Contact Information
Assessment
DESE Assessment Phone
EOC Help Desk (Questar)
Grade-Level Help Desk (DRC)
MAP-A Help Desk (DLM)
ACCESS for ELLs Help Desk (DRC)
WIDA Help Desk (WIDA)
End-of-Course
The Missouri Assessment Program assesses students' progress toward the Missouri Learning Standards, which are Missouri's content standards. End-of-Course assessments are taken when a student has received instruction on the Missouri Learning Standards for an assessment, regardless of grade level. For the 2017-2018 school year, all EOC assessments are available only online, unless a student's IEP indicates that a Braille, Large Print, or Paper/Pencil form is needed. Missouri's suite of available End-of-Course assessments includes: English I, English II, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, American History, Government, Biology and Physical Science.
Since the 2014-2015 accountability year, districts must ensure that students completed EOC assessments in Algebra I, English II, Biology, and Government prior to high school graduation. For students who complete the Algebra I EOC assessment prior to high school, Algebra II is the required high school mathematics assessment for accountability purposes.
All students, including Missouri Option students, are required to participate in EOC assessments designated as "required" for accountability purposes. A few groups of students are exempt from EOC assessments required for accountability purposes. Exempt student groups include:
- Students whose IEP teams have determined that they are eligible to participate in the Missouri Assessment Program-Alternate (MAP-A)
- English Language Learners (ELL) who have been in the United States 12 cumulative months or fewer at the time of administration may be exempted from taking the English II and/or English I assessments.
- Foreign exchange students (not required to participate, but may do so at the district's discretion)
- Home schooled students (not required to participate, but may do so at the local district's discretion)
- Private school students
Important Dates
| Dates | Event |
|---|---|
| DUE September 14, 2018 | EOC First Fall Pre-Code DUE - Students in system 9/27 - Students may begin testing 10/1 |
| October 1, 2018 to January 18, 2019 | EOC Fall Testing Window |
| DUE November 2, 2018 | EOC Second Fall Pre-Code DUE - Students in system 11/26 - Students may begin testing 11/26 |
| DUE January 25, 2019 | EOC First Spring Pre-Code DUE - Students in system 2/15 - Students may begin testing 2/18 |
| February 18, 2019 to May 24, 2019 | EOC Spring Testing Window |
| DUE March 1, 2019 | EOC Second Spring Pre-Code DUE - Students in system 3/21 - Students may begin testing 3/21 |
| DUE March 29, 2019 | EOC Final Spring Pre-Code DUE - Students in system 4/19 - Students may begin testing 4/19 |
| February 17, 2020 to May 22, 2020 | EOC Spring 2020 Testing Window |
Resources
2018-2019 Administration
- EOC Blueprints 2018-2019
- EOC Tools and Accommodations 2018-2019 - To Be Updated for Spring to include Closed Captioning and Video ASL
- EOC Timing Guidelines 2018-2019
- EOC Parent/Guardian Sample Letter
- Guidelines For Use Of A Scribe
- District Self-Monitoring Quality Assurance Form
- Nextera Test Delivery System (TDS) System Requirements 2018-2019
- EOC Item Sampler
Previous Administrations
- 2017-2018 Guide To Interpreting Results
- 2016-2017 Guide To Interpreting Results
- 2015-2016 Guide To Interpreting Results
- Fall 2014/Spring 2015 Guide To Interpreting Results
- State & District-wide Assessments of School Achievement
Performance Level Descriptors
| Content Area | ALD |
|---|---|
| English Language Arts | English I PLD |
| English II PLD | |
| Mathematics | Algebra I PLD |
| Algebra II PLD | |
| Geometry PLD | |
| Science (2008-2016) | Biology PLD |
| Physical Science PLD | |
| Social Studies | American History PLD |
| Government PLD |
ELA Writing Scoring Guides
Manuals/Training
2018-2019 Fall Administration
The following documents are required training for the End-of-Course assessments. Each PowerPoint tackles a separate topic and can be reviewed at your own pace. These PowerPoint slides do not contain audio.
- 01 – Basic Overview
- 02 – Universal Tools and Accommodations
- 03 – Blueprints and Timing Guidelines
- 04 – Important Dates
- 05 – Who is Tested
- 06 – EOC Process
- 07 – Using Nextera
- 08 – Alternative Testing Formats
- 09 – Practice Tutorials and Pre-Tests
- 10 – Test Tickets
- 11 – Test Day Materials
- 12 – Possible Testing Issues
- 13 – After Testing
- Combined Training
Additionally, Questar offers the following training (you will need a login to the Nextera site to access these):
EOC Practice Forms
Practice forms aligned to the new MLS Expectations will be available online through the EOC Secure Browser and here for students who need a paper assessment.
| EOC Practice Forms | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra I | English I | American History | Biology |
| Algebra II | English II | Government | Physical Science |
| Geometry | |||
Cost
The following information reflects district cost for the EOC assessments for the 2015-2016 school year.
| Assessment | Cost |
|---|---|
| Algebra I | $1.80* |
| Biology | $1.80* |
| English II | $1.80* |
| Government | No Cost* |
| Algebra II | $1.88 |
| American History | No Cost in 2018-2019 |
| English I | $4.03 |
| Geometry | $1.88 |
| Physical Science | $1.88 |
| Personal Finance | No Cost |
*required for accountability
FAQ
Q: What do I do if I pre-coded a student who does not need to test?
A: Don’t do anything. As long as the student doesn’t log into the system, no record is created for the student.
Q: What do I do if I don’t have an Nexterapassword and I’m the DTC?
A: DTC's will receive Nexteralogin information from Questar at least one week prior to the opening of the statewide testing window. If you are the DTC, and haven't received login information within this timeframe, be sure that you are listed on screen 3 of core data as the assessment contact. Contact Questar. Questar will verify with DESE that you are the DTC and then Questar will send you your information.
Q: When and how will my teachers get passwords to access Nextera?
A: Test examiners are established in the pre-code file. The system automatically generates usernames/passwords for them. The DTC can manually add examiners. NOTE: Test examiners are removed from the system at the end of each statewide administration window.
Q: How do I tell if a student has already taken an EOC?
A: You can access this information on the EOC history report. The EOC history report is available in administrative reports, on the secure side of the MCDS Data Portal. You can access the EOC history report by logging into the MCDS Data Portal, choosing student assessment, then guided inquiry.
Q: How do I know if I need to test a student that just moved in from out of state or from a private school?
A: Contact Accountability Data at 573-526-4886 or accountabilitydata@dese.mo.gov.
Q: A student just transferred from another district, and took Algebra I but did not take the EOC, do I have to test that student?
A: Contact Accountability Data at 573-526-4886 or accountabilitydata@dese.mo.gov.
Q: Are students required to take more than the Algebra I, English II, Biology and Government EOCs?
A: Contact MSIP at 573-751-4426 or msip@dese.mo.gov.
Q: Are there bonus points for optional EOCs?
A: Contact MSIP at 573-751-4426 or msip@dese.mo.gov.
Q: Can a student test more than once in a content area in a single statewide assessment window?
A: No, a student may only test once in a content area in a statewide assessment window.
Q: A student needs to re-take Algebra I for A+ purposes. Do both scores count for accountability?
A: Contact Accountability Data at 573-526-4886 or accountabilitydata@dese.mo.gov.
Testing Information
Personal Finance is now an End-of-Course Assessment.
For the 2018-2019 academic year, the rules around who takes the personal finance assessment, testing out of the Personal Finance course and the pass rate of the assessment have not changed.
- As part of their curriculum, students in Missouri must earn a 1/2 credit in the area of Personal Finance.
- Students who are receiving personal finance credit from embedded coursework: The online assessment is REQUIRED. The pass rate is the district’s decision.
- Students attempting to “test out” and receive personal finance credit toward graduation: The online assessment is REQUIRED. Students must attain a score of 90% or higher to receive personal finance credit.
- Students who are enrolled in a stand-alone personal finance course: The online assessment is OPTIONAL. Participation, however, permits the district to evaluate student achievement with an assessment fully aligned to state standards.
- A student may take the Personal Finance Assessment ONE time per testing window.
- The Personal Finance Assessment is provided at no cost to districts.
Frequently Asked Questions
In what grades may the state Personal Finance class and/or the Assessment be taken?
It is recommended that the Personal Finance course be completed after the ninth grade because of the specific content and its relevance for persons reaching the age at which they must begin to assume financial responsibilities. However, grade level designations are not included in the Rule, so the grade level at which Personal Finance may be taught is ultimately an individual school district’s decision. Although the Graduation Handbook does refer to specific grade levels at which the course is to be offered, that document is meant for technical assistance only.
What is the “test out” option?
Districts have the option to allow students to “test out” in order for that student to receive the ½ unit of credit in Personal Finance required to graduate. To “test out,” a student must attain a score of 90% or higher on the Personal Finance Assessment.
What is the pass rate for the Personal Finance Assessment?
For students attempting to “test out,” the passing rate is 90%. Districts have the flexibility to set their own passing rate for all other students who take the Personal Finance Assessment.
How many times can a student take the Personal Finance Assessment?
A student may take the Personal Finance assessment one time per assessment window. This includes those students attempting to “test out.”
Are English Language Learners (ELLs) or students with Individual Education (IEP) Plans/504 plans allowed accommodations?
ELLs or students with an IEP/504 plan are allowed the same accommodations they would receive on an other content assessments. Please note: The Personal Finance Assessment is not available in a paper and pencil, large print or Braille version at this time.
Can local districts use student scores on the Personal Finance Assessment as part of the student grade?
Yes, districts may, but are not required to use the scores from the Personal Finance Assessments as part of the student grade.
Where does Personal Finance fit into the curriculum and how may it be counted for credit?
Personal Finance may be counted as ½ credit as a practical arts course, a social studies course or a standalone elective course.
Who may teach Personal Finance?
The district should choose the most qualified person to teach the course. The instructor must have a valid Missouri teaching certificate for secondary education.
Personal Finance Competencies
In 2016 the State Board of Education authorized the organization of a workgroup to evaluate, and possibly make recommendations to modify or revise Personal Finance learning standards. These standards have not changed since 2006 when the State Board of Education revised graduation requirements for Missouri’s students to include one-half credit of Personal Finance. The new standards were approved during the September 2017 State Board meeting for implementation during the 2019-2020 school year.
- Personal Finance Course Level Expectations
- Personal Finance Course Level Expectations
- Personal Finance Crosswalk: 2016 Standards/2017 Standards/Coding
Current Standards/Competencies
- Personal Finance Curriculum PDF | Word
- Personal Finance Competencies
Additional Resources
- Missouri Learning Standards Personal Finance Tab
- BMIT and FCS Personal Finance Curriculum Guide
- National Financial Capability Challenge
- Personal Finance Curriculum Guide
- National Endowment for Financial Education
- Missouri Family Wage Calculator(link is external)
- Smart About Spending
- National Endowment for Financial Education - High School Financial Planning Program
- Missouri Council On Economic Education
- Missouri Connections
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Assessment