WriteToLearn
TIMELINE | STATE REQUIREMENTS | OFF-GRADE LICENSES |TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS | CONTACT
South Dakota Codified Law 13-3-55 requires all public schools to administer an annual writing assessment as directed by the South Dakota Department of Education. In response to this law, the South Dakota Department of Education has adopted an online formative assessment model.
With this model, students in grades 5, 7, & 10 in all public schools use an online literacy program which provides immediate feedback on essay and summary writing activities. With the feedback provided by the online program, teachers are able to use the data provided by the program to better shape instruction and promote student achievement.
With this model, students in grades 5, 7, & 10 in all public schools use an online literacy program which provides immediate feedback on essay and summary writing activities. With the feedback provided by the online program, teachers are able to use the data provided by the program to better shape instruction and promote student achievement.
STATE REQUIREMENTS
All students in grades 5, 7, and 10 are required to respond to two teacher-selected essay prompts during the scheduled testing window which runs from September 1, 2012 through April 30, 2013. Revision requirements of the essay submissions are left to the discretion of the classroom teacher. Additionally, students are not limited to only two annual submissions.
Students in grades 5, 7, and 10 who participate in the DSTEP-A will be required to participate in an alternative writing assessment outside of the WriteToLearn program. More information about these requirements can be found here.
Changes for the 2012-13 School Year
Writing Submissions
During the 2012-2013 school year, students in grades 5, 7, & 10 will need to submit two writing submissions within the WriteToLearn program.
Testing Window
During the 2012-2013 school year, students will participate in one testing window, which will run from September 1, 2012 through April 30, 2013. Students may submit their two writing samples at any time during this testing window.
Student Reports
The reporting requirement for the state writing assessment has been eliminated for the 2012-2013 school year. School districts are no longer required to send student writing results from the WriteToLearn program home to parents.
Students in grades 5, 7, and 10 who participate in the DSTEP-A will be required to participate in an alternative writing assessment outside of the WriteToLearn program. More information about these requirements can be found here.
Changes for the 2012-13 School Year
Writing Submissions
During the 2012-2013 school year, students in grades 5, 7, & 10 will need to submit two writing submissions within the WriteToLearn program.
Testing Window
During the 2012-2013 school year, students will participate in one testing window, which will run from September 1, 2012 through April 30, 2013. Students may submit their two writing samples at any time during this testing window.
Student Reports
The reporting requirement for the state writing assessment has been eliminated for the 2012-2013 school year. School districts are no longer required to send student writing results from the WriteToLearn program home to parents.
Timeline
| EVENT | DATE | ||
| District Testing Coordinator Trainings (online) | August 28, 2012 | ||
| August 29, 2012 | |||
| New Teacher Trainings (online) | September 5, 2012 | ||
| September 6, 2012 | |||
| Veteran Teacher Trainings (online) | September 10, 2012 | ||
| September 11, 2012 | |||
| Testing Window Opens | September 1, 2012 | ||
Deadline to Submit List of Participating Teachers |
October 26, 2012 | ||
| Q&A Webinar | November 7, 2012 | ||
| Mid-Year Teacher Trainings (online) | January 30, 2013 | ||
Testing Window Closes |
April 30, 2013 | ||
| Testing Irregularities due to DOE | May 15, 2013 | ||
| Student Licenses Expire | June 30, 2013 | ||
Only new teachers are required to view a training.
Teachers should register for training, click here to register.
Meeting Link:
https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/stateofsd1/join?id=G8T4CK&role=attend&pw=WTL
Meeting ID: G8T4CK
Dial-in Number: 866-410-8397
Conference Code: 813-497-3389
OFF-GRADE LICENSES
All South Dakota school districts have the opportunity to purchase off-grade licenses (grades 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12) for the WriteToLearn program at the state rate of $10 per student. These licenses will expire on August 15, 2013.
Unless Pearson is notified that your school does not wish to renew these off-grade licenses, they will automatically renew for the following school year, and your school will receive an invoice for the balance.
For additional licenses, please contact Carrie at:
Carrie Austin
Email: Carrie.Austin@Pearson.com
For renewal orders, please contact Megan at:
Megan Novak
Phone: 480-457-7717
Fax: 480-907-2971
Email: megan.novak@pearson.com
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Download Technical Requirements
CONTACT
For more information contact:
Matt Gill
South Dakota Department of Education
800 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501
Office: (605) 773-8193
matthew.gill@state.sd.us
For Technical Support for the WriteToLearn program:
If you require support, please contact the customer support line at 1-888-977-7100 between the hours of 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday – Friday. Also, e-mail, chat, and other product support are available at http://support.pearsonschool.com. Finally, documentation is available within the WriteToLearn application.