The validation for Florida’s new and controversial Florida Standards Assessment test is still chugging right along.
The two companies contracted to complete the verification (Utah-based Alpine Testing Solutions and Washington, D.C.-based edCount) said they reached several “critical milestones” last month in their three-month-long process to verify whether the FSA is an appropriate measure of student achievement.
Alpine Testing and edCount shoulder the responsibility of a Legislature-demanded validation process for the test, which was riddled with technological glitches during its first administration this year. The two companies were the only ones who stepped up to the plate to complete the validation process by the mandated Sept. 1 deadline.
The companies entered into a $594,000 contract with the Florida Department of Education in May to complete the validation process. June marked the first full month of work.
During the month of July, both Alpine and edCount staffers traveled around Florida and the country to meet with Florida Department of Education staff members as well as staffers at American Institutes for Research, the company which developed the FSA.
Creating a new assessment test is a much more involved process than simply picking a couple of questions, throwing out a few answer options and handing out a test packet in a classroom.
The validation process will take a deeper look at exactly what went into the creation of the FSA, analyzing step-by-step whether the test is an accurate measure of the Florida Standards.
In July, the companies discussed the creation of test blueprints for the FSA as well as the procedures to scale, score and equate the assessment test. A testing blueprint is a general overview of how long a test is, which sections are covered and how long the test will be, among other measures.
Testing companies reviewed “best practices” in their industry to make a new standardized test. In general, subject matter experts all gather together to make sure tests have appropriate student and grade-level language.
Alpine and edCount also went to ground zero with educators last month, holding three different focus groups to get a firsthand perspective on how the FSA measures up to the state’s new education standards.
Focus groups took place in Miami, Orlando and Tallahassee. Orlando had the greatest turnout with 30 participants from 21 different school districts.
The companies did not divulge what was specifically discussed at the meetings, which were closed off to the public, but did say they had requested additional information on administration issues from FLDOE and AIR based on the responses from focus group participants.
Alpine also reached out to testing administrators to gather feedback on the FSA testing administration. Forty-seven school districts sent the company 55 responses, which will be available in the final report.
August is the home stretch for the companies, which must complete the validation process by Sept. 1. Test scores will not be released until the validation process is complete.
Reach Tampa-based reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
