Date: 04/15/2010

Final
Assessment Survey Results

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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02:32 PM -- Assessment Survey Results

Jo O'Brien, Assistant Commissioner, CDE Office of Standards and Assessments, provided the following handouts to the committee:
She discussed the purpose of the CAP4K program, which was created under Senate Bill 08-212 and outlines a plan for updating the state's content standards and assessments. She then discussed the assessment survey that was distributed in October 2009 and available until December 31 that discussed the current assessment and future assessments. She reviewed the main findings of the survey, noting that respondents indicated a more accurate indicator of student knowledge includes:

02:37 PM

She also noted that the survey found that there was a split on whether assessment performance should be tied to grade advancement. She noted that during the tour there was an interest in having formative and summative assessments. She also discussed the work of the assessment advisory panel. She next discussed the 13-city tour that the CDE and DHE held jointly. She explained that a clear theme emerged from the evening tours: timely and meaningful results for parents, students and higher education; portable results that can get the student a job or into school; and diagnostic results that can be used to inform instruction.


02:44 PM

Representative Peniston expressed concern that the public of Colorado surveyed believes that result should not be tied to teacher/school performance but there is a push to do so legislatively. Representative Benefield asked if an assessment model that is adopted that allows students to take tests when they are ready, would negatively impact the Colorado Growth Model. Conversation on this topic ensued.


02:51 PM

Representative Murray commented on Representative Peniston's earlier remarks about assessment results being tied to teacher/school performance, noting that the majority of the respondents were educators. Representative Solano asked if there is any portion of the CSAP that is preventing timely feedback. Ms. O'Brien responded that there is a five- to six-week window to administer the exam, and then additional time for scoring. Representative Solano asked the turnaround time for the writing exam. Ms. O'Brien responded that the results are available by June. The committee also discussed the issue of educators grading the new assessments that are being contemplated, such as portfolio work, and the time it would take to accomplish this task.


02:57 PM

Representative Todd discussed the demographics of the respondents, noting that only 72 parents responded and 7 members of the business community. She expressed concern of the lack of participation by citizens outside the education community. Ms. O'Brien responded that the survey was one aspect of the public input gathering, and that the CDE-DHE tour had a higher attendance of a more diverse population of people. She noted that a common theme from the public is providing students with no-stakes feedback and that the goal of assessments should be preparing students for postsecondary and workforce readiness.


03:03 PM

Representative Peniston commented that Adams School District 50 is piloting a program to allow students to determine when they are ready to take assessments. Representative Todd discussed pros and cons of this method, sharing her experience as a teacher utilizing this model. Discussion on this topic ensued.


03:08 PM

Ms. O'Brien discussed the pilot program for the PWRA, which CDE was required to implement under Senate Bill 08-212. She explained which assessments a school could select to use in the pilot, which included: ACT EXPLORE and PLAN; NWEA Measures of Academic Progress; Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery; PSAT; or PASS. She reviewed the data analysis conclusions (a summary of the findings are available in Attachment D), and noted that the majority of student participants were Caucasian, which probably skewed the results. She further noted that the value of the next assessments will be in providing clearer feedback on postsecondary and workforce readiness. Representative Solano asked what the turnaround time was for the pilot assessments. Ms. O'Brien noted that the turnaround time varied, depending on the assessment. Ms. O'Brien shared the results from the survey provided to students and schools at the end of the pilot.


03:17 PM

She concluded by providing the committee with national assessment information and federal grant opportunities to assist in funding assessment revisions. She explained that there is a Race to the Top opportunity and the Comprehensive Assessment Act. She noted that the total amount available is $350 million and that states can apply as a consortium.


03:22 PM

Representative Solano asked about the role of the stakeholder and advisory committees. Ms. O'Brien responded that their role is to take the public input and national research, meet every six weeks, and provide recommendations based on that information to the State Board of Education by December 2010. She further noted that the two groups work together in developing recommendations and reviewing information. Representative Solano asked how many teachers are on the committees. Ms. O'Brien replied that she does not have the information available, but that she can provide that breakdown to the committee.


03:27 PM

The committee adjourned.