Information for Parents About the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS)

• What is the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS)?
  The WSAS is a comprehensive statewide accountability program designed to provide information about what students know in core academic areas. The federal No Child Left Behind Act required all states to test all students in reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and once in high school (grade 10 under s.118.30 Wis Stats). These tests are referred to as the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination - (WKCE). Student performance on these assessments is reported in proficiency categories and used to determine the adequate yearly progress of students at the school, district and state levels.
  
  Wisconsin Alternate Assessment for Students with Disabilities (WAA-SwD)
  Federal and state special education legislation requires that all students with disabilities participate in state and district assessments. The State of Wisconsin has recently established Extended Grade Band Standards in Reading, Mathematics, and Science to guide instruction and curriculum planning for students with significant cognitive disabilities. These extended standards will be used as the basis for the new Wisconsin Alternate Assessment for Students with Disabilities (WAA-SwD).
  
  The WAA-SwD will be administered to students who meet all the criteria in the participation checklist. The test window is October 27 - November 28, 2008. The WAA-SwD is multiple choice and includes performance task assessments for the content areas of Reading and Mathematics for 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 10th grades, and Science for 4th, 8th and 10th grades. Practice items for reading, math and science are available on the DPI website for parents and teachers to preview. Language Arts/Writing and Social Studies for 4th, 8th and 10th grades are assessed using a rating scale. These are based on the Wisconsin Model Content Standards.
  
  Assessment of English Language Learners (ELLs)
  The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requires that state assessments allow for the inclusion of English Language Learners (ELLs). ELLs who have been in the United States for less than twelve months are required to take the math portion of the WKCE with allowable accommodations, which may include translation, and may take the reading portion. ELLs who have been in the country for more than twelve months are required to take all parts of the WKCE with allowable accommodations. A list of these accommodations may be found at http://dpi.wi.gov/oea/pdf/accom08.pdf.
  
  The state of Wisconsin provides Spanish and Hmong written translation scripts for the WKCE. The goal of these scripts is to better help students demonstrate what they know on the WKCE without language getting in the way. Students who are fluent in Spanish or Hmong will be given the choice to use all or parts of the translation accommodation, which includes a bilingual glossary of commonly used testing terms, translation of the test directions, and written translation scripts of math, science and social studies test items.
  
  DPI recognizes that 15% of the ELL population speaks a language other than Spanish or Hmong. Districts who serve students who speak languages other than Spanish or Hmong may use qualified translators to provide oral translation support to students. Qualifications and guidelines for the use of translators may be found at http://dpi.wi.gov/oea/doc/translator_guidelines.doc
  
  
• A Parent's Guide to Standards and Assessment This publication is an overview for Parent and/or Care givers of the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards and the Wisconsin Student Assessment System and is a product of the State Superintendent's Parent Advisory Council.
  
  
• Wisconsin Information Network for Successful Schools (WINSS)
  This electronic resource has been created to help educators, parents and community members who have an interest in educating the hearts and minds of all children. Included is information about WSAS and much more. State test results are provided in graph and table format to help display information related to how students are performing academically. The WINSS system provides a searchable view of school or district data. Data displayed is for current and previous years and can be sorted by grade level, gender, race/ethnicity, economic status, disability, English proficiency, and migrant status.
  
  
• Student/Parent Pre-Test Brochure (2008-09 version) - This brochure answers common questions asked by students and parents about the WKCE. It outlines the WSAS and the WKCE, explains its purpose, describes what scores will be provided, and how they will be used. It also identifies who will be tested and when, what the test looks like, and when it is available for school and district review.
  Hmong Translation (2007-08 version)
  Spanish Translation (2008-09 version)
  
  
• WAA-SwD Student/Parent Pre-Test Brochure (2008-09 version) - This brochure answers common questions asked by students and parents about the Wisconsin Alternate Assessment for Students with Disabilities (WAA-SwD). It outlines the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS) and the WAA, explains its purpose, describes what scores will be provided, and how they will be used. It also identifies who will be tested and when, what the test looks like, and when it is available for school and district review.
  Spanish Translation (2007-08 version)
  
  

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Suggestions for parents to help students prepare for the state assessment:

• General Preparation
  
  • Encourage students to answer all test questions
  • Remind students to listen to and read all directions and to tackle the test one question at a time instead of thinking about the entire test
  • When possible it is beneficial to establish a daily routine for meals, homework, chores, bedtime, and family time
  • Encourage students to participate in practice sessions
  • Ensure students get a good night's sleep and a nutritious breakfast before taking a test
  • Provide students with a study area
  • Offer praise and encouragement for achievement and improvement
  • Encourage students to practice good study habits and set aside time every day for homework
  
  
  
• Reading Test Preparation
  
  • Read to students and encourage them to read to you.
  • Encourage students to read the newspaper, magazines, recreational books and discuss what they have read
  • Practice tests and sample items for reading
  
  
  
• Mathematics Test Preparation
  • Play games that involve numbers and/or computation
  • Encourage students to make connections between their everyday lives and what they are learning in math class
  • Encourage the use of math everyday through measuring recipes, adding prices at the store, creating a budget, explaining graphs and charts in the newspaper or magaizine articles, and taking measurements while doing home projects or sewing.
  • Practice tests and sample items for mathematics
  
  
  
• Science Test Preparation
  • Encourage participation in science competitions, fairs and other activities
  • Share your enthusiasm/interest for science
  • Explore nature centers, zoos, and science museums
  • Sample items for science
  
  
  
• Language Arts Test Preparation
  • Play word games and encourage expansion of vocabulary
  • Encourage your student to write letters or keep a journal
  • Sample items for language arts
  
  
  
• Social Studies Test Preparation
  • Encourage discussion around current events and how it affects human rights, governments, geography and make comparisons to similar events.
  • Sample items for social studies

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WKCE / WAA-SwD Data and Results

For questions about this information, contact oeamail@dpi.wi.gov

Last updated on 8/11/2008 9:02:53 AM