Tuesday, August 29, 2023
In the beginning of August, the DPI held the annual Forward Mathematics New Item Review in Madison. Based on a shared understanding of the Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics, participants got to know the process for Math Forward item creation from writing an item, to its inclusion on the test, to how it is scored.
While new item review takes place annually, this year was unique since it included aligning items to the newly revised Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics for the first time. One participating educator said, “I took this opportunity to learn more about the process, network, and really get to give some input from a teacher, interventionist, coach, and parent perspective.”
After meeting, participants are taking their new learning back to their local district. “Having discussions about test items inevitably widens your perspective and positively impacts your teaching practices,” one participant said.
New online practice tests will soon be available for Wisconsin educators and their students. These practice tests will combine what is currently the Online Tools Training and the PDF of practice items for each grade level. There will also be new practice test items that provide a few examples of what Forward items might look like now that they are aligned to the new standards.
These new practice tests can support all Wisconsin educators in facilitating discussions around implementation of Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics, 2021 and the 2024 Forward Exam.
Participants in this year’s review represented many different CESAs and districts. They included representatives from the DPI and the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, CESAs 1 and 7, as well as from the following districts: Abbotsford, Antigo, Appleton, Angola, DC Everest, Fond du Lac, Greenfield, Hamilton, Hayward, Hortonville, Hudson, Kenosha, Manitowoc, Marshall, Milton, Milwaukee College Prep, Milwaukee , Neenah, New London, New Richmond, North Lake, Oconomowoc, Oregon, Sauk Prairie, Shell Lake, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, Webster, West Bend, and Whitnall.
A big thank you to all participants, including teachers, coaches, interventionists, CESA representatives, and professors. Your input and feedback help us continually hone approaches to grade 3-8 mathematics teaching, learning, and testing.