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
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 5, 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 2/10/21 - 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
- 2020-2021 EOC Blueprints
- 2020-2021 EOC Timing Guidelines
- 2020-2021 EOC Tools and Accommodations
- 2020-2021 EOC Tools and Accommodations Sample Tracking Form
- 2020-2021 District Self-Monitoring Quality Assurance Form
- 2020-2021 EOC Parent/Guardian Sample Letter
- Guidelines For Use Of A Scribe
- 2020-2021 Nextera Test Delivery System (TDS) System Requirements
- EOC Item Sampler
- ELA Writing Prompt - Conventions Scoring Guide
- ELA Writing Prompt - Development Scoring Guide
- ELA Writing Prompt - Organization Scoring Guide
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
- 2018-2019 Guide To Interpreting Results
- 2017-2018 Guide To Interpreting Results
- 2016-2017 Guide To Interpreting Results
- 2015-2016 Guide To Interpreting Results
- 2014-2015 Guide To Interpreting Results
- State & District-wide Assessments of School Achievement
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 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.
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
Practice Form 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 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
- BMIT and FCS Personal Finance Curriculum Guide
- National Financial Capability Challenge
- Personal Finance Curriculum Guide
- National Endowment for Financial Education
- Missouri Family Wage Calculator
- Smart About Spending
- National Endowment for Financial Education - High School Financial Planning Program
- Missouri Council On Economic Education
- Missouri Connections
Editorial Section
Assessment