Science Assessments Spring 2018

Post date: Mar 25, 2018 3:13:49 PM

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has requested a waiver of the reporting requirements from section 1111(b)(3)(C)(xii) and (b)(3)(C)(xv) as well as sections 1111(h)(1)(C)(i) and (h)(1)(C)(iv) and the corresponding requirements in section 1111(h)(2)(B) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

DESE has elected to administer field-test-only science assessments. The rationale for this is two-pronged. First, double testing is eliminated (field testing against new science standards and operational assessments against old science standards). Second, the use of a field test based on new science standards will accelerate migration to new standards rather than structuring a set of competing priorities between old and new standards. These field tests will align to the standards adopted by the State Board in April 2016.

Specifically, DESE is requesting a waiver that allows the reporting of participation rates only as part of the EDEN/CSPR collection for grades five and eight science assessments and Biology End-of-Course assessment, excluding proficiency rates. Missouri will report all other proficiency rate data. To read the waiver request, visit the ESSA webpage<https://dese.mo.gov/quality-schools/federal-programs/essa-plan>.