1. Director, Accountability Services NC Department of Public Instruction
Proof of Concept Study
June Atkinson
State Superintendent
Tammy Howard
Director, Accountability Services
NC Department of Public Instruction
July 13, 2015

2. Purposes Valid and reliable measures of content standards.
Growth data for educator effectiveness reports.
Assessments throughout the year that inform and guide instruction and that predict performance on future assessments.
A stand-alone summative assessment at the end of the year that may be connected to the interim assessments.

3. Research Questions
Determine the feasibility of implementing the concept across grades 3–8
data analysis to affirm reliability
input/feedback on the integration of the assessments in instruction
logistical/operational (delivery mode, scoring)
professional development requirements
possibility of different item types

4. Design Convene teacher groups to recommend test specifications
Notify districts of schools selected for participation
Provide professional development to the selected schools
Administer the three through-grade assessments and then the modified end-of- grade

5. Design End-of-Year (Covers Interims 1– 4) Interim 1 Interim 2
Design could be altered based on outcome of study
May have overlapping content
May predict performance throughout the year
CCSA Conference (March 2015)

6. Timeline 2015–16 Proof of Concept (sample population)
Year
Administration
Grade Levels
Purpose
2015–16
Proof of Concept
(sample population)
Release RFP for High School
Grade 5: Math
Grade 6: Reading
Determine feasibility of concept
Summer 2016: Decision-point of how to proceed
2016–17
Field Test
(sample population) Or
Release RFP for assessment
Pilot High School
Grades 3–8: Math
Grades 4–8: Reading
Test items for inclusion in operational test forms
2017–18
Pilot Operational Year
(statewide)
High School Operational
Full Implementation

7. Review of Current Interim Assessments
Several school districts currently administer vendor-developed interim assessments
Review coverage of content standards, reliabilities, validity, and compare performance to EOG performance
School systems will submit interim assessment data generated from commercially-developed assessments

8. Selected Districts for Participation in Proof of Concept: Grade 5 Mathematics
LEA/Charter Schools
Alamance-Burlington Schools
Gaston County Schools
New Hanover County Schools
Brunswick County Schools
Guilford County Schools
Northampton County Schools
Cabarrus Charter Academy
Harnett County Schools
Onslow County Schools
Catawba County Schools
Henderson County Schools
Orange County Schools
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools
Hoke County Schools
Piedmont Community Charter School
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Johnston County Schools
Randolph County Schools
Chatham County Schools
Kannapolis City Schools
Robeson County Schools
Community School of Davidson
Martin County Schools
Vance County Schools
Cumberland County Schools
Millennium Charter Academy
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
Duplin County Schools
Mooresville City Schools
Yadkin County Schools
Durham Public Schools
Mount Airy City Schools
Yancey County Schools
Edgecombe County Public School
Nash-Rocky Mount Schools

9. Selected Districts for Participation in Proof of Concept: Grade 6 ELA/Reading
LEA/Charter Schools
Beaufort County Schools
Iredell-Statesville Schools
Brevard Academy
Johnston County Schools
Brunswick County Schools
Madison County Schools
Caldwell County Schools
Paul R Brown Leadership Academy
Camden County Schools
Pitt County Schools
Carteret County Public Schools
Polk County Schools
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Robeson County Schools
Chatham County Schools
Scotland County Schools
Davidson County Schools
Southern Wake Academy
Duplin County Schools
Summerfield Charter Academy
Granville County Schools
Wake County Schools
Guilford County Schools
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
Harnett County Schools
Yadkin County Schools
Henderson Collegiate

10. Based on RFP outcome, pilot in 2016– 17 and fully implement in 2017–18
High School
Develop RFP for a college admissions assessment at grade 11 and grade-level assessments at grades 9 and 10
Based on RFP outcome, pilot in 2016– 17 and fully implement in 2017–18
Requires setting a proficiency standard for accountability reports if used as federal measure

11. Next Steps Provide sampled school list to districts
Conduct webinar for district and school level staff
Provide test specifications for each interim (Superintendents’ Quarterly)
Provide professional development for teachers of selected schools