Maine schools wanting to give the upcoming Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy developed by Smarter Balanced as a paper-pencil test rather than online must let the Department know by Wednesday, Feb. 4.
This spring will be the first time the required statewide assessment is administered in an online setting. The computer delivery will better allow students to demonstrate critical and higher-order thinking skills; more accurately measure where students are; give educators and parents more timely information to inform instruction; and allow for a more efficient, cost-effective administration.
As a result, the Department is highly recommending schools give the test electronically but is making a paper-pencil option available to those that lack the necessary technology infrastructure for a successful schoolwide administration. Schools concerned about their technological readiness have received multiple offers of technical assistance from the Department, whose Learning Through Technology Team has spent much of the past month visiting schools to provide support and solutions.
The Feb. 4 deadline applies only to schools who wish to offer the paper-pencil version to all students. The Department will provide instructions for requesting paper-based tests for individual students in the coming weeks.
So far, only one school has decided to only offer a paper-pencil test to it students.
To submit your school’s concern about readiness to offer an online assessment and request to offer a paper-pencil version instead, please contact the Learning Through Technology Team at meatech.doe@maine.gov. The Maine DOE will assume that any school that does submit its request by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4 will be delivering the assessment online.
For general assessment information or technical assistance, please contact the Department’s Acting Assessment Coordinator Nancy Godfrey at nancy.godfrey@maine.gov or 624-6775.