After careful consideration and in response to feedback from various stakeholders, Superintendent Degenfelder made the decision in Summer 2024 to remove the writing portion of the Grade 3 WY-TOPP ELA Assessment, starting in SY 2024-25. This change allows teachers and students time to ensure that both writing and typing skills are present before students are assessed. For Spring 2025, schools will only need to schedule testing time for Grade 3 students for Math and ELA.
Extensive statistical studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of this change on ELA scores. These studies analyzed data from the past three years and found that removing the writing portion resulted in little to no change in overall scores. Additionally, the studies evaluated the most at-risk subpopulations, including SPED and EL students, to ensure that the change did not adversely affect any students.
Due to the method used to set standards in 2018, where writing was embedded as part of the overall skill profile of a 3rd-grade ELA student, the agency has determined that the current assessment scales and proficiency points will remain unchanged. The existing scales and cut scores continue to accurately reflect student proficiency levels with minimal impact from this adjustment and is a testament to the well-rounded ELA instruction happening across Wyoming.
The WDE will continue to strive to provide fair and comprehensive assessments for Wyoming students.
For more information, contact Laurie Hernandez, Director of Standards & Assessment, at 307-777-3469 or laurie.hernandez@wyo.gov.
