Assessment Updates
April 2024
Optional RIT Suppression
Shared in the weekly DAC email 4.2.24: Districts who choose to administer MAP Growth in addition to NSCAS Growth during this spring window will have the RIT score from the test event with the lower standard error of measure (SEM) appear on reports in the MAP Growth Reporting Suite. The SEM indicates a test score’s precision and reliability. The Nebraska Department of Education decided to use the test with the lower SEM for reporting as that score would be considered more precise. For districts that prefer to have only the MAP Growth RIT scores on reports for spring, NWEA will suppress the NSCAS Growth RIT scores from MAP Growth reports for students who took both assessments. If there are students who only took NSCAS Growth, they will retain this RIT score on reports.
- NWEA has a form that must be completed to request the RIT suppression.
- Please complete the Suppression Request Form by May 15, 2024 if you want to suppress your NSCAS Growth RIT scores from MAP Growth reports. NWEA will then process the requested changes on May 20, 2024
Math Reference Sheets
Shared in the weekly DAC email 4.10.23: There is a typo on the 6th grade math reference sheet and the 7th & 8th grade combined math reference sheet has a typo. Please refer to this email for further information.
The universal sheet, which is the embedded reference sheet on the test platform, is correct. Please note this typo on the two grade specific sheets when sharing the sheets with students.
Shared in the weekly DAC email 4.2.24: A district shared concerns regarding the prism formulas on the math reference sheets. They felt the symbols were not in alignment with what is taught in NE. While NWEA was willing to change the document, NDE felt it was too close to the testing window to make a change to the math reference sheet. We will address these concerns before the 2024-2025 school year. In the meantime, please share this message with your math teachers. Please be sure to review the math reference sheet you are providing your students and help them realize the variables on the sheet may not be the same as in the district curriculum.
- Grade 5 & 6 specific Math Reference Sheets have been revised to include prism volume formulas
- Universal Math Reference Sheet from the NE-NWEA Portal: Mathematics Reference Sheets
- Spanish versions now available
- NDE’s grade specific Reference Sheets available: NSCAS Mathematics
- Use of either the Universal or Grade Specific sheets is acceptable. The Universal Sheet is what is used in the NSCAS Growth test system.
Assessment News from Commissioner of Education, Dr. Maher
Additionally, he communicated that he has recommended to the State Board of Education for MAP Growth to not be included in the state contract for next year. This means that NDE will not be paying for NWEA MAP Growth at any grade for districts beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.
NWEA MAP Growth Prices for 2024-2025
$12.50 per student for Reading, Math, Language
$2.50 per student for Science
$7.00 per student for MAP Fluency
NEW! NSCAS Growth Spring 2024 Test Administration Q&A (Districts & External Programs)
- Mark your calendars for March 7, 2024 from 10:30 – 11:30 am CT
- A PowerPoint slide deck and/or recording will be sent out prior to this date for you to review before March 7, 2024
ACT Parental Consent Form for ACT
- If you haven’t yet, please have parents sign the Parental Consent form for sharing student PII with 3rd parties, including score reports, before testing
- Link for Parental Consent form
- If your school enrolls a new student before 4/12/2024, NDE expects that student to test.
- If the student tested at the previous school, do not add them to your roster.
Websites:
Resources:
- ACT online practice tests
- Quick Start Guide for Requesting Accommodations and/or English Learner Supports (pdf)
- Setting Up for Success - Online Reporting and TAA (pdf)
- ACT Training Information Graphic-English Learner (EL) Supports (pdf)
- Accessibility Supports Guide for the ACT (web content)
- FAQ Sunsetting English Braille American Edition (pdf)
Training:
- On Demand Accommodations Training Webinar (webinar) - October 5, 2023
- ACT Accommodations Training slides (pdf)
Request Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports
Websites:
Resources:
- Consent to Release Information (pdf)
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) User Guide (pdf)
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) System Supports (web content)
- Instructions for Retesting with Accommodations (pdf)
Training:
*NEW* Individual Reading Plan Guidance Document
- IRIP Guidance Document
- Originally created in 2018, last updated in December 2023
- There are no changes to the requirements of the law. Updates were made to match current NeMTSS language and models, along with wording that supports information related to learning disabilities, including Dyslexia.
Updated DAC Task Checklist & Statewide Assessment Contact
Use these tools to help you stay organized this year!
NSCAS Growth & General Science
NEW! 2023-2024 NSCAS Growth Training
We have changed up the training process this year!
- NWEA has posted the 2023-2024 NSCAS Growth Training Administration video
- Watch the video at your convenience before the scheduled Q&A
- Q&A webinar will be held on August 10, 2023, 10 – 11 am CT
- Link to Q&A webinar: NSCAS Growth Training Q&A zoom meeting
LINKS
*2023 ISR Parent Letters
- English version: ISR Family Letter 2023-2024 (pdf); ISR Family Letter 2023-2024 (doc)
- Spanish version: ISR Family Letter 2023-2024 Spanish (pdf); ISR Family Letter 2023-2024 Spanish (doc)
*NSCAS Interpretive Guide for Parents (English) The NSCAS Interpretive Guide for Parents provides information needed for Parents/Guardians for the NSCAS Spring 2023 assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics in grades 3–8, and Science in grades 5 and 8.
*NSCAS Interpretive Guide for Parents (Spanish) The NSCAS Interpretive Guide for Parents in Spanish provides information needed for Parents/Guardians for the NSCAS Spring 2023 assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics in grades 3–8, and Science in grades 5 and 8.
*NSCAS Growth Reports Interpretive Guide: The 2023-2024 NSCAS Growth Reports Interpretive Guide is designed to help teachers and administrators interpret the Nebraska Student Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) test reports in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics in grades 3–8, and Science in grades 5 and 8.
2023-2024 Training & Guides
NSCAS Growth Retest Guidelines
Resources for NSCAS Growth
Test Administration Training recording
NWEA Secure Browser Bulletin - Jan 2024
NEW! NWEA Secure Browser Bulletin macOS - Mar 2024
Utilizing NSCAS Growth Reports (vimeo.com)
MAP Reports Suite Information from NSCAS Growth Overview
MAP Reports Suite Information from NSCAS Growth FAQ
Condensed MAP Reports Portfolio
23-24 NSCAS Assessment Security Manual
NSCAS Growth Readiness Checklist
NSCAS User and Student Management Guide
NSCAS Assessment Coordinator Guide
NSCAS Growth Scheduling Guidance
NSCAS Growth User Roles and Permissions
2022-2023 Standards, Assessment, and Accountability (SAA)
NDE-Districts-NWEA Partnership Newsletters
2022 Math Standards
The NSCAS Math Achievement Level Descriptors and NSCAS Math Table of Specifications are updated for the 2022 Mathematics Standards. Information shared by grade level can be found at the following URL: https://www.education.ne.gov/assessment/nscas-general-summative-assessment/nscas-mathematics/.
NEW! Spring 2024 NSCAS Alternate Test Admin Workshop (Districts & External Programs)
- Mark your calendar for one of the available dates:
- February 27, 2024 3-4 pm CT
- February 28, 2024, 10-11 am CT
- A link will be provided closer to the workshop date
ACT
Spring 2023 ACT student results file (Districts)
- This PDF provides complete details to obtain the reports: ACT Profile Report vs Contract Reports
- How-to-Video to navigate the reports: ACT Online Reporting State & District Contract Reports & Student Reports
- Download these reports now and save them to your local network for safe/secure keeping and easy access when you need them for the future. The District Student Records file can be used for EduClimber uploads if your district uses this application.
ACT Online Prep Webinar (Districts)
- View recorded webinar: Registration Link
ACT Accommodations & EL Support Requests (Districts)
- Prepare your student’s IEPs and 504 plans for ACT accommodations and EL Support request
- TAA opens on September 11, 2023
- Deadline to submit is February 2, 2024.
Links
ACT Sponsored Website for Nebraska
ACT Online Prep Webinar (Aug 2023)
PreACT Test Windows for 2023-2024
- Fall: October 2 – November 22, 2023
- Spring: March 4 – April 12, 2024
ELPA21 & ALT ELPA
- Alt ELPA Scores are scheduled to be delivered: 9/15/23
Redesignated English Fluent students (Districts)
- Remember to code all your Redesignate as English Fluent “Proficient” students correctly in your data system and in ADVISER Validation.
ELPA On Track Report (Districts)
- The ELPA On Track Report in the NDE Portal has been updated to include 2023 results. A portal code is needed to access the report; contact your superintendent or data steward if you need one.
ELPA21 Screener (Districts & external programs)
- The ELPA21 Screener is available now on the NE ELPA21 Portal for the 2023-2024 school year
Updated Guidance following US Dept. of Education Monitoring Visit
- Foreign exchange students follow the same standardized entrance procedures for identification of English Learners, including the completion of a Home Language Survey and if warranted, screening for eligibility as English Learners.
LINKS
ESU 10 NWEA Certified Facilitators
Denise O'Brien, dobrien@esu10.org
Amy Walters, awalters@esu10.org