NSCAS test development opportunities are available for the summer 2019.  We encourage all educators to apply for the posted opportunities. It is important to NDE to get broad representation from districts, and it is a great learning experience for educators! NDE would also like to encourage educators with various backgrounds to apply. The whole process is best when diverse voices contribute to the creation and maintenance of NSCAS assessments.  The Application is below.

General Assessment 

ELA Item Writer Workshop – June 11-13, 2019

Math Item Writer Workshop – June 11-13, 2019

Science Task Development Workshop I – June 17-21

Science Task Development Workshop II – July 8-12, 2019 or 9-12, 2019

ELA Item Content and Bias Review – July 23-25, 2019

Math  Item Content and Bias Review – July 23-25, 2019

Science Task Content and bias Review – TBD

Alternate Assessment 

Alternate ELA Item Writer Workshop – June 5-6, 2019

Alternate Math Item Writer Workshop June 7, 2019

Alternate Science Item Writer Workshop June 10-13, 2019

NSCAS Application 2019

The Chrome browser is preferred for this application. The first page of the link will offer details about content areas and dates. Please let NDE know if you have any questions about the application or the test development opportunities.

Thank you,

Statewide Assessment

ACT UPDATES 2.4.2019

DEADLINES:

Friday, February 15, 2019 5 pm CT- All accommodations requests, verification of students in PA Next and Online Site Readiness (Proctor Caching and Mock Administrations) are due this Friday by 5 pm CT.

ACT WEBINARS

ACT will be presenting part two of the State Test Administration Q&A webinar on February 13, 2019 at 10 am CT.  This will cover more detailed information and review of the ACT State Test scheduled for April 2. Register for the webinar here.

The ACT Online Technical Readiness Webinar from January 24, 2019 is now available to watch, you can find it at this link, please click on “Already Registered” to view webinar. Please note, there is an error in the Power Point, Iris Owens phone number is 402.471.4316.

PA NEXT

Pearson Access Next has recently updated the PA Next User Guide (Jan. 23).  If you are using a previous version, please download the new version from the ACT Nebraska Website.

Reminder! Friday, February 15, 2019 is the last day you can prepare for any online testing by completing the Proctor Caching and Mock Administration.  This is also the deadline to review the student roster and make changes.  You can still add students to this list after the deadline, however, there will not be a label for their test booklets. The instructions to enroll or unroll students in PA Next is located here.

Third Year Cohort: Please remember to verify your student roster is the third year cohort.  NDE records noted over 100 students who are not juniors but are in this cohort and are expected to test.

ACT CROSSWALK

ACT recently updated the ACT-Nebraska Accommodations Crosswalk. Please take a look at what is new in the 2019 document.

Test season is quickly approaching! Please do not hesitate to reach out to NDE or any of the vendors with questions. All of the contact information can be accessed here: https://www.education.ne.gov/assessment/contact-us/

Training for both NSCAS General and Alternate is scheduled for the next two weeks. A recording of these sessions will be available if you are unable to attend.

Alternate Assessment

NSCAS Alternate Administration Training:

Feb 14, 2019 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

2019 NSCAS Alternate Test Administration Training – Session 1

Join the meeting

Feb 15, 2019 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

2019 NSCAS Alternate Test Administration Training – Session 2

Join the meeting

NSCAS Alternate Proctor Training Recording (25 min 45 secs)- Posted 2.12.19

Sorry for the inconvenience, please disregard the first screen that states there is no content to view at the moment. When you start the video the Alternate Assessment Proctor Training will begin.

Note: Please copy the link below into Google Chrome if you are having trouble accessing the recording link.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__datarecognitioncorpaudio.webex.com_datarecognitioncorpaudio_lsr.php-3FRCID-3D16a9ee86cae84e92a0e777a17cdaeb70&d=DwMGaQ&c=8zrWcxohc8EScTghaWfhULjPi_iW3pFnOBrhZAw_16M&r=L6E6Tou0rdwN7HSba61JGLJXuYfMvcWvjYmNTuRK_K0&m=B1Wd3V2kYBruD7zXZeAuwrC7BPIidFhSCUm–eE25B4&s=7S1RNK7YA0ndN_jJtcOyKjbrTBFSfH6ZDz2A-VVYP6Y&e=

General Assessment 

NSCAS General Administration Training:

NSCAS General Summative Test Administration Workshops

To register: Registration Link for Feb 18-22, 2019

Mon. Feb 18, 2019 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. CST Join Meeting

Tues. Feb 19, 2019 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. CST Join Meeting

Wed. Feb 20, 2019 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. CST Join Meeting

Thur. Feb 21, 2019 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. CST Join Meeting

Fri. Feb 22, 2019 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. CST Join Meeting

ACT will be closed due to weather on Wednesday January 30, 2019.  The call center will close at 5 p.m. central Tuesday and reopen on Thursday at 8 a.m.  If you are calling in on Thursday, January 31, 2019 , expect delays due to a high volume of calls.

Please contact Iris Owens if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Statewide Assessment

If you were on the webinar that started at 1 pm, there are some technical difficulties and everyone has been disconnected.  You can continue to try the link.  If you are not able to access the webinar it is being recorded and will be available soon. We will make another post once the recording is available.  Sorry about the inconvenience and let us know if you have any questions.

Statewide Assessment

Please Join us!

Thurs. January 24, 2019 1 pm CT- ACT Online Technical Readiness Webinar

Let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you!

Statewide Assessment

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. day we will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2019.

Statewide Assessment

Click on the link below to register for the ACT Test Administration Q&A.

Tues. January 15, 2019 10 am CT- Nebraska ACT Test Administration Q&A #1

Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you!

Statewide Assessment

Two exciting positions are currently open at NDE in the Statewide Assessment Office. We are looking for talented individuals that believe in the power of assessments and serving students, educators, and districts. Please feel free to share with potential candidates. Both positions may remain open until summer if the right candidate is in a current contract.

The first position is the Assistant Director of Statewide Assessment. This individual will be involved with all aspects of Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System and will have a significant voice in the direction and implementation of supports for Nebraska’s educational system.

Assistant Director Statewide Assessment (Education Specialist IV) 60000939

Work Location:  NSOB Lincoln

Application Deadline:  12/31/2018

The second position will actually be an NWEA employee that is housed at the Nebraska Department of Education. This position will serve as a point of direct contact for district and state level partners engaging in NWEA professional learning and other contract deliverables. Additionally, this individual will collaborate with NDE stakeholders regarding professional learning for assessment. Teaching experience and knowledge of professional learning are key for this position.

Program Manager (Professional Learning Focus)

Application Deadline: Until filled