Transitioning to College and Career Ready

1. Transitioning to College and Career Ready Kansas State Board of Education Brad Neuenswander & Tom Foster Kansas State Department of Education March, 2013

2. Transition timeline Document available at: http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=4605 Source:

3. December 21st: Letter U.S. Department of Education On December 21st, the Kansas State Department of Education received a letter from the United States Department of Education encouraging KSDE to continue to take the necessary steps toward a new assessment system in 2015. To assist states in this task, the USED is relaxing some of its peer review requirements. 

4. Transitioning the Kansas Assessments to College and Career Standards in 2014Mathematics and English Language Arts It may be possible by 2014 to modify the current Kansas assessments in Reading and Math to align with the new College and Career Ready standards adopted by the Board and give schools a look forward.

5. Possibilities to consider for 2014 (1) Shorten the current state assessment by removing one of the three sections   (2) Add a greater number of College & Career Ready Standards items to existing assessments (3) Create an assessment aligned to the new standards (including technology enhanced items). Some of the items would not be field tested in advance. Performance standards could be set in two ways. • Maintain the same percent in each category from 2013 to 2014 • Match percent in four new categories to college and career ready scores (e.g. NAEP, ACT, SBAC).

6. What are the pro’s and con’s for schools? Pro’s Supports transition College and Career Ready Standards Provides a single focus for instruction 1st look at instructional practice necessary with new standards Provides practical experience with higher standards before 2015 1stlook at new test items (including technology enhancements) 100% CCR test items with 0% retired

7. What are the pro’s and con’s for schools? Provides consistent transition for students with disabilities Allows experience with a new test engine for teachers and students Gives more lead time for districts to resolve technical problems Creates better experience in 2015 for everyone Increases iPads and tablet compatibility

8. What are the pro’s and con’s for schools? Provides time for local boards to communicate with constituents and communities KSDE is responsive to needs of field Supports a PreK-20 connection and the CCR definition Helps shift the focus from NCLB to Kansas Accreditation Compatible with ESEA Waiver “Measurable Objectives”

9. What are the pro’s and con’s for schools? Con’s Some schools have not yet transitioned to the CCR Standards Results may not be comparable for research purposes Growth calculations may require a new baseline Problems will happen and districts will need assistance May require modifications in some district systems or configurations There could be costs associated updating for some (hardware training) Some confusion with messaging - why change is happening

10. Input from the Field • KSDE visited with educators across the state to determine preferences for the 2014 state assessments: • Curriculum Leaders • KAAC • Council of Superintendents • Conference call with representatives of: KASCD, KSSA, KASSP, KAMSA, KAESP, KAAC • Various Service Center Meetings

11. Possible Board Action The State Board of Education moves to approve CETE contract to modify current assessments to align to the Kansas College and Career Ready standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics. The State Board of Education moves to retain current assessment program aligned to the 2003 standards in Reading and Math.

12. Important Notes The KITE testing engine is “how” we administer the test, regardless if it is the CETE developed test, or we used the SBAC test. KITE was not originally planned for use until the spring of 2015. The state asked CETE to move the use of KITE one year earlier to help the state “transition” to the new test. CETE has done a great job of delivering our request.