NC Writing Test Info

Most of us are aware that there is a new approach to the 4th and 7th grade writing assessment.
Just posting: FYI. This came as an email to NCAE members...

http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/writing/writingpilotfaqs
Dear NCAE members
Please note that the state HAS NOT MANDATED teachers in grades 4 and 7 only to participate in online Professional Development, nor has the state MANDATED that teachers complete the courses by October.
The link above has a series of Q and A that will help you better understand the intent and process of the new writing assessment and instructional support.
The reason DPI is using moodle online, is to allow teachers access to the PD when their schedule allows time.
If your LEA is requiring you to complete a session by a certain date, please contact Angela Quick, Deputy Chief Academic Officer at AQuick@dpi.nc.us to inform her of the local mandate to complete a session by October. She has contacted several LEAs that members have shared major concerns over in regards to the quick turn around time for completing a session.

When must the Professional Development courses be completed and the assessments be conducted?
o It is important for all involved in this new writing process at grades 4 and 7 to understand that it constitutes a huge paradigm shift from the way writing has traditionally been assessed in North Carolina . The system is designed for maximum flexibility at the local level. The professional development courses are self-paced and can be accessed 24/7. The courses do not have to be completed in one session, nor is there a specified date as to when the courses must be completed. While the NCDPI recommends that one content-specific writing task/assignment and one on-demand writing task/assignment be completed by each student in the fall and in the spring, there are also no dates specified as to when the two content-specific writing tasks/assignments or the two on-demand writing tasks/assignments must be completed. On-demand writing tasks/assignments will be provided by NCDPI through the LEA test coordinators; however, all students need not be assessed on the same day or the same time in any LEA, school, or individual classroom.