Arkansas Education Department’s Updates on New Assessment Exam – ATLAS

(Source: Arkansas Department of Education)

Transitioning to ATLAS: Replacing ACT Aspire for a Better Future

Discover the latest developments from the Arkansas Department of Education regarding the new statewide assessment, Arkansas Teaching and Learning Assessment System (ATLAS). This assessment is set to replace the ACT Aspire and will be introduced for grades 3-10 in the spring.

ATLAS 3-10: A Comprehensive Summative Assessment

ATLAS 3-10, a summative assessment encompassing English language arts (ELA), math, and science, is at the heart of Arkansas’ assessment strategy. The ATLAS system aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of students’ learning outcomes, comparing them against established benchmarks.

While the ACT Aspire has been a staple since 2016, the decision to transition was prompted by ACT’s discontinuation of the Aspire model in 2020. Arkansas turned to Cambium Assessment, the selected vendor through a rigorous procurement process in 2022, to develop the replacement assessment.

Building a Tailored Assessment with Cambium

The uniqueness of ATLAS lies in its customization. Unlike the off-the-shelf ACT Aspire, ATLAS allows education officials to curate a state-specific exam. By leveraging Cambium’s question bank, educators can align questions with Arkansas’ distinct standards. Moreover, a novel process is being crafted to welcome educators’ input in generating new questions that adhere to the standards.

The inaugural administration of the ATLAS assessment is scheduled for spring 2024. To ensure a seamless transition, the new test will integrate certain ACT Aspire questions.

Roadmap to Implementation and Analysis

In the subsequent summer of 2024, educators and stakeholders will meticulously analyze the initial set of ATLAS scores, initiating the standard-setting process. The State Board of Education is slated to review proposed proficiency scores in the fall of 2024.

Distinguished from its predecessor, ATLAS primarily focuses on evaluating whether students have achieved grade-specific learning objectives rather than projecting college readiness. Education Secretary Jacob Oliva elucidates this shift, noting that ATLAS seeks to harmonize educational elements, from standards to curriculum and assessment, creating a more coherent educational landscape.

Optimism and Opportunities

Educators across Arkansas anticipate ATLAS with optimism, viewing the partnership with Cambium as an opportunity to address the challenges posed by standardized testing. Kimberly Turner, Curriculum Coordinator for the Bismarck School District, emphasizes the potential to streamline assessments with a unified vendor. She envisions ATLAS as a positive force to standardize assessment procedures across grade levels, promoting consistency.

Embracing Aligned Assessments

Turner underscores the importance of assessments that resonate with instructional objectives, reducing the tendency to “teach to the test.” By aligning the new assessment with state standards, educators can seamlessly integrate teaching and assessment, fostering a more natural learning process.

Recognizing that assessment isn’t confined to standardized tests, Turner emphasizes the role of conversations in gauging students’ understanding. These insights are harnessed to support students’ progress in real-time.

Paving the Path to Informed Education

Mena School District Superintendent Lee Smith voices the need for meaningful data in education. A staunch advocate for assessment alignment, Smith believes ATLAS presents an opportunity to transform assessment into an informative tool rather than a singular indicator of performance.

Smith anticipates ATLAS and its simplified standards will foster effective assessment strategies that holistically reflect students’ learning journeys.

Preparing for the Future

The evolution of Arkansas’ assessment landscape extends beyond the summative assessment. Cambium’s involvement encompasses interim and classroom assessments. While science interim assessments are slated for 2023-2024, math and English assessments will follow in the 2024-2025 academic year.

As Arkansas embarks on this transformative journey, the alignment between assessments and state standards signifies a pivotal step toward enhancing the educational experience for students and educators alike.