Assessment & Research
Student achievement is a key goal for the Natrona County School District.
The Office of Assessment and Research collects, organizes, analyzes, and reports data from district and statewide assessments, as well as other measures, to support school and program improvement and public accountability.
The office also conducts, supports, and provides tools for various educational research efforts. The office produces research briefs and reports on a variety of topics.
Staff
Carla Sutphin
Database Technician
307-253-5313
carla_sutphin@natronaschools.org
Jon Lever
C&I
307-253-5228
jon_lever@natronaschools.org
Assessment
PAWS
The Proficiency Assessment of Wyoming Students is the official Wyoming statewide assessment, administered to all students in grades three through eight and 11 in reading, math, and writing. A science portion is administered to all students in grade four, eight, and 11. PAWS data is used for Adequate Yearly Progress reporting.
NWEA
The Northwest Evaluation Association computerized adaptive assessment system is administered to all students in Kindergarten through grade nine in the fall, accelerated block math students, K-3 reading students, and subgroups in the winter, and all students in Kindergarten through grade 8--and secondary math where appropriate--in the spring. NWEA data is used for continuous school improvement and student goal setting.
ACT
The ACT college entrance exam is administered to every 11th-grade student in the Natrona County School District. The test assesses high school students’ general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. ACT data is used to qualify students for the Hathaway Scholarship Program.
PLAN
PLAN is a “pre-ACT” test that can help predict success on the ACT. In addition, it helps students measure their current academic development, explore career and training options, and make plans for their remaining years of high school and post-secondary education. PLAN is given to every 10th-grade student in NCSD. PLAN data is used continuous school improvement and student planning.
Research
Flicek, M. (2009). Percent Proficient or Above on 2008 and 2009 PAWS for NCSD versus State. Assessment & Research Brief #35.
Flicek, M. (2009). The Effect of Attending Grade Six in a Middle School versus an Elementary School. Assessment & Research Brief #34.
Flicek, M. (2009). Professional judgment panel approach to test-based accountability. Paper presented at 2009 Annual
Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, CA.
Flicek, M. (2009). The effect of tutoring during the 2007/2008 school year (Working paper). Assessment & Research Brief #33.
Flicek, M. (2008). The association of low math skills exiting grade 9 and high school graduation. Assessment & Research Brief #32.
Flicek, M. (2008). Comparison of predictions of PAWS proficient scores using NWEA MAP scores for NCSD samples in 2006 and 2008. Assessment & Research Brief #31.
Flicek, M. (2008). Beyond adequate yearly progress: How are schools really performing on large scale assessments? Paper presented as part of a session at the Northwest Evaluation Association Annual Member Seminar, Portland, Oregon: June 2008.
For More Assessment & Research Breifs and Publications Click here.
