Assessment

New Colorado Science and Social Studies Assessment
(scheduled to be administered 2014)

		Glen Sirakavit Principal Consultant Assessment Unit (303) 866-3266 sirakavit_g@cde.state.co.us
		Relevant Websites Educator Pool PearsonAccess

Practice Environment

Practice testing environments, also referred to as ePATs (electronic Practice Assessment Tools), that help to familiarize students with the testing environment can be accessed at http://www.pearsonaccess.com. Districts are strongly encouraged to give students time to practice the tests before actual testing.  The practice environment will help students navigate through the testing environment and use the embedded supports.

 

Frameworks

The frameworks list the percent representation and number of score points for each of the reporting categories/standard areas that will appear on the summative assessments. They also specify the Evidence Outcomes that are eligible for inclusion on the state assessments. Topics explicitly identified in the Social Studies standards are legitimate content for the assessment in addition to the standards' concept and skills.

CDE has incorporated feedback on the draft versions of the frameworks from content experts and educators in the field to create the final versions. Small shifts in distribution of points were made across Social Studies standards in grade 4 and Science standards in grades 5 and 8. In addition to a shift in the distribution of points in high school Social Studies, changes were made to the assessable content in high school civics and economics.

Social Studies Grade 4 Grade 7 Grade 12

Science Grade 5 Grade 8 Grade 12

 

Field Test Manuals

The DAC/SAC Manual (Coordinator's Manual) and all Test Proctors Manuals can be found on the PearsonAccess website.

PearsonAccess > Support > Manual and Documents

PearsonAccess Trainings are open to all districts, with invitations sent to District Assessment Coordinators (DACs). Districts participating in field testing must attend appropriate sessions. Other districts may attend at their own discretion. Recordings of the Spring 2013 trainings are available on the PearsonAccess support website. 

  

Invitation to be included in the Educator Pool

more information

If you are interested in participating in assessment development committees, please click on the following link to access the database questionnaire. Educator Database

High School Social Studies and Science Assessment Administration

more information

With careful consideration of responses from districts, it has been determined that contingent upon legislative approval, the science and social studies assessments will be administered to high school students in the fall of 12^th grade.  While this response was the most favored by respondents, CDE is aware that issues and concerns surrounding this plan exist. 

The timing of high school assessment administration is a complicated issue that elicits many unique perspectives.  While the selected administration plan is not without limitations, it provides an avenue whereby districts are provided with flexibility in determining scope and sequencing for science and social studies and whereby the testing burden will be decreased for 11^th graders.