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DESE supports you as you continue to focus on the health and well-being of your students; find innovative ways to continue teaching and learning; and provide as much normalcy as possible for students, faculty and staff. Refer to the DESE-related COVID-19 webpage for links to useful information. If you have questions about assessment, send them to assessment@dese.mo.gov or call 573-751-3545.

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
June 1, 2020 to July 24, 2020 EOC Summer 2020 Accommodated Materials Ordering Window
June 8, 2020 to July 31, 2020 EOC Summer 2020 Testing Window
DUE September 30, 2020 EOC Fall 2020-2021 - First Pre-Code Due - Students In System 10/12/20 - Students May Start Testing 10/26/20
October 5, 2020 to January 15, 2021 EOC Fall 2020-2021 Accommodated Materials Ordering Window
October 19, 2020 EOC Practice Test Opens
October 26, 2020 to January 22, 2021 EOC Fall 2020 Testing Window
DUE November 12, 2020 EOC Fall 2020-2021 - Final Pre-Code Due - Students In System And May Start Testing 11/30/20
DUE February 10, 2021 EOC Spring 2021 - First Pre-Code Due - Students In System 2/22/21 - Students May Start Testing 3/1/21
February 22, 2021 to May 21, 2021 EOC Spring 2021 Accommodated Materials Ordering Window
March 1, 2021 to May 28, 2021 EOC Spring 2021 Window
DUE March 17, 2021 EOC Spring 2021 - Second Pre-Code Due - Students In System And May Start Testing 3/29/21
DUE April 7, 2021 EOC Spring 2021 - Final Pre-Code Due - Students In System And May Start Testing 4/19/21
 

Resources

2020-2021 Administration

2019-2020 Administration

In March, Missouri canceled required statewide assessments for the remainder of SY 2019-2020; this includes Grade-Level, End-of-Course and Alternate assessments. Refer to the DESE-related COVID-19 webpage for links to useful information. DESE officials have examined the impact of canceling spring 2020 testing, specifically on local education agencies and 2020 graduating seniors. Read the new information here.

Previous Administrations

Performance Level Descriptors

Content Area PLD
English Language Arts English I PLD
English II PLD
Mathematics Algebra I PLD
Algebra II PLD
Geometry PLD
Science  Biology PLD
Physical Science PLD
Social Studies PLDs for Social Studies will be released upon approval by the State Board of Education, expected in late 2021.

 

     

    Manuals

    2020-2021 Manuals

    Training

    The District Test Coordinator is responsible for training all School Test Coordinators, Test Examiners and other responsible district and/or school staff on End-Of-Course Assessment processes and procedures. Prior to test administration, test examiners must familiarize themselves with the testing manual(s) and participate in any district created training.

    The information in the following Power Point can be used as part of district created training. This Power Point is not a substitution for district created training or for reading the manuals above. District training should also include local procedures such as cell phone policy, test schedule, who to contact in the district with questions, etc.

    The End-Of-Course assessments have a number of resources available for LEAs to use to prepare for state testing.

    Training Resources

    Student Tutorial
    Accessible via Nextera TDS

    The tutorial gives users the ability to see the types of items that will be on the assessment, and become comfortable with answering items within the testing platform.

    Tutorial Username Password
    Generic mogenx practice
    ELA moengx practice
    Math momathx practice
    Science moscix practice
    Social Studies mossx practice

    Practice Form
    Available in the Nextera TDS platform

    The practice form mirrors the operational assessment. The practice form gives users the ability to see the types of items that will be on the assessment and, if taking the practice test online, become comfortable with answering items within the Nextera TDS testing platform.

    Item Sampler
    https://mo.nextera.questarai.com/tds/#practice

    The question sampler offers an opportunity for students to become familiar with the test format, the question types and the tools they will experience during testing to help prepare them for testing day.

    2020-2021 End-Of-Course Training Modules

    Questar has created a series of eDIRECT training modules for DTCs/STCs to use in conjunction with the manuals. Districts may choose to use these modules as part of their local district training.

    These training modules can be found in Nextera - https://mo.nextera.questarai.com/admin/Accounts/Login

    Trainings include but are not limited to:

    • Nextera Admin Overview
    • The Student Testing Experience
    • DTC Training Webinar
    • DITC Nextera Training 
     

    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
    English I Algebra I Geometry American History
    English II Algebra II Personal Finance Government
    Biology Physical Science
     

    Cost

    The following information reflects the district cost for the EOC assessments.

    Assessment Cost
    Algebra I $1.80*
    Biology $1.80*
    English II $1.80*
    Government No Cost*
    Algebra II $1.88
    American History $1.88
    English I $4.03
    Geometry $1.88
    Physical Science $1.88
    Personal Finance No Cost

    *required for accountability

    Testing Information

    The rules around who takes the personal finance assessment, testing out of the Personal Finance course and the pass rate of the assessment differ from other EOC Assessments.

    • 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 Learners (ELs) or students with Individual Education (IEP) Plans/504 plans allowed accommodations?

    ELs or students with an IEP/504 plan are allowed the same accommodations they would receive on any 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 Standards

    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. The new standards were approved during the September 2017 State Board meeting for implementation during the 2019-2020 school year.

    Additional Resources