If you are anything like me, tasks and responsibilities that I only complete periodically in a year may tend to slip my mind when the calendar flips to that time of the year. New job processes, such as some things in MS-CPAS, may also add to this uncertainty. It definitely does for me. With that being said, we have been attempting to make sure that we keep as many things as consistent as possible since I started in Assessment in 2011. Additionally, we are increasing the forms of communication methods and training opportunities. In an attempt to provide a few important virtual Post-It notes, here are a few reminders of some new and old processes and events upcoming this spring:
Practice Test Information: For 2018, students will take practice tests in Questionmark, the online testing system for MS-CPAS. You must verify students/classes in the RCU submission and verification system to schedule a set of practice tests for students in eligible career pathways. We will NOT make roster changes, changes to the practice test schedule, or practice score modifications due to a district's incorrect roster submission, technical glitches, or mistyped verifications
. We are currently supporting normal practice test administration and preparing for regular MS-CPAS testing in April and May. Download the list of practice tests here. The CTE Testing Manual contains instructions for administering practice tests and retrieving reports.
Training Notes: We have posted archived webinars of each session from our February Test Coordinator Training sessions on our Assessment web page. There, you can also find other webinars and the CTE Testing Manual, which outlines every preparation and administration process associated with MS-CPAS.
Other Important Dates: Download the exact dates for other testing-related events through the summer of 2018 in a single-page format here.
Thank you again for everything you do for the students and communities of Mississippi!
The spring testing roster verification deadline is March 23.
View the spring 2018 new test coordinator training videos by clicking the Presentations & Webinars tab here.
MS-CPAS practice tests are available March 1-30here.
Performance-Based Assessment Update
Performance-based assessment for revision programs (architecture and drafting, polymer science, and simulation and animation design) is underway. All second-year students in these programs should be working with their course instructor to complete an authentic performance task, job application, and resume. The completed student work is due to the RCU by 5 p.m. on March 23. For more information, please visit the PBA page of the RCU website, or send an email to helpdesk@rcu.msstate.edu.
Want to learn more about PBA? Ashley Brown and Roslyn Miller recently sat down with Mississippi Ed Talk to discuss national PBA trends and the history of PBA in Mississippi.
