Catherine Glover Tennessee Chamber of Commerce

A Lunch and Learn on Student Assessment with Commissioner Candice McQueen

Catherine Glover Tennessee Chamber of Commerce

Chris Henson Metro Nashville Public Schools

A Guide to Being TNReady for 2015-16
10-10:04 (start as close to on time as possible, even if there are latecomers) Ashley: Welcome and thanks for coming! We really appreciate you all making time for us, and we’re excited to build a foundation of knowledge about TNReady. We have a lot to talk about, so we’d like to dive right in. Let’s start with a round of introductions. Tell us who you are and what department team or media outlet you’re with. I’ll start and then we can go around the table. <INTRODUCTIONS AROUND THE TABLE> Let’s hold all questions until the end.

Agenda: The Big Picture Foundation of TNReady Part I & Part II
TCAP v. TNReady Tailoring Test Administration Online Practice Tools Transition Timeline for Year 1 Results Better Information for Parents Tennessee Educator Survey Questions 10-10:04 Ashley: We’ll cover these topics today. Commissioner McQueen and Assistant Commissioner of Data and Research, Nakia Towns, will walk you through details about TNReady, and then our Chief Research and Strategy Office, Nate Schwartz, will give you a preview of the results from the Tennessee Educator Survey that teachers and principals took this past May. Just a note, the data we share about survey results today will be a preview, and it is embargoed until next Wednesday. Now, I’d like to turn it over to Commissioner McQueen to start our conversation about TNReady.

The Big Picture 10:04-10:12 Candice
Provide a background on where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going.

Tennessee Students Struggle in the Early Years after High School…
2007 Cohort of High School Freshmen 10,545 students did not graduate from high school 22,334 students graduated from high school and entered the workforce and earn an average salary of $9,030 annually 40,235 students enrolled in postsecondary. 58 percent were still enrolled in one year (or 20,418 of the 35,055 who enrolled immediately after graduation). 3,514 had completed a certificate or degree within three years. 10:04-10:12 Candice Provide a background on where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going.

Tennessee Promise Extends our Public Education System
Free, Public K-14 System Grades K-12 Grades 13-14 Additional Postsecondary Education and Career Opportunities Tennessee Promise 10:04-10:12 Candice Provide a background on where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going.

Tennessee Has Been Working to Get Ready for Years
2009: We adopted the Tennessee Diploma Standards. 2011: We challenged students to meet more rigorous standards that mirror real-world demands in math and reading/writing. 2012: Students began completing Constructed Response Assessments in math, applying multiple skills to solve a problem. : Districts phased in online testing with the Writing Assessment. 2015: All students in grades 3-11 took the Writing Assessment online. 2015: All students in grades 3-11 took the social studies field test online. Grades K-12 Grades 13-14 Tennessee Promise 10:04-10:12 Candice Provide a background on where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going.

More of our Students Must be Ready
There are more jobs in Tennessee than qualified applicants and 55% of all jobs in TN will require some postsecondary by 2025. 64% percent of first-time TN freshmen have to take remedial coursework at community colleges. Our students have to be better prepared to take advantage of opportunities after graduation. In order to do this, we must make sure our students are making progress each year and that they are on track for success after graduation. We need a better measurement of progress to close gap between high school and postsecondary. 10:04-10:12 Candice Provide a background on where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going.

Foundation of TNReady 10:04-10:12 Candice
Provide a brief overview of the test.

TNReady is the New & Improved TCAP
TNReady is the new and improved TCAP test in math and English language arts (ELA) for grades 3-11. TNReady is a part of TCAP. TCAP includes grades 3-8 achievement tests and End of Course exams for science, social studies, math, and English. The new test in math and ELA is designed to assess true student understanding, not just basic memorization and test-taking skills. It will be given in two parts, however, the time students spend testing will be similar to last year. Part I will be given in February/March. Part II will be given in April/May. The test will be given online; it’s the way of our world. 10:04-10:12 Candice Provide a brief overview of the test.

TNReady Math 10:04-10:12 Candice Provide a brief overview of the test.

TNReady Math Goes Deeper
Math in grades 3-8 will focus on fewer concepts and assess those topics in multiple ways. High school math will strengthen connections between different topics. Math concepts will be assessed using real-life situations. There will be calculator-permitted and calculator- prohibited sections at every grade level. 10:04-10:12 Candice: We hear regularly from employers that our workforce lacks math skills. (Often basic skills.) The fastest growing sectors of our economy demand strong technical skills. The breadth of our assessments and the structure of past tests have led to instruction that races through skills, especially in early grades, without developing strong command of the basic skills and foundational concepts. “Math people” are made. Not born.

TNReady English 10:04-10:12 Candice

TNReady English Focuses on Real World Skills
TNReady English will integrate reading and writing skills. Students will receive one score. TNReady focuses on authentic workplace and postsecondary skills - reading, writing, editing. Students will be asked to support their answers with evidence from something they read. English tests will include both fiction and non fiction-texts. 10:04-10:12 Candice: We hear from postsecondary institutions and college students that students are unprepared for the demands of college, especially in reading analysis and writing. The gap between the text complexity of HS reading and college level reading, as of 2010, was a four year gap. Challenge meeting the demands of reading and writing are among the leading academic causes of college drop out. The segregation of reading and writing in previous assessments (across states) led to instructional isolation and a detrimental focus on discrete ELA skills to the neglect of preparation for the type of communications required in real world.

TNReady Part I Candice turns it over to Nakia to discuss additional details about the test. 10:12-10:16 Nakia: Thank you Commissioner McQueen. I’m excited to dive into some more specifics of TNReady. As the commissioner mentioned, TNReady will be given in two parts. Let’s look at Part I.

Part I Requires Multiple Skills in Action
Both English and math will be assessed on Part I. Part I for ELA will replace the state’s current writing assessment. It will require open-ended written responses in ELA. Part I for math will include performance tasks in grades 3 – 8. These performance tasks are multi-step problems that allow students to demonstrate several skills towards a practical application. Districts can select dates between Feb. 8- March 4. This is a similar timeframe that we used for the Writing Assessment in previous years. 10:12-10:16 Nakia

Sample Math Performance Task: 4th Grade
Joe went hiking for 1 week. The table shows Joe's distance from the start of the trail in miles (mi) at the end of each day of hiking. 10:12-10:16 Nakia: This example of a math performance task is a multi-step problem. Students will be asked to apply several skills towards a real world problem. Though this problem requires persistence and stamina, our students can do it! The problem reflects standards taught in 4th grade, and it allows students to demonstrate practical application of the underlying skills. Part D

Sample ELA Writing Prompt: 3rd Grade
Students will read a set of passages. The passages describe how beavers and a mole build their homes. How are the two homes different? How are they alike? Write an essay that compares and contrasts the homes of beavers and moles. Be sure to use facts and details from both texts to support your essay. Follow the conventions of standard written English. Manage your time carefully so that you can Plan your essay Write your essay Type your answer in the space provided. 10:12-10:16 Nakia: This example of a ELA writing prompt. This prompt reflects the focus on both writing and reading in ELA. It also reflects our focus on both fiction and non-fiction.

TNReady Part II 10:12-10:16 Nakia

Part II Measures Skills in Multiple Ways
The second portion of TNReady will replace the current TCAP tests for math and English language arts administered in April/May. This portion will ask students to select responses for multiple types of questions. Performance on Part I and Part II will be combined into a single composite score for each student. Part II: Districts can select dates between April 18-May 13. Districts administering the paper and pencil test will give Part II between April 25-May 6. 10:12-10:16 Nakia

Previous TCAP Tests v. TNReady
10:16-10:19 Nakia: TNReady will look different than TCAP, and that is something that we think teachers are actually the most excited about.

TNReady is Engaging TNReady will include more than just multiple-choice questions. Giving the test online allows students a variety of ways to show what they know and can do. It will include questions that are… Interactive Students are asked to drag and drop something Open-ended Evidence based Selected response This could include multiple choice or a question that asks a student to select all answers that apply TNReady questions will require students to problem solve and think critically as opposed to relying on simply memorization. 10:16-10:19 Nakia

10:16-10:19 Nakia

10:16-10:19 Nakia: This is another example of what a student might see on Part I of TNReady. This is a great illustration of the difference between TCAP and TNReady. The previous TCAP question did not ask students to respond with any type of evidence. They only formed an opinion. As you’ll see the TNReady example question asks students to read two passages and use evidence from those texts to build an argument.

Online Practice Tools 10:19-10:23 Nakia
Nakia will actually visit the MICA website during this section. The screenshot of MICA is hyperlinked on slide 33.

The Best Test Prep Is Good Teaching
The best preparation for TNReady will be strong instruction every day. This isn’t a test you can game. The test is designed to mirror how students are learning in the classroom. Parents, students, and teacher have access to practice tools online now. Because they are online, parents and teachers can access them anywhere- school, home, the library, etc. The practice tools have the same functionality as the test platform. Students can get familiar with the format now. 10:19-10:23 Nakia: Teachers already have access to each type of question that will be on the test. In September teachers will get access to a question for every standard that will be assessed on the test. Teachers can get more information on how often certain standards will be assessed in the test blue prints available on our website.

Practice Tools Available Online
10:19-10:23 Nakia Click on the MICA image and the website will open. Navigate through one question, using the tools.

Tailoring Test Administration
10:23-10:28 Nakia: Because TNReady will be given online, districts have so much more flexibility in how they administer this assessment.

Flexible Administration
Districts have bigger testing windows for TNReady. Bigger testing windows mean districts have more flexibility than ever before to choose when they want to administer the test. Giving the test online gives districts more flexibility to schedule the test around instruction as opposed to shutting down the school for testing. Students will not be testing during the entire testing window. All schools in a district do not have to test on the same day. 10:23-10:28 Nakia

Testing Time is Similar to Last Year
10:23-10:28 Nakia: Last school year, students only spent one percent of their time taking state-required tests.

10:23-10:28 Nakia: This year, students will only spend one percent of their time taking state-required tests.

10:23-10:28 Nakia: Here you can see in minutes how long students will spend on each subject. This includes both Part I and Part II. We’re already sharing this information with parents in our parent guide to being TNReady. This is publicly posted on our website.

TNReady Balances Think Time & Test Length
The times listed include Part I and Part II. TNReady is a test of skill not speed. The test balances length while also allowing time for students to answer each question thoughtfully. TNReady focuses on smart testing time. 10:23-10:28 Nakia

Transition Timeline for Year 1 Results
10:28-10:33 Nakia

We will get TNReady results during fall 2016. Because this is the first year of a new test, educators must determine what students should know and be able to do at each performance level (i.e., below basic, basic, proficient, advanced). The summer after students take the test, teachers look at the test as a whole and determine how skills are measured by each question. Teachers then determine what performance looks like for a student on grade level versus a student above or below grade level. 10:28-10:33 Nakia: Because this is the first year of a new assessment, we will not get results until fall Because this is the first year of a new test, educators must determine what students should know and be able to do at each performance level (i.e., below basic, basic, proficient, advanced). The summer after students take the test, teachers look at the test as a whole and determine how skills are measured by each question. Teachers then determine what performance looks like for a student on grade level or above or below grade level. This is the standard process that all states have to go through during the first year of a new assessment.

Before the test is given, we align the academic standards to the assessment, so we know which skill each question measures. After the test is given, teachers review actual student responses. They then validate what is reasonable to demonstrate that a student is on grade level based on the expectations of the standards. Because this process only happens during the first year of a new test, results will only be delayed during the first year of the test. First year results will likely decrease as we set a new baseline for student performance. 10:28-10:33 Nakia

Better Information for Parents
10:28-10:33 Nakia

Parents will receive more and better information on their student’s performance. Student reports will be sent to parents in fall 2016. The new reports are designed to do three things: 10:28-10:33 Nakia

Parents across the state are providing feedback on the format of the new reports. Parents, teachers, and principals have shared that some of their best information comes from PLAN and Explore reports. The department is using those as a model. Performance levels like proficient and below basic will be renamed. With the help of parent input, we are selecting new names that express student’s progress toward being ready for success after graduation. 10:28-10:33 Nakia

10:28-10:33 Nakia: This is an example of what parents received this summer, sharing the student results from the most recent TCAP test.

10:28-10:33 Nakia: This is a sample draft of what parents could get beginning next fall. Remember, this is just a draft, and the performance levels you see here (ready for acceleration, on grade-level etc.) are just examples.

10:28-10:33 Nakia Nakia wraps up TNReady section: I’m sure you guys have questions about TNReady, and we’re excited to answer those, but before we do, I want to turn it over to Nate Schwartz, the department’s chief research and strategy officer. Nate has some new data to share that gives us a pretty powerful window into teacher perspectives across the state.

Tennessee Educator Survey
10:33-10:40 Ashley: Thanks, Nakia. Before we open it up to question, there is one more thing we wanted to highlight. In your packet, you have an embargoed copy of the results from our Tennessee Educator Survey. This report will not be publicly released until next Wednesday, but we wanted to give you a preview today. While the language in this copy is final, we may continue to make some small formatting tweaks before the public release, so this is not the version you’ll want to share with your readers. Nate Schwartz, our Chief Research and Strategy Officer is going to walk us through the major findings. Nate: We’re planning to publicly release this report and this data next Wednesday, Aug. 26, but we wanted to share an embargoed copy with you today.

More Teachers Than Ever Before Shared Their Voice
For the past three years, the department has collaborated with Vanderbilt to delivery a survey to all Tennessee teachers and principals. More educators than ever before responded this year. Nearly 60% of teachers and administrators responded, up from 42% in 2014. Even though more teachers than ever before took this year’s survey, we saw similar trends between teachers that were taking the survey for the first time and those teachers that have taken the survey every year for the past three years. 10:33-10:40 Nate

Highlights of Survey 10:33-10:40 Nate

Tennessee Teachers Are More Satisfied
Teachers feel increasingly satisfied with working conditions at their schools. Nearly eight out of ten teachers report that teachers in their school are satisfied, like being there, and feel recognized for their work. Staffing data shows that the state’s ability to keep the overwhelming majority of teachers in the classroom year to year has remained consistent over time. 10:33-10:40 Nate

More Teachers Say They Feel Appreciated
Teachers feel appreciated and they report opportunities for growth in their roles. Nearly eight out of ten teachers say that they feel appreciated for the job they are doing, a gain of five percentage points from the previous year. Eighty-seven percent of teachers report that teachers in their school are encouraged to participate in school leadership roles, a number that has stayed constant over the past two years. 10:33-10:40 Nate: As the commissioner travels around the state on her Classroom Chronicles tour, one of the questions that she asks every roundtable is, “Do you feel appreciated?” I know that she has heard a variety of answers that have informed our thinking at the department, so we find this statistic particularly interesting. While we know this is one of the hardest jobs a person can do, more of our teachers recognize feeling appreciated.

Teachers Feel Comfortable Using Test Data
Teachers feel increasingly comfortable using data from student tests to tailor their teaching to student needs. Nearly eight out of ten teachers say that they understand how to use standardized assessment results to improve their teaching and over half believe that these results help them to determine if their students have the skills required to meet state standards. 10:33-10:40 Nate: This is a critical piece as we move to an assessment that is going to give teachers more data than ever before.

Teacher Say Evaluation Improves Instruction
More teachers than ever before say the teacher evaluation system is improving their teaching. Over two-thirds of teachers say the process has helped them improve their teaching, up 14 percentage points since 2014 and 30 percentage points since 2012. 10:33-10:40 Nate

Areas of Improvement 10:33-10:40 Nate

Teachers Are Concerned About Time on Test Prep
Teachers feel concerned about the amount of time and effort they’ve devoted to testing and test preparation in the past. Six out of ten teachers say they spent too much instructional time helping students prepare for statewide exams and seven out of ten believe that their students spend too much time taking exams. This is being addressed specifically by the Tennessee Task Force on Student Testing and Assessment. The task force will release a report in September. 10:33-10:40 This makes our transition to TNReady even more critical. As the commissioner and Nakia mentioned earlier, TNReady isn’t a test you can game. Drill and kill will not prepare you to be successful on TNReady. The best preparation for this test will be quality instruction everyday. We believe that this new type of assessment will help teachers move away from devoting too much time to test preparation. Candice: We anticipated this concern last spring, and this is exactly why we established the state’s first assessment tasking force. We wanted to dive in at a deeper level and understand how districts and schools are currently using assessment. Through this discovery, we can know recommend best practices to districts across the state to avoid this idea of “too much testing.” We’re excited to release those finding in September.

While Useful, Evaluation Takes Time
Although most teachers find evaluation useful, they continue to find the process cumbersome. Half of teachers rate the evaluation process as a considerable burden, and a third of teachers feel that the system is unfair. Next year’s work focuses on ensuring fairness and transparency across the transition to a new assessment while allowing greater district-level autonomy to determine the model of evaluation that works best at the local level.

Teachers Want More Chances to Learn
Teachers want more opportunities and more time to learn from each other. Fewer than four out of ten teachers say they are provided with adequate time for collaboration or access to instructional resources and expertise. The department’s efforts in this area aim to ensure that districts are equipped with well-trained instructional coaches and that teacher leaders are providing strong feedback tailored directly to individual needs.

Dr. Candice McQueen Tennessee Department of Education Tony Plunkett Tennessee Department of Education Catherine Glover Tennessee Chamber of Commerce

Catherine Glover Tennessee Chamber of Commerce

Catherine Glover Tennessee Chamber of Commerce

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