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 (NCLB) Act requires 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) and the Wisconsin Alternate Assessment for Students with Disabilities - (WAA-SwD). Student performance on these assessments is reported in proficiency categories and used to determine the adequate yearly progress (AYP) 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 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 are used as the basis for the Wisconsin Alternate Assessment for Students with Disabilities (WAA-SwD).
  
  The WAA-SwD is administered to students who meet all the criteria in the participation checklist. The WAA-SwD is multiple choice and includes performance task assessments for the content areas of Reading and Mathematics for grades 3-8 and 10, and Science for grades 4, 8, and 10. Practice items for reading, mathematics 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 Academic Standards.
  
  Assessment of English Language Learners (ELLs)
  The No Child Left Behind Act 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 mathematics portion of the WKCE (or the WAA-SwD for Ells who have a significant cognitive disability) 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 (or WAA-SwD) with allowable accommodations. A list of these accommodations may be found at http://dpi.wi.gov/oea/pdf/accom09.pdf.
  
  The state of Wisconsin provides Spanish 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 will be given the choice to use all or parts of the translation accommodation, which includes a bilingual word list of commonly used testing terms, translation of the test directions, and written translation scripts of math, science and social studies test items. The state also provides Hmong directions and bilingual word lists.
  
  Districts who serve students who speak languages other than Spanish 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/pdf/translator_guidelines.pdf
  
  
• A Parent's Guide to Standards and Assessment This publication is an overview 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 language proficiency, and migrant status.
  
  
• Student/Parent Pre-Test Brochure (2009-10 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 summarizes how scores 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 (2009-10 version)
  
  Hmong Translation (2009-10 version)
  
• WAA-SwD Student/Parent Pre-Test Brochure (2009-10 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 WSAS and the WAA-SwD, explains its purpose, describes what scores will be provided, and summarizes how scores 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 (2009-10 version)
  Hmong Translation (2009-10 version)
  
  

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

• General Preparation
  
  • When possible, it is beneficial to establish a daily routine for meals, homework, chores, bedtime, and family time
  • Provide students with a study area at home
  • Encourage students to practice good study habits and set aside time every day for homework
  • Encourage students to participate in practice sessions
  • Ensure students get a good night's sleep and a nutritious breakfast before taking a test
  • 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
  • Encourage students to answer all test questions
  • Offer praise and encouragement for achievement and improvement
  
  
  
• Reading Test Preparation
  
  • Read to students and encourage them to read to you
  • Encourage students to read the newspaper, magazines, and recreational books; and encourage students to 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 of current events and how it affects human rights, governments, and geography; make comparisons to similar events
  • Sample items for social studies

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WSAS (WKCE / WAA-SwD) Data and Results

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

Last updated on 11/3/2009 11:02:00 AM