Volume 2 - Issue 6 - Reminders and 2014-2015 Testing Dates

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by dabgoudw

Volume 2, Issue 6 provides district guidance for statewide assessment administration, including a summary of accommodations collection for PAWS-SAWS in grades 3-8 and a clarification that marketing by Wowzers is not connected to the Smarter Balanced field test or endorsement. It lists 2014 testing windows alongside preliminary 2015 dates, offers ACT WorkKeys scheduling details, points to ACT Explore/Plan suite resources, and explains procedures for distance education ACT transfers and centralized scheduling.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Inside this Issue

Volume and Issue

Accommodation and Test Materials

ACT and WorkKeys Reminders

Testing Dates (2014 and Preliminary 2015)

Distance Education ACT Transfers

EXPLORE and PLAN Test Materials

Upcoming Dates

February 11, 2014 -Deb Lindsey- 777-8753 -Tammy Schroeder- 777-3618 -Jessica Steinbrenner- 777-8568 -Pari Swanson- 777-5292 -Will Donkersgoed- 777-5133 -Robin Holbrook- 777-5217 -Bailey Anthony- 777-5296 Inside this Issue: Accommodations on 2 PAWS-SAWS Math Test Materials 2 Alert ACT Testing Numbers 2 EXPLORE and PLAN 2 Test Materials Grades 68-: Answer 3 Documents SBAC Field Test 3 Reminders Important Upcoming 3 Dates WDE Assessment Updates Volume 2, Issue 6 Building Coordinator Training Posting We would like to thank everyone for their patience. We are working on cleaning up and jazzing up the Building Coordinator Training video, audio, and powerpoints for posting. They will be posted at the following links tomorrow. 􀁩 [http://www.wyedu.ets.org/training/index.html](http://www.wyedu.ets.org/training/index.html) 􀁩 [http://edu.wyoming.gov/Programs/Statewide](http://edu.wyoming.gov/Programs/Statewide) Assessment System.aspx Building Coordinator Training Survey Thank you to all of those who attended the Building Coordinator Training. We really appreciate all of your efforts and want to ensure we are providing the best training we can for our schools and districts. To that end, we would greatly appreciate your input. Here is the link to a quick survey: [https://](https://)[ ](https://)[www.surveymonkey.com/s/RHJLHQ9](www.surveymonkey.com/s/RHJLHQ9 Thank you)[ Thank you](www.surveymonkey.com/s/RHJLHQ9 Thank you)! Testing Dates for 2014 and Preliminary Dates for 2015 Below are actual 2014 testing dates, along with preliminary testing dates for 2015. Please advise by March 1, 2014 if you anticipate major problems with these dates. | State Assessment Testing Dates | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | 2014 | 2015 | | PAWS | March 3-March 28 | March 2-March 27 | | SAWS | April 14-May 2 | April 13-May 1 | | PAWS-ALT | Feb. 17-March 28 | Feb. 16-March 27 | | SAWS-ALT | April 14-May 2 | April 13-May 1 | | Explore | April 14-May 2 | April 13-May 1 | | Plan | April 14-May 2 | April 13-May 1 | | ACT Plus Writing | April 23
make-up May 7 | April 28
make-up May 12 | | Compass | Fall: Oct. 7-Oct. 25
Spring: April 14-May 2 | Fall: Oct. 6-Oct. 24
Spring: April 13-May 1 | | NAEP | | January 26-March 6 | ACT WorkKeys Testing for 2014 WorkKeys this year is optional for both juniors and seniors. The testing dates are the same as last year. The initial date is April 24 with a make-up date of May 8. If you have further questions about ordering or other logistical information please call ACT General Inquiries at 1-800-553-6244 ext. 2800. Reminder-ACT Suite Information ACT suite information including manuals and key dates can be found at the following website: [http://www.act.org/aap/wyoming/explore.html](http://www.act.org/aap/wyoming/explore.html) PAWS Recommended Testing Times The recommended testing times for the PAWS test can be found on our website at the following link: These times are correct, and have been revised from the 2013 assessment. [http://www.edu.wyoming.gov/sf-docs/assessments/2014-paws](http://www.edu.wyoming.gov/sf-docs/assessments/2014-paws)recommendedtesting-times.pdf?sfvrsn=2 Accommodations on PAWS-SAWS This year, we’ll be using a different method of collecting data on accommodations used during testing in grades 3-8. Please use the test booklet or answer sheet (grades 3-8) to record actual accommodations implemented with students with disabilities. Accommodations that are not noted in a student’s IEP should not be used on the state test. Math Test Materials Alert An organization called Wowzers, which produces online math materials for Grades 3 to 8, is marketing a “Smarter Balanced National Pilot” to select districts. This effort has no relationship to the upcoming Smarter Balanced Field Test or to Smarter Balanced generally. Wowzers did not seek permission to use the Smarter Balanced name. Further, Smarter Balanced does not endorse Wowzers or

FAQs

What are the key changes for collecting accommodations on PAWS-SAWS this year?

The document states a different method will be used to collect accommodation data for grades 3-8, using the test booklet or answer sheet to record actual accommodations implemented for students with disabilities. It also notes that accommodations not documented in a student’s IEP should not be used on the state test.

Which testing dates are provided for 2014 and preliminary dates for 2015?

It includes PAWS, SAWS, PAWS-ALT, SAWS-ALT, Explore, Plan, ACT Plus Writing, Compass (fall and spring), and NAEP with 2014 dates and preliminary 2015 dates. Readers are instructed to advise by March 1, 2014 if major problems are anticipated.

How should districts handle ACT testing for distance education transfer students?

The WDE will centralize information and share results with distance education programs that accept fulltime transfers. Districts are asked to complete the ACT Suite Scheduling Request worksheet, and if schedules are already arranged elsewhere, to send them to Scott Bullock; questions can be directed to him by phone.

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by dabgoudw