The task force responsible for weighing in on the future of student testing in Wyoming held its kickoff meeting in Casper on Monday.
The assessment task force is made up of 26 teachers, administrators, school board members, parents and businesspeople from around the state.
Under state law, the group is charged with recommending an approach to assessment that fulfills accountability requirements –and furthers learning and achievement for Wyoming students.
Scott Marion is the associate director at the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment. He’s leading the task force—and says the toughest job before the group is determining the balance of power between the state and local districts.
“How much state control should there be?,” says Marion “Should the state be dictating what assessments are administered every month? Or should they just have a say in the end-of-year assessment? So that whole state, local control issue is an issue that will have to be played out in the kinds of recommendations that come from this committee.”
Members of the task force applied and were selected to serve. The group will not determine which actual test will be used in the state. It will produce final recommendations by this October.
