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Curriculum leaders outline five goals and assessment logistics for spring testing
Summary
Aurora East USD 131’s curriculum team presented five goals tied to the strategic plan and detailed planning for spring state assessments (ACCESS, IAR, ACT), including accommodations and a NAEP pilot school; board members pressed for clarity on scheduling and accommodations for EL and special education students.
Aurora East USD 131’s Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment leadership presented the department’s five primary goals to the board on Dec. 15 and detailed logistics for upcoming assessments.
Dr. Amy Engel said the department’s goals align with the superintendent’s priorities and the district strategic plan, focusing on ensuring curricular resources are in place, strengthening professional development, improving school-level coaching, refining standards-aligned curriculum and expanding career-endorsement pathways. Engel said the team has organized collaborative structures (Monday check-ins, CIA core-team meetings, curriculum council) to monitor progress and support implementation.
Board members asked specifically about ACCESS planning for English Learner (EL) students and logistics for administering the four ACCESS domains (listening, speaking, reading, writing). Frances Delgadillo (CIA team lead on ACCESS) said planning began in September, principals have been engaged to schedule testing, and that schools will use headsets with microphones for the speaking portion and may stagger students when needed. Delgadillo said accommodations for newcomers will allow teacher and principal recommendations for language of administration (for example, Spanish) where appropriate.
Dr. Engel confirmed IAR planning is underway and that Spanish language options are available for tests where state policy allows. She also noted a fourth-grade cohort at Kelly Hills (Hermes) will pilot the NAEP administration.
Board members emphasized the need to be intentional about the number of local assessments and how the district uses assessment data. Dr. Halvorsen and school leadership said the district assessment committee — including union-selected members — will continue reviewing what assessments are used and how data informs instruction.
Next steps: Curriculum leadership will share detailed ACCESS schedules and certification/training information for staff administering tests and report back to the board in January.
