As we develop new items for the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) and score the Alternate Assessment portfolios, we need teachers to review the passages and items for alignment to the GLEs, correct Depth of Knowledge levels, Universal Design principals, and for bias and sensitivity concerns. Here you will find information on when and where these meetings will be held, the purpose of the committees, applications and announcements, and lists of committee members. For committee meeting dates, click here.

Item Review Committee (IRC)

Each year NECAP reading, writing, mathematics, and science items are reviewed for alignment to the appropriate grade level or grade span expectations, targeted Depth of Knowledge level, Universal Design, and instructional relevance as part of preparing assessment items for field-testing. This work is done by three content area teams of 36 educators, one each for math, reading, and science with 12 teachers each from Rhode Island, Vermont, and New Hampshire on each team. The Item Review Committees meet once per year.

We are looking for educators who meet the following criteria:

1. have advanced knowledge and experience with the GLEs/GSEs and Depth of Knowledge levels
2. have experience teaching at the relevant grade cluster, and
3. be willing to work intensively on a team for two consecutive days
4. are able to represent our state in a professional manner.

Bias and Sensitivity Committee

Each year NECAP reading passages and all test items are reviewed to ensure that they are free from language or content that may negatively impact the test performance of a specific group of students as part of preparing assessment items for field-testing. This work is done by a team of 12 educators: four each from Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. These teachers represent a specific subgroup (e.g., racial or ethnic groups, rural or urban interests, individuals with disabilities, recent immigrants, English language learners, etc.) or have direct experience working with students from these subgroups. The Bias/Sensitivity review occurs in two phases. The first phase is the review and rating of passages for the reading and science tests. The second phase is the review and rating of test items for reading, math, and science. Participation in this committee requires a two-meeting commitment.

To qualify, educators should meet the following criteria:

1. have current and direct experience teaching or working with students in one of the areas listed above,

2. have experience working with students in on one or more specific student subgroups,

3. be willing to work intensively with a team of educators for two consecutive days, and

4. have some experience with the Grade Level and/or Grade Span Expectations (GLEs/GSEs)

5. be able to represent our state in a professional manner.

The Commitment

If you are selected to participate on one of the committees, you must be prepared to fulfill the following conditions.

1. Be present on each day by 8:00am unless otherwise noted

2. Be flexible in the event that alternate dates need to be scheduled

3. Commit to the entire process. Committee members should be prepared to leave no later than 4:00pm on the last day of their scheduled meeting.

Substitute Reimbursements or Teacher Stipends

For meetings held during the school year, substitute reimbursements of $100.00/day will be available. For meetings during the summer, each participant will be given a stipend of $100.00 for each day of their meeting. Forms to receive the substitute reimbursement/stipends will be handed out at each meeting and processed by Measured Progress.

Mileage, Hotel, and Meals

It is the responsibility of the participants to arrange their own transportation to and from the meetings. After committee membership has been verified, a list of all members and their email addresses will be distributed to participants to arrange carpools if they so desire. Participants who drive their own cars will be reimbursed for mileage and tolls to and from the meetings. Those forms will also be available at the meetings for  each committee member. Toll receipts must be submitted with mileage forms.

Hotel reservations will be made for each participant by Measured Progress. All hotel rooms are paid for though Measured Progress for the duration of the meeting only. Because there are three states involved and many people can arrive the morning of the first meeting day, hotel accommodations are made for the night before the first meeting day by request only.

Participants will be reimbursed a flat rate of $20.00/night for dinner. Participants do not need to keep receipts of meals. Breakfasts and lunches will be provided as needed.

Committee Assignment

Once committees have been selected, assignments will not be changed to accommodate member's travel requests should meetings be held in separate locations. This frequently happens for the reading and mathematics IRC and Bias Committees because there are so many teachers involved. It is your responsibility to arrange your own transportation to and from the committee meeting to which you have been assigned. Assignments are made based on the expertise of the applicant, the grade level taught, and the area of Rhode Island applicants represent. In the case of the Bias and Sensitivity Committee, the group of students the applicants represent is also a consideration. These committees are essential to maintaining the highest degree of quality and integrity for our tests and all committee assignments are made with this in mind.