1. Grade 3 Student Learning Assessments Preparing for the Fall 2015 Year 2 Pilot Administration

2. AGENDA Background on SLAs, account access, teacher dashboard SLA Format, delivery and administration Assistive Features Marking, results and reporting Website links and teacher support

3. KEY DOCUMENTS General Information Bulletin 2015-16 SLA Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin Student Learning Assessment Update SLA User Guide SLA Access User Guide https://education.alberta.ca/department/ipr/slas/

4. BACKGROUND The Student Learning Assessment (SLAs) have three purposes: 1. Improve student learning (primary purpose) 2. Enhance instruction for students 3. Asure Albertans the education system is meeting the needs of students and achieves the outcomes of the Ministerial Order on Student Learning. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 1

5. What are SLAs? SLAs are beginning of the year “check in” or formative digitally-based provincial assessment tools that Alberta is developing. SLA are meant to enable both parents and teachers to identify student strengths and areas of growth at the start of the school year. SLAs support student learning while effectively assessing literacy and numeracy based on the current programs of study. Student Learning Update pg. 1

6. Fall 2015 SLA3 Pilot Participation in the fall 2015 SLA3 Pilot is optional for all school authorities. Reporting to the general public at the school, school authority and provincial level will not occur until the SLA3 transitions from Pilot to full administration.

7. Where to Start

8. REGISTER FOR YOUR TEACHER ACCOUNT SLA Access User Guide pg. 3 In your browser: 1.http://bit.ly/1Ot11rThttp://bit.ly/1Ot11rT 2. https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessmentttps://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment

9. Exploring the Teacher Dashboard SLA Access User Guide pg. 3-12 In your browser: 1.http://bit.ly/1Ot11rThttp://bit.ly/1Ot11rT 2.http://bit.ly/1LgmzVJhttp://bit.ly/1LgmzVJ

10. SLA FORMAT & ADMINISTRATION

11. Length of SLA3 The SLA3 is constructed to provide teachers with scheduling flexibility. There are no time limits on any part of the SLA3. Each part can be administered in several short sessions and on different days. Parts of the SLA3Suggested Administration Time Literacy Performance TaskAbout 60–90 minutes Digital Interactive Literacy QuestionsAbout 60 minutes Numeracy Performance TaskAbout 60 minutes Digital Interactive Numeracy QuestionsAbout 60 minutes Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 2

12. SLA ADMINISTRATION

13. Schedules & Significant Dates September 1, 2015Teacher Dashboard available to set up class lists, preview digital questions and performance tasks, print performance tasks materials, and prepare for administration September 8, 2015Deadline for authorities to request access to paper-only versions of the SLA for students not permitted to access technology Requests must be sent to exam.admin@gov.ab.caexam.admin@gov.ab.ca September 10, 2015 Deadline for principals to submit Grade 3 school enrollment data to the Provincial Approach to Student Information (PASI) Deadline for principals to approve access for Grade 3 teachers on the Extranet Principals need to have an Extranet account setup prior to Grade 3 teachers requesting access via the Extranet (available at https://phoenix.edc.gov.ab.ca/) https://phoenix.edc.gov.ab.ca/ General Info Bulletin pg. 5

14. Schedules & Significant Dates September 14— October 9, 2015 4-week timeframe to administer the digital interactive literacy and numeracy questions* September 14— November 1, 2015 7-week timeframe during which schools administer the literacy and numeracy performance tasks November 16, 2015 Detailed SLA3 results of the digital interactive questions (marked by Alberta Education) will be available to schools and teachers through the SLA Teacher Dashboard. *NOTE: Student Login access for the digital questions is only available during the administration window. General Info Bulletin pg. 5

15. Who Writes the SLA3? Students: registered in Grade 3 ungraded students in their third year of schooling repeating Grade 3 attending private-school being home-educated* Students are expected to write all four SLA components. *home educated students at a level equivalent to Grade 3 write the SLA3, according to the published schedules, and under the supervision of the associate board or associate private school. General Info Bulletin pg. 7

16. Preparing Students for the SLA3 Teachers are encouraged to provide opportunities for students to engage with SLA3 practice questions as well as released questions from the 2014 Pilot. While practice questions familiarize students with the digital interactivity of the SLA3 questions, they are not examples of the content or complexity of the SLA3 questions. Released SLA3 questions contain approximately 50% of the total number of questions from the 2014 Pilot. The purpose of released questions is to familiarize teachers and students with examples of content, questions types and digital interactivity on the SLA3. Both practice questions and released questions can be accessed via the SLA Application at https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/ General Info Bulletin pg. 4

17. Administering the Performance Tasks Performance tasks are delivered digitally, but students respond through written and/or oral activities. Documents necessary for administering and other pertinent resources, will be available on the Teacher Dashboard. Students have experienced the most success with the performance tasks when they were administered during two or more short sessions.

18. Administering the Digital Assessment SLA Access User Guide pg. 13-18 1.http://bit.ly/1Ot11rThttp://bit.ly/1Ot11rT 2.http://bit.ly/1LgmzVJhttp://bit.ly/1LgmzVJ In your browser :

19. FRANCOPHONE & FRENCH IMMERSION STUDENTS

20. Francophone and French Immersion Students Literacy assessments are available in French (Immersion), and French (Francophone). French Immersion and Francophone Literacy components differ and reflect their respective expectations and programs of study of programs. Numeracy assessments are available in English and French. The French numeracy assessments for both French Immersion and Francophone students are the same as the English version. Grade 3 students in French Immersion or Francophone programs are not expected to also write the English Literacy components. General Info Bulletin pg. 8-9

21. Francophone and French Immersion Students English StudentsFrench Immersion StudentsFrancophone Students Literacy (digital)Questions interactives de littératie en format numérique Literacy (performance task) Tâche de rendement en littératie Numeracy (digital)Questions interactives de numératie en format numérique Numeracy (performance task) Tâche de rendement en numératie General Info Bulletin pg. 8-9

22. LITERACY ASSESSMENT

23. Literacy Definition of Literacy Literacy is the ability, confidence and willingness to engage with language* to acquire, construct and communicate meaning in all aspects of daily living. *Language is a socially and culturally constructed system of communication. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 5

24. Components and Elements of Literacy Progressions ComponentElements Literacy Awareness Importance of Literacy (LA1) Learner Awareness (LA2) Task Awareness (LA3) Literacy Knowledge and Understanding Rules of Language (LKU1) Acquire Information (LKU2) Construct Meaning (LKU3) Communicate Meaning (LKU4) Additional information is available in the 2015 SLA3 Literacy and Numeracy Bulletin. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 5

25. General Description of Literacy Assessment The Literacy SLA3 consists of the following: 45 digital questions (five sets; each set consists of 9 questions) 36 questions will be assessed and 9 questions will be embedded field test questions a performance task composed of 4 activities. Students may be given short breaks during the digital or performance assessments. The assessments may be administered at any time during the administration period. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 5-7

26. Question Complexity (Applies to both the Literacy and Numeracy Assessments) Each digital question (item) in the SLA3 is designed with a specific level of complexity – low, moderate, or high.* Detailed descriptions of question complexity are available in the SLA 3 English Literacy and Numeracy Bulletin * Adapted from Norman L. Webb, Wisconsin Center for Educational Research, Depth-of-Knowledge Levels for Four Content Areas, March 28, 2002 Question Complexity HighModerateLow 6–10 items17–23 items6–10 items The number of questions is presented as a range. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 8

27. Draft Blueprint for the SLA3 Digital Literacy A detailed blueprint is available in the SLA 3 English Literacy and Numeracy Bulletin. Digital Questions Percentage of Assessment Rules of Language5–714–19% Acquire Information10–1228–33% Construct Meaning10–1228–33% Communicate Meaning7–919–25% Total36100% Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 9

28. Suggestions for Responding to Literacy Digital Questions Look and/or listen to all information on the screen and think carefully before answering. The instructions guide students to obtain information from text, videos, audio clips, pictures, photographs, and other representations. Listen to the instructions and carefully read the question. Think about what the question is asking. Read, watch, or listen to the information as many times as needed. Recheck answers to make sure they are complete. Choose the correct or best answer. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 9

29. Description of the Literacy Performance Task The Literacy Performance Task is designed to engage students in a variety of activities that are based on outcomes in the current Grade 2 programs of study. They are constructed to incorporate thinking, viewing, peer discussions, writing, representing, and personal reflection. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 10

30. Structure of the Literacy Performance Task The Performance Task is designed to be completed in about 60– 90 minutes. There are four activities: 1) Presentation of Information 2) Small Group Discussion and Planning 3) Writing Time 4) Self-reflection It is recommended that the Performance Task be administered during several short sessions. Breaks may be taken at any time during the administration of the Performance Task. Details for administering the Literacy Performance Task are in the Performance Task Administration Guidelines for Teachers, which is located on the Teacher Dashboard. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 10

31. Assessing the Literacy Performance Task The Performance Task will be assessed only at the local level. Teachers are expected to assess Literacy Performance Task responses. – The use of the results to inform local decision-making is encouraged. – Student responses are kept at the school for reference during teacher, student, and parent conversations. When assessing the Literacy Performance Task, teachers will use: – Assessment materials found on the Teacher Dashboard. These include the performance task descriptors (rubric) and exemplars of student writing. – Using these materials help teachers apply provincial standards. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 10

32. Use of Dictionaries One purpose of the Literacy Performance Task is to determine what students can write independently. To ensure this purpose can be fulfilled, students shall not use published or personal dictionaries to complete the Literacy Performance Task. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 11

33. Literacy Digital Assessment Items https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/ Literacy Digital Assessment 1.What kinds of Literacy assessment questions will my students need to answer? 2. What computer skills will they need to be able to perform?

34. NUMERACY ASSESSMENT

35. Numeracy Definition of Numeracy Numeracy is the ability, confidence and willingness to engage with quantitative* or spatial† information to make informed decisions in all aspects of daily living. *Quantitative information is information that can be measured and expressed as an amount. †Spatial information is the physical location of objects or the relationship between objects. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 12

36. Components and Elements of Numeracy Progressions ComponentElements Numeracy Awareness Importance of Numeracy (NA1) Learner Awareness (NA2) Task Awareness (NA3) Numeracy Knowledge and Understanding Quantitative Information (NKU1) Spatial Information (NKU2) Interpret, Represent, Communicate (NKU3) Strategies, Methods and Tools (NKU4) Additional information is available in the 2015 SLA3 English Literacy and Numeracy Bulletin. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 12

37. General Description of Numeracy Assessment The Learning Assessment Numeracy SLA3 consists of the following: 44 digital problem solving questions organized into five separate sets 35 questions will be assessed and 5 questions will be embedded field test questions. 4 number fact questions that address the recall of addition facts to 10 (and the related subtraction facts) and the application of strategies for addition facts to 18 (and the related subtraction facts). A performance task composed of 2 activities Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 12-14

38. Draft Blueprint for the Grade 3 Digital Numeracy SLA A detailed blueprint is available in the SLA 3 English Literacy and Numeracy Bulletin. Digitally Scored Questions Percentage of Assessment Number Facts410% Number13-1533-38% Patterns and Relations7-918–23% Shape and Space8-1020–25% Statistics and Probability3-57-12% Total39100% Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 16

39. Suggestions for Responding to Numeracy Digital Questions Look and/or listen to all information on the screen and think carefully before answering. The instructions guide students to obtain information from numbers, words, signs, charts, pictures, graphs, or maps. While viewing all of the information on the screen, remember the question that needs to be answered. This will help students to focus on what is being asked of them. Use paper, pencil, and manipulatives when solving the problem. This will support students in using a variety of strategies to help them solve the problems. Students shall not use calculators at any time while responding to the digital questions. Recheck answers to make sure they are complete. Choose the correct or best answer. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 16

40. Horizontal Presentation of Number Facts 1. Navigation to progress through set of 4 questions related to Number Facts 2. Navigation for student to progress through a series of Number Facts within each question 3. Student input area 4. Number pad: Students can click or touch the number pad to enter a response into the student input area (3). Students may also use their keyboard to enter response. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 14

41. Vertical Presentation of Number Facts 1. Navigation to progress through set of 4 questions related to Number Facts 2. Navigation for student to progress through a series of Number Facts within each question 3. Student input area 4. Number pad: Students can click or touch the number pad to enter a response into the student input area (3). Students may also use their keyboard to enter response. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 14

42. Numeracy Digital Assessment Items https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/ Literacy Digital Assessment 1.What kinds of Numeracy assessment questions will my students need to answer? 2. What computer skills will they need to be able to perform?

43. Description of the Numeracy Performance Task The Performance Task is designed to engage students in a variety of activities. The activities are based on outcomes in the current Grade 2 programs of study. They are constructed to reflect knowledge representations, cognitive skill processes, and intrapersonal skills. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 17

44. Structure of the Numeracy Performance Task The Performance Task is composed of two activities and a final check, which are designed to be completed in 45 to 60 minutes.. 1) Presentation of Information 2) Activity 1: Problem Solving 3) Activity 2: Problem Solving 4) Final Check It is recommended that the Performance Task be administered during several short sessions. Breaks may be taken at any time during the administration of the Performance Task. Details for administering the Numeracy Performance Task are in the Performance Task Administration Guidelines for Teachers, which is located on the Teacher Dashboard. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 17

45. Assessing the Numeracy Performance Task The Performance Task will be assessed only at the local level. Teachers are expected to assess Numeracy Performance Task responses. – The use of the results to inform local decision-making is encouraged. – Student responses are kept at the school for reference during teacher, student, and parent conversations. When assessing the Numeracy Performance Task, teachers will use: – Assessment materials found on the Teacher Dashboard. These include the performance task descriptors (rubric) and exemplars of student responses. – Using these materials help teachers apply provincial standards. Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 17

46. Use of Calculators, Paper/Pencil and Manipulatives In keeping with programs of study expectations, students shall not use calculators at any time when writing the Grade 3 Numeracy questions. Students should also have access to paper and a pencil during the digital assessment (except for the Number Facts). Manipulative materials can be used when writing the Grade 3 Numeracy SLA (except for the Number Facts). Literacy & Numeracy Bulletin pg. 16 & 18

47. Performance Task Analysis Numeracy Performance Assessment

48. Preview Questions Starting September 1 st, teachers can access and preview both the digital interactive questions and performance tasks in the Teacher Dashboard. General Info Bulletin pg. 3

49. Assessment Preview Teacher Dashboard

50. ACCESSIBILITY AND THE SLA APPLICATION

51. Assistive Features for Students Alberta Education is committed to supporting the learning needs of all students so that they may have fair and equitable access to educational opportunities, including participation in the SLA3. To ensure accessibility the SLA3 is designed with as many assistive features as possible. General Info Bulletin pg. 10-11

52. Assistive Features for Students SettingOptionsDescription and Notes LanguageEnglish (default) French (default) Braille All literacy and numeracy are available in English. All literacy and numeracy questions are available in French. Braille versions are not available for the 2015 Pilot. Deaf or Hearing ImpairedTranscript for all listening activities is provided for 2015 Pilot. A transcript is available upon request at exam.admin@gov.ab.ca. Text may be communicated in a manner suitable to the student’s requirements.exam.admin@gov.ab.ca General Info Bulletin pg. 10-11

53. Assistive Features for Students SettingOptionsDescription and Notes Print SizeNo zoom (default) The zoom option is controlled by the student. The option to change the font size on each question is available. Text-to-SpeechEnglish and French literacy instructions: text-to-speech English and French literacy assessment parts and source material: no text-to-speech (default) or reader English and French numeracy instructions, assessment parts, and source material: text-to-speech Audio is available only for the instructions portion of the assessment, with the exception of some listening activities and videos. The administrator has the option to provide a reader for students who meet Learning Support Guidelines. Audio is available for the instructions, sources, and the questions. General Info Bulletin pg. 10-11

54. Assistive Features for Students Literacy Assessment (Digital Questions) If a student’s Individual Program Plan indicates the need for the support of a reader, this support may be utilized for the SLA3 literacy assessments. A student may be provided with a reader if the following conditions are met: – The student’s parents, teacher, and administrator have agreed that this support is necessary. – The student has an IPP explaining how the student’s reading needs will be addressed. – If a reader is utilized, individual results should be interpreted in a way that reflects the use of this learning support. General Info Bulletin pg. 10-11

55. Assistive Features for Students Literacy Assessment (Performance Task) For students unable to respond to a performance task in written form, a verbal response should be recorded and/or scribed. This response will be assessed by the teacher. A student may be provided with a scribe and/or recorder if the following conditions are met: – The student’s teacher, parents/guardians, and school administrator have agreed that this is an appropriate support. – The student has an IPP explaining how the student’s written communication needs will be addressed. General Info Bulletin pg. 10-11

56. SLA MARKING

57. Who Marks the SLA3? Digital Interactive Questions: marked by Alberta Education. Performance Tasks: marked locally. Schools and authorities determine the process. Four possible scenarios are: – Scenario 1: A teacher may mark his/her own students. – Scenario 2: Teachers within the same school may collaboratively mark. – Scenario 3: Teachers within a school authority may collaboratively mark. – Scenario 4: Teachers from neighbouring school authorities may collectively and/or collaboratively mark. General Info Bulletin pg. 8

58. Performance Task For the 2015 Pilot, neither student responses nor results for the performance tasks will be submitted to Alberta Education. Student results for the performance tasks will be reported at the local level which should follow shortly after the administration of the SLA3. General Info Bulletin pg. 8

59. Support for Local Marking of Performance Tasks by Teachers Alberta Education is providing school authorities with the approximately $300,000 in funding it previously used to centrally mark the former Grade 3 Provincial Achievement Tests to help school authorities with local marking of performance tasks by teachers. Student Learning Update pg. 2

60. SLA PAPER VERSION

61. Paper Version Schools with special circumstances may be approved for the SLA paper version and will have all SLA materials shipped to them. Teachers are not expected to access the Teacher Dashboard for any part of the SLA administration. ARPDC Webinar Archive “Paper Version SLA3” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAi8p3oFPs0 General Info Bulletin pg. 12

62. Marking the Paper Version The paper version of the SLA questions will be in booklet format. Students will respond to questions directly in the booklet. Student booklets will be returned to Alberta Education for marking and reporting (see the SLA General Information Booklet for details). General Info Bulletin pg. 12

63. REPORTS & ACCESSING SLA RESULTS

64. Reports By November 16, 2015, detailed SLA3 results of the digital interactive questions (marked by Alberta Education) will be available to schools and teachers through the SLA Teacher Dashboard. Results will be in the form of interactive digital reports at the individual student and class levels. New for 2015, a print function has been built into the SLA Teacher Dashboard to allow teachers and administrators to print individual student reports. Results of the performance tasks (marked locally by teachers) will also be available, via schools, shortly after completion of the Pilot administration. Pre-porting to Parents https://education.alberta.ca/media/15270838/sla3_quickfacts_paren ts.pdf https://education.alberta.ca/media/15270838/sla3_quickfacts_paren ts.pdf General Info Bulletin pg. 13-14

65. SLA3 Results SLA results are to be used to improve student learning. Teachers can use these results to guide teaching throughout the year, to inform students and parents about progress and learning, and to select appropriate resources to meet the individual needs of each student. Principals can use the results to support teachers and instructional practices. General Info Bulletin pg. 13-14

66. Parental Access to Reports For the 2015 Pilot, parents and guardians will be able to access their child’s results via their child’s school. Schools are expected to share students’ SLA3 individual results with students’ parent(s) or guardian(s). Interpretation of results is best accomplished through conversation between parent/guardian, student and teacher. Teachers and parents/guardians are encouraged to discuss students’ SLA3 results together. General Info Bulletin pg. 14

67. Grade 3 Student Learning Assessments (SLA3) – Fall 2015 Pilot Quick Facts for Parents

68. TECHNOLOGY ISSUES

71. WEBSITE, LINKS, AND TEACHER SUPPORT

72. SLA Website and Support Materials https://education.alberta.ca/department/ipr/slas/

73. Link to SLA Application The SLA Application found at https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/ provides access to the: https://public.education.alberta.ca/assessment/ Teacher Dashboard (Select Teacher Access tab) SLA Student Login Practice Questions Released Questions

74. Technical Support Assistance with concerns specific to the Alberta Education Account, the Extranet and the SLA application is available by telephone and email. Telephone: 780-427-5318 Toll-free within Alberta: 310-0000 Email: cshelpdesk@gov.ab.cacshelpdesk@gov.ab.ca Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding statutory holidays). The office is open during the lunch hour. Extended hours and week-end service will be coordinated as required during project peak periods.

75. PLANNING: PRE AND POST SLA

76. Sharing Time: Best Practices Alberta Education wants the fall 2015 SLA3 Pilot administration to be a positive experience for students, teachers, administrators and parents. Advance preparation on the part of teachers and administrators is an important part of ensuring a positive experience.

77. Sharing Time: Best Practices In collaboration with other attendees discuss ways to most efficiently and effectively: Complete advance preparations (including technology set-up) Administer digital questions Administer performance tasks Assess performance tasks

78. NEXT STEPS

79. Future PD The ARPDC is planning sessions for October and November 2015 on Collective Marking and Accessing and Interpreting SLA Reports to improve student learning. Check your regional ARPDC website www.learning-network.org for the most up to date information. www.learning-network.org