Grade 3 Student Learning Assessments Preparing for the Fall 2015 Year 2 Pilot Administration.

Grade 3Student Learning Assessments

Preparing for the Fall 2015 Year 2 Pilot Administration

AGENDA

• Background on SLAs, account access, teacher dashboard

• SLA Format, delivery and administration

• Assistive Features

• Marking, results and reporting

• Website links and teacher support

KEY DOCUMENTS

General Information Bulletin 2015-16

SLA Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin

Student Learning Assessment Update

SLA User Guide

SLA Access User Guide

https://education.alberta.ca/department/ipr/slas/



BACKGROUND

The Student Learning Assessment (SLAs) have three purposes:1. Improve student learning (primary purpose)2. Enhance instruction for students3. Asure Albertans the education system is meeting the needs of students and achieves the outcomes of the Ministerial Order on Student Learning.

Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 1

What are SLAs?

• SLAs are beginning of the year “check in” or formative digitally-based provincial assessment tools that Alberta is developing.

• SLA are meant to enable both parents and teachers to identify student strengths and areas of growth at the start of the school year.

• SLAs support student learning while effectively assessing literacy and numeracy based on the current programs of study.

Student Learning Update pg. 1

Fall 2015 SLA3 Pilot

• Participation in the fall 2015 SLA3 Pilot is optional for all school authorities.

• Reporting to the general public at the school, school authority and provincial level will not occur until the SLA3 transitions from Pilot to full administration.

Where to Start

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=exIl8WY79xk%23https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=exIl8WY79xk

REGISTER FOR YOUR TEACHER ACCOUNT

SLA Access User Guide pg. 3

In your browser:1. http://bit.ly/1Ot11rT2. https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment

http://bit.ly/1Ot11rT


https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment

https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment

Exploring the Teacher Dashboard

SLA Access User Guide pg. 3-12

In your browser:1. http://bit.ly/1Ot11rT2. http://bit.ly/1LgmzVJ




http://bit.ly/1LgmzVJ


https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MmXqNDbR2PY%23https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MmXqNDbR2PY

SLA FORMAT & ADMINISTRATION

Length of SLA3• The SLA3 is constructed to provide teachers with scheduling flexibility.

There are no time limits on any part of the SLA3. Each part can be administered in several short sessions and on different days.

Parts of the SLA3 Suggested Administration Time

Literacy Performance Task About 60–90 minutes

Digital Interactive Literacy Questions About 60 minutes

Numeracy Performance Task About 60 minutes

Digital Interactive Numeracy Questions About 60 minutes



SLA ADMINISTRATION

Schedules & Significant Dates September 1, 2015 Teacher Dashboard available to set up class lists, preview digital

questions and performance tasks, print performance tasks materials, and prepare for administration

September 8, 2015 Deadline for authorities to request access to paper-only versions of the SLA for students not permitted to access technology

Requests must be sent to [email protected] 10, 2015

Deadline for principals to submit Grade 3 school enrollment data to the Provincial Approach to Student Information (PASI)

Deadline for principals to approve access for Grade 3 teachers on the Extranet

Principals need to have an Extranet account setup prior to Grade 3 teachers requesting access via the Extranet (available at https://phoenix.edc.gov.ab.ca/)

General Info Bulletin pg. 5

mailto:[email protected]

https://phoenix.edc.gov.ab.ca/

Schedules & Significant Dates

September 14—October 9, 2015

4-week timeframe to administer the digital interactive literacy and numeracy questions*

September 14—November 1, 2015

7-week timeframe during which schools administer the literacy and numeracy performance tasks

November 16, 2015

Detailed SLA3 results of the digital interactive questions (marked by Alberta Education) will be available to schools and teachers through the SLA Teacher Dashboard.

*NOTE: Student Login access for the digital questions is only available during the administration window.


Who Writes the SLA3?

Students:• registered in Grade 3• ungraded students in their third year of schooling• repeating Grade 3• attending private-school• being home-educated*

Students are expected to write all four SLA components.

*home educated students at a level equivalent to Grade 3 write the SLA3, according to the published schedules, and under the supervision of the associate board or associate private school.



Preparing Students for the SLA3• Teachers are encouraged to provide opportunities for students to engage

with SLA3 practice questions as well as released questions from the 2014 Pilot.

• While practice questions familiarize students with the digital interactivity of the SLA3 questions, they are not examples of the content or complexity of the SLA3 questions.

• Released SLA3 questions contain approximately 50% of the total number of questions from the 2014 Pilot.

• The purpose of released questions is to familiarize teachers and students with examples of content, questions types and digital interactivity on the SLA3.

• Both practice questions and released questions can be accessed via the SLA Application at https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/


https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/


Administering the Performance Tasks

• Performance tasks are delivered digitally, but students respond through written and/or oral activities.

• Documents necessary for administering and other pertinent resources, will be available on the Teacher Dashboard.

• Students have experienced the most success with the performance tasks when they were administered during two or more short sessions.


Administering the Digital Assessment

SLA Access User Guide pg. 13-18

1. http://bit.ly/1Ot11rT2. http://bit.ly/1LgmzVJ

In your browser:






FRANCOPHONE & FRENCH IMMERSION STUDENTS

Francophone and French Immersion Students

• Literacy assessments are available in French (Immersion), and French (Francophone). French Immersion and Francophone Literacy components differ and reflect their respective expectations and programs of study of programs.

• Numeracy assessments are available in English and French. The French numeracy assessments for both French Immersion and Francophone students are the same as the English version.

• Grade 3 students in French Immersion or Francophone programs are not expected to also write the English Literacy components.

General Info Bulletin pg. 8-9


Francophone and French Immersion Students

English Students French Immersion Students Francophone Students

Literacy (digital) Questions interactives de littératie en format numérique

Questions interactives de littératie en format numérique

Literacy (performance task)

Tâche de rendement en littératie

Tâche de rendement en littératie

Numeracy (digital) Questions interactives de numératie en format numérique

Questions interactives de numératie en format numérique

Numeracy (performance task)

Tâche de rendement en numératie

Tâche de rendement en numératie


LITERACY ASSESSMENT

Literacy

Definition of Literacy • Literacy is the ability, confidence and

willingness to engage with language* to acquire, construct and communicate meaning in all aspects of daily living.

*Language is a socially and culturally constructed system of communication.



Components and Elements of Literacy Progressions

Component Elements

Literacy Awareness

Importance of Literacy (LA1)

Learner Awareness (LA2)

Task Awareness (LA3)

Literacy Knowledge and Understanding

Rules of Language (LKU1)

Acquire Information (LKU2)

Construct Meaning (LKU3)

Communicate Meaning (LKU4)

Additional information is available in the 2015 SLA3 Literacy and Numeracy Bulletin.


General Description of Literacy Assessment

The Literacy SLA3 consists of the following:• 45 digital questions (five sets; each set consists of 9

questions)• 36 questions will be assessed and 9 questions will be

embedded field test questions• a performance task composed of 4 activities. Students may be given short breaks during the digital or performance assessments. The assessments may be administered at any time during the administration period.

Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 5-7


Question Complexity (Applies to both the Literacy and Numeracy Assessments)

• Each digital question (item) in the SLA3 is designed with a specific level of complexity – low, moderate, or high.*

• Detailed descriptions of question complexity are available in the SLA 3 English Literacy and Numeracy Bulletin

* Adapted from Norman L. Webb, Wisconsin Center for Educational Research, Depth-of-Knowledge Levels for Four Content Areas, March 28, 2002

Question ComplexityHigh Moderate Low

6–10 items 17–23 items 6–10 items

The number of questions is presented as a range.



Draft Blueprint for the SLA3 DigitalLiteracy

A detailed blueprint is available in the SLA 3 English Literacy and Numeracy Bulletin.

Digital Questions

Percentage ofAssessment

Rules of Language 5–7 14–19%

Acquire Information 10–12 28–33%

Construct Meaning 10–12 28–33%

Communicate Meaning 7–9 19–25%

Total 36 100%



Suggestions for Responding to Literacy Digital Questions

• Look and/or listen to all information on the screen and think carefully before answering. The instructions guide students to obtain information from text, videos, audio clips, pictures, photographs, and other representations.

• Listen to the instructions and carefully read the question. Think about what the question is asking.

• Read, watch, or listen to the information as many times as needed.

• Recheck answers to make sure they are complete.• Choose the correct or best answer.



Description of the Literacy Performance Task

• The Literacy Performance Task is designed to engage students in a variety of activities that are based on outcomes in the current Grade 2 programs of study.

• They are constructed to incorporate thinking, viewing, peer discussions, writing, representing, and personal reflection.



Structure of the Literacy Performance Task

The Performance Task is designed to be completed in about 60–90 minutes. There are four activities:1) Presentation of Information2) Small Group Discussion and Planning3) Writing Time4) Self-reflection

It is recommended that the Performance Task be administered during several short sessions. Breaks may be taken at any time during the administration of the Performance Task.

Details for administering the Literacy Performance Task are in the Performance Task Administration Guidelines for Teachers, which is located on the Teacher Dashboard.



Assessing the Literacy Performance Task

• The Performance Task will be assessed only at the local level. • Teachers are expected to assess Literacy Performance Task

responses. – The use of the results to inform local decision-making is encouraged.– Student responses are kept at the school for reference during

teacher, student, and parent conversations. • When assessing the Literacy Performance Task, teachers will

use:– Assessment materials found on the Teacher Dashboard. These

include the performance task descriptors (rubric) and exemplars of student writing.

– Using these materials help teachers apply provincial standards.



Use of Dictionaries

• One purpose of the Literacy Performance Task is to determine what students can write independently.

• To ensure this purpose can be fulfilled, students shall not use published or personal dictionaries to complete the Literacy Performance Task.



Literacy Digital Assessment Itemshttps://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/

Literacy Digital Assessment

1. What kinds of Literacy assessment questions will my students need to answer?

2. What computer skills will they need to be able to perform?



https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/%23https:/public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/

NUMERACY ASSESSMENT

Numeracy

Definition of Numeracy• Numeracy is the ability, confidence and

willingness to engage with quantitative* or spatial† information to make informed decisions in all aspects of daily living.

*Quantitative information is information that can be measured and expressed as an amount.†Spatial information is the physical location of objects or the relationship between objects.



Components and Elements of Numeracy Progressions

Component Elements

Numeracy Awareness

Importance of Numeracy (NA1)

Learner Awareness (NA2)

Task Awareness (NA3)

Numeracy Knowledge and Understanding

Quantitative Information (NKU1)

Spatial Information (NKU2)

Interpret, Represent, Communicate (NKU3)

Strategies, Methods and Tools (NKU4)

Additional information is available in the 2015 SLA3 English Literacy and Numeracy Bulletin.


General Description of Numeracy Assessment

The Learning Assessment Numeracy SLA3 consists of the following:• 44 digital problem solving questions organized into five

separate sets• 35 questions will be assessed and 5 questions will be

embedded field test questions. • 4 number fact questions that address the recall of

addition facts to 10 (and the related subtraction facts) and the application of strategies for addition facts to 18 (and the related subtraction facts).

• A performance task composed of 2 activitiesLiteracy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 12-14


Draft Blueprint for the Grade 3 DigitalNumeracy SLA

A detailed blueprint is available in the SLA 3 English Literacy and Numeracy Bulletin.

Digitally Scored Questions

Percentage ofAssessment

Number Facts 4 10%

Number 13-15 33-38%

Patterns and Relations 7-9 18–23%

Shape and Space 8-10 20–25%

Statistics and Probability 3-5 7-12%

Total 39 100%



Suggestions for Responding to Numeracy Digital Questions

• Look and/or listen to all information on the screen and think carefully before answering. The instructions guide students to obtain information from numbers, words, signs, charts, pictures, graphs, or maps.

• While viewing all of the information on the screen, remember the question that needs to be answered. This will help students to focus on what is being asked of them.

• Use paper, pencil, and manipulatives when solving the problem. This will support students in using a variety of strategies to help them solve the problems.

• Students shall not use calculators at any time while responding to the digital questions.

• Recheck answers to make sure they are complete.• Choose the correct or best answer.



Horizontal Presentation of Number Facts

1. Navigation to progress through set of 4 questions related to Number Facts2. Navigation for student to progress through a series of Number Facts within each question3. Student input area4. Number pad: Students can click or touch the number pad to enter a response into the student input area (3). Students may also use their keyboard to enter response.


Vertical Presentation of Number Facts

1. Navigation to progress through set of 4 questions related to Number Facts2. Navigation for student to progress through a series of Number Facts within each question3. Student input area4. Number pad: Students can click or touch the number pad to enter a response into the student input area (3). Students may also use their keyboard to enter response.


Numeracy Digital Assessment Itemshttps://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/

Literacy Digital Assessment

1. What kinds of Numeracy assessment questions will my students need to answer?

2. What computer skills will they need to be able to perform?


https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/%23https:/public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/

Description of the Numeracy Performance Task

• The Performance Task is designed to engage students in a variety of activities.

• The activities are based on outcomes in the current Grade 2 programs of study.

• They are constructed to reflect knowledge representations, cognitive skill processes, and intrapersonal skills.


Structure of the Numeracy Performance Task

The Performance Task is composed of two activities and a final check, which are designed to be completed in 45 to 60 minutes..

1) Presentation of Information2) Activity 1: Problem Solving3) Activity 2: Problem Solving4) Final Check

It is recommended that the Performance Task be administered during several short sessions. Breaks may be taken at any time during the administration of the Performance Task.

Details for administering the Numeracy Performance Task are in the Performance Task Administration Guidelines for Teachers, which is located on the Teacher Dashboard.


Assessing the Numeracy Performance Task

• The Performance Task will be assessed only at the local level. • Teachers are expected to assess Numeracy Performance Task

responses. – The use of the results to inform local decision-making is encouraged.– Student responses are kept at the school for reference during

teacher, student, and parent conversations. • When assessing the Numeracy Performance Task, teachers will

use:– Assessment materials found on the Teacher Dashboard. These

include the performance task descriptors (rubric) and exemplars of student responses.

– Using these materials help teachers apply provincial standards.


Use of Calculators, Paper/Penciland Manipulatives

• In keeping with programs of study expectations, students shall not use calculators at any time when writing the Grade 3 Numeracy questions.

• Students should also have access to paper and a pencil during the digital assessment (except for the Number Facts).

• Manipulative materials can be used when writing the Grade 3 Numeracy SLA (except for the Number Facts).

Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 16 & 18

Performance Task Analysis

Numeracy Performance Assessment: The Zoo

https://learningnetworkcommunity.wikispaces.com/2015+Alberta+Education+Student+Learning+Assessment+SLA+3+-+Pilot+September+2015

https://learningnetworkcommunity.wikispaces.com/2015+Alberta+Education+Student+Learning+Assessment+SLA+3+-+Pilot+September+2015

https://education.alberta.ca/media/15240110/zoo-2.pptx%23https:/education.alberta.ca/media/15240110/zoo-2.pptx

Preview Questions• Starting September 1st, teachers can access

and preview both the digital interactive questions and performance tasks in the Teacher Dashboard.


https://education.alberta.ca/media/15240110/zoo-2.pptx%23https:/education.alberta.ca/media/15240110/zoo-2.pptx

Assessment PreviewTeacher Dashboard

ACCESSIBILITY AND THE SLA APPLICATION

Assistive Features for Students

• Alberta Education is committed to supporting the learning needs of all students so that they may have fair and equitable access to educational opportunities, including participation in the SLA3.

• To ensure accessibility the SLA3 is designed with as many assistive features as possible.


Assistive Features for StudentsSetting Options Description and Notes

Language English (default) French (default) Braille

All literacy and numeracy are available in English. All literacy and numeracy questions are available in French. Braille versions are not available for the 2015 Pilot.

Deaf or Hearing Impaired Transcript for all listening activities is provided for 2015 Pilot.

A transcript is available upon request at [email protected]. Text may be communicated in a manner suitable to the student’s requirements.



Assistive Features for StudentsSetting Options Description and Notes

Print Size No zoom (default)The zoom option is controlled by the student.

The option to change the font size on each question is available.

Text-to-Speech English and French literacy instructions: text-to-speech English and French literacy assessment parts and source material: no text-to-speech (default) or reader English and French numeracy instructions, assessment parts, and source material: text-to-speech

Audio is available only for the instructions portion of the assessment, with the exception of some listening activities and videos. The administrator has the option to provide a reader for students who meet Learning Support Guidelines.

Audio is available for the instructions, sources, and the questions.


Assistive Features for StudentsLiteracy Assessment (Digital Questions)• If a student’s Individual Program Plan indicates the need for

the support of a reader, this support may be utilized for the SLA3 literacy assessments.

• A student may be provided with a reader if the following conditions are met:– The student’s parents, teacher, and administrator have agreed

that this support is necessary. – The student has an IPP explaining how the student’s reading

needs will be addressed. – If a reader is utilized, individual results should be interpreted in a

way that reflects the use of this learning support.


Assistive Features for StudentsLiteracy Assessment (Performance Task)• For students unable to respond to a performance task in

written form, a verbal response should be recorded and/or scribed.

• This response will be assessed by the teacher.• A student may be provided with a scribe and/or recorder

if the following conditions are met:– The student’s teacher, parents/guardians, and school

administrator have agreed that this is an appropriate support.– The student has an IPP explaining how the student’s written

communication needs will be addressed.


SLA MARKING

Who Marks the SLA3?

• Digital Interactive Questions: marked by Alberta Education.

• Performance Tasks: marked locally. Schools and authorities determine the process. Four possible scenarios are: – Scenario 1: A teacher may mark his/her own students.– Scenario 2: Teachers within the same school may

collaboratively mark.– Scenario 3: Teachers within a school authority may

collaboratively mark.– Scenario 4: Teachers from neighbouring school authorities may

collectively and/or collaboratively mark.General Info Bulletin pg. 8

Performance Task

• For the 2015 Pilot, neither student responses nor results for the performance tasks will be submitted to Alberta Education.

• Student results for the performance tasks will be reported at the local level which should follow shortly after the administration of the SLA3.


Support for Local Marking of Performance Tasks by Teachers

• Alberta Education is providing school authorities with the approximately $300,000 in funding it previously used to centrally mark the former Grade 3 Provincial Achievement Tests to help school authorities with local marking of performance tasks by teachers.

Student Learning Update pg. 2

SLA PAPER VERSION

Paper Version

• Schools with special circumstances may be approved for the SLA paper version and will have all SLA materials shipped to them.

• Teachers are not expected to access the Teacher Dashboard for any part of the SLA administration.

• ARPDC Webinar Archive “Paper Version SLA3”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAi8p3oFPs0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAi8p3oFPs0



Marking the Paper Version

• The paper version of the SLA questions will be in booklet format.

• Students will respond to questions directly in the booklet.

• Student booklets will be returned to Alberta Education for marking and reporting (see the SLA General Information Booklet for details).


REPORTS & ACCESSING SLA RESULTS

Reports• By November 16, 2015, detailed SLA3 results of the digital interactive

questions (marked by Alberta Education) will be available to schools and teachers through the SLA Teacher Dashboard.

• Results will be in the form of interactive digital reports at the individual student and class levels.

• New for 2015, a print function has been built into the SLA Teacher Dashboard to allow teachers and administrators to print individual student reports.

• Results of the performance tasks (marked locally by teachers) will also be available, via schools, shortly after completion of the Pilot administration.

• Pre-porting to Parents • https://education.alberta.ca/media/15270838/sla3_quickfacts_parents.pdf•


https://education.alberta.ca/media/15270838/sla3_quickfacts_parents.pdf



SLA3 Results

• SLA results are to be used to improve student learning.

• Teachers can use these results to guide teaching throughout the year, to inform students and parents about progress and learning, and to select appropriate resources to meet the individual needs of each student.

• Principals can use the results to support teachers and instructional practices.General Info Bulletin pg. 13-14

Parental Access to Reports

• For the 2015 Pilot, parents and guardians will be able to access their child’s results via their child’s school.

• Schools are expected to share students’ SLA3 individual results with students’ parent(s) or guardian(s).

• Interpretation of results is best accomplished through conversation between parent/guardian, student and teacher.

• Teachers and parents/guardians are encouraged to discuss students’ SLA3 results together.


• Grade 3 Student Learning Assessments (SLA3) – Fall 2015 Pilot Quick Facts for Parents

TECHNOLOGY ISSUES

WEBSITE, LINKS, AND TEACHER SUPPORT

SLA Website and Support Materials




Link to SLA Application

The SLA Application found at https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/ provides access to the:• Teacher Dashboard (Select Teacher Access tab)• SLA Student Login • Practice Questions• Released Questions



Technical Support

• Assistance with concerns specific to the Alberta Education Account, the Extranet and the SLA application is available by telephone and email. Telephone: 780-427-5318

• Toll-free within Alberta: 310-0000• Email: [email protected]• Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

(excluding statutory holidays). The office is open during the lunch hour.

• Extended hours and week-end service will be coordinated as required during project peak periods.


PLANNING: PRE AND POST SLA

Sharing Time: Best Practices

• Alberta Education wants the fall 2015 SLA3 Pilot administration to be a positive experience for students, teachers, administrators and parents.

• Advance preparation on the part of teachers and administrators is an important part of ensuring a positive experience.

Sharing Time: Best Practices

In collaboration with other attendees discuss ways to most efficiently and effectively:• Complete advance preparations (including

technology set-up)• Administer digital questions• Administer performance tasks• Assess performance tasks

NEXT STEPS

Future PD

The ARPDC is planning sessions for October and November 2015 on Collective Marking and Accessing and Interpreting SLA Reports to improve student learning.

Check your regional ARPDC website www.learning-network.org for the most up to date information.

http://www.learning-network.org/

Grade 3 Student Learning Assessments Preparing for the Fall 2015 Year 2 Pilot Administration.

Documents

Transcript of Grade 3 Student Learning Assessments Preparing for the Fall 2015 Year 2 Pilot Administration.