Overview

The Assessment Administration Department offers leadership and support to all schools in implementing national, state, and district-level assessments. Assessments are essential for ensuring that educational goals are being met and for continuously improving the quality of education. Assessments play a crucial role in schools for several reasons:

  1. Measuring Student Learning: They help determine how well students are understanding and retaining the material taught.
  2. Guiding Instruction: Teachers use assessment results to adjust their teaching strategies to better meet the needs of their students.
  3. Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses: Assessments highlight areas where students excel and where they may need additional support.
  4. Informing Policy and Planning: The school district and policymakers use assessment data to make informed decisions about curriculum and resource allocation.
  5. Accountability: They provide a way to hold schools and educators accountable for student learning outcomes.

The Assessment Administration Department provides training and guidance to all schools in DeKalb County School District to ensure that schools maintain the integrity of the assessment program and its results, in alignment with the Georgia Student Assessment Program. The purpose of the program is to measure student achievement of the state-adopted academic content standards and to use assessment results to improve teaching and learning. Results from the assessment program are used to identify the extent to which students have mastered the state’s academic content standards, to provide teachers with feedback about instructional practice, and to assist school districts in identifying strengths and weaknesses to establish priorities in planning educational programs.

Vision
The vision of the Assessment Administration Department is to ensure the integrity and accuracy of assessment results to support meaningful educational planning and accountability.

Mission
To create a comprehensive and effective assessment program that supports the educational goals of the district by

  1. Maintaining the accuracy and fairness of the assessment process.
  2. Providing training and guidance to schools for effective implementation of assessments.
  3. Ensuring assessment data is valid to improve teaching and learning outcomes and inform instructional practices and policy decisions.

Resources

Framework

Communication: Provide clear and comprehensive communication with district personnel and schools regarding assessment schedules and administration.

  • Disseminate student and school results immediately upon receipt from district and state-contracted vendors.
  • Utilize electronic means whenever possible to deliver state assessment results.
  • Provide parent letter templates to assist schools in effectively communicating results to parents.
  • Ensure public access to district and school assessment results.

Support and Training: Support local schools in administering national, state, and district assessments and interpreting the received data.

  • Conduct detailed in-service sessions with school test coordinators before all national, state, and district assessment administrations.
  • Provide guidance to schools on test security and the expectations of the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators regarding student assessment.
  • Communicate all information received from the Georgia Department of Education to district and school personnel.
  • Provide score report samples, interpretation guides, content descriptions, and other tools to assist schools in using the data.

Collaboration: Work with various district departments and external entities regarding local, state and national assessments.

  • Provide data and guidance to district departments, including Curriculum and Instruction, Support Services, School Leadership, School Improvement, and the Superintendent’s office.
  • Maintain frequent communication with the Georgia Department of Education, the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, and the College Board.
  • Communicate as needed with all district and state-contracted test vendors to ensure adequate test material supply and services for the district.

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