February 2020 Newsletter
Winter Data Reports, Spring Testing Preparation, and More
Winter Data Reports Now Available
Tableau dashboard have been updated with winter assessments, semester one grades, and semester one course schedules. Here are the highlights:
EL Testing: ELPA21
Between February 4 and March 6, DMPS English Learners will be taking the English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21). Make ups (if necessary) will occur between March 9-27. Please contact Vinh Nguyen with any questions about ELPA21 testing.
Continuous Improvement Update
At a recent CI focused learning opportunity, the presenter shared a decision making matrix she uses to communicate with her staff. Check it out here along with other updates.

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Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) Training
The second round of test coordinator training sessions are being held this week in the Kurtz PD space. These sessions will focus on what test coordinators and teachers will need to know to administer the online tests through Pearson. The intended audience for these sessions is test coordinators. The remaining sessions are:
  • Wednesday, February 5, 2:30 - 4:00 PM
  • Friday, February 7, 8:00-9:30 AM
Updated Iowa School Performance Profiles / ESSA Targeted Support Designations
School ESSA designations and performance profiles are now available to the public at www.iaschoolperformance.gov.  More detailed information about the calculations can be found here.
  • Conditions for Learning Survey: The Conditions for Learning Survey was not included in the 2019-20 accountability index scores for elementary schools due to reliability issues with the measure.  The Iowa Department of Education intends to have these issues corrected in time for the Spring 2020 survey and will require schools to administer the survey to students in grades 3-12 for inclusion in 2020-21 ESSA determinations.
  • Public Communication: Under ESSA, schools are no longer required to notify parents of their status.  However, schools are required to post a link to their Iowa School Performance Profile on their website.  The communications team will work to post links to each school's website once they links and clarifying information from the Iowa Department of Education.
ISASP Observations
We plan to conduct at least 30 classroom observations of ISASP administration this spring to help in refining test administration guidelines/best practices for this new online test. School test coordinators and principals will be contacted in March to set up times for observations.  We appreciate school staff member's willingness to help in collect information that will enable us to better serve all schools.

UPCOMING DATES

February 4 - March 6: Grades K-12: ELPA21
February 25: Grade 11: ACT
March 2 - 13: Grades 3-12 & instructional staff: Panorama SEL Survey

WAIT...  WHAT?

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Dear Data Diva,
Which growth target should I use to set spring MAP growth goals for individual students?  Fall to spring or winter to spring?
Signed, Mixed Up in MAP

Dear Mixed Up in MAP,
The short answer to your question is--whichever RIT score is higher. Please see this short FAQ for the long answer.  For full information on best practices around student goal setting on the MAP, please view this short webinar.
As Always, Data Diva
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