National Association of Testing Professionals

07/31/2023

NATP passes the torch to its future assessment champions! We have blazed the trail and established history! There is a clear space in the national landscape for local testing coordinators to fill...if not now, then soon. We know that you are exhausted and that you have all that you can handle locally. But remember, WE are the change agents! Let's keep the important discussions going as we work towards improved assessments and assessment systems for all students.

Closing Message After thoughtful and heartfelt consideration, the NATP Board has decided to discontinue its services. We are proud of the work that Dr. Elda Garcia has helped us accomplish across the last three years. History has been made! We have raised awareness to the common needs and challenge...

06/30/2023

NATP is transitioning to a new structure. We will be shifting to a member-led and driven model to maximize member connection and engagement. During the transition, our online community will remain open for members to continue to access our past event recodings, our dedicated corporate partners, and other resources. Thank you for your continued support of our trailblazing efforts!

As we reflect after the end of another school year, there is much to celebrate, and yet even more to work on. Reflecting on the growth and progress of an organization is no different than a school. NATP is an organization created by testing coordinators for testing coordinators, and we are so extrem...

06/29/2023

This week was what NATP is all about, networking, collaboration, resources, and impact. NCSA allowed NATP to spotlight priority efforts initiated by our NCME State and Local Assesment (SALAL) leaders. Vendor collaboration resulted in some of our biggest testing vendors working past competition to embrace collaborative projects that will support us all! Additionally, some of our biggest equity champions came together to share potential solutions to current and persistent assessment problems. Both end with a call to action and invitations to connect, engage, and lead!

NCSA 2023 was a very important time for NATP. We had the honor and pleasure of joining some of the nation’s biggest assessment vendors and some of the most powerful equity advocates in deep discussions about how we can improve our current assessments and assessment systems. Vendor collaboration re...

06/27/2023

As test results start to trickle in and accountability fast approached, Testing Tip Tuesday brings you tips from our recent Analysis and Reporting Colleague Chat. Key tips to help you navigate the next stage of the assessment cycle and inform your plans for next year. https://buff.ly/3PtidpV

06/23/2023

NATP will represent local testing professionals at next week's National Conference on Student Assessment. NATP Executive Director, Dr. Elda Garcia, will help advance test equity and fairness priorities and vendor collaborations that support state solutions. https://buff.ly/46lVYZm

06/23/2023

Mississippi earns Frank Newman Award for state innovation. Their focus on literacy improvement resulted in improved National Assessment of Educational Progress ranking for fourth grade reading scores, rising from 50th in 2013 to 21st in 2022. https://buff.ly/3NJnZ5y

06/22/2023

Across the nation, testing professionals are reflecting on the year, looking for growth and hoping for signs of academic recovery. This would be a welcomed finding, as national recovery does not appear evident among the 13-year old group of students assessed by NAEP. Despite having a long way to go, Secretary Cardona is "encouraged and hopeful that the historic investments and resources provided by the American Rescue Plan and the Department of Education are beginning to show positive results". https://buff.ly/3pjODJ6

06/21/2023

Huge thank you to our NATP friends and data gurus, Monica Uphoff, Birdville ISD (TX) and Charlotte Gilbar, Natrona County Schools (WY). They managed to engage us during a rich discussion around data and accountability. We dove into Charlotte's "process for making evidenced-based school level decisions". "There is no shortage of data, but there is a shortage of data understanding", says Monica..."open and continuous conversations are important". Check out recording for tips, resources, and more! https://buff.ly/3XbEXg3

06/20/2023

Today's testing tips continue our test coordination series. This week's tips comes to you from Rachel Walters, Richardson ISD in Texas. Check it out and incorporate them into next year's plan!

06/16/2023

One assessment for instruction AND accountability? New Meridian believes it is possible. Through-year assessment pilots in Montana Louisiana aim to improve support for classroom teachers with mini-assessments that are aligned to the taught curriculum and are more instructionally useful. Better, faster, cheaper, they believe all three can be achieved.

06/16/2023

Ohio 3rd graders who were retained by law outperform their borderline passing peers calling into question the efficacy of their 3rd grade retention law. Ohio legislature is near passing a bill that would eliminate the 3rd grade retention rule. Ohio and Michigan studies discover significant findings relating to historically marginalized populations. https://buff.ly/4625ZL0

06/15/2023

We are now entering the final stage of the assessment cycle, analysis and reporting. It's not our favorite part of the job, but it is certainly on of the most important. Join Dr. Monica Uphoff from Texas and Dr. Charlotte Gilbar from Wyoming for their tips and best practices for getting the most out of your data. FREE EVENT so invite all your testing friends, they won't want to miss this one! https://buff.ly/3XbEXg3