{"id":11990,"date":"2020-03-03T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-03T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aurora-institute.org\/blog\/aurora-institute-in-collaboration-with-knowledgeworks-cie-and-center-for-assessment-submitted-public-comments-on-the-competitive-grants-for-state-assessments-program\/"},"modified":"2022-11-03T20:06:16","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T00:06:16","slug":"aurora-institute-in-collaboration-with-knowledgeworks-cie-and-center-for-assessment-submitted-public-comments-on-the-competitive-grants-for-state-assessments-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aurora-institute.org\/blog\/aurora-institute-in-collaboration-with-knowledgeworks-cie-and-center-for-assessment-submitted-public-comments-on-the-competitive-grants-for-state-assessments-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Comments Submitted on the Competitive Grants for State Assessments Program"},"content":{"rendered":"
Remember the Innovative Assessment Pilot (Innovative Accountability and Assessment Demonstration Authority, or IADA) from Section 1204 in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)? The U.S. Department of Education has rolling applications for states to apply \u2014 and now \u2014 it looks like the Department of Education might free up some funding for interested states.<\/p>\n
In January, the U.S. Department of Education published a notice of proposed priorities<\/a> for the Competitive Grants for State Assessments (CGSA) program, soliciting input and feedback from the public. The Department is proposing use of CGSA program funds to be made available to states planning to apply for the IADA and those states implementing an approved plan would also be eligible. The Department\u2019s proposed priorities anticipates funding might cover 12-18 months for a state planning grant and 36-48 months for an implementation grant (in the proposed regulations).<\/p>\n The Aurora Institute, in collaboration with KnowledgeWorks<\/a>, Center for Innovation in Education<\/a> (CiE), Great Schools Partnership,<\/a> and the Center for Assessment,<\/a> jointly submitted a formal letter commenting on these proposed priorities<\/a><\/strong> (read below). We expressed that meeting the requirements of the IADA requires significant time and resources for states. We provided specific recommendations to improve the proposed regulations with solutions to prevent unnecessary barriers to piloting new approaches that seek to improve equity.<\/p>\n We offer the following recommendations:<\/p>\n The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides flexibility for states to redesign systems of assessments<\/a> to better align with student-centered learning. Section 1204 of ESSA establishes the Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority (IADA)<\/a>, allowing states to develop next-generation systems of assessments and pilot them on a smaller scale in select districts. This is an opportunity for states to launch new assessment systems with interested and willing districts and continuously improve on their results as they scale these new assessments statewide. States and localities are rethinking how next-generation systems of assessments can ensure quality, equity and excellence \u2014 with assessments \u201cof\u201d and \u201cfor\u201d learning \u2014 and are examining how accountability can support continuous improvement.<\/p>\n Flexibility under the IADA supports the use of competency-based assessments, adaptive assessments and performance-based assessments that allow educators to monitor student progress throughout the year and meet students where they are in their learning. To transform learning for all students, assessments must empower educators to help students attain a broader set of success outcomes and guide improvements in teaching and learning to ensure all students are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for success in college, career, and civic life.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>In August 2019, Scott Marion, Executive Director of the Center for Assessment, addressed some of the common challenges states face in developing their IADA applications, \u201cBeing Innovative Under ESSA\u2019s Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority: An Innovator\u2019s Hope<\/a>.\u201d Marion makes the case for \u201ccommit[ing] ourselves to assessment innovations that support rather than hinder efforts to reform our teaching and learning systems.\u201d<\/p>\n In January 2018, iNACOL held a webinar, The Innovative Assessment Pilot:\u00a0 A New Opportunity for States and Districts to Collaborate in Developing Next Generation Systems of Assessments<\/a>. The archived webinar provides an overview of the IADA\u2019s requirements and application process.<\/p>\n Want to learn more? Contact us or our partner organizations. States can learn more about the new flexibility in ESSA and action steps states can take to develop new assessments through the following resources:<\/p>\nOur Joint Letter of Response to USED<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\nTechnical Assistance and Resources Available for Advancing Next-Generation Systems of Assessments<\/h3>\n
\n
Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\n
\n