In response to the Covid-19 crisis, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) applied for our state waiver, which allows Kentucky to bypass standardized testing and be relieved of the federal assessment, accountability, and specific reporting requirements for the 2019-2020 school year. On March 30, 2020, KDE received formal approval of the waiver from the U.S. Department of Education (USED).
The cancellation of K-PREP assessments will affect this fall’s accountability data release.
For this year, all federal ratings and supports will remain the same until after the next testing cycle in the spring of 2021. The list of schools qualifying for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) also will stay the same.
Resources
April 3, 2020
Waiver suspends requirements for civics test, early graduation exams
April 3, 2020
Public comment sought on Kentucky USED testing waiver
March 24, 2020
KDE cancels K-PREP testing for 2019-2020 school year
March 20, 2020
Kentucky to apply for testing waiver from U.S. Department of Education
COVID-19 Guidance: Impact of Waiver on State Assessments
Frequently Asked Questions
State Testing
Have there been any changes on state testing/assessment?
Yes, KDE has been granted a waiver by the United States Department of Education to bypass standardized testing for the 2019-2020 school year.
Will assessment waivers be considered for the 2020-21 school year?
While a few assessments are scheduled this fall (i.e., Kindergarten Screen, Fall ACT testing for juniors who missed 2020 spring testing, social studies field tests), most state-required tests are scheduled for spring 2021. OAA will monitor the situation closely. The Kentucky Department of Education may adjust schedules or seek waivers for flexibility on assessment and accountability as necessary.
What is the current status of the state provided ACT test?
The ACT is used for many purposes including college admissions and scholarship opportunities. ACT testing was accomplished for most Kentucky schools on Tuesday, March 10. However, some students were unable to complete testing. To ensure students who missed their opportunity to take a state administration of the ACT this spring due to school closures as a result of COVID-19, KDE is offering a fall testing option. Please note that this fall administration option is available for current juniors who did not participate in the Spring 2020 testing windows. It is not an opportunity for students to retest.
As data from the initial test date this spring is finalized, KDE and ACT will continue working to identify students who did not test. We will reach out to District Assessment Coordinators to assist with the identification.
As additional information and training opportunities are solidified, ACT and KDE will communicate important details.
For districts and schools that were not able to test on March 10. The tentative initial and makeup dates are,
Initial Testing Window
- The ACT Standard Time Initial Test Date – Sept. 22
- The ACT Accommodations Testing Window-Sept. 22, 23, 24, 25 and 28, 29, 30, Oct. 1 and 2
Makeup Testing Window
- The ACT Standard Time Test Date – Oct. 6
- The ACT Accommodations Testing Window – Oct. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12
There will be no online testing option.
For Schools that Tested on March 10
If schools were able to administer the statewide ACT, March 10 was the school’s initial ACT test date. Only one additional date is needed for make-up testing. The school’s initial test date was March 10 and the make-up date is tentatively Sept. 22. If schools were unable to test on March 10, please contact Shara Savage.
How can my child take a free administration of the ACT? When will ACT national testing resume?
For students who have not had the opportunity to take the state administration of the ACT and pass benchmarks, the student can apply for the ACT Fee Wavier to take the national ACT Exam. For more information on the Fee Waiver Program and how to apply, please visit ACT Fee Wavier Program. Students who are applying for the Fee Waiver program should apply online at the ACT Resource page. ACT has rescheduled its April 4 national test date to June 13 across the U.S. in response to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). For further updates, please see act.org.
How will school closures impact students' ability to take EOCs and graduate early? Will they be able to graduate without EOC scores, or will they be made to go to school next year since they cannot take their tests?
"On Friday, April 3, 2020, the end-of-course (EOC) requirements to the Early Graduation Program were suspended as a result of a waiver issued by Lt. Governor Coleman. The waiver indicated as follows: ""Therefore, pursuant to EO 2020-243, KRS 158.142(3)(a) is hereby temporarily suspended for current high school juniors who indicated their intent to participate in the early high school graduation program prior to January 1, 2020, and who otherwise meet all requirements as set forth in KRS 158.142 and applicable administrative regulations for graduation at the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year.”
Current juniors in the Early Graduate Program who obtain a qualifying benchmark score on the ACT and who meet all other requirements will remain eligible for early graduation. The emergency school closures should not prevent juniors participating in the early high school graduation program from completing the program and qualifying for an Early Graduation Scholarship Certificate.
Districts with current freshman or sophomores participating in the Early Graduation Program expecting to graduate this spring should contact Shara Savage for guidance.
Does this cancellation of state-testing include the completion of the Transition Attainment Record (TAR)? What about the Career Readiness Alternate Assessment Folder (CRAAF)?
All parts of the Alternate Assessment and Accountability Folder (AAAF) which would include the Attainment Tasks (AT) and the Transition Attainment Record (TAR) are suspended for spring 2020. Also, the responsibilities of the Career Readiness Alternate Assessment Folder (CRAAF) are suspended for spring 2020. This suspension includes the Employability Skills Attainment Record (ESAR) and the Career Work Experience Certification (CWEC).
School Accountability
Without state testing, what can we expect with accountability?
KDE has been granted a waiver by the United States Department of Education to bypass standardized testing and statewide accountability for the 2019-2020 school year due to the national emergency.
The list of schools qualifying for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) also will stay the same. Schools identified as Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) are the lowest performing in the state. Schools identified as Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) were previously referred to as Targeted Support and Improvement Tier II – Low-performing Subgroup(s) and failed to meet the exit criteria outlined in 703 KAR 5:280, Section 15.
Parent and Educator Resources
To assist parents and educators, the Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA) has pulled together educational resources for state assessment programs, which are available from KDE, testing vendors and other educational sources, located on the right side of this page. More detailed descriptions of the resources are in the Parent and Educator Resources document.
For those wanting to know more about what is happening with each state assessment, please connect to the DAC Communications page. The linked emails are written for the District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) to share with schools.
Resources outside of KDE have not been reviewed for accessibility. If you need this material in an accessible format, please contact the provider.