Next Generation of Assessments (Part II)

Our 3rd through 6th Grade students are not the only students that will take part in the Next Generation of Assessments this school year.  Our Kindergarten students are near completion of the inaugural Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA).  

Prior to the start of the 2014 school year, The Ohio Department of Education mandated that all Kindergarten students complete the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment-Literacy (KRA-L).  This assessment was given in Worthington and in many districts as part of the Kindergarten screening process that took place prior to the start of the school year.  The assessment took approximately 15 minutes per student to administer and assessed students on early literacy skills.  The assessment was given one on one to students by teachers.  In addition, since the implementation of Ohio’s 3rd Grade Guarantee, the assessment results from the KRA-L were permitted to be used to identify students who were “On Track” or “Not on Track” with their literacy skills.  The data from the assessment gave teachers baseline information about each student’s present learning levels. This information was useful in order to prepare for the school year.

This year, the KRA assessment is near completion at Wilson Hill.  Unlike the KRA-L assessment given in previous years, the KRA was not allowed to be given until the start of the school year. In addition, the KRA was only permitted to be given by certified staff who were trained to administer the KRA.  Unlike the KRA-L administration that took approximately 15 minutes, the KRA has taken approximately one hour to administer to each Kindergarten student.  Just like the KRA-L, the KRA was administered to each individual student by the teacher. Both the KRA-L and KRA have no implications on a child’s report card or promotion to the 1st Grade. Both Assessments are permitted to be used as the 3rd Grade Guarantee assessment tool if administered prior to September 30th. At Wilson Hill, all Kindergarten students KRA Literacy portions were completed by this time. Unlike the KRA-L, in the future the KRA is said to be completed by students using a technology device.

The KRA has taken longer to administer to each student due to it’s numerous parts, which include: Social Foundations, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Language and Literacy, Physical Well-Being and Motor Development. Within these parts are three types of assessment questions.  The first type of assessment question is a selected response.  Students must choose the best answer to a question given three choices. The second type of assessment question is a performance task. Students must complete an activity given the prompt and in some cases use the necessary manipulative. The student may receive full credit, partial credit or no credit based on their performance as it relates to the performance rubric .  The last type of assessment is observation. The teacher must use a rubric to assess students on a specific skill.  In the future it is stated by the Ohio Department of Education that students will be able to complete a portion of the KRA on a technology device.

Having been an Elementary Principal for the last 10 years I value the information both the KRA-L and KRA assessment give about students, especially since our Kindergarten students are new to school.  This information allows to us at Wilson Hill to better prepare for teaching and learning opportunities for all our students.

Despite the one hour of assessment we have spent with each child (that’s a minimum of 20 hours per classroom) our Kindergarten teachers have somehow managed to teach our Kindergarten students!  I am amazed at the growth each Kindergarten student has already made in our 1st nine weeks of school. This is a credit to our wonderful Kindergarten teaching team: Ms. Saba, Mrs. Kosanovich and Mrs. Malley. Our Kindergarten students have worked incredibly hard to complete this assessment. Within the 1st nine weeks of school it has been encouraging to see our supportive families work with each child to help them grow. With conferences taking place soon, our Kindergarten teachers plan to share the KRA data on each student with each family.

If you would like additional information regarding the KRA please click on the link to watch a short video Ohio's Kindergarten Readiness Assessment. Additional information on the KRA can be found at The Ohio Department of Education Kindergarten Readiness Assessment.

Matt Keller-Principal, Wilson Hill Elementary School  

Next Generation of Assessments

    When I was growing up I do not recall taking many state mandated assessments.  I do however, remember every recess activity I participated in, how my teacher made me feel, my classroom parties, and of course some of the great learning experiences I took part in at R.C. Waters Elementary School.  I know our students at Wilson Hill have many of these same positive experiences and hopefully more! This year, a new experience our students in grades 3-6 will take part in, are the Next Generation of Assessments.

    Traditionally, The Ohio Department of Education has mandated Ohio Achievement Assessments in grades 3 thru 6 Grade in both Reading and Math.  These assessments have taken place during the Spring.  In addition to the Reading and Math Assessments, 3rd Grade students participated in the Ohio Achievement Assessments in the Fall and at the 5th Grade students participated in the 5th Grade Science Ohio Achievement Assessment each Spring. This year, the state is mandating what I call the Next Generation of Assessments. These assessments are often referred to as PARCC (Partnership for Assessments for Readiness for College and Careers).

    These new assessments are broken into two categories: Performance Based Assessments and End of Year Assessments.  The End of Year Assessments will be very similar to the Ohio Achievement Assessments that are taken in the spring but may ask our students to answer questions in a more rigorous manner.  The Performance Based Assessments are completely new to all educators, students, and families. These assessments will be administered in late winter.  At Wilson Hill we have spent time as a staff, both last year and this year, looking at released sample assessment questions so that we can learn about the new assessments and how to apply our knowledge to help prepare our students for these assessments.  The majority of these assessments are scheduled to be administered with a technology device (computer or chromebook) online.

    Ohio’s assessment timelines for the Next Generation of Assessments for Reading and Math can be found at   (PARCC) Partnership for Assessment for Readiness for College and Careers. The PARCC assessments will assess the students knowledge in the Common Core standards which 34 states have adopted as their standards. Ohio’s Science and Social Studies Assessments can be found at Ohio's New Science and Social Studies Assessments.. The Science and Social Studies Standards are specific to Ohio standards not shared with other states. There are links on our school webpage in the Quicklinks Section for those that want to learn more about the new standards.

    The Ohio Department of Education links regarding the new assessments above identify the manner in which the assessments will be given.  Wilson Hill will announce their Assessment Calendar for these Next Generation Assessments.

    One adjustment Worthington City Schools will be making to accommodate the student time spent on the Next Generation of Assessments, grades 3-6 will MAP assess in the Fall and Winter and no longer the Spring .

    As an Elementary School Principal I enjoy looking at data on how we can improve as a school!  I don’t enjoy taking time away from quality teaching and learning activities from the classroom to assess. Although the new assessments will take more time to administer these assessments, we hope the data we receive better informs our instruction we provide for all students. Our staff and students will be well prepared to take on the challenge of the Next Generation of Assessments. We hope to share more information with families about these assessments later on this year. In the meantime, there is a very helpful link to learn more about the Next Generation of Assessments for those that are interested. In addition, you may read more about PARCC assessments at their link at their link PARCC. I challenge you to participate in a practice test to see if you are smarter than your child!

Matt Keller-Proud Principal of Wilson Hill Elementary School,Worthington City Schools