NWESD Science Announcements and Opportunities

Science Updates Test Design and Item Specifications for the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) for grades 5, 8, and high school are now available on the Science Assessment webpage .  The documents describe how clusters (stimulus and item sets) and standalone items for the WCAS assessments are developed to assess the Washington State 2013 K-12 Science Learning Standards ( Next Generation Science Standards ). The documents include a test design section followed by an item specification section. The test design section includes information about the organization of the WCAS, the item types used, and an overview of the science standards. The item specification section includes a small sample of specifications that are based on the Performance Expectations (PEs) in the standards. The sample will continue to expand through the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years until item specifications for all PEs are achieved. Th

WCAS training tests now available Science Training Tests Training Tests for the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) for grades 5, 8, and high school are now available on the WCAP Portal . The Training Tests are intended to help students become familiar with the features and tools of online tests. To experience the greatest variety of question types and test functionalities, students in 5th, 8th, and 11th grade should interact with the training tests at all three grade levels.   Each training test includes one standalone question and one cluster (a set of stimuli and questions). The standalone questions and clusters on the training tests were developed by Washington educators, field tested by Washington students, and reviewed and approved by Washington educators. The standalone questions and clusters were carefully chosen to appear on the training tests to represent a variety of online question t

Register to participate Upcoming Science Webinars The Assessment Development office is hosting two webinars in January to support the release of the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) Training Tests and the Test & Item Specifications documents. The webinars will be recorded and be available through your district test coordinator. Date/Time: Wednesday, January 10, 3:30-5:00 p.m. Title: How to Work with the WCAS Training Tests Description: Walk through the new science training tests and learn important information for teachers and students to focus on as they use the training tests. January 10th Registration Date/Time: Wednesday, January 24, 3:30-5:00 p.m. Title: Science Test and Item Specifications Release Description: Review of information contained in the WCAS Test and Item Specifications documents. January 24th Registration Af