Based on feedback from the field, several changes have been made to the state writing assessment, WriteToLearn, for the 2011-12 school year.

Students will participate in one testing window, which will run from Sept. 1, 2011, through April 30, 2012. Students in grades 5, 7 and 10 need to complete two writing submissions within the WriteToLearn program during this single testing window, compared to the three submissions required last year.

The reporting requirement for the state writing assessment also has been eliminated. School districts will no longer be required to send student writing results from the WriteToLearn program home to parents.

The state Department of Education will continue to purchase student licenses for the WriteToLearn program for all public school students in grades 5, 7 and 10, and districts will have the opportunity to purchase off-grade licenses for the WriteToLearn program at a state-negotiated rate. Additional information related to off-grade licenses and the state writing assessment can be found at http://doe.sd.gov/oats/writetolearn.asp.

For more information, contact Erin Larsen at the Department of Education, (605) 773-2533.