Tuesday, September 15, 2015

MDE: Blueprints of new assessment tests available

MDE issued the following press release:


Blueprint of New Mississippi Assessment Program Tests Available

JACKSON, Miss. – Teachers and administrators can now see blueprints of the new statewide assessments for the 2015-16 school year. The Office of Student Assessment in the Mississippi Department of Education has released the test blueprints for the new Mississippi Assessment Program (MAP), the statewide exams for students in grades 3-8 and end-of-course assessments.

The tests will be administered through Questar Assessment Inc., which won the competitive bid process to administer the assessments that are aligned to the Mississippi College and Career-Ready Standards (MCCRS) for English language arts (ELA) and Mathematics. It will replace the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). Mississippi is no longer a member of the multi-state consortium.

MDE’s primary goal with respect to test design was ensuring that the assessments measure student mastery of the Mississippi standards that have guided our teachers’ instruction over the past few years, and I am pleased that we have accomplished that goal,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education.

The blueprints are used by test developers to create and select test questions and construct test forms for each administration of the assessment. A companion guide provides an explanation of the blueprints and illustrates the alignment to the Mississippi College and Career-Ready Standards. 

Dozens of Mississippi teachers participated in the development of the blueprint. Jennifer Wilson, mathematics teacher at Northwest Rankin High School, said she welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with fellow teachers from around the state.

“Working with other teachers across the state to develop the Mississippi test blueprint made me realize how much work our teachers have done to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics over the past few years of implementing our new standards. Each member of the committee kept the best interests of the students and teachers in mind - constantly thinking about how to assess the standards so that students can both show what they have learned and that they are college- and career-ready,” she said.

The MAP assessments are computer-based tests administered through Questar’s Nextera online delivery platform. The writing portion of the English language arts assessment is the only paper-and-pencil component of the new assessment system.

The MAP administration will be a single end-of-year exam. The assessments will include a variety of item types, including multiple choice, constructed response, writing, technology enhanced, and performance tasks.

Deia Sanders, content specialist in the Simpson County School District, said it was very important for Mississippi educators to play a role in building the assessments for Mississippi students.

“We were able to use the diversity of the teachers and districts in Mississippi to begin building a test to high standards that represented the diversity of our students, rather than being handed one that was built or representative of other places. It's truly our state test,” she said. 

Beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, the 3rd Grade ELA assessment will be used for promotion/retention decisions as required by current state law. The 3rd Grade Reading Summative Assessment that was used in the 2014-2015 school year will be used again in the 2015-2016 school year to make promotion/retention decisions. 

Mississippi’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act requires that a student scoring at the lowest achievement level on the 3rd Grade Reading Summative Assessment be retained in 3rd grade, unless the student meets the good cause exemptions specified in the law. Wright said she will recommend to the Mississippi Legislature in the 2016 session that the law be amended to make student proficiency the goal. 

“If the goal is to ensure that our students are successful in 4th grade and beyond, we need to set high expectations for them to be proficient readers. The current law doesn’t say that students need to be proficient in reading to move to the next grade level. The students who met the minimum passing score last year will still need instructional support this school year,” she said.

To find out more information about the statewide assessment design, view the MAP Blueprint Interpretive Guide and monitor the Monthly Updates produced by MDE.

# # #
 
Link to actual assessments.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What the hell is a content specialist for a school district? I feel like this is a trick question.

Anonymous said...

I want to see a plan that dissuades the majority of public school students from the idea that their best shot at a career is to become a pro athlete or a rapper, and teaches them that staying in school and working hard gives you a good shot at a real career so you don't end up busing tables at Jason's Deli when that record deal or athletic scholarship fails to materialize.

Anonymous said...

How long are you willing to wait to see that plan?


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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