Chapter 4

Assessment Systems

Section 1.  Authority. These rules are promulgated pursuant to W.S. 21-2-304(a)(iv-v) and W.S. 21-3-110(a)(i) and (xxiv).

Section 2.  Definitions. As used in this chapter:

(a)               "Alignment" means evidence that a district assessment system is aligned to the K-12 performance standards defined in Chapter 10 State Board of Education Rules and graduation standards defined in Chapter 3 State Board of Education Rules, both in terms of content and cognitive complexity.

(b)               "Assessment including competency-based equivalency examination" means an ongoing process that includes collecting, synthesizing, and interpreting information about what students know (knowledge) and are able to do (skills).

(c)                "Cognitive Complexity" means the type and level of thinking required to successfully achieve the standard.

(d)               "District Assessment System" means a system that measures various levels of student performance on the state performance and graduation standards.

(e)               "Graduation Standards" are 9-12 standards defined in Chapter 3 State Board of Education Rules.

(f)                  "Performance Standards" are K-12 standards defined in Chapter 10 State Board of Education Rules.

Section 3.  District Assessment System.

(a)               In conjunction with district accreditation, a district's assessment system shall be subject to review and approval by the State Board of Education at least once every five (5) years. A district containing schools that are designated as partially meeting expectations or not meeting expectations under W.S. 21-2-204(f)(i) may have its district assessment system reviewed more often as deemed appropriate by the State Board of Education and in accordance with W.S. 21-2-204(h)(vii).

(b)               Pursuant to W.S. 21-3-110(a)(xxiv) and (xxxiv), the review shall apply to all ten (10) content areas and verify that the district assessment system includes each of the following criteria:

(i)  Alignment. The district has a process in place to ensure its K-12 district assessment system is aligned to the state performance and graduation standards in both content and cognitive complexity. The district assessment system must be aligned to the state performance and graduation standards within three (3) full years of the Board approving a standard.

(A)  Districts shall ensure that their aligned district assessment system produces student performance levels relative to the performance and graduation standards.

(B)  Districts shall ensure that their aligned district assessment system measures the knowledge or skill for the appropriate grade level and content.

(C)  Districts shall ensure that their aligned district assessment system provides every student with multiple opportunities to demonstrate what the student understands, knows, and can do.

(ii)  Data Results. The district has a process in place to regularly monitor student performance in order to determine progress toward the attainment of knowledge and skills aligned to the state performance and graduation standards.

(iii)  Ongoing Evaluation. The district has a process in place to evaluate its district assessment system on an ongoing basis to inform subsequent adjustments to the district assessment system that will ensure the district's needs, priorities, and goals are met and remains aligned to the state performance and graduation standards.

(c)                Not later than November 1 of each year, the district shall report compliance with the criteria of its district assessment system, including compliance with the high school diploma requirements established in statute and identified in Chapter 3 State Board of Education Rules.

(d)               A district that does not meet the criteria of the district assessment system or does not comply with the high school diploma requirements may have its accreditation status lowered in accordance with Chapter 6 Accreditation Rules.