Vol. 6, Issue 3
March, 2011

North Carolina Dept.
of Public Instruction

ClassScape Newsletter

ClassScape is an online classroom assessment system that facilitates learning by focusing on curricular objectives. ClassScape enables teachers to monitor student performance on North Carolina Standard Course of Study academic indicators. The system also allows North Carolina teachers to build customized tests or use tests prepared by ClassScape.

ClassScape assists teachers in self-assessment of instructional strategies, and monitoring student progress on an ongoing basis. Teachers can select specific objectives to assess throughout the school year and access real-time instructional feedback reports.

In This Issue:

Available Assessments
Monthly Educational Information
ClassScape From the Teacher's Perspective
Video Tutorials
Coming AtTECHtions
Where in the World is ClassScape Now?
Contacts

Greetings From Sheila Brown, Program Manager

Dear ClassScape Users,

My name is Sheila Brown. I am the new program manager for ClassScape Assessment System. Previously, I worked for many years in the Johnston County School system as an exceptional children teacher. For the last seven years, I have worked with Technical Outreach for Public Schools (TOPS) in development and management of performance and alternate assessments, including NCEXTEND2, NCEXTEND1, the Grade 10 Writing assessment, and the now defunct Online Test of Computer Skills. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with teachers and administrators to ensure that the ClassScape system meets the needs of the districts, and provides valid data regarding student performance on the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. As I visit systems across the state and speak with administrators and teachers, I am delighted to see the innovative ways that schools and teachers are using ClassScape to assist in making informed educational decisions regarding instruction.

In the next few months, our staff will be creating and developing new assessment item banks for the Common Core State Standards and the North Carolina Essential Standards that will be available for use in Fall 2012. As we undertake this monumental task, we will be asking for input and assistance from you, our users. Opportunities will be available for item writers and reviewers, as well as responding to surveys and participating in providing feedback regarding enhancements to our system. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at sheila_brown@ncsu.edu or by phone at 919-515-1313.

Thank you for your support of the ClassScape Assessment System and your commitment to the students of North Carolina!

Best regards,
Sheila Garner Brown

ClassScape Enrollment Process

Here are the recommended steps for getting started with the ClassScape system:

• Acquire a PO for the amount needed for enrollment fees (www.classscape.org/ClassScape3/enroll.jsp)
• Complete and submit our online enrollment form. We must have this online form submitted to us before we can generate an invoice and allow access to the system.
• To schedule user training for your school and/or district, please complete and submit an online Request for Training form at www.classscape.org/ClassScape3/trainRequest.jsp

If you are re-enrolling in our system, you will need to do steps 1 and 2. You can use your existing teacher and test administrator logins and passwords from the previous year but you will need to do another bulk student upload and set up new classes for this school year.

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For available assessments click here

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Monthly Educational Information

NC DPI Accountability and Curriculum Reform Effort (ACRE)
This site provides the latest information regarding changes to the North Carolina standards and assessment information

Common Core State Standards
This site provides the latest information and resources regarding the Common Core State Standards initiative.

Race to the Top Update: NC Race to the Top Official Website

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From the Teacher's Perspective
- Kelly Cave, Gentry Middle School

Dig In with NCDigIns (Diagnostic Instructional Tools)

Spring is just around the corner and most of us are ready for sunny days and warmer weather. Even though it is not quiet time to roll up the shirt sleeves and dig in the garden, it is certainly time to dig deep into the curriculum and push through the remaining objectives from the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. 

ClassScape has a fantastic resource available for grades 4, 7, and Algebra I.  NCDigIns is a diagnostic instructional tool created to help teachers provide descriptive feedback.

NCDigIns is structured so that teachers can look at specific skills and objectives from a diagnostic perspective. Though I teach sixth grade, I tier the NCDigIns activities based on student readiness. Lower level students often struggle with vocabulary from the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. I pull various objectives from the NCDigIns matrix which supplement specific skills students must maintain in order to master a particular lesson. I focus on the vocabulary aspect of the lesson. Students create a word wall which contains terms and phrases they find troublesome throughout the year.  

I also use NCDigIns to stretch the upper level students who are ready to move beyond basic skills and objectives. NCDigIns serves as a springboard for individualized and differentiated instruction. Feedback hints for problem solving encourages students to really “dig” into the problem and look for alternative solutions. Feedback hints on common errors cautions students who tend to rush through an assignment. Additional resources linked at the bottom of each NCDigIns activity allows me to challenge students while reinforcing each skill and objective.

NCDigIns activities are about QUALITY, not quantity. An intensive, focused discussion can provide both teachers and students with invaluable feedback. So roll up those sleeves and DIG IN! Spring is on the way…

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Video Tutorials

Tutorials for Test Administrators

-Adding Teacher Accounts
-Managing User Accounts
-Uploading Student Rosters
-Adding New Students to a School
-Adding Classes
-Viewing User Activity
-Previewing and Scheduling Assessments
-Unlocking Student Accounts
-Creating Custom Assessments

Tutorials for Teachers

-Unlocking Student Accounts

Tutorials for Students

-Taking a Test in ClassScape

Upcoming Tutorials

-Managing Scheduled Assessments (Test Administrators)
-Creating Custom Assessments (Teachers)
-Adding Classes (Teachers)
-Adding a New Student to a School (Teachers)
-Managing Classes (Teachers)
-Previewing and Scheduling Assessments (Teachers)

We are continuing to re-work our tutorial modules from last year to reflect the new look of ClassScape 3.0. Please check our site frequently for updated versions of instructional videos.

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New features in ClassScape available now:

• A simulation version of the new student test application for 2011-2012.
• Subgroup District Report (by Category).
• Printing of public-domain selections from Item Preview.
• Audio (read-aloud) files for almost all items.
• Planning Guides for teachers by subject.

• Support for TurningPoint and Promethean clickers.
• Enrollment open for 2011-12 school year.
• A ClassScape sample test application.

Status Report ( August 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011):  

• 1.9 million assessment starts
• 503,533 students registered
• 67,000 items in our database
• 1,010 schools enrolled
• 109 districts/charter schools/universities represented
• 62 districts enrolled district-wide
• 58 districts using the benchmark tool

Congrats Corner  

Top 10 District Usage in North Carolina: August 1, 2010 - February 28, 2011

 Top 10 School Usage in North Carolina: August 1, 2010 - February 28, 2011

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