The Office of Instruction, Assessment and Curriculum (IAC) was created by the merge and redesign of the Office of Instruction and Office of Assessment & Accountability.  The Office of IAC continues to support standards-based curriculum, instruction, and assessment.  Please note the new menu to the left and how it is organized under 'Assessment,' 'Instruction,' and 'Content and Curriculum.'  There is also a list of Frequently Requested Topics here.

The Office of IAC provides guidance, resources, and technical assistance to support standards-based curriculum and instruction as part of the Basic Education Program through a variety of initiatives.  The Office of IAC is also responsible for the administration of the all aspects of the Rhode Island State Assessment Program (RISAP).  The components of RISAP are listed on the left under the "Assessment" section.  By clicking on the appropriate link, you can learn more about each assessment.  The most popular assessments are listed to the left with their own link.  To access additional assessments, hover the pointer over "Other Student Assessments" and click on the link in the menu that appears to the right of the link. 

In addition to administration responsibilities, the Office of IAC staff also oversee the development of the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) in reading, mathematics, science, and writing in grades 3-8 and 11 and the Rhode Island Alternate Assessment (RIAA) in grades 2-8 and 10.

• Integrating Practices and Content in Mathematics and Science, an MSP funded grant opportunity -
  The Mathematics and Science Partnerships (MSP) program provides formula grants to states under ESEA Title II, Part B Sec. 2201, 2202, and 2203, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The purpose of the program is to fund professional development activities that are designed to improve teachers’ content knowledge and teaching skills, and that lead to improved academic achievement of students in the areas of mathematics and science through partnerships between institutions of higher education (IHEs) and local educational agencies (LEAs). Integrating Practices and Content in Mathematics and Science is designed to respond to the needs expressed concerning mathematics and science statewide.
  
  The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) is seeking LEAs to partner with an Institute of Higher Education (IHE) to enhance student learning and teacher instruction using the CCSS-M and/or NGSS. Professional development will be centered on the integration and intersection of mathematical practices and content and/or the integration and intersection of practices, crosscutting concepts and disciplinary core ideas in science. The partnership requires an LEA (or LEA partnership) and an IHE to engage in an intense professional development program commencing in the summer of 2013 and to rigorously evaluate the initial effectiveness of that program at the end of the school year in 2014.
  
  
  • 2013 Integrating Practices Application
  • Appendix A - Coversheet (REQUIRED)
  • Appendix B - Statement of Assurances (REQUIRED)
  For questions regarding this application please contact Jennifer Golenia, Science and Technology Specialist in the Office of Instruction, Assessment and Curriculum via email, Jennifer.golenia@ride.ri.gov or by phone (401)-222-8406.
  
  Please send all completed applications to the Office of Instruction, Assessment and Curriculum via email to Mona Gevorkian, mona.gevorkian@ride.ri.gov or by fax to the attention of Mona Gevorkian at 401-222-3605. All completed applications are due by Close of Business on December 21, 2012.
• WIDA announces release of amplified English Language Development Standards for ELLs - The World Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Consortium, which Rhode Island has been a member of since 2006, is pleased to announce the release of its 2012 Amplification of the English Language Development (ELD) Standards.  This document was developed with input from leaders in the field, educators in states that are members of the WIDA Consortium, and feedback received during a public comment period.  The work was also informed by the latest developments in both English language development and content standards for college and career readiness.
  
  Additions and enhancements include strengthening links between WIDA standards and Common Core State Standards with illustrations at individual grade levels, overlaying cognitive demand on linguistic model performance indicators, and clarifying the features of academic language.
  
  It is important to note that this amplification does not change the five WIDA standards currently in use in all 32 consortium states.  Rather, it is an enhancement, not a replacement, of the 2007 edition.  The 2012 amplification can be found at www.wida.us/eld.  Fair use guidelines allow for an individual to download copies for their personal use.  Information about purchasing published copies will be posted soon at www.wida.us/store.
  
  In support of this release, WIDA will be holding four two-day conferences around the country from August to November.  At these events, participants will:
  • Discuss how to infuse language development standards into their practice
  • Explore connections to the Common Core State Standards
  • Reflect on the sociocultural context of classrooms
  • Connect with colleagues and other experienced educators
  Please go to www.wida.us/2012debut for more information about these opportunities.
  The use of the WIDA standards by ALL teachers who work with ELLs is required by R.I.G.L. 16-54-2.  In addition to the support resources that will be available through the WIDA Consortium, RIDE is planning a series of trainings and technical assistance resources to aid districts in the adoption and integration of the updated standards.  Details of the state training opportunities and resources will be finalized before the end of the summer break and a comprehensive plan will be released at that time.  Districts, however, must begin to develop their own local plans to ensure that educators are aware of these standards, are trained in their use, and utilize them in planning instruction and assessment of ELLs.  State resources may augment local plans but cannot constitute the entire plan for a district.
  
  Please contact Bob Measel (robert.measel@ride.ri.gov), Pat Morris (patricia.morris@ride.ri.gov), or Emily Klein (emily.klein@ride.ri.gov) if you have any questions.
• National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) - The National Center for Education Statistics has released the results of the 2011 NAEP science assessment for grade 8.  Please click here for more information on how Rhode Island students performed.

For information about a specific topic, please click a link below or select from the menu at the left.

NECAP Assessment: o   schedule and important dates o   test administration materials o   released items, practice tests, and other support materials o   technical manuals o   accountability RI's Transition to the Common Core State Standards and PARCC: o   CCSS General Information and Standards Documents o   CCSS Implementation Support Materials for Educators, Higher Education, Families, and Community o   Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) Grade Level Expectations / Grade Span Expectations Assessment Resources o   Rhode Island Growth Model o   Comprehensive Assessment System (CAS) o   Formative Assessment o   Interim Assessments o   Data Use Professional Development o   Assessment and Accountability Data for Researchers - FRED (Frequently Requested Educational Data) More Assessments: o   Rhode Island Alternate Assessment (RIAA) o   National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) o   ACCESS for English Language Learners (ELLs) English Language Learners o   ACCESS for English Language Learners (ELLs) o   ELL Tutorial: ACCESS Test Ordering o   ELL Tutorial: ELL Identification Procedures Early Childhood o   Early Learning Standards Building a Strong Foundation Curriculum Work (via Dana Center & ISPs): o   Study the Common Core State Standards Sessions o   Intermediary Service Providers (ISPs) Content areas: o   literacy, o   math, o   science, o   civics/social studies Instructional Technology Basic Education Program (BEP) Foreign Transcript Review Guide