The September Assessment Directors Meeting, held on September 18, 2025, focused on several key topics related to assessment practices and policies in Utah schools. The meeting began with discussions surrounding Acadian's long-term planning for math assessments, which is set to conclude its current contract in June 2026. Concerns were raised about the absence of a concrete long-term strategy, despite the popularity of digital assessment methods among educators.

The conversation then shifted to progress monitoring, with participants discussing the need for clarity on how teachers can effectively track student performance. It was noted that while the state covers licenses for grades K-3, additional licenses for grades 4-6 must be obtained directly from the vendor, Acadience.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to records retention policies concerning Acadian's math assessments. Participants expressed confusion over the necessity of retaining paper records, especially given that many scores are now stored digitally. The current policy mandates that records be kept for three years after a student leaves the school, but there was a consensus that this timeframe may be excessive. Suggestions were made to potentially reduce this period to 18 months, allowing for more practical management of records while still complying with audit requirements.

The meeting also addressed upcoming training for the STAMP dual immersion test, scheduled for September 25, with the testing window opening from October 20 to December 12. Participants were reminded that access to the testing platform is still pending, but optimism was expressed regarding the progress being made in resolving access issues.

Lastly, updates on the RISE assessment were shared, including the availability of benchmark training materials and ongoing improvements to the testing scripts to enhance user experience. The meeting concluded with a commitment to keep participants informed about further developments and training opportunities.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the ongoing efforts to refine assessment practices and ensure that educators have the necessary tools and information to support student learning effectively.