FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WRITING ASSESSMENT PILOT AT GRADES 4 & 7


  1. What is the North Carolina writing assessment system?
    • Based on recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Testing and Accountability, the SBE decided to move away from a direct writing assessment at grades 4 and 7 to a writing system. This new system encourages instruction to focus on the writing process, not just the preparation for a traditional single-day assessment. It is based upon writing across the curriculum in each content area and involves all educators, not just English/language arts educators.

  2. Will results from the North Carolina Writing Assessment System Pilot at Grades 4 and 7 be used for Accountability for the 2008-2009 school year?
    • The Writing Assessment System will be a statewide pilot for the 2008-2009 school year. As such, results at grades 4 and 7 will not be used for any level of accountability.

  3. Who will participate in the writing assessment system?
    • The 2008-2009 pilot will involve all General and NCEXTEND2 students statewide in grades 4 and 7. All fourth and seventh grade ELA/writing teachers, as well as specific content area teachers, are expected and required to enroll and complete online professional development courses. A certificate of completion can be printed by the teachers following the completion of the courses and turned into the LEA for CEU credits.

  4. Will the professional development courses only be available to teachers in grades 4 and 7?
    • Absolutely not. The NCDPI recommends that all teachers, test coordinators, and administrators enroll and complete the online professional development courses.

  5. Is there a difference in how grade 4 and grade 7 students will participate in the North Carolina Writing Assessment System Pilot?

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    • While all students statewide in grades 4 and 7 will complete two content-specific writing tasks/assignments and two on-demand writing tasks during the 2008-2009 school year, there are some differences. Students in grade 4 will complete their work using paper/pencil and the writing tasks/assignments will be stored locally in portfolios. Students in grade 7 will complete their work using word processing tools and the writing tasks/assignments will be stored locally in portfolios. Grade 7 students in the LEAs who will be participating in the centrally hosted online system will complete their work using word processing tools and post the writing tasks/assignments in the online electronic portfolio.

  6. Will teachers create their own content-specific writing tasks/assignments?
    • Teachers may use NCDPI-provided sample content-specific writing tasks/assignments or use these samples as models to create their own.

  7. Will the content-specific tasks/assignments be given in a one-day administration?
    • The content area tasks/assignments will be given within a designated time frame determined locally. Students should be given adequate time to plan, draft, revise, and submit their final work. Students should not have to submit their work on the same day and teachers will have the flexibility to determine when the final copies are due for each of their classes.

  8. How will the content-specific writing tasks/assignments be scored?
    • The content-specific writing tasks/assignments will receive three scores. Content area teachers will score student work from their content area using a rubric specifically designed for evaluating the accuracy of the subject matter included in the student writing. ELA/writing teachers will also score the student work using writing features and conventions rubrics.

  9. Will teachers create their own writing prompts for the on-demand assessment?
    • The NCDPI will provide the on-demand writing prompts. Teachers will receive their on-demand writing prompts from the LEA or school test coordinators, while students in those LEAs participating in the electronic pilot will receive prompts through the online system.

  10. Will the on-demand writing prompts be given in a one-day statewide administration?
    • The on-demand writing prompts will not be given during a statewide administration. The NCDPI will provide recommended administrative time frames to the LEAs, i.e., fall semester, spring semester. Administrations may be staggered within the designated time frames.

  11. How will the on-demand writing prompts be scored?
    • The on-demand writing prompts will be scored by two independent scorers. Two teachers will separately score responses using the traditional features and conventions writing rubrics. Students will receive four scores (content and conventions from both scorers). All scoring will be recorded through the NCDPI online system.

  12. How will the North Carolina Writing Assessment System involve students with disabilities?
    • The Writing Assessment System is designed to ensure access for students with disabilities. Students may use approved accommodations to create and submit their responses. Students who meet the eligibility requirements for the NCEXTEND2 assessments will have the same writing tasks/assignments as the General assessment with grade-level modifications. Students who meet the eligibility requirements for the NCEXTEND1 and NCCLAS assessments will not participate in the Writing Assessment System Pilot, but these students will be administered the NCCLAS or NCEXTEND1 in its current form. Results of the 2008-2009 NCEXTEND1 and NCCLAS writing assessments at grades 4 and 7 will not be used for any level of accountability.

  13. How will teachers submit scores using the NCDPI online system?
    • Teachers will receive a login username and password to securely access the online system. The online system will allow teachers to select students, submit scores, and provide feedback. Professional development on how to use the system will be provided to teachers, test coordinators, and administrators through online training.

  14. When must the Professional Development courses be completed and the assessments be conducted?
    • 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.

  15. If I have questions about Moodle, who do I contact?
    • For technical issues or other questions contact the Help Desk at ncdesk@ncsu.edu or (919) 515-1320. Email communication is preferred. You may email or call and leave a message anytime. However, operating hours/days are 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM Monday-Friday, excluding holidays.
    • If the questions are content related contact the Writing Assessment Help Desk at writingassessment@dpi.state.nc.us

  16. How should teachers save their professional development course journals?
    • The "Writing Across the Curriculum" professional development course includes a journal for teachers to record information. Teachers should print out the journal or save it electronically on their own devices. Teachers CAN NOT save their journals on the Moodle. The professional development moodle course is not set up to function as a repository.

  17. How are teachers with self-contained classes and teachers of multiple content areas to score the content-specific writing tasks/assignments?
    • Teachers may consult with their testing coordinator and check their school testing plan for specific procedures that address this issue at the local level. The Administrative Guide instructs the content area teacher to submit the Content score and the ELA teacher to submit the Features and Conventions scores. Teachers who have self-contained classes or teach multiple subjects (i.e, ELA and Math) should choose one scoring role and score that area with the appropriate rubric (such as Features and Conventions for ELA). Then, they can collaborate with another teacher who can score the remaining portion using the appropriate scoring rubric (e.g., Content Area).