fall 2014 Field Test provides an opportunity for schools to test bandwidth capacity and student scheduling for online testing, prior to the state summative assessment to be administered in the spring 2015.

• Students will have the benefit of taking an online assessment in a low-stakes situation and practice using common online assessment tools (calculators, highlighters, etc.)

• Earn TRIG incentive funds in the amount of $3.00 minimum, per test completed (Each content or subject area test consists of two parts, and both parts of the test must be completed to be eligible for the participation incentive. For example, a student who completes both parts of each assessment in ELA and Mathematics will earn the school district a participation incentive of a minimum of $6.00.)  Final amount to be based on the total number of completed tests throughout the state.

• Teachers will receive an invitation to provide feedback and recommendations for improvement. 

Technology Considerations

• Schools may use Windows or Mac desktops and laptops to administer the field test assessments. The field test window is September 15, 2014 through October 17, 2014. Schools may administer the field test assessments any time within this five-week test window.

• NEW - MDE is also seeking schools to administer the field tests on iPads and Chromebooks. This separate window encompasses only these devices and runs from October 20 - November 14, 2014. Additional information on sign up and on testing with these devices will be provided during the next few weeks. Tests completed as a part of this separate window will also qualify for the TRIG participation incentive as well.

Details regarding the minimum requirements for each device type are provided in the Michigan Testing Device Requirements document.

 

To participate in the Fall 2014 Interim Assessment Field Test, please complete the registration survey for each school. If you have already completed the registration survey, you do not have to complete it again to qualify for the TRIG participation incentive.

 

Opportunity to Participate in Interim Assessment Field Test for K-2 and High School

Michigan schools are invited to register to participate in the Fall 2014 Interim Assessment Field Test (September 15-October 17, 2014). This field test is an important part of a high quality test development process and can be valuable to schools, students and teachers.

Reasons to Participate

• Prior to the state summative assessment to be administered in the spring 2015, participation in the Fall 2014 Field Test provides an opportunity for schools to test bandwidth capacity and to logistically schedule and move students through an online assessment experience. 
• Students would have the benefit of taking an online assessment in a low-stakes situation. The test would offer students a chance to have an online experience and to practice commonly used online assessment tools.
• Teachers who offer the field test assessments will receive an invitation to participate in a focus group that will provide valuable feedback on the interim assessment reporting features.

Districts may have several schools participate in one or more subjects and grade levels. Each participating school must individually register. Content areas to be field tested include:

• English language arts (ELA) and mathematics for grades K, 1, and 2.
• High school science courses (Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)
• High school social studies courses (US History & Geography, World History & Geography, Civics, and Economics).

Technology Considerations: 

• Schools may use Windows or Mac desktops and laptops to administer the field test assessments.
• Additionally, MDE is seeking schools to administer the field tests on devices such as iPads, Chromebooks, and Windows 8 tablets (non-touch). Test window runs from October 20 - November 14, 2014. Additional information on testing with these devices will be provided during the next few weeks. 

Details regarding the minimum requirements for each device type are provided in the Michigan Testing Device Requirements document.

Additional information regarding the Fall 2014 Interim Assessment Field Tests:

• The Michigan interim assessments are only available on-line.
• All interim assessments are aligned to Michigan’s education standards and assess students currently enrolled in the subjects selected.
• If Earth Science high school courses are offered to 8^th grade students, schools may consider offering the Earth Science interim assessment to these 8^th grade students.
• The field test window is September 15, 2014 through October 17, 2014. Schools may administer the field test assessments any time within this five-week test window.

How to Register
To participate in the Fall 2014 Interim Assessment Field Test, please complete the registration survey for each school.


Check out more information about the Michigan Interim Assessments.

Fall 2013 Michigan Interim Assessment Pilot – Applications Due 6/14

The Bureau of Assessment and Accountability (BAA) is pleased to offer another opportunity to participate in the Michigan Interim Assessment Pilot for science and social studies for grades 3 through high school, and offer for the first time an opportunity to participate in the Michigan Interim Assessment Pilot for grades K-2 in the subjects of English language arts (ELA) and mathematics. When operational, these new interim assessments will be online, pre-post assessments given at the beginning of a grade/course and end of a grade/course. These operational assessments may also be used as one possible measure of student growth.

This is a reminder that we need your school’s participation in the Michigan Interim Assessment in grades 3 through high school for science and social studies, and in K-2 for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics and recruitment is happening now.  The Fall 2013 Michigan Interim Assessment pilot testing will take place in October 28 through December 6, 2013.

Please see chart below for minimum technology requirements when considering participation:

Minimum Technology Requirements for Student Testing Devices
Apple	Windows
MAC OS X 10.6 – 10.8 512 MB RAM 800 x 600 screen resolution 100 MB hard disk space 1 GHz processor	Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, Server 2003 and 2008 512 MB RAM 800 x 600 screen resolution 100 MB hard disk space 1 GHz processor
Neither tablets (iPad/Android) nor Chromebooks will be supported for this pilot.

NOTE:  THIS IS NOT THE INTEREST SURVEY FOR ONLINE MEAP TESTING

To participate in the Michigan Interim Assessment pilots, please complete the application.  Districts may have several buildings participate but each building must register with a separate application.  Applications must be completed by Friday, June 14, 2013.

                                 

For more information regarding the interim assessments, please contact BAA at 1-877-560-8378, or contact:

Interim Assessment Contacts
Elementary (K-5) Erika Bolig 517-241-6397 bolige@michigan.gov	Secondary (6-12) Kim Young 517-373-0988 youngk1@michigan.gov	Technology Matt Ayotte 517-335-4643 ayottem@michigan.gov

Questions?

For assessment questions, please email baa@michigan.gov.

For accountability questions, please email MDE-Accountability@michigan.gov.

For phone assistance with assessment or accountability issues, call 877-560-8378 and select the appropriate menu option. 

Pilot Michigan's NEW Interim Assessments

Michigan's Bureau of Assessment and Accountability (BAA) is pleased to announce the launch of a new assessment program, the Michigan Interim Assessment Program.  

These new assessments will be online, pre-post assessments to be given at the beginning of a grade/course and end of a grade/course.  These assessments may also be used as one possible measure of student growth.  The Michigan Interim Assessment Program includes grade 3 – high school assessments in science and social studies, which are aligned to Michigan’s current Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs) and High School Content Expectations (HSCEs).  Additionally, the Michigan Interim Assessment Program includes Kindergarten through 2^nd grade and high school course-based assessments in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics, which are aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

Michigan educators will play a critical role in assisting BAA in the development of the Michigan Interim Assessment at all grade levels and content areas.  The first opportunity to experience these new assessments for teachers and students in grades 3 through high school is pilot testing in science and social studies, which will take place in April and May 2013.  

The pilot science interim assessments include grade 3 – 7 grade level assessments, and Earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics high school course-based assessments. The pilot social studies interim assessments include grade 3 – 8 grade level assessments, and U.S. history and geography, world history and geography, civics, and economics high school course-based assessments.

The minimum technology requirements for the online assessments include

Apple                                                                                                  Windows           

·        MAC OS X® 10.5 – 10.8                                                         Windows XP®   or 7

·        256 MB of RAM or greater                                                      256 MB of RAM or greater

·        1024x768 or greater screen res                                             1024x768 or greater screen res

·        10 MB hard disk space                                                             100 MB hard disk space

·        400 MHz processor                                                                  700 MHz processor

To participate in the Michigan Interim Assessment pilots, please complete this survey by Friday, January 18, 2013.

Districts may have several buildings participate but each building must register by completing the survey.