Skip to main content

Science Assessment Updates: Updated 'Test Design and Item Specifications' documents

Test Design and Item Specifications for the WCAS  

OSPI Science Assessment

Science Assessment Updates


Test Design and Item Specifications
Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS)

A complete set of item specifications are now available for grade 5, grade 8, and high school.
Updated drafts of the Test Design and Item Specifications have been posted to the science assessment webpage.
The drafts include updated test design information and a complete set of item specifications for all Performance Expectations (PEs) for each grade. Item specifications describe how item clusters (stimuli and items) and standalone items for the WCAS assessments are developed to assess the state science standards.
We extend a big THANK YOU to the Washington State educators who provided input during the development and revision of the item specifications. We look forward to your continued participation as we update the documents annually, based on your feedback.
A Modifications Log has been posted to show differences between the January 2019 and August 2019 drafts.

New Team Member

We are happy to announce that Korey Peterson joined the Science Assessment team in July, 2019. Korey comes to us all the way from the state of New Jersey, and brings excellent classroom and content expertise to the team.
Do you have colleagues interested in receiving email/text updates from Science Assessment?
Share this link to the OSPI Email Updates page to subscribe or update your subscriptions.
Questions? Email science@k12.wa.us
This email was sent to bmacnevin@nwesd.org using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction · 600 Washington St. S.E. · Olympia, WA 98504
GovDelivery logo
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

OSPI Bulletin 065-23: Learning Standards Review Update

Summary:  This bulletin provides an update to the information about the learning standards review project addressed by Superintendent Reykdal’s letter to district superintendents dated February 14, 2023. It includes current information about the reviews of the Washington state learning standards for English/Language Arts, mathematics, and science. It also includes a timeline for the review process. Key Audiences:  Educational Service District Superintendents, School District Superintendents, School District Business Managers, School District Curriculum Directors OSPI's Bulletin re: Math, ELA, Science: [ PDF ] Science Updates: [ PDF ]
Read more

Three-Dimensional Nature of the new Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS)

The new science assessment does NOT privilege content above practice or crosscutting concepts. We have heard from two different parts of the region that someone who self-identifies as an NGSS-assessment-item-writer has returned to their district and erroneously reported to supervisors and colleagues that the new NGSS-aligned assessment’s (WCAS) items focus solely on one of the three dimension of NGSS (namely, the Disciplinary Core Ideas, most closely related to our previous notions of “content”). This is idea represents a serious misunderstanding that could derail a district’s transition efforts around NGSS. Not being an item-writer myself, I reached out to OSPI. Dawn Cope of OSPI’s Science Assessment Team responded with wonder that anyone could come away from item writing with that idea and, explained that all the training materials and the process used reflect the 3-dimensional nature of the NGSS. She shared all the training items for me to examine so I could try and see wher...
Read more

Mesoamerican Pre-columbian Indigenous Math PD Opportunity in February

Good morning Teaching and Learning Colleagues,   Hope you are staying warm and being safe out there in this beautiful/harsh weather. Team, I am reaching out to ask for your support. Can you all please support the NWESD Migrant Education Program team by spreading our MesoAmerican Pre-Colombian Indigenous Math PD opportunity near and far to all your educator staff/district leader contacts in school districts/buildings who reside in our NWESD 189 region?     This is a rare and unique opportunity for districts and educators in our region. This workshop is also helpful for districts who have in their comprehensive plans to close/reduce math gaps and to increase equity with alternative ways of meeting the unique needs of students in Math.   It is important to note that math teachers Carlos and Sara are coming from Mexico City to bring us MesoAmerican Pre-Columbian Indigenous tools, resources and strategies to support students continue to develop and g...
Read more