The recent meeting held by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) focused on the Readiness Improvement Success Empowerment (RISE) program, specifically discussing the English Language Arts (ELA) assessment cut score recommendations. The meeting, led by Sydney McCarty, the director of assessment and accountability, and Theresa McArthur, the assessment development coordinator, aimed to present the outcomes of a committee comprised of educators from across the state.

The committee's recommendations stem from a thorough review process that aligns the RISE assessments with the newly approved ELA standards, which were established in April 2023. This alignment required updating assessment blueprints and item banks to ensure that the tests accurately reflect current educational standards. The committee emphasized the importance of adapting the assessments to better support student learning, particularly through the introduction of cluster assessments. These assessments are designed to guide students through specific content areas, starting from simpler concepts and progressing to more complex questions.

Significant changes to the ELA assessments were also discussed. Notably, the new standards have led to the removal of certain language and speaking/listening questions from the overall ELA assessment. This decision was made to maintain consistency across grades, as not all grades had the same requirements for assessing these standards. The committee's consensus was to streamline the assessment process, focusing on reading and writing skills while ensuring that all students are evaluated on the same criteria.

The standard-setting process for the new assessments took place in August, involving diverse groups of educators from both district and charter schools. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that the assessments are fair and effective in measuring student readiness.

In conclusion, the discussions at the USBE meeting highlight a significant shift in how ELA assessments will be conducted in Utah. By aligning assessments with updated standards and focusing on a more structured approach to evaluating student performance, the RISE program aims to enhance educational outcomes across the state. As these changes are implemented, stakeholders will be closely monitoring their impact on student learning and achievement.