CTAE End-of-Pathway Assessment:

Student Credentialing Opportunities

Mamie HansonState CTAE Assessment Coordinator(404) 657-6279mhanson@doe.k12.ga.us

Georgia’s End-of-Pathway Assessment Process

• Initiated in response to Perkins IV Legislation

•Core Indicator 2S1: Technical Skill Attainment

•Mandates states to measure technical skill

attainment using industry validated standards

Georgia’s End-of-Pathway Assessment

Process• Use data from measurements to demonstrate student

achievement and foster program improvement • Report test data based on student demographics

Perkins IV LegislationCore Indicator 2S1

Measures must be “valid and reliable and include at a minimum challenging academic standards and attainment of skill proficiencies, including achievement on technical assessments that are aligned with industry recognized standards.” [b.2.A]

Section 113: Accountability(Secondary Indicators-Core Indicator 2S1)

Identification Activities Convened program

area specialists & other Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

Researched and evaluated existing national assessments

Identified over 60 credentialing exams for pathway completers offered through 25 vendors

Credentialing Opportunities• Over 60 credentialing opportunities• Credentials:

– a document attesting to the trust of certain stated facts

– certification– certificate– high school diploma– licensure– 4-year degree

Georgia’s End-of-Pathway Inventory Listing

FY2011 End-of-Pathway Assessment Activities

Includes assessing all CTAE students:• Who have successfully completed the

three or four designated courses in the pathway, OR students

• Who are enrolled in the last designated course (and on track)• Where an assessment has been identified

End-of-Pathway AssessmentInventory Manual

• Provided to CTAE AdministratorsoComplete Inventory

ListingoAssessment Information

Sheets & BlueprintsoFunding Request DocumentoStudent Demographic

Reporting Document

FY2010 & FY2011 Testing Activities

During the FY2010 school year Tested approximately 700 students 29 participating systems 40 high schools

Based on documentation submitted by LEAs: Over 6,000 students will be tested December 2010 – June 2011 testing

window

Assessment Information Sheet

o designated courseso credentialing examo testing agencyo exam blueprinto exam costo duration of examo number of questionso test ordering

informationo proctoring guidelines

o testing formato software

specificationso test availabilityo testing agency

contact

Types of Credentialing ExamsCredentialing Exams:o Several credentialing optionso Requires a series of examso Offers a series, but requires taking and passing only onePre-requites for some exams:o Requires student participation in accredited programso Age requirement for some healthcare

science pathways

Assessment Blueprints

Blueprintso serves as foundation of developmento includes competencies tested;

weighted; number of questions; duration of exam

oProvided hard copies in manualsoProvided electronically through links

on CTAE Website as of September 1st

Exam CostsExam Costs:

oRange between $10 -

$336 per studentoLower costs on

occupational assessments

oHigher costs on stipulated industry certifications

Exam SpecificationsDuration of Exam:•Ranges 1 hour – 3 hours•Allows multiple testing sessions•Not timed, allow 50 - 60 minutes

Number of

Questions:

•Typically 50 - 60 •Can range up to 250 – 300

Cut-Score:

•70% average pass rate •May not be published by testing agency

Test Ordering Information

Ordering Information:oBefore ordering exams, many testing

agencies may require:oSchools to establish locations as testing

sites by:1.completing a testing agreement form and

other forms of documentation2.creating a user account3.verifying a secure testing environment4.signing a proctor’s agreement form or oath

Administering ExamsProctoring Guidelines:

oMost agencies allow any professional staff member to serve as proctor:o testing coordinatoroadministratoromedia specialistoadministrative assistant

oAgencies typically do not allow instructor of students tested to serve as proctors

oCheck proctoring guidelines links

Testing FormatTesting Format:

oOn-line testingoHelps alleviate some

security concernsoProvides quicker

results to students & administrators

oLimited number of paper & pencils exams listed

On-Line Testing Requirements

Computer Specifications:oMinimum hardware and software

specifications required by testing agency

Test Availability:oMost exams available year-roundoSome exams offered during a specific

time-frameNOTE: Check assessment information

sheets

Testing Agency Contacts

o Administrative contact:oCredentialing informationoTesting agency policies

o Technical support contact:o Issues with on-line testingoOther technical inquiries

CTAE Assessment Funding Support for Student Testing

• To assist systems with EOPA expenses:oFunding will be provided to support

student testingoFunding request documents were due in

August 31st

oSeeking State Board of Education (SBOE) Approval in November for requested funding

oFunding amounts will be placed in GAORS by mid-December

FY2011 CTAE Assessment Funding Request Document

FY2011 CTAE Assessment Funding Request Document

PERKINSplus Reserve Grant Funds

• Available to systems to assist with preparing students to take end-of-pathway assessments

• Deadline for submission: September 15th

• Maximum amount: $7,500 per application

• Can not be used to pay for student exams

Reporting FY2011 Test Data:Student Demographics

• Reported at the end of school year (June 2011)

• Data Requested:o System Nameo System Codeo Number Testedo Number Passedo Number Failed

• Demographic Breakdowno Female/Maleo Ethnicity:

o African-Americano American Indiano Asiano Caucasiano Hispanico Pacific Islander

Reporting FY2011 Test Data:Student Demographics