CETE to host Dynamic Learning Maps conference


LAWRENCE — The Center for Education Testing and Evaluation (CETE) at the University of Kansas will host the first Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Explore and Learn Conference on July 24-25.

While the primary audiences of the conference are commercial entities serving the educational needs of students with significant cognitive disabilities in DLM member states as well as researchers wanting to understand the scientific basis of the project, the conference is open to anyone interested in learning more about the Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment System.

“Since the project began, we have an incredible demand from across the country to learn more about Dynamic Learning Maps,” said Neal Kingston, DLM project director and co-director of CETE. “We are excited to host the conference, not only to meet this demand, but to give professionals in a variety of fields the chance to explore how DLM might support their current efforts to support student learning in the fields of general education and special education.”

Online registration and mail-in options are now available. Registration costs $200, and the deadline to register is July 13. For more information, visit the conference website.

Conference sessions include the following:

  • Dynamic Learning Maps project overview
  • English Language Arts: claims, the map, conceptual areas and Common Core Essential Elements
  • Mathematics: claims, the map, conceptual areas and Common Core Essential Elements
  • Test development in a learning maps environment, instructionally relevant testlets, KITE Content Builder and KITE item templates
  • DLM psychometrics: dynamic testing, item scoring and test scoring
  • First Contact Survey, personal needs and preference, students’ entry into the maps
  • DLM test delivery software
  • Third party access to DLM materials: research use and commercial licensing

The Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment System is a comprehensive assessment system being designed to facilitate student learning and to more validly measure what students with significant cognitive disabilities know and can do. It will be implemented during the 2014-2015 school year in the 14 DLM member states: Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

CETE leads the DLM Consortium, a multistate group of state departments of education developing the assessment system for the 1 percent of the K-12 public school student population with significant cognitive disabilities, for whom, even with accommodations, general state assessments are not appropriate. It is one of two multistate consortia to receive federal grants to create a next-generation alternate assessment linked to Common Core State Standards in math and English Language Arts for the 1 percent population.

CETE is a nationally recognized research center specializing in K-12 large-scale assessment and online test delivery systems. For more than 30 years, CETE has developed cutting-edge testing programs and technology tools including the Kansas Assessment Program, Dynamic Learning Maps, Kansas Writing Instruction and Education Tool, and Adaptive Reading Motivation Measures. Through its partnership with the Kansas State Department of Education, CETE offers assessments to all 286 Kansas school districts using computer testing software CETE created.

Mon, 04/29/2013

author

Laurie Harrison

Media Contacts

Laurie Harrison

Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation

785-864-1594