Arkansas is going to introduce a new standardized test-scoring system

Little Rock, Arkansas – Following a decision made Thursday morning, the scoring methodology for Arkansas’s standardized examinations will undergo significant modifications.

The new “cut scores,” which will assign kids in grades three through high school to one of four levels depending on performance, were approved by the Arkansas Board of Education with a unanimous vote.

“We’ve been moving forward, coordinating the system, and winning the game,” stated Jacob Oliva, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE). “We’re first and goal, and we’re going to be able to spike the ball in the end zone once we set these cut scores and can release these tools.”

Applause erupted shortly after the board decided to adopt the new ATLAS exam system, which took the place of the ACT Aspire as Arkansas’ preferred standardized test last spring.

The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education’s deputy commissioner, Stacy Smith, went into further detail during the discussion about what it meant for a kid to be placed at each level.

“When you consider the areas in which support is required,” Smith stated. Students at levels three and four are proficient. Students in level two could want assistance. First-level pupils will require assistance.

Smith went on to say that level one pupils only have a “limited knowledge” of the requirements for that grade level.

Students at levels three and four possess a proficient or advanced comprehension of the subject topic, while those in levels two have a basic understanding. In fact, they might be prepared for advanced jobs.

The revised standards are the result of almost 200 educators coming together.

Among them was Lee County School District’s Kaiesha McGruder, who went into further detail about the procedure in a video that was shown prior to the vote on Thursday.

“We had a discussion,” McGruder remarked. “We worked together and asked each other why the other person’s score was this or that. Because we could work together and had the last say, everyone felt secure in that process.

The new cut scores for the ATLAS math, science, and ELA sections resulted from those discussions.

Level 1 students often score between 1000 and 1045 on a subject, whereas level 2 students can score anywhere from 1045 and 1059. The exact figures vary according on grade and subject.
Level three students’ scores typically fall between 1060 and 1074; if they score higher, they are classified as level four students and may be eligible for advanced coursework or accelerated learning.

According to Oliva, the new requirements would be stringent. Over 65% of children would have been in levels 1-2 in math and ELA if these levels and scores had been in place for the tests administered last spring, with science coming in close behind at 64.3%.

On the other hand, he asserted that strict criteria are necessary to enable teachers to evaluate their pupils more precisely, which will enhance learning.

“Our educators will have access to real-time information,” stated Oliva. “to monitor their students’ progress so they can adjust their instruction accordingly and help them throughout the academic year.” Because this method is meant to track and record a student’s performance throughout the academic year, they don’t need to wait until summer to learn how their kids performed.

Olivia stated that he expects school districts will receive specific school and student data by the end of October now that the new system is in place.