NC Families for School Testing Reform
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NC Families for School Testing Reform letter to Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson on the state's switch in K-3 literacy assessment vendor
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NC Families for School Testing Reform
- 1. North Carolina State Superintendent Mark Johnson Office Of the State Superintendent Raleigh, NC 27699-0301 July 9, 2019 An open letter to NC School Superintendent Mark Johnson: We the undersigned groups and parents support the district superintendents who initially requested to “delay1 the implementation of the new reading diagnostic tool” (Istation) for the entire 2019-2020 academic calendar year. Until the public controversy surrounding the procurement process of Istation is resolved, it is in the best2 interest of children to continue using the existing literacy screening tool that is widely preferred by their teachers and district leaders . We also request no less than a one-year delay, and we request that you3 4 formally submit appropriate documentation for this delay request to the North Carolina General Assembly, and provide us with a copy. Additionally, in the interest of fewer tests, fairer tests, and fruitful tests, we have numerous concerns with Istation's ISIP assessment tool: Fewer Tests - ISIP is a 20-40 minute computerized assessment designed for students to take monthly. Over the course of a ten-month traditional calendar year, that amounts to 200-400 minutes (i.e., approximately 3-6 hours of testing). Amplify's mClass individualized, face-to-face assessment, on the other hand, is administered three times per year for 15-30 minutes max. Over the course of the school year, this means students spend 45 minutes to an hour and a half on this particular test. Thus, Istation more than triples testing frequency and duration for our youngest students. We have heard reports that NC students may only take Istation’s assessment three times per year; however, to do so would constitute “off-label” use of the product as it has only been researched when it is administered monthly. - Anything short of a full year delay could mean students take BOTH mClass and Istation tests. The result would be unnecessary, additional testing AND screen time for our youngest students. 1 https://www.wral.com/88-superintendents-ask-nc-schools-chief-to-delay-new-reading-test-amid-controversy/18475724/ 2 https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6174240-Mark-Johnson-Letter.html#document/p1/a509686 3 https://www.ednc.org/2019/06/28/we-asked-k-3-teachers-what-they-thought-about-switching-literacy-assessment-tools-over-400-told-us/ 4 https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6174303-WCPSS-Istation-letter.html
- 2. Page 2 Fairer Tests - The increased technology demands of Istation’s assessment tool will create additional burdens for schools and districts with an existing shortage of computer and internet resources. Students who attend these schools will have even fewer opportunities to access their limited technology resources for other academic endeavors as those limited resources will be in greater demand. - Istation’s assessment tool is not rated as highly as mClass according to the Center on Response to Intervention, which identified concerns regarding the disproportionality of the study sample (i.e., students were predominantly white) and noted that results have “moderate low” generalizability.5 - Many districts have embedded mClass data into their academic intervention monitoring systems which will lead to a delay in access to “timely screening and intervention” as asserted by Cathy Moore, Superintendent of Wake County Schools.6 - It is unclear how and whether Istation is able to accurately measure the skills of students with physical disabilities, motor concerns, vision limitations, or other needs. Fruitful Tests - The purpose of a literacy diagnostic tool is to provide educators of children with data about the children’s literacy development. It is simply not possible for educators to acquire the data needed to help individual students without administering the diagnostic.7 - NC Public Schools are required through the Excellent Public Schools Act (HB 950/ S.L. 2102-142) to assess all kindergarten, first, second and third grade students with valid, reliable, formative and diagnostic reading assessments. According to NCDPI, “Screening assessments required for use by all North Carolina schools in grades K-3 include the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) components: First Sound Fluency and Phoneme Segmentation Fluency, Nonsense Word Fluency, Letter Naming Fluency, Oral Reading Fluency, and Oral Reading Accuracy. Istation’s8 assessment tool has not been demonstrated to provide reliable and valid assessment of all essential areas for dyslexia screening for students in grades K-3. Indeed, their tool for assessing Oral Reading Fluency is brand new and does not have established reliability or validity data. It is even specifically noted on the Istation website as a “pilot program.” 9 - During early childhood (ages 0-8), children require a variety of meaningful and authentic literacy experiences. Many children in this developmental stage rely on tactile, concrete, three-dimensional methodologies such as holding books and pencils . We object to the notion that innovation and10 personalized learning can only be achieved through technology. We believe that differentiated instruction and identifying the specific needs of the whole child are best executed by humans, in this case, teachers. Any further reduction of authentic experiences with concrete materials is harmful to young children. In conclusion, we are deeply concerned with the allegations that recommendations made by field practitioners acting as RfP review committee members were ignored by you as North Carolina Superintendent. We respectfully request clarification of the reasons for cancellation of the RfP process twice during the lifecycle, as well as a detailed explanation of the pricing differentials based on Amplify’s 2019-2020 proposed cost, to include the 40% discount. We appreciate and support the district superintendents who11 5 https://www.rti4success.org/istation-indicators-progress-isip-reading#general 6 https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6174263-Wake-schools-Istation-letter.html#document/p1/a509711 7 https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6167313-2019-06-24-Protest-Letter-From-Amplify-Re.html 8 https://ec.ncpublicschools.gov/disability-resources/specific-learning-disabilities/dyslexia-and-dyscalculia/dyslexia-topic-brief.pdf 9 https://www.istation.com/ISIPOralReadingFluency# 10 https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/globally-shared/downloads/PDFs/resources/position-statements/PSDAP.pdf 11 https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6174178-Superintendent-s-quarterly-presentation.html
- 3. Page 3 choose children over politics. We urge all decision-makers to halt the implementation of Istation until these allegations are fully addressed, and either exonerate or lead to the indictment of you as State Superintendent. We hope that the North Carolina State Board of Education, the State Auditor, and the Attorney General, if necessary, will use their constitutional authority to fully investigate your conduct as State Superintendent during the procurement process. We look forward to receiving a timely response from the State Superintendent and/or Board of Education, no later than one day following the July 11 conference-call meeting. We also welcome a scheduled meeting to address this matter with members of our leadership team. We can be reached at Advocacy@NCTestingReform.org. We look forward to hearing from you. Respectfully, NC Families For School Testing Reform www.nctestingreform.org Advocacy@NCTestingReform.org @NCTestingReform on Social Media CC: Eric Davis, Chair, State Board of Education CC: Attorney General Josh Stein CC: State Auditor Beth Wood, CPA CC: Governor Roy Cooper NC Families For School Testing Reform Leadership Team Members: The Rev. Suzanne Parker Miller, Founder, NC Families for School Testing Reform Dr. Chelsea Bartel, School Psychologist Jen Bourne, Charlotte Parents for Schools Susan Book, Save Our Schools NC Dr. Nan Fulcher, Orange County Parent Advocate Wendy Tregay, Durham County Parent Dr. Kashi Bazemore, NCDPI Master Literacy Trainer Amber L. M. Kendall, PhD. Courtney Stallman, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Literacy Facilitator Jenn Smith, MA, CCC-SLP Over 350 individuals and organizations representing tens of thousands of North Carolinians stand with us: Group Co-Signers: Charlotte Parents For Schools Fayetteville Branch NAACP Lucille Hunter Elementary Foundation North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) Buncombe NCAE Cumberland NCAE Forsyth NCAE Onslow NCAE Wake NCAE NC Association of Teacher Assistants NC Council of Churches NC Teachers United Orange County Strong Red4EdNC Save Our Schools NC Triangle Area Dyslexic Advocacy-NC WSFCS Educators of Advocacy Individual Co-Signers: Justin Parmenter, NotesFromTheChalkboard.com Stu Egan, caffeinatedrage.com
- 4. Page 4 Janey Ford Emily Cole Kylee Sollien Elizabeth Jones Heather Gordon Beth Newsome Samantha Hatem Freda Fields Alley Samantha Hatem Amy Hendren Beverly Gambill Amy Harkey Lisa Ferguson Leah Gibbs Jennifer George Sadie Simmons Allison Mahaley Christina Conitzer Christy DeMarco Stephanie Benner Jennifer Weaver Laura Minyard Christa Abedi Michele Wilson Addie Bangel Stephanie Brown Sarah Cannady Bethany Reeves Elizabeth Tolman Courtney Southerland Meighan Rowlee Julie Crow Jamie Watkins Bonnie Crosier Christy Brown Jacquelyn MacDougall Jen Andrew Jonathan Bartel Toni Shub Miranda Freeman Andre Asselin Melanie Register Neil Barry Graham Wilson Kimberly Doughty Brenda Buchanon Melissa Clouse Emily Brown Pam Dardess Caroline Petrow Donna Charneskie, NBCT Lisa Gerardi Tina Johnson Jennifer Lietzke Melinda Zarate Teresa Sawyer Beth Emrie Alexandra Krauss Laurie Whittenburg Alice Jordan Heidi Sue Ross Rajan Sowmya Liz Noland Jessica Dickerson Karen Lohman Ashley Rose Anne Atkins Kirsten Russ Andrea Tanner Dr. James Carter Amy Trinkle Josey Snyder Jennifer Collins Amanda Donovan Karla Mullen Dawn Howell Angela Wiant David Wiant LaToya Horne Jennifer Davis Anne Roberts Patti Taylor Robin Lam Kim Mackey Joyce Baginski Jennie Sanderson Kristy Bunch Melissa Easley Francesca Vernon Nancy Smoot Leslie Meadows Stephanie Van Hassel Michele Jordan Dr. Abigail Gilbert Brianne Hastings Amelia Marion Barbara Kibler Lib McGowan Jamie Hughes Kevin Ebner Jamie Hughes Sherry Porto Jeanie Lentz Madhavi Krevat Katie Kuhn Barbara Hurdle Kelley Cobb Lisa Peaty Deanne Wheeler Lauren Shipley Brock Shipley Michelle Fink Bambie Lockhart Eric Lockhart Michele Jordan Leigh Austin Jennifer Cave Shannon Watson Jillian Mors Aubrey DiOrio Cristina Arkin Julie Magness Kristi Arriaga Ronda Mays Sarah Whalen Molly Rouse Sarah Wilson Gwen Garrett Kylene Dibble Allen Daniel Sandra Talbird Kevyn Creech Ada Goren Maureen Patti Janet Fulp Rachel Fiedler Jasmine Zowniriw Melanie Meredith Ashley Beck Frances Jarrell Karen Holder
- 5. Page 5 Melissa Haight Eliza Kiser Brandi Brown Lara Rice Allisen Fischer Heather Gee Pam Campbell Lynne Woytek Ilina Ewen Alexa Goff Heather Largent Jen Foster Gail Griswold Christina DuFour Shelley Roberts Kim Gugino Jane Ann Dempsey Shauna Schmidt Debbie Tucker Teresa Bunner Sara Kesler Ashley Watkins Robin Hoffman Valerie Vajay Edna Robeson Erin Witcher Christine Beamer Demarie Anderson Laura Asselin Emily Lindow Sarah Stoeckel Christina Bagdasarian Allison Edwards Anonymous Teacher Brianna Garrison Angela Woods Laura Bass Angèle Dixon Karen Monazah Markisha Cobb Robin L Fisher Sandra Turner Jennifer Ward Geeta Chowdhary Laura Black Patricia Christie Dr. Drew Polly Lauri Van Oostrum-Reed Robert Martin Harkey Martinette Horner Michelle Craig Kassandra Watson Kris Swanson Kelly Nichols Jennifer Martin Caroline Bailey Robin McCarty Susan Stock Patricia Chandley Kinsey Goodman Sydney Walker Andrew Goodman Tamara Kepley Holly Ross Ushma Shukla Sharon D Lord Joanna Pascal Traci Veenstra Stephanie Bankert Christy Mullen Jennifer Ziegler James Clark Kelly Britt Janet Weed Lora Neitz Rev. Heidi L. Cleveland Andrea Binkley Kristin Struchen Jeffrey Shu Debra Hughes Sandra Bisson Catherine Pate April Buckminster Dane West Margaret Harris Michelle Silence Amy Poe Catherine Lawrence-Axland Ashley Donovan Carol Evans Lisa Strader Jennifer Ferrell Linda Henderson Julie Anderson Dr Lincoln A Baxter Heather Lawrence Paula Dinga Susan McGee-Ellis Amy Mangels Katrina Berry Sudduth Joyce Bott Sara Damewood Kathryn Statler Jennifer Weaver Kristi Ford Katrina Ramquist Wesson Kendra Dixon Caroline Winterhoff Lorie Martin-Massink David Donovan Connie Rogers Cher Pridgen Sharon Joyner Jocelyn Bulla Gwendalyn Iversen Christine samuels Erin Collare Morghean McPhail Kristopher Reis Shannon Meyer Dylan Ward Kerry Sykes Katharine Evaul Karen Austin Katie Austin David Austin Michele Rogers Donna Kaye Michele Rogers Melissa Hambleton Al Wadood Jabbar Stephanie Cooke Leah Edwards Alicia Kilpatrick Leah Edwards Kiersten Bugaj Jessica Pappas Katy Molony Rachel Levesque Donna Carver Lauren Formy-Duval
- 6. Page 6 Rhonda Honeycutt Erin Mayabb Julie Mabe Carson Monto Elizabeth Roach Melisa Smithwick’s Alexandra Dalton Shannon Gray Emily Ratcliff Catherine McKee Lauren ingold Noel Hill Heather Boykin Jamie Russell Crystal Sisk Elizabeth Balazs Lori Laughlin-Orr Jennifer Hodges Whitney Vargas Jennifer Tyra Blair Plevel Tonyia Behrendt Allison Johnson Meghan Shivel Katie Clawson Candice Kirkland Elena Corbett Nicole Blackburn Courtney Love Zareen Kapadia Aspen Yordy Marci Harvey Michelle Fink Shana Cremer Laura Hall Crystal Mortensen Emily Webb Samantha Smith The Rev. Laura Fine Ledford Michelle Honsa Mimosa Hines Kristin Beller James E. Buxton Jr Anne Hardinger Kenya Donaldson Val Young Amy Dexheimer Tamika E Kelly Michelle Pettey Andrea Donham Lora Smith Dave Smith Amy Hambright John Davis Kim Paradise