Indiana’s Formative Assessment Grant

Furthering Student Success through Data-Driven Instruction

Introductions

• Dr. Charity Flores, Director• @dr_cflores

• cflores@doe.in.gov

• Mary Williams, Assessment Specialist• mwilliams@doe.in.gov

• 317-234-5602

Topics

• The Vision Behind the GrantWhat purpose does this grant serve?

• Allowable Uses of FundsHow can funds be used to increase student and school success?

• Applying for FundingHow do I apply for and receive funding?

• Additional ResourcesWhat additional resources are offered to support implementation of Formative Assessment?

• Questions & Answers

Assessment occurs every day as part of quality instruction.

The Vision Behind the Grant

What is Assessment?

A process of collecting evidence to make informed decisions.

“Assessment is crucial to move from opinions to informed action.” (National Research Council, 2001)

Assessment Spectrum

A Balanced System of AssessmentAssessments are designed for specific purposes. Using

a variety of assessments within the classroom promotes

deeper understanding of student achievement and

provides a more solid basis for making educational

decisions. Formative

Assessment

Interim Assessment

Summative Assessment

Formative: Continuous, classroom-based processes that

elicit evidence of student learning to adjust and target

instruction.

Interim: Grade- or school-level assessments that track

student progress/achievement of standards over time.

Summative: Assessment of learning at the end of a course

or study meant to broadly measure student achievement

and support evaluative judgements.

Student Success

Ass

essm

ent

Assessment is a key part of

curriculum and instruction as

assessment provides data to

target student needs and

continually improve school and

classroom initiatives. The

Formative Grant seeks to

strengthen the partnership of

instruction and assessment by

providing programs, tools, PD, and

resources for teachers in the area

of formative assessment.

Identifying and Meeting a Need

Remediation

GrantFormative

Assessment Grant

Remediation for

Struggling Learners

Targeted Instruction

for All

Focus on

Instruction

Focus on

Instruction +

Assessment

The Vision

Indiana’s Formative Assessment Grant provides funding to schools for formative assessments,

programs, tools, and professional development in order to increase data-driven instructional

practices and enrich learning for all students.

Funds can be used in a variety of ways to increase

student success.

Allowable Uses of Funds

Use #1: Approved Formative Assessment Programs

• Visit our website for the most up-to-date list: https://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/formative-assessment-grant

• Approval Process

• Local Flexibility

Use #2: Professional Development

• Vendor-provided

• Corporation-provided

• Must target the use of data to enhance instruction

• Create and use formative assessments

• Analyze assessment data

• Identify misconceptions

• Differentiate instruction based on data

Use #3: Diagnostic Analysis of Student Performance

• Diagnosing student needs via analysis of data

Use #4: Student Performance Reports and Analysis

• Compiling multiple data points

• Analyzing student performance

Use #5: Differentiated Learning Tools that Support Areas of Instructional Need

Applying for Formative funding is quick and easy.

Applying for Funds

Apply for Funding

Corporations

are capped at

the most

recent Pupil

Enrollment

(PE) Count on

file with the

Department.

Receive Funding

Date Event Additional Information

April 23 – May 21 Grant application window is open. https://formativegrant.doe.in.gov/

July 11 Distribution list is provided to the State

Board of Education for approval.

July 16* Distribution list is published to schools. The distribution list is published via

listserv to CTCs and additional

Formative Assessment Grant contacts.

August 31* (or

earlier)

Funds are distributed to schools. Funds are deposited via electronic

transfer.

Additional resources are offered to support schools with formative assessment

implementation.

Additional Resources

Assessment Literacy

Assessment literacy includes three big ideas: What someone knows about assessment, what someone believes about assessment, and what someone does with assessment.

An Assessment-Literate Individual:

• Understands the types and purposes of assessment;

• Believes that assessment is an essential part of teaching and learning;

• Utilizes data to drive informed decision-making for the success of every child.

https://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/assessment-literacy

Assessment Literacy

• Posted Resources Include:• Why is it Important to Assess?

(PowerPoint and Video Recording)

• What is a Standards-Based, Computer Adaptive Assessment? (PowerPoint and Video Recording)

• Assessment Development Practices (Infographic)

• Targeting Student Needs using Formative Assessment (PowerPoint and Video Recording)

• Integrating Formative and Summative Assessment into the Classroom (Infographic)

Formative Assessment Rubrichttps://www.doe.in.gov/sites/default/files/assessment/learning-progression-guided-

formative-assessment-self-reflective-rubric.pdf

Questions?

Feedback?

How can we further support you?

Question and Answer

ILEARN Commercial

Computer Adaptive

• Math and ELA

• Unique student experience that always meets the blueprint

• Adapts on difficulty, not across grade levels unless content aligns at multiple grade levels

Additional Student Supports and

Accommodations

• Translations

• Glossaries

• Embedded Dictionary/Thesaurus

• Spell Check

• Rich Text Tools

• Accessible Calculator

• Intuitive Graphing Interfaces

• American Sign Language

Improved Testing Times*

• Single testing window at the end of the year

• Decreased test length (average 2 hours shorter total at each grade level)

• Untimed sessions

Improved Reporting Structures

• Individual student results in 12 days*

• Final results by July 1*

• More detailed student reports for computer adaptive tests

• Revised cut scores and proficiency levels (by educator committee)

• Immediate reporting for IREAD-3 (2019)

Technology Setup and Requirements**

• Small IT and bandwidth footprint

• No local caching

• Secure Browser is the only required software

• Includes diagnostic tools

• “Sessionless” testing; no test tickets or seal codes

• Testing managed from examiner/teacher device

*These times will begin in 2020 due to setting cut scores in Summer 2019. Final reporting will be available Aug 15 for 2019.

**Full system requirements will be available in the Indiana Portal. Session management policy and procedures will be available by Oct 1, 2018.

Thank you!