Changes in 2012-13 Grades 5 and 8 Science and EOI Biology I Assessments

September 17th, 2012 Bob

September 17, 2012

FROM:  Office of Accountability and Assessments

TO:  Science Coordinators and Teachers of Grade 5 and 8 Science, and Biology I

RE:  2012-13 Grades 5 and 8 Science and EOI Biology I Assessments

Science testing within the State of Oklahoma has been in a state of transition since the adoption of new academic standards in spring of 2011.  The purpose of this memo is to clarify changes which have occurred to the science assessments since the new academic standards were adopted and to communicate the testing plan for the Science 2012-13 testing year.    The following summary explains the changes which have an impact upon testing.

   A change in academic standards: 

• During 2010-11 the Science Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS) standards were revised by committees of Oklahoma teachers and community stakeholders and were adopted by the Oklahoma State Board of Education in Spring 2011.  These new science standards, PASS (revision 2011), replaced the science standards which had been previously taught in Oklahoma classrooms since 2002.
• When new academic standards and objectives are implemented, assessments go through a transition period. During this transition time, new test questions are developed and field tested in order to meet the blueprint criteria for alignment.  It takes at least one year before the criteria for test alignment to the new standards can be completely met.
• Science assessments administered during School Year 2011-12 contained both operational (scored) items based upon PASS 2002 and field test (non-scored) items based upon PASS (revision 2011).
• Upon receiving the USDE No Child Left behind (NCLB) waiver, Science PASS (revision 2011) standards and objectives were renamed the Oklahoma C³ Science Standards. Currently, Oklahoma C³ Science Standards are comparable to the PASS (revision 2011) standards.
• During SY 2012-13, both operational and field test items will be referenced as the Oklahoma C³ Science Standards (revision 2011).

A change in rigor:

• Under direction from the United States Department of Education (USDE), the State science assessments have continued to require Oklahoma science students to use higher level thinking skills.  The OCCT Grade 8 science and Biology I assessments have increased the cognitive demands on students from previous years.
• The following Depth-of-Knowledge(DOK) transition chart illustrates the gradual increase in  cognitive demand on  the OCCT science assessments:

OCCT Science Assessments DOK Transition

 

• For SY 2012-13, the OMAAP science assessment DOK will remain at the 2011-12 level as illustrated below in the OMAAP Depth-of-Knowledge (DOK) chart.

 

OMAAP Science Assessments DOK

 

A change in Achievement Standards:

• The science academic standards revision of 2010-11 resulted in new objectives and skills being added at each assessed level for Grades 5 and 8.   Specifically for Biology I, the objective realignment resulted in one less content standard, while other standards gained objectives.
• The academic standards define the content and processes which will be covered on the OCCT and OMAAP tests.  A committee of Oklahoma science teachers and science curriculum experts met and revised the OCCT and OMAAP test blueprint.  Therefore, the emphasis changed to align with the new Oklahoma C³ Science Standards (revision 2011).
• When the academic content and emphasis of the OCCT and OMAAP Grades 5 and 8 science change, student performance level expectations also change.
• Given the number of changes, the old cut score may not adequately capture student performance. Thus, science standard setting committees will meet following Spring 2013 testing.  These committees of content experts will be tasked with (1) evaluating the reasonableness of the current cut scores given the changes, (2) establishing new performance levels as needed, and (3) setting new cut scores for the OCCT grades 5 and 8 science, and Biology I assessments.

What do these changes mean for Oklahoma students and science during SY 2012-13?

OCCT Grades 5 and 8 Science

• Instruction should focus on the new Oklahoma C³ Science Standards (revision 2011) for the 2012-13 school year.
• Spring 2013 Grades 5 and 8 science tests will assess the Oklahoma C³ Science Standards (revision 2011).
• The Oklahoma C³ Science Standards (revision 2011) reflect content changes; therefore, Grades 5 and 8 students will receive individual scores on these tests following the early June standard setting.
•  For 2012-13, the test results will be used in calculations for the A-F Report Card.

OCCT and OMAAP Biology I End-of-Instruction (EOI)

• Instruction should focus on the Oklahoma C³  Science Standards (revision 2011) for the 2012-13 school year.
• The 2012-13 Biology I EOI test will assess the Oklahoma C ³ Science Standards (revision 2011).
• Students’ scores will be based on operational items aligned to both the process and content standards and will follow the established 2012-13 test blueprint.  Field test items do not contribute to student scores.
• For 2012-13, the test results will be used in calculations for the A-F Report Card.

Optional Re-Test and Winter/Trimester Test Windows (Biology I EOI only)

• Second time testers who received instruction prior to this school year should participate in the Optional Retest Window before the traditional Winter/Trimester Window where they will be administered a test aligned to the prior PASS Biology I Standards (version 2002) and previous DOK levels.
• Students participating in the optional re-test window will receive a performance level score three working days following the close of the Trimester testing window.
• Students enrolled in Biology I for the first time during SY2012-13 will be administered an assessment based on the Oklahoma C³ Science Standards (revision 2011) during the traditional Winter/Trimester Window.
• Students participating in the traditional Winter/Trimester Window will receive a score following the June 2013 standard setting.
• The Office of Accountability and Assessments recommends:

 

*Second Time Test Takers who need both a read-aloud accommodation and a performance score prior to June 2013 in order to meet graduation requirements, should take the online version of the test during the retest window.  Either a text-to-speech functionality will be available for the online test or a small group read-aloud could be arranged by the Building Test Coordinator.  Call the Office of Accountability and Assessments, (405) 521-3341, to find out more information regarding this option.

 

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OSTA Fall Conference Agenda Announced

October 25th, 2010 Bob

Have you Registered for the Conference yet?  It’s time for Dr. Allan to send in the lunch count so you need to sign-in to the On-line Registration system and get your name on the list!

The tentative program for the OSTA Fall Staff Development Conference was announced today (October 25).  Most events will be held in Howell Hall, the science building on the UCO campus with the Nigh University Center and the Forensic Science Institute building located nearby.  Download a campus map HERE.

Parking lots 13, 17, and 18 are all located close to the conference and you can park in them without charge on Saturday.  Signs will be located at the Howell Hall entrances directing you to the Atrium and OSTA Check-in and Registration.

You may continue to register on-line and will be able to access the Telusys registration system for on-site registration on November 6th.

7:45- 8:25 Registration / Continental Breakfast / Welcome @ 8:20 a.m. – Howell Hall Atrium

8:30-11:20 Forensic Science Institute. (Maximum of 30 participants) – UCO Forensic Science Building

8:30-9:20

Incorporating Biotechnology into Your Curriculum

Nature  Journaling

Utilizing Data Collection Probes in the classroom: Sample Lessons and Lessons

Learned Leaping onto STEM

Astrobiology-The Search for Life Here and Elsewhere

Agriculture Feeds Oklahoma

Delta Science Modules for Grades 3-5: Earth and Physical Science

High Performance Computing for Teaching Science

9:30-10:20

Let Your Fingers Do the Walking Through Your DNA

Connecting Classrooms with Oklahoma’s Outdoors using Virtual Field Trips

SMART Board Science

Biology EOI Tips for Success

Kepler’s Law, Orbits, and the Search for Exoplanets

Plant Perceptions: Challenging Students’ Misconceptions about Plants

FOSS for Grades K-2: Focus on Physical and Earth Science

10:30-11:20

Immunoassay in a Bag

Oklahoma Green Schools

Using Google as a Collaborative Tool in Science

This is Science Olympiad

NASA Earth and Space Science

Crazy Traits Adaptations FOSS-Middle School and DSM for Grades 6-8: Overview and Investigations

11:20 – 12:30 Keynote Speaker: Dr. Dwight Adams, UCO Forensic Science Institute and OSTA Business meeting

12:30- 1:20 Lunch for Preregistered Participants, Presenters, and Exhibitors: Constitution Hall – Nigh University Center  2nd floor

1:30-2:30

DNA is Here to Stay: Four Different Models

Renewable Energy-The Quest for Sustainable Options

Animate Your Lessons with Animoto

Electric Circits Made Easy

LEAP (through Outdoor Classroom as) F.R.O.G.

Drosophila: Genetics activites with fruit flies

Take the Dragonfly Q.U.E.S.T.

2:30-3:30 Break: Visit Exhibitors and Silent Auction in Howell Hall Atrium (BIDDING ENDS AT 3:00 p.m.)

3:00-4:00

Biotech Labs from the Kitchen

Renewable Energy-The Quest for Sustainable Options

Amazing Cleaning Chemicals

Marble Launcher Fun

LEAP (through Outdoor Classroom as) F.R.O.G.

Writer’s Workshop Beware!

Take the Dragonfly Q.U.E.S.T.

PLEASE NOTE! – If you have to make changes in your registration or have questions concerning your registration, presentation, or the facilities, do not slow up your answers by contacting the nice people at Telusys or your cheerful OSTA News Editor.   Registration questions should be directed to OSTA Staff Development Chair Kathy Pursley, payment questions should be directed to OSTA Treasurer Peggy Alexander, and presentation and schedule questions should be directed to OSTA Vice President Beth Allan.

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Legislature Underway

February 10th, 2010 Bob

The Oklahoma Legislative session began last week and it doesn’t take long to realize it’s an election year . Attached is a list of the bills that have something to do with education.  The list contains the bill numbers, the author, and usually the words “An Act Related to Schools…”  Some of the bills are funding measures for may state agencies that are necessary each year, others are “shell” bills that have very little other than a number  ascribed to them as yet because there will be other measures rolled up into them or they are awaiting budgetary figures and conference reports.

And there are the others…

Some of the bills have already garnered public attention such as  Tom Ivester’s  sb1338 which is ” An Act relating to schools; authorizing independent school districts to offer elective courses on Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament to certain students; stating purposes; prohibiting a requirement that students use specific translation as text; requiring certain courses to follow applicable law and certain guidelines; prohibiting certain courses from promoting or disfavoring any religion or nonreligious faith or religious perspective; stating Legislative intent; directing State Board of Education to adopt certain curricular standards by certain date; requiring Attorney General to review standards and ensure compliance with certain provisions; prohibiting Board from adopting standards without approval of Attorney General; directing Board to approve certain teacher training materials and   resources by certain date; directing State Superintendent of Public Instruction to distribute list of approved training materials and resources to districts by certain date; requiring certain districts to provide certain materials to teachers of certain courses; prohibiting certain construction; prohibiting requirement of additional funds for certain authority; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.; Effective Date: 11/01/2010″.  By the way, Bible as Literature courses are already perfectly legal and have been for some time.

and

Brian Renegar’s HB3047 ” An Act relating to schools; amending 70 O.S. 2001, Section 1210.513, which relates to participation in the National Assessment of Educational Progress; clarifying language; and providing an effective date.; Effective Date: 11/01/2010. ”  Which proposes full state participation in NAEP and a audit of the state curriculum standards.

and

Gary Stanislawski’s, sb1391 “An Act relating to schools; amending 70 O.S. 2001, Section 1210.508, as last amended by Section 8, Chapter 456, O.S.L. 2009 (70 O.S. Supp. 2009, Section 1210.508), which relates to the Oklahoma School Testing Program Act; providing certain exemption for certain students; modifying required end-of-instruction tests for Geometry and Algebra II ; requiring students to take ACT assessment; directing State Board of Education to contract for administration of ACT assessment; limiting responsibility for certain fees or costs; modifying testing window dates; amending Section 6, Chapter 432, O.S.L. 2005, as last amended by Section 11, Chapter 456, O.S.L. 2009 (70 O.S. Supp. 2009, Section 1210.523), which relates to mastery of state academic content standards; modifying requirements for graduation from public high school; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.; Effective Date: 07/01/2010 Emergency. ” Which proposes elimination of all EOI test other than English II and Algebra I and substitute the ACT as the state graduation test (be careful what you ask for is all I can say…)

These may or may not be perfectly good ideas, but it’s easy to see why they might have an impact on schools and students across the state.  To help you be a better informed Legislature watcher, I’ve attached a list of the prefiled measures that are directly related to education.  That doesn’t mean something won’t get changed or amended over the next few months, but it is a starting point.  If you wish to know more about each measure and follow it as it changes along the way, go to the Legislature’s web page at http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/.  There you can read the text of each bill and follow it’s progress through the legislative process.

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EOI Calculator Policy Changed

August 27th, 2009 Bob

(announced by OSDE, August 27, 2009)

The items on the Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Biology I assessments are designed so that calculators are not required to solve any of the problems.  All tasks can be solved without the use of a calculator.  However, certain tasks are much more difficult if a calculator is not available. Before the first day of the test, students using a calculator for any EOI mathematics or science assessment should be familiar with the use of the specific calculator that will be utilized.  Students must be instructed in the use of calculators or this tool can actually hinder students’ performance on the assessment.  The appropriate calculator will be available for the online version of the EOI mathematics and science tests.

Subject-specific Requirements

Algebra I, Geometry, and Biology I:

• Scientific Calculators meeting general requirements may be used on all/specified sections.

Algebra II:

• Graphing Calculators meeting general requirements may be used on all/specified sections.

General Requirements

• Calculators are permitted but are not required.

• Calculator capabilities described for a specific subject give the maximum capabilities allowed; calculators with less capability are acceptable.

• Students may not share calculators.

• Students may use their own calculators or those provided by the school.

• Calculators that make noise must have the sound feature turned off.

• Calculators that have paper tape must have the tape removed.

• Calculators with power cords must have the cord removed.

• All calculators must have the memory cleared before and after the test session.

• Any programs or applications must be removed prior to the test session.

Prohibited Calculators

• Pocket organizers

• Handheld or laptop computers

• Electronic writing pads or pen-input devices

• Calculators built into cellular phones or other electronic communication devices

• Calculators with a typewriter keypad (QWERTY format)

• Calculators with programs or applications that cannot be removed or disabled (e.g., Polynomial Root-Finder and Simultaneous Equation Solver on TI-86)

• Calculators with built-in computer algebra systems (CAS), such as, but not limited to: Casio: Algebra fx 2.0, ClassPad 300, and all model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G. Texas Instruments: All model numbers that begin with TI-89 or TI-92 Hewlett-Packard: HP-48GII and all model numbers that begin with HP-40G or HP-49G

Test Security and Validity

Using a calculator that does not meet the above requirements invalidates the test results and is a violation of test security and test validity.  Any violation will be reported to the State Superintendent and may result in revocation of teaching and/or administrative certificates.

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More February NEWS from OSDE

February 20th, 2009 Bob

Even though February is a short month, A LOT of stuff is happening in science education.  Catch up on the latest, including information about these legislative actions in a special edition Janagram:

House Bill 1706

House Bill 1706 ( proposed committee substitute) calls for the elimination of Grade 5 Science assessment, all Social Studies assessments (grade 5, 7, 8, and high school EOI), as well as high school geometry EOI,  and the Arts Assessment process in Grade 3-8.

Senate Bill 1111

This bill creates a new “Education Oversight Board” and moves all student assessment, school data collection (the WAVE), and supporting federal monies to this new agency. The bill requires an outside organization to do a curriculum crosswalk of Oklahoma PASS with the NAEP framework and also eliminates the Grade 5 Social Studies assessment and the Grade 8 U.S. History/ Constitution/ Government assessment.

Senate Bill 766

SB 766 requires the State Department of Education to adopt readiness standards for high school level preparation for middle school students, including standards for math, science and English.

Oklahoma Legislature Home Page

See <http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/> to read the full text of the bills listed above, track a bill, or locate your senator or representative.

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NEW! 2008 Testing Resources Now Up on OSDE Website

September 15th, 2008 Bob

The following updated documents are now accessible from the Oklahoma State Department of Education Website, Accountability and Assessment page http://sde.state.ok.us/AcctAssess/core.html

Core/Curriculum Tests:

Blueprints for the EOI Test: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, English II, English III, Biology I, and US History.

Item Specification and Sample Items: Grades 3 ‑ 8, (Science 5 and 8 will be updated at a future date).

Released Items 2008‑2009:  EOI Biology I and Answer Key, Algebra I and Answer Key.

Test Administration Resources: 

End‑of‑Instruction: Testing Cumulative Record Form 2007‑2008.                                                                 Test Interpretation Manuals:  Grades 3‑8, EOI, OMAAP.

Presentations: Test Interpretation Inservice 2008.

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OSDE to Offer Science Assessment Workshops

August 25th, 2008 Bob

The Office of Accountability and Assessments is pleased to offer workshops for Oklahoma science educators concerning the End-of-Instruction (EOI) Biology and Grade 5 and 8 sciences assessments.

Primary objectives of the workshops include the following:

• To understand the use of PASS, Test Specifications and Item Specifications, and the testing format for the EOI and OCCT science assessments
• To provide an overview of test item development, including dual alignment of PASS content and process standards and DOK levels.
• To gain experience and knowledge creating own items and how to teach this testing process to students
• To build professional collegiality and networking among science teachers.

The training will be delivered by staff members from Pearson’s and Data Recognition Corporation’s (DRC) Science Content Support teams experienced in working with Oklahoma’s science assessments.  Representatives from the State Department of Education will also be available during the workshop to respond to questions.

Biology I workshops will be held from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

¨     Lawton: Tuesday, October 7, Great Plains Technology Center

¨     Oklahoma City: Wednesday, October 8, Francis Tuttle Technology Center                                                                                                                        - Rockwell Campus

¨     Tulsa: Thursday, October 9, Tulsa Technology Center – Peoria Campus

Grades 5 and 8 Science workshops will be held from 9:00am – 3:30 pm

¨      Durant: Monday, September 29, Kiamichi Technology Center, Durant, OK

¨     Tulsa: Tuesday, September 30, Clarion Hotel, Broken Arrow, OK

¨     Chickasha: Wednesday, October 1, Canadian Valley Technology Center                                                                                                                      – Chickasha Campus

¨     Woodward: Thursday, October 2, High Plains Technology Center,                                                                                                                            Seminar A Main Building

¨     Oklahoma City: Friday, October 3, Francis Tuttle Technology Center                                                                                                                        – Reno Campus

 

Space is limited and registration is required.

For additional information contact Gaile Loving at 405-521-3341, or email Gaile_Loving@sde.state.ok.us

To register you must contact your local District Test Coordinator to obtain the proper url for the registration site.

Direct your questions to the following numbers and e-mail addresses:

      Biology:  Pearson at 1- 866-294-9970 or okeoionline@support.pearson.com      

      Grades 5 and 8 Science:  DRC at 1-866-546-9404 or email OK@datarecogntioncorp.com.  

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