The Mission of the AATP is to create a network of support and resources that will streamline assessment efforts across the state.
AATP provides new and returning district test coordinators with support, guidance, and best practices that streamlines test coordination efforts.
The network will collectively work to inform decision making that promotes quality assessments, best practices, and sensible policies for all students.
History
The AATP was launched on August 11, 2022, by some of the state’s most experienced testing coordinators. The dedication and commitment of the National Association of Testing Professionals (NATP) inspired local leaders to establish a state network that could commit to similar support statewide.
The State Education Agency works hard to support the efforts of our testing coordinators, but the fact is, there is a significant amount of work that goes into test coordination on the frontline to make all the rules and requirements digestible for schools. This is work that testing coordinators know all too well because they perform it every year. It is time-consuming, overwhelming, and often lonely work.
This inspired the creation of a customized state organization that would meet the specific needs of the frontline testing coordinators and the state, by embracing a support and partnership concept.
Organization Overview
AATP aims to create:
- State network to meet specific state’s needs
- Key assessment partnerships
- Structure that supports efforts to execute assessment requirements for schools and the districts.
- Collaboration sessions for testing professionals to connect, share resources, and support each other
- Improved processes that save time and effort that can be re-allocated to student instruction
- Professional development events for new and experienced testing professionals
- Opportunities to inform decision making that will result in fair and sensible assessment policies
- Input opportunities to improve educational systems across the nation.
- A shared resource depository
Core Values
Connect
The goal of the AATP is to establish and secure a well-connected state assessment network. AATP seeks to connect district test coordinators across the state to reduce the redundancies in efforts to meet all testing obligations.
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Support
Once established, organizational partners work to support one another at every opportunity. Members support each other with day-to-day operations by providing shared resources, ideas, best practices, and answers to questions that arise from the field. Education agencies offer support for the partnership by granting opportunities throughout the year to provide key updates and respond to questions from the membership. Reciprocally, the education agency will receive support from AATP by providing real-time feedback on current and proposed practices and participate in committees that guide future policy and procedural considerations and implementation.
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Lead
AATP will support and lead Arkansas’ assessment efforts. They will serve as a liaison between the state and front-line educator to ensure compliance for both. Its members will lead their respective district assessment programs with confidence, competency and professional development skills that AATP will help build. AATP members will expand their leadership skills by participating in and leading state and national events and opportunities. AATP will serve to inform state policies and procedures that will potentially result in fair and sensible assessments and assessment policies for all students.