2015 ISTEP+ Test Administration Changes

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Dear Parent or Guardian:

Metropolitan School District of Washington Township (MSDWT) officials were notified on February 19, 2015 by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) that they are finalizing a plan, recently approved by the Indiana General Assembly, that makes changes to reduce the length of the 2015 ISTEP+ test administration. The changes are:

1) Mathematics and English/Language Arts: As Indiana shifts to a new test aligned to new college-and-career-ready standards, one required component of the test design includes piloting items for use in 2016. In the overall Spring 2015 ISTEP+ program, approximately 32% of the test items serve as pilot items. The majority of the 32% of pilot items are in Part 1. Therefore, schools will only be required to administer half of the sessions in the Part 1 Mathematics and English/Language Arts assessments. During the Part 1 portion of the test, schools will administer items representing either Form 1 or Form 2. IMPACT: Reduce the Part 1 portion of ISTEP+ test by three (3) hours and five (5) minutes for all students.

2) Social Studies Sessions: Part 1 Social Studies and Book II Social Studies will not be administered. Part 2 Social Studies administration will be a local decision. Locally, the results of the Social Studies portion of ISTEP+ may be used within the educator evaluation system. IMPACT: Reduce testing time for students in grades 5 and 7 by one (1) hour and forty-five (45) minutes.

Overall, the cumulative effects of these changes will cut ISTEP+ assessment length to approximately nine (9) hours of testing for each student. While we support the IDOE’s plan to reduce student ISTEP+ testing times, we continue to be concerned about the time requirement of state-mandated assessments. Thus, all MSDWT assessment-related decisions will continue to be made in an effort to best serve student educational interests. We are committed to protecting instructional time and participating in assessments that benefit students.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school for specific information.

Sincerely,

Dr. Nikki Woodson
Superintendent

For more information on this year’s ISTEP+ test, please follow this link: http://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/istep-grades-3-8

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