Students could double up on assessments

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Students in grades 3-8 could spend twice the amount of time and effort taking standardized tests during the upcoming school year – something school officials say they aren’t thrilled about.

At its July 11 meeting, the Milford Public Schools Board of Education heard from MPS Director of Learning Dr. Mitch Kubicek that students in upper elementary and junior high will likely take both the NSCAS and MAP tests in the 2022-23 school year.

“NSCAS” is the Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System that tests students on English Language Arts, math and science. It replaced the former NeSA (Nebraska State Accountability test) beginning in the 2017-18 school year.

“MAP” is the Measures of Academic Progress assessment, used to more precisely measure students’ academic growth in reading, language, math and science.

Students typically take the NSCAS in the spring, but the Nebraska Department of Education is now requiring the test to be given in the fall, too.

Kubicek said the NSCAS does not provide much useable data for educators to use in planning instruction – at least not early in the year.

The MAP test does provide that data, but is not required.

“Statewide, there’s a vast number of schools that are really frustrated with that,” said Dave Welsch, MPS Board of Education president.

“Most of the metro schools have been a part of that conversation,” Kubicek said.

Kubicek said several education advocacy groups are working to change the NSCAS requirement so that educators can obtain more useful data while only taking time out of regular instruction for one set of assessments.

“We’ve asked the Department of Education if it’s possible to make the state test in the fall optional,” Kubicek said.

Tentatively, students in grades 3-8 are scheduled to take the MAP reading and math tests between Aug. 22 and Sept. 2.

Those in grades 5 and 8 will take the MAP science assessment during that same timeframe.

High school reading students will take the MAP reading test during that window, as well.

Those in kindergarten through third grades will take the MAP reading fluency assessments Sept. 7-16.

Unless the requirement changes, NSCAS testing will be Sept. 19-30, followed by another round of MAP testing for reading in late November.

Juniors will take the ACT on April 4, and freshmen and sophomores will take the preACT on that date.

Additional NSCAS and MAP reading tests are planned for the end of April.

Kubicek said these dates will be narrowed down as the start of the school year nears.