Over Testing Resolution

The following is an email from UEA President Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh.


Over the past few weeks, students have been taking SAGE tests on writing. We have heard from many of you about the challenges your students have experienced with this test and others.

The UEA has assisted Rep. Marie Poulson in writing a resolution (numbered HCR7, view here) to minimize excessive testing and its negative impacts on the schoolchildren of Utah.

HCR7 is being heard in the House Education Standing Committee on Tuesday, February 17, at 4:10 p.m. in Room 30 in the House Building (view agenda). I will be testifying in support of this resolution. I encourage you, your members and anyone who can possibly join us to do so. Our presence will show our support of this resolution and the efforts of Rep. Poulson.

Even if you cannot attend, please share your testing stories by e-mailing your Legislator.

Thank you!

Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh
UEA President

UEA Application for Assessment Literacy Task Force

UEA is looking for master teachers, specialists, and administrators from all levels who have designed assessments, analyzed assessment data, used data for student progress, and have a basic understanding of the role of assessments in Student Learning Objectives (SLOs).  If you or someone you know who is a member of JEA have developed these skills through a master’s program, NBCT, SAGE item writing, SLO writing, or PLCs, I encourage you to apply for this unique opportunity to lead our profession through designing assessment literacy curriculum for UEA members.  See the information below and this link to the JEA website and application. 

 There is a $1500 stipend for your work on this task force.  Application deadline is Friday, November 28.

 

 

DATE:          November 11, 2014

RE:              TIME-SENSITIVE:  Call for Applications for Assessment Literacy Task Force

This memorandum serves as a call for applications to the Assessment Literacy task force. We are seeking UEA members with:

·         Experience in assessment literacy including competency designing assessment, analyzing baseline student data, developing growth targets for students, utilizing data to monitor student progress; and creating valid, reliable, developmentally appropriate student assessments

·         Knowledge of current assessment literacy curriculum and research

·         Basic understanding of Student Learning Objectives (SLO)and the correlation of assessments to the creation of SLOs.

 

The Task Force has a very tight timeline for its work setting an April 2015 deadline for reporting to the UEA Board of Directors.  Therefore, the DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS NOVEMBER 28, 2014.  The application form is attached.

We are hard at work throughout the organization gathering input and data necessary for the task force to do its work.  This is a unique opportunity for UEA and our locals to take the lead on supporting our member educators through the creation of an assessment literacy curriculum related to the creation of Student Learning Objectives.  Thank you!

Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh, M.A., NBCT

President, Utah Education Association
2009 Utah Teacher of the Year

SAGE Information from UEA

The following is from UEA President Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh.

 

 

Thank you for all of your feedback on the SAGE computer adaptive test. Many members contacted me and shared personal experiences, frustrations and hopes about the SAGE test. More than 3,000 members participated in our online survey and shared their experiences with SAGE. This input was extremely valuable in understanding the problems and potential of the new tests for students and educators. Based on this feedback UEA met with the Utah State Office of Education (USOE) to discuss SAGE and request specific action.

 

We specifically requested that the Utah State Board of Education address, correct or implement several critical issues related to SAGE:

·         Technical glitches

·         Technology infrastructure

·         Accommodations for special education students

·         Testing protocols

·         Loss of instructional time required to administer assessments

·         Clear communication plan to engage educators

 

As part of the effort to keep educators more fully informed about SAGE, please see the letter from USOE Associate Superintendent Judy Park. The letter outlines corrections and changes that will be made to the test, the timeline for release of testing data and next steps in the SAGE development process.

SAGE Message from Utah Superintendent Martell Menlove

Superintendents and Charter Administrators,

 

There have been multiple instances the past few days of what I believe are serious violations of test security and testing protocols.

 

It is inappropriate for anyone, students, teachers, proctors, media, etc., to take screen shots of any computer screen containing a test item or individual student information.  I believe the sharing of such a screen shot not only violates test security but is also illegal and violates copyright laws.

 

Testing environments need to be maintained to assure accurate testing of students without outside interference.  Only those authorized educators should be in the room(s) while testing is occurring. 

 

I sent a document Monday concerning opting-out of testing.  Parents have the right to opt students out of testing.  However, this right is not extended to anyone other than a child’s parent or guardian.   I believe it is a violation of testing protocol and educator ethics for a licensed educator to encourage or suggest that individual students or groups of students not participate fully in State administered testing.

 

Please communicate with all licensed educators that those involved in sharing, or allowing the sharing, of any SAGE, DWA or other State assessment items will be referred to the Utah Professional Practices Commission and action may be taken against their teacher license.  This includes the requirement that all testing protocols will be followed.  Additionally, those who do not honor a parent’s right to opt out of testing, or those who inappropriately encourage or facilitate opting-out will also be referred to the Utah Professional Practices Commission for possible action against their license.

 

Thanks again for all your efforts to provide quality educational opportunities for Utah students.

 

Martell Menlove, Ph.D.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction

UEA President's Message April 2014 - SAGE

All of us who have been administering the SAGE assessments know about the problems from system crashes to students needs multiple hours to complete the test.  Please respond to the surveys about SAGE you will receive the week following Spring Break.

SAGE Issues

Please send issues and concerns about SAGE to the UEA president at sharon@utea.org  There were some major problems with testing yesterday.  See the response from USOE and AIR below.

We have been working with AIR today and this evening to investigate, diagnose, and respond to today’s testing problems.  After receiving an update from AIR this evening, they have assured us that all server problems contributing to the SAGE system issues seen yesterday and today, have been resolved and that testing can proceed as scheduled tomorrow. 

 AIR has provided the following response to Utah’s concerns:

 

SAGE Summative -3/26/14 System Disruption Update

AIR has identified and corrected the cause of the issues experienced today in some schools. After making the correction late this afternoon, AIR continued to closely monitor the servers. The performance of the servers immediately returned to their normal operating state. We are confident that students should not experience any further problems related to the SAGE servers. We will be monitoring the system closely throughout the day tomorrow. Additionally, AIR is confident that no student data was lost. If you have any concerns about student data, or if you want to report any other concern, please call AIR’s Help Desk at 1-855-570-7239. Thank you for your patience.

 

SAGE Help Desk Improvement -3/26/14 Update

AIR is committed to providing Utah teachers, test proctors, and students with the best possible customer service and timely information from our Help Desk.  In support of ongoing process improvement we are working with USOE to update all our Help Desk reference materials to ensure they are consistent with USOE testing policy and reflect the system requirements of SAGE. Help Desk staff will be retrained on updated communication protocols and SAGE-specific reference materials. Knowing how important timely responses are to the schools, AIR is adding additional Help Desk staff that will be dedicated to the SAGE program.

 

Julie Quinn

Coordinator
Test Administration and Reporting
Assessment and Accountability
Utah State Office of Education
Julie.Quinn@schools.utah.gov