Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)

Transcription

1 Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) VACTE/ATE-VA Fall Conference October 8-9, 2015 Phil Gullion Director, Educator Solutions for Licensing and Learning Copyright 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved. Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004

2 Overview Introduction to Educator Licensing Services at Pearson Overview of VCLA Helping Candidates Prepare for VCLA Understanding Candidate Performance on VCLA Supporting Strong Responses to VCLA Writing Assignments 1

3 Educator Licensing Services at Pearson Full service design, development, administration, scoring and reporting of state educator licensing assessment programs Customized / State-Specific Programs VCLA, New York State Teacher Certification Examinations, etc. National and Multistate Programs National Evaluation Series (NES) edtpa National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Shared Assessments e.g. North Carolina use of Massachusetts Foundations of Reading and General Curriculum tests Test Preparation Resources and Support Tools 2

4 Customized, State-Specific Programs; Shared Assessments; & NES State Map 3

5 Customized, State-Specific Programs Develop & administer half the nation s educator licensure tests Aligned with each state s policies and academic standards Developed for each state s educators by that state s educators Approximately 1,000 test titles Over 200 content areas Computer- and paper-based tests 4

6 Overview of VCLA Subtest 1 Reading Comprehension & Analysis Content defined by objectives in online Test Blueprint 40 MCQs Subtest 2 Writing Knowledge & Proficiency Content defined by objectives in online Test Blueprint 41 MCQs and 3 Short Answer Items (50% of score) Writing Summary Assignment (20%) Writing Composition Assignment (30%) 5

7 Helping Candidates Prepare for VCLA Candidates should prepare to test by: 1. Reviewing the test content described in the online Test Blueprint Check familiarity of knowledge and skills to be assessed 2. Answer sample test items in online VCLA Study Guide For MCQs answered incorrectly, review rationales for correct responses For Writing assignments, review rubrics and sample strong responses 3. Develop a study plan for all objectives in test blueprint; emphasize less familiar content 6

8 Helping Candidates Prepare for VCLA 4. Review relevant curriculum and instruction resources (e.g. basic English language arts textbooks, preparation resources listed in VCLA Study Guide) 5. Complete full-length VCLA Practice Tests available online Score MCQ responses using answer key and complete Results Worksheet to identify any remaining areas for improvement Review Writing Assignment responses against performance characteristics, rubric, and sample strong responses 6. Take the online PPC Tour and online CBT Tutorial 7

9 Understanding Candidate Performance on VCLA Higher passing scores effective January 1, 2014 Recommendation of VA educators and teacher educators Approved by VA Board of Education in June % passed overall assessment during Subtest 1 Reading Comprehension & Analysis 93% passed Subtest 2 Writing Knowledge & Proficiency 73% passed 8

10 Understanding Candidate Performance on VCLA Faculty can help retakers understand their performance with the online How to Read Your Score Report document: 1. Review Performance Indices indicated on score report to understand areas of strength and weakness by Objective 2. Review descriptions in Test Blueprint for objectives that are key areas for improvement Descriptive Statements provide detailed information about the content of each objective 3. Identify additional study resources available for key areas of improvement 9

11 Supporting Strong Responses to VCLA Writing Assignments Faculty can support candidate preparation to provide strong responses to Writing Assignments: 1. Ask candidate to draft responses to Practice Test Writing Assignments 2. Review Performance Characteristics and rubrics in Practice Test to compare candidate s practice response to sample Strong Response provided 3. Work with candidate to identify areas for improvement in candidate s responses to Writing Assignments 4. Identify additional writing resources that will support candidate improvement in identified areas 10

12 Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) VACTE/ATE-VA Fall Conference October 8-9, 2015 Phil Gullion Director, Educator Solutions for Licensing and Learning Copyright 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved. Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004