Wisconsin Assessment Recommendations (To Replace the WKCE)

Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance, via a kind reader's email [View the 146K PDF]

On August 27, 2009, State Superintendent Tony Evers stated that the State of Wisconsin would eliminate the current WKCE to move to a Balanced System of Assessment. In his statement, the State Superintendent said the following:

New assessments at the elementary and middle school level will likely be computer- based with multiple opportunities to benchmark student progress during the school year. This type of assessment tool allows for immediate and detailed information about student understanding and facilitates the teachers' ability to re-teach or accelerate classroom instruction. At the high school level, the WKCE will be replaced by assessments that provide more information on college and workforce readiness.

By March 2010, the US Department of Education intends to announce a $350 million grant competition that would support one or more applications from a consortia of states working to develop high quality state assessments. The WI DPI is currently in conversation with other states regarding forming consortia to apply for this federal funding.

In September, 2009, the School Administrators Alliance formed a Project Team to make recommendations regarding the future of state assessment in Wisconsin. The Project Team has met and outlined recommendations what school and district administrators believe can transform Wisconsin's state assessment system into a powerful tool to support student learning.

Criteria Underlying the Recommendations:

• Wisconsin's new assessment system must be one that has the following characteristics:
• Benchmarked to skills and knowledge for college and career readiness • Measures student achievement and growth of all students
• Relevant to students, parents, teachers and external stakeholders
• Provides timely feedback that adds value to the learning process • Efficient to administer
• Aligned with and supportive of each school district's teaching and learning
• Advances the State's vision of a balanced assessment system

Wisconsin's Assessment test: The WKCE has been oft criticized for its lack of rigor.

The WKCE serves as the foundation for the Madison School District's "Value Added Assessment" initiative, via the UW-Madison School of Education.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at January 15, 2010 9:09 AM
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