Your monthly update on all things MS-CPAS!
September 2018 Issue
Bring on Fall

Although the temperatures have not quite signaled the beginning of fall, Sept. 22 does officially mark the end of summer.

As the leaves on the trees start to change color, we are experiencing more change with our team. Two Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District educators have joined our ranks.

Brian Dorsey joined us from Armstrong Middle School. Brian, a former information and communication technology teacher, has more than 10 years of teaching experience at the middle school and high school levels. We are excited to have him take over many of the core assessment processes.

Mike Adam also joined our team this month. Mike, who last taught at Starkville High School, has more than  14 years science teaching experience in both online and traditional formats at the secondary and postsecondary levels. He now manages the RCU's standard-setting and psychometric processes.

As a reminder, we are discontinuing assessment's use of the listservs in lieu of the use of this monthly newsletter and the RCU website. We think streamlining of our communication will ensure everyone gets news in a timely manner.

I hope the school year has started smoothly and that 2018-2019 turns into a great year for each of you!


Sean Owen, PhD
Assessment Manager
Announcements

New Test Coordinator Training is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at the RCU.

We're inviting secondary school test coordinators who have less than two years of experience and who were not able to attend the fall 2017 training for new test coordinators to join us to learn about preparing for and administering statewide CTE assessments. We offered this training for the first time last fall, and new test coordinators found it helpful with becoming more familiar with our testing  processes.  Click here and register   before  Sept. 25.

MS-CPAS Updates
  
The CTE Testing Manual and other MS-CPAS testing resources have been updated on the RCU's MS-CPAS page . Thanks to those test coordinators who shared input on needed updates in the survey this spring. 

We are also excited to announce that we now have a page just for postsecondary test coordinators and instructors where they can find resources tailored to their specific needs. Please check out this one stop for postsecondary testing resources.

And finally, every year we have several secondary programs that are in a year of transition as  new curricula are adopted. The transition programs for 2018-2019 include:
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources-Year 1 will be taught and assessed using the 2018 curriculum; Year 2 will be taught and assessed using the 2012 curriculum.  
  • Teacher Academy-Year 1 will be taught and assessed using the 2018 curriculum; Year 2 will be taught and assessed using the 2014 curriculum.
  • Engineering-Year 1 will be taught and assessed using the 2018 curriculum; Year 2 will be taught and assessed using the 2014 curriculum.
  • Digital Media-Year 1 will be taught and assessed using the 2018 curriculum; Year 2 will be taught and assessed using the 2014 curriculum.
National Certifications Updates
  
As mentioned, Brian Dorsey is the new lead for national certifications for our team. For those who are currently administering NCCER baseline testing, it is likely you have already spoken with him on the phone, by email, or through the RCU Help Desk. Speaking of NCCER testing, we appreciate your patience with the new NCCER testing system. MCEF and NCCER are working through the bumps that occur with any transition of technology systems.

The deadline for first- and second-year students in the carpentry, electrical, masonry, HVAC, heavy equipment operation, industrial maintenance, and welding pathways to take the NCCER baseline is Sept. 7. Did you miss our webinar about NCCER baseline testing? No problem!  Click here to view a recording, and  click here to download the presentation.

Please remember that NCCER baseline testing links are available in the "Certification Tools" section of the RCU's  national certification page .  Those links include: 
Performance-Based Assessment
  
For the 2018-2019 academic year, performance-based assessment will be offered for second-year students in the following CTE courses: architecture and drafting, digital media technology, polymer science, and simulation and animation design. If you are a new instructor in any of these pathways, or if you have one at your center, please contact Ashley Brown via the RCU Help Desk at  helpdesk@rcu.msstate.edu. For more information about performance-based assessment, visit the PBA page on the RCU website.
Skelton Among 2018 LEAP Participants

Brad Skelton, who leads the RCU's curriculum team, is one of 17 university professionals participating in the 2018 Leadership Excellence for Accomplished Professionals (LEAP) program.

The four-month LEAP program will sharpen participants' administrative and leadership skills, including conflict resolution, decision-making, team building, and employee-performance management, through training sessions with campus and community leaders.

For more information on Skelton and the LEAP program, check out this article in the  RCU Newsroom.


Key Contacts
Assessment Manager ..............................
IAD Meetings and Training Events...........
National Certification ...............................
PBA .........................................................
Research and Standard Setting................

Have assessment needs not addressed in this issue?
Create a Help Desk ticket, and we'll get right on it! 

662.325.2510 | rcu.msstate.edu
STAY CONNECTED: