Washington State Assessment Conference 2008Washington State Assessment Conference 2008

Improving Student Learning: Moving Forward with Integrity

Dr. Terry BergesonSuperintendent of Public Instruction

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THANK YOUTHANK YOU to all of you who have improved to all of you who have improved

learning for our wonderful students learning for our wonderful students over the past 16 years!over the past 16 years!

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WERA’S history in education WERA’S history in education reformreform1966: WERA born as the Puget Sound Education

Research Council – “an organization to support and nurture those responsible for using educational research to improve education”

1985: First year of statewide testing (Metropolitan Achievement Test)◦WERA and OSPI co-sponsor first assessment

conference (62 paid attendees)1993: Education reform bill passed--◦WERA leaders in high-profile roles for

implementation◦ 2008: Continue your advocacy

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Six aligned elements of Six aligned elements of meaningful education reformmeaningful education reformA direct focus on Student learning and

achievementClear standards-- taught wellAssessment that measures student

progress on those standardsCurriculum resources aligned to standardsProfessional development to support

teachingFunding to support student success

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The results of our workThe results of our workBest prepared high school graduating class ever

in 2008A state of readers and writersSAT, ACT, Advanced Placement successGrowing Navigation 101, CTE programsGrowing numbers of National Board Certified

TeachersPrograms like Building Bridges preventing and

retrieving dropoutsStudent information to track individual progress

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The journey ahead:The journey ahead:

All signs point to continued emphasis on standards, measurements of those standards and data that drives student achievement◦New Gates Foundation initiatives◦Chief state school officers’ focus on standards

and meaningful assessment and accountability◦President-elect Obama’s agenda

Education as the key investment for America’s future “Mend it, don’t end it” approach to No Child Left

Behind

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Needed change in No Child Left Needed change in No Child Left BehindBehindMeaningful vs. punitive accountability◦Recognize improvement◦Reduce testing burden◦ Ensure fairness for students with disabilities and

English language learners◦Deal with dropout/graduation issues that penalize

schools◦ Increase funding

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Fixing our funding: Basic Fixing our funding: Basic Education Finance Task ForceEducation Finance Task ForceTask force membership – key state

leadersElements of proposals◦Improved class size and staffing ratios◦Teacher development and compensation◦Help for struggling students (LAP, bilingual)◦School district operations

Product and timeline◦Legislative recommendations for 2009 session

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WASL 2009 updateWASL 2009 update

WASL will be given as scheduled in spring 2009

Any changes in WASL tests or delivery of tests due to state leadership transition will not occur until after 2009 testing windows

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WASL 2009 updateWASL 2009 update

Strong new team of contractors working with OSPI on statewide assessments◦Educational Testing Service (test development)◦Data Recognition Corp. (administration, scoring)◦Measured Progress (special education

assessment)◦ESD 113 (collection of evidence)◦Assessment and Evaluation Services

(measurement quality assurance)Washington educators leading in all roles

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Online teacher resource toolOnline teacher resource toolhttp://www.k12.wa.us/teacherresourcetool/default.aspx

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Improving and streamlining the Improving and streamlining the assessment systemassessment systemKey improvements coming in 2009◦Shorter tests in grades 3-8 with fewer short

answer and extended response questions◦Fewer sessions in grades 3-5 math and science◦End result: Less time required for grades 3-8

testing during three-week WASL testing window

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Testing time reduced significantlyTesting time reduced significantly

3rd grade: Time reduced 31%4th grade: Time reduced 19%5th grade: Time reduced 34%6th grade: Time reduced 41%7th grade: Time reduced 27%8th grade: Time reduced 33%

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Improving and streamlining the Improving and streamlining the assessment systemassessment systemKey improvements coming in 2009 (cont.)◦New accommodations for students with

disabilities CD read aloud (high school reading) Improved Braille text with reduced visual distractions

◦New translation options for English language learners English language glossary for selected math, science

vocabulary Math, science assessments in Spanish and Russian

No changes in high school tests

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The assessment system: The assessment system: 2010 and beyond2010 and beyondNew math tests K-8Pilots of high school math testsPossibility of later testing window in

grades 3-8Unknown impacts◦Legislature’s clear desire to have combination

of summative and diagnostic assessments◦New state superintendent’s desire to make

changes to assessments

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Reduce your anxiety!Reduce your anxiety!

We’ve built strong assessment, data and research system and processes that support student achievement

Those systems may be modified, but will not be dismantled

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Please continue to embrace our Please continue to embrace our core principlescore principlesContinue to believe in and support our

most vulnerable childrenEmpower studentsContinue to stand for meaningful,

accountable public educationFocus on the privilege and joy of the

work you do every day to support Washington’s children