Release Date: Oct 11, 2010 9:01 AM  

Schools start administering more rigorous comprehensive assessment system this week

Dover, DE.─ In another major step to transform the educational experience for Delaware students, school children across the state will start taking the first of a series of new tests which will monitor students’ progress toward college and career readiness like never before possible.

Schools will begin administering the new Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System (DCAS) online to replace the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) this week.  Based on higher student proficiency standards, DCAS will more accurately and more closely measure each student’s academic performance throughout the course of the year —not just at the end of the year— so schools can quickly identify areas of strengths and weaknesses to tailor instruction appropriately for each student.  The exams can be taken up to four times per year with results back within 48 hours.

The research-based assessment system was developed with input from education and business leaders, parents, and other community leaders across the state, with the goal being to provide teachers with critical information about where their students begin their classes and how much progress they are making towards Delaware’s new higher standards. 

“This new test gives parents, teachers and schools a better barometer of student academic progress so we can better prepare them for the tougher demands and challenges that await them in future college courses and the workforce,” said Governor Jack Markell. “Delaware’s children deserve the highest quality education.  We must set higher expectations for our students and provide our teachers with timely and useful information about student progress.”

The DCAS Standard Setting Panel established higher expectations for students on the DCAS in the form of higher cut scores for demonstrated proficiency in reading, mathematics, science, and social studies.  The State Board of Education recently adopted the higher standards for students to be considered “proficient” on the assessment. As a result, the number of students with DCAS scores reaching the “proficiency” level is projected to be about 10 to 28 percentage points lower than with DSTP, which will more closely align with results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Scores are expected to gradually rise as students master the state’s more rigorous curriculum.  

Initial Drop Expected in Percentage of Students Meeting Proficiency Level

Subject Tested	DSTP Proficient 2010	DCAS Proficient 2011	NAEP Proficient 2009
Reading
Gr4	76%	48%	35%
Gr8	78%	47%	31%
Gr10	64%	46%
Math
Gr4	78%	53%	36%
Gr8	68%	50%	32%
Gr10	57%	47%

With results back in just a couple days, teachers and parents will now have access to comprehensive performance data almost immediately after students take the test. “Results of the rigorous benchmark exams taken throughout the year will serve to closely track how students are performing so schools can immediately provide intensive support where gaps are found and build upon achievements,” Secretary of Education Lillian M. Lowery said. 

This week, students will start testing in Reading and Math in third through tenth grades.  Schools have provided opportunities for students to take DCAS practice tests in advance of the first administration to become familiar with the exam’s adaptable format, which prompts questions for each student based on the mastery of knowledge and skills demonstrated in responses to prior questions.  English, Biology, U.S. History, Algebra and Integrated Math End of Course assessments will be field-tested starting in the spring semester and will be instituted next school year. 
                       
DCAS Replacing DSTP to Better Measure College and Career Readiness

DSTP	DCAS
Taken with paper and pencil	Taken online
Administered once a year	Administered up to 4 times a year
Fixed-form: Every student had same set of questions	Adaptable*: As student answers questions correctly, questions get harder                        *excludes social studies exams
Results back up to several months after  test was taken	Results back within 48 hours
Large majority of student scores meeting “proficiency” level	Initial student scores meeting “proficiency” level expected to be 10 to 28 percentage points lower

Special notice:  The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) will host members of the media for a simulation of the new DCAS 5th grade math test on Thursday, October 14th from 10-12 pm.  Space is limited and responses are needed by 5 pm on October 11th.  Please contact Lisa Bishop at lbishop@doe.k12.de.us or (302) 943-0080 if you would like to participate. Details will follow at the time of response.

The testing schedule is available for parents at their child’s school.  However, the windows for testing across the state are listed in the following page.

Calendar of DCAS Administration

SEPTEMBER 2010
22	Reading and Math Practice Tests Available all school year NOTE: Science and Social Studies Practice tests will be available on March 1, 2011 and for the rest of the school year.)
OCTOBER 2010
11	Initial Blended Test Window opens for Reading/Mathematics Grades 3-10
NOVEMBER 2010
19	Initial Blended Test Window closes for Reading/Mathematics Grades 3-10
22	The testing system is open for new entrants from November 22 through December 15, 2010
DECEMBER 2010
15	Testing closed for new entrants. Testing system is closed for maintenance from December 15 through January 4, 2011
JANUARY 2011
5	Mid-year Blended Test Window Opens                 Math/Reading 3-10
5	Block 1 End of Course Independent Field Test Opens                 Algebra I -- Integrated Math I -- English II – Biology – U. S. History
28	Block 1 End of Course (EOC) Independent Field Test Closes
APRIL 2011
4-8	Spring Break 1
11	Mid-year Blended Test Window Closes                 Math/Reading 3-10
12-17	Testing system is closed for maintenance
18	Final Blended Test and Norm Referenced Assessment Windows Open                 Final Blended - Math/Reading 3-10             Ongoing Assessment opens – Math/Reading Grade 2 only             Final Summative Assessment opens - Science 5, 8 and 10                 Norm Referenced - Math/Reading 3-10
18-22, 25-29	Spring Break 2 and Spring Break 3
MAY 2011
2	Full Year and Block 2 End of Course Independent Field Test Opens                 Algebra I -- Integrated Math I -- English II – Biology – U. S. History
23	Social Studies Final Summative Assessment Window Opens             Grades 4 and 7
JUNE 2011
3	Final Blended and Norm Referenced Windows Close
3	Social Studies Final Summative Assessment Window Closes
3	Full Year and Block 2 End of Course (EOC) Independent Field Test Closes
3	Ongoing Assessment Grade 2 Window Closes NOTE: Paper pencil test window dates to be provided in a separate document

For additional information about DCAS, please go to http://de.portal.airast.org/. 

---

Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.	Contact Info. Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us
Other Press Releases