District Plan of Action in Response to
OIG Performance Review and
Recommendations
NWEA Administration
February 2020

 NWEA Overview in CPS
• NWEA is an untimed assessment that CPS schools have been required
to administer in reading and math to 2nd – 8th grade students since
SY12-13.
• NWEA results are integrated into many CPS systems of accountability
and opportunity, including school quality ratings, principal and teacher
evaluations, student promotion and selective enrollment admissions
processes.
• In SY17-18 CPS conducted its own audit of NWEA testing protocol and
detection. CPS has acted on 13 of 17 recommendations identified in that
report.

1

 Summary of OIG Concerns
● NWEA MAP is an assessment administered at CPS
elementary schools and is one of many metrics the district
uses to gather an understanding of academic improvements
and performance.
● The OIG found that some CPS students took longer to
complete the NWEA and paused their tests more often than
their peers nationally.
● It is important to note that the OIG did not substantiate
systemic or individual wrongdoing, nor did the OIG
conclude that NWEA MAP results are invalid.

2

 Action Taken in Response to Recommendation

Recommendation #1

Response

Reduce durations,
preferably by setting a
time limit.

CPS is establishing a policy designed to
reduce test durations. This policy and
associated guidance will be included in the test
administration manual, in test coordinator
trainings, and in test proctor trainings
beginning Spring 2020.

3

 Action Taken in Response to Recommendation
Recommendation #2

Response

Take concrete steps to limit
pauses, including by
providing clear instructions
on the right and wrong way
to use pauses.

CPS is establishing a policy to provide
proctors with greater clarity of the proper use
of pauses and the time-out function. This
policy and associated guidance will be
included in the test administration manual, in
test coordinator trainings, and in test proctor
trainings, beginning Spring 2020.

4

 Action Taken in Response to Recommendation

Recommendation #3

Response

Find an auditable way to
record the proctor of each
test taken so that analysts
can look for trends among
proctors.

CPS is working with NWEA to be able to
obtain test proctor data. If needed, CPS will
augment with additional procedures for
capturing auditable proctor information.

5

 Action Taken in Response to Recommendation
Recommendation #4

Response

Focus on auditing
proctors, rather than
grades and subjects, by
using new proctor data.

This recommendation cannot be implemented as
part of the SY19-20 proactive site visit audit plan
because it would require a data file from
SY18-19 that did not exist at the time.
CPS is working with NWEA to be able to obtain
test proctor data. The Spring 2020 test
monitoring plan will include strategic follow up
with particular proctors as needed based on
proctor data availability and observed testing
patterns.

6

 Action Taken in Response to Recommendation
Recommendation #5

Response

Prohibit teachers from being
the sole proctors of their
students if their evaluations
are tied in part to their
students’ NWEA results.

CPS will implement a revised test proctor
policy in Spring 2020 that takes into account
the OIG recommendation.

7

 Action Taken in Response to Recommendation

Recommendation #6

Response

Bolster training and the
exit slip that must be
passed for someone to
proctor. Include guidance
on improper pauses and
long durations. During
training, cite OIG as an
office to be contacted with
concerns about test
irregularities.

CPS will implement required training for test
coordinators and test proctors using the
SafeSchools platform. This training will include all
updated policies, test administration protocols, and
a required quiz to confirm understanding. CPS will
cite OIG as an office to be contacted with
concerns about test irregularities.

8

 Action Taken in Response to Recommendation

Recommendation #7

Response

Add penalties for test
cheating to the Test
Security Agreement that
all proctors must sign.

While the OIG did not substantiate systemic or
individual wrongdoing, penalties for test cheating will
be included in the Test Security Agreement for Spring
2020 NWEA Administration aligned to current district
policy. All school personnel who support test
administration are required to sign the test security
agreement before the school is approved to begin
testing.

9

 Action Taken in Response to Recommendation

Recommendation #8

Response

Hire a test security expert for
help and guidance in
addressing the OIG’s
recommendations and other
OIG concerns.

CPS has hired a test security firm to help
develop, institute, and implement
recommendations.

10