WebXam Releases the September 2021 Newsletter

Released September 14, 2021, the April newsletter featured topics on:

  • Pretesting closing
  • NO pretesting for Health Science
  • Post Testing opens in October
  • 2021 WebXam User’s Workshop
  • Baking and Pastry Performance Assessments
  • Item-writing in 2021-2022
  • Teacher Review Workshops

An archived version of this email newsletter is available here.

WebXam Releases the June 2021 Newsletter

Released June 18, 2021, the April newsletter featured topics on:

  • 2021-22 Calendar Available
  • CETE will be at Ohio ACTE
  • WebXam User Survey
  • Health Sciences Testing Updates
  • SMEs needed for Health Science Validation & Standard Setting!
  • Item-writing in 2021-2022

An archived version of this email newsletter is available here.

2020-2021 Course Grade Substitutions

In response to the ongoing challenges schools have faced due to COVID-19, the Ohio General Assembly passed House Bill 67 that allows juniors and seniors to use course grades in place of or in addition to test scores for the 2020-2021 school year to meet graduation requirements.

Please review the linked newsletter to learn more.

WebXam Releases the April 2021 Newsletter

Released April 14, 2021, the April newsletter featured topics on:

  • 2020-21 Course Grade Substitutions
  • WebXam Tests – retake policy change
  • Testing Updates
  • We Need SMEs for Health Science courses!
  • Baking & Pastry Arts – Validation & Standard Setting Survey

An archived version of this email newsletter is available here.

Correction: The newsletter incorrectly had 2021-2020 written as a date under “Testing Updates”. This should have been written as 2021-2022.

WebXam Tests – 2020-21 Grade Substitution

In response to the ongoing challenges schools face due to COVID-19, the Ohio General Assembly passed an amended version of House Bill 67. HB 67 includes language that allows juniors and seniors to use course grades in place of or in addition to test scores for the 2020-2021 school year to meet graduation requirements. Please review the policy documentation on ODE’s Career-Technical Education Assessment System webpage.

Once details are finalized WebXam will announce and provide data submission templates and grade submission deadlines for participating school districts. School districts must provide the required data during the allowed timeframe to ensure proper reporting. There will be no additional windows for reporting grades.

End-of-course assessments are a way to assess technical knowledge and skill attainment by the students. Teachers can analyze end-of-course assessment data to identify student performance gaps. After identification of student learning gaps, teachers can provide interventions and remediation to students to close the performance gaps. Documentation of technical attainment can allow teachers to better prepare, ultimately improving teacher effectiveness, which is beneficial to the student, the teacher, local programs, and to Ohio business and industry. Schools should post-test juniors and seniors first, and if the grade substitution is advantageous for the student for the 2020-2021 school year, districts may use the grade substitution option.

WebXam Releases the February 2021 Newsletter

Released February 9, 2021, the February newsletter featured topics on:

  • Winter Pretest Window Closing
  • WebXam Tests – retake policy change
  • Construction Technologies Updates
  • Item Writer recruiting
  • Course Outline Changes for 175003 and 176007
  • WebXam 2020-2021 Calendar information

An archived version of this email newsletter is available here.

WebXam Tests – Retake Policy Change

The Ohio Department of Education and WebXam are pleased to announce that WebXam tests now may be retaken in the same school year by graduating students after allowing for additional instruction time. This change enhances opportunities for students to demonstrate technical skills attainment for the purpose of graduation and report cards. The policy for WebXam same-year retakes includes:

  • Graduating students may retake most WebXam tests once in their final school year;
  • A retake must be scheduled at least 30 days after the original assessment was performed;
  • Field tests may not be retaken due to the length of the tests and earlier closing of the field test window.

Additional information regarding WebXam can be found on the Career-Technical Education Assessment webpage or contact Matt Winkle.

WebXam Releases the December 2020 Newsletter

Released December 16, 2020, the December newsletter featured topics on:

  • Winter Pretesting Window Extended
  • No Pretesting for Construction Technologies
  • Posttesting Reminders
  • Participate in Upcoming Item-Writing Workshops
  • WebXam 2020-2021 Calendar
  • CTE COVID-19 Information

Correction:

In the December email newsletter the “Posttesting Reminders” article originally listed April 9th as the last day for posttesting for school districts participating in teacher effectiveness reporting. The correct deadline is April 23, 2021. Pretesting and teacher effectiveness are both optional. ODE does require post tests for Ohio’s CTE and FCS programs.

An archived version of this email newsletter is available here.

WebXam Releases the November 2020 Newsletter

Released November 19, 2020, the November newsletter featured topics on:

  • Posttesting Opening
  • Release of New Field Tests for 2020-2021 Testing Window
  • No Pretesting for Construction Technologies
  • CTE COVID-19 Information
  • Sharing Your Expertise
  • 2020 Test Security

An archived version of this email newsletter is available here.

Construction Tests Available During Field Testing

Info: All WebXam Construction Field Tests have been released and are available for testing as of 1/28/21.

As October wraps up and we move into November, an important date on the WebXam calendar is approaching fast. On November 2nd, all posttests and field tests will be available.

During the shutdown as a result of the pandemic, some of the test development process for writing new assessments in the Construction Technologies career field was not completed. However, this process has begun again and we are happy to inform teachers that the following tests are available for field testing starting November 2nd.

NumberCourse Name
178000Construction Technology – Core and Sustainable Construction
178001Carpentry and Masonry Technical Skills
178002Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Systems
178003Structural Systems
178004Structural Coverings and Finishes
178007Construction Electrical Systems
178008Residential Electrical Systems
178009Commercial and Industrial Construction Electrical Systems
178012Heating and Cooling Systems
178013HVAC Refrigeration
178014Sheet Metal
178018Construction Safety and Crew Leadership
178019Plan Reading
178022Construction Management
178023Remodeling/Renovation
178026Heavy Equipment Operations
178027Construction Site Preparation
178030Principles of Woods Construction
178040Fundamentals of Architecture

These tests contain approximately 90 items, so it is important to schedule the appropriate time frame for students to finish the testing in one sitting.

When the shutdown occurred, we had a number of Construction courses that were not completed. These courses are not currently available, but will be made available as soon as they are ready.

NumberCourse Name
178005Masonry
178006Concrete and Residential Masonry
178010Plumbing and Pipefitting Systems
178011Residential and Commercial Plumbing Systems
178015Telecommunications/Low Voltage Systems
178016Alternative Power Generation Systems
178017Powerline/Hi-Voltage Power Transmission
178020Architecture Design – Structural and Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing
178021Architecture Design – Site and Foundation Plans
178024Facility and Building Maintenance
178025Custodial Services
178028Interior Design

If you are interested in participating in the item-writing process for these courses, please contact us at: cete-recruiting@osu.edu.

Be sure to complete your field testing before April 23rd, 2021.

For more information the testing schedule, please refer to the WebXam Calendar.