Contact:
Geoff Fletcher
Deputy Executive Director
202-715-6636 x703
[email protected]

For Immediate Release

State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) Announces New Resource on Technology Readiness for Online Assessment

Free Webinar in Conjunction with Connected Educators Month
October 9, 2013 (Washington, DC) – The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) today announced the availability of Implementing Online Assessments: Pathways to Success (www-setda-org.www.setda.org), an online tool to assist states and school districts in ensuring technology readiness for implementing next generation online assessments aligned to the Common Core by the 2014-15 school year.

Implementing Online Assessments: Pathways to Success offers an in-depth look at the approach four states – Delaware, Idaho, North Carolina and Virginia – took to transitioning from paper-and-pencil to online assessments throughout their states. Each case study examines the state’s method for upgrading technology infrastructure, providing training and communicating with districts, as well as a look at one district’s implementation process for each state. The case studies are supported by a robust set of downloadable resources that were used as the states ramped up and launched their assessments.

“There are compelling advantages to technology-based assessment systems, when compared to current paper-and-pencil approaches,” said Douglas Levin, SETDA executive director. “Indeed, if the aim is to implement better tests aligned with higher college- and career-ready standards, it is sound policy to accelerate the trend toward online assessment. SETDA is pleased to profile the leadership roles that states like Delaware, Idaho, North Carolina and Virginia are taking to pave the way for broader efforts at school reform and improvement.”

On October 15, SETDA will host a webinar (coordinates below) demonstrating the new tool and featuring representatives from school districts highlighted in the case studies talking about how they were successful in implementing online assessments in their districts. Speakers include:
Mike Nelson, Director of Curriculum and Assessment of Coeur d’Alene School District 271, ID
Patches Hill, Technology Systems Manager of Indian River School District, DE
Scott Smith, Chief Technology Officer of Mooresville Graded School District, NC

Webinar details:

Time/date: October 15, 2013, 3-4pm ET
URL: http://tinyurl.com/setda-CEM2
Call-in number: 571-392-7703 pin: 635 397 980 649
Cost: Free

No pre-registration is required.

About SETDA
Founded in 2001, the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is the principal non-profit membership association representing U.S. state and territorial educational technology leaders. Our mission is to build and increase the capacity of state and national leaders to improve education through technology policy and practice. For more information, please visit: setda.org.

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