March 2018 Newsletter
|
|
|
Iowa Assessments
The Iowa Assessment tests will be given to students in grades three through eleven (3-11) from Monday, April 2 – Friday, April 13. The test date for high schools is Wednesday, April 4. Please see the Critical Iowa Assessment Information booklet for information about testing. Secondary Student Attendance Survey: March 19-30
Our district will be administering a survey on low student attendance to students in grades 6-12 from Monday, March 19 to Friday, March 30. During the first semester of the 2017-18 school year, 18% of middle school students and 40% of high school students missed ten percent or more of school at DMPS. The purpose of this survey is to obtain feedback from students about potential causes (situations, circumstances) that impact (negatively or positively) student attendance. Through collecting feedback directly from students around attendance issues, DMPS will create action plans to address factors impacting student attendance with the intent of strengthening DMPS staff members’ ability to respond to attendance issues and increase student attendance. More information about the survey, including a communication plan will be sent to secondary building leaders on March 7. |
NWEA MAP: Individual Student Goal Setting
We are getting a common question: Which growth target should be used, fall to spring or mid-year to spring, when setting spring individual student goals on the MAP? Full information on best practices around student goal setting on the MAP, please view this short webinar. Now Hiring!
We have two openings for the 2018-19 school year: Scheduling Specialist and Assessment Manager. If you (or anyone you know) are passionate about data and providing great customer service to schools, apply by March 18! Continuous Improvement Update
The Assessment, Data and Evaluation team’s Chris Holm and Vicky Bennett are being recognized in the most recent continuous improvement newsletter. Find out why here! |
UPCOMING DATES
|
January 29 - March 9: Selected Schools Only: NAEP
February 13 - March 8: Grades K-12: ELPA21 March 19 - March 30: Grades 6-12: Student Attendance Survey |
April 2 - 13: Grades 3-8: Iowa Assessments
April 4: Grades 9-11: Iowa Assessments April 24 - May 18: Grades K-3: FAST Testing April 24 - May 18: Grades K-10: MAP Testing |
WAIT. WHAT?
Dear Data Diva, What's the latest with the state accountability test? Will we ever get any answers? --School Leader in Limbo
Dear Leader in Limbo,
In mid-February, an administrative law judge upheld the decision of the Iowa Department of Education to award the state assessment bid to American Institutes for Research (AIR). Now, the Iowa House of Representatives has passed a bill to award the state testing contract to the University of Iowa, overriding the Department of Education's selection process. The bill is now in the Senate and has passed the education subcommittee. For more information on the latest, click here.
Frustrating, As Always,
Data Diva
Dear Leader in Limbo,
In mid-February, an administrative law judge upheld the decision of the Iowa Department of Education to award the state assessment bid to American Institutes for Research (AIR). Now, the Iowa House of Representatives has passed a bill to award the state testing contract to the University of Iowa, overriding the Department of Education's selection process. The bill is now in the Senate and has passed the education subcommittee. For more information on the latest, click here.
Frustrating, As Always,
Data Diva
PAST NEWSLETTERS
