The 2010 Assessment Literacy Team
Campaign: Increasing Understanding
of Testing in the 21st Century
Presenters: Dr. Iris Garner, NAEP Coordinator, NCDPI
David Bryant, Parent Liaison, NCDPI
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Presentation Objectives
 To identify key components of effective
communication
 To communicate strategies and resources for
strengthening assessment literacy in the public
schools of North Carolina
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Objective #1
 Effective Communication
 What is communication?
 The exchange of information between people, e.g.
by means of speaking, writing, or using a common
system of signs or behavior
 A spoken or written message
Communication can make one feel ?
Resentful
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Communication
 Franklin D. Roosevelt: Be sincere, be brief, be
seated
 John Marshall: To listen well is as powerful a
means of communication and influence as to talk
well
 Stephen Convey: Seek first to understand, then to
be understood
 George Shaw: The problem with communication
…is the illusion that it has been accomplished
Communicaton
Communication
Communication
 Accountability Participants: Communication is
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Objective #2
 Communicate Strategies and Resources
Effective Communication Checklist
 Logical
 Concise
}
 Available
Resources
Communication Formula
 LC(R) + A= Effective Communication
Research
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Open your “inbox” (Available )
Model yourself after others
Find third alternative solutions (Resource)
Avoid “identify theft”
Try something new
Know your audience (Logical)
Laugh at least once a day
By Stephen Covey, 7 Ways to Come Together/USA Today
Communication !
SBE Policy Website --Logical
 Electronic Policy Manual Table
 Grouped according to the five strategic
priorities of the NC State Board of Education
 Organized by priority, category, Policy ID
Number
SBE Policy Website
Snapshot State Report --Concise
 Comprehensive look at student performance over
time
 Overall Results
 Achievement Level
Snapshot State Report
Resource
 North Carolina General Statutes
 Division of Accountability Services
 The “For Parents” website
 Testing Policy and Operations
 Regional Accountability Coordinators (RACs)
 Local Test Coordinators
 Division of Exceptional Children
 Policy, Monitoring and Audit
 Dispute Resolution Consultants
Division of Accountability Website -Available
 Web-based Information Available 24/7
 Frequent Updates
 Released Forms
 Hot Topics
 Assessment Briefs
 Understanding Student Reports
Division of Accountability Website
Sources of Inquiries
 Telephone calls
 E-mail
 Letters
 State Superintendent’s Office
 State Board of Education
 NCDPI’s Main Switchboard
 Legislators (State and Federal)
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Best Practices
Communicating to Parent
 Know that you may not be able to accurately ascertain the
caller’s actual identity.
 Limit your comments to questions designed to help you
understand the details of their concern. (Concise)
 Assure them that you are hearing their concerns but also
understand that the caller may not have complete information or
may not provide you with all the details. (Available)
 Remain neutral in your comments. (Resource-based)
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Best Practices
Communicating to Parent
 Encourage the caller to work through the leadership structure in
their school and school system.
 Many calls involve issues that are local and over which the
Department of Public Instruction does not have authority.
 Examples: Student school assignment, student grades and placement,
student discipline, local policies regarding promotion and retention
decisions and the like.
 After screening information, direct the caller to the appropriate
division within the agency.
 If the caller says that he or she has tried to engage the leadership
structure in their school or school system without success, offer
to share the caller’s concerns with the local school district.
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Best Practices
Communicating to Parent
 Make no promises
 Share the concern with the appropriate local school district
superintendent’s office.
 When responding to parents or guardians, be sure to
provide contact information that includes your name and
title.
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What This Means
Logically Organized Communication
Concise and understandable
Communication
Resources
Availability
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Communication !
Contact Information
Dr. Iris Garner
NAEP Coordinator
Accountability Services Division, NCDPI
919.807.3768
igarner@dpi.state.nc.us
David Bryant
Parent Liaison/Education Consultant
Accountability Services Division, NCDPI
919.807.3775
dbryant@dpi.state.nc.us
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QUESTIONS
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"Communication is the real work of leadership."
Nitin Nohria