We asked Suzy Oertel a few questions based on the feedback from the morning. Here are the questions we asked
and her responses in blue. They may answer a few of the questions listed below.
1. When we looked at the samples for the MDPT, we noticed the 3rd grade prompt produced a newspaper
advertisement, will students have access to graphics and other large print items on KITE to design a newspaper
advertisement? Teachers were curious regarding the components of the word processor that will be embedded in
KITE and how they can help prepare their students for constructing something such as an advertisement or
pamphlet as opposed to an essay which is more easily constructed on a computer.
No to graphics and other things they might use in a regular classroom activity like this. I had the same
thought when I had my 2nd grader sit down one night and do that one. The creators of these samples wanted
them to make sense for instructional use as well. I just had my daughter write the copy and that seemed to
work out well.
2. Reference materials - In the Examiner's manual, it states that materials which are used on a regular basis
during writing can be used during the assessment. Would this include using a tablet which has an online dictionary
and thesaurus (students use this daily - no hardback dictionaries currently in some classrooms). What about
student created journals of writing resources and their own word books?
Yes, any writing resources they currently use in the classroom are okay to use. The teacher may not require
them to use anything in particular and may not distribute things for them to use.
3. Can teachers do any clarification or explanations to students during the MDPT? Respond to student questions
about the task or prompt?
I believe the instructions for this would be the same as for the machine-scored portion. You may pronounce
words for them, but beyond that your role is more that of a proctor.
NOW FOR THE QUESTIONS TEXTED TO ME DURING THE PRESENTATION…
1.
Handwritten or typed dial product? Everything will be typed within KITE.
2. Will the writing assessment be open on time? We believe it will be open on time.
3. Are all of the resources elementary teachers can offer also available to secondary students (Like graphic
organizers, posters, etc.)? YES, there are MDPT samples at every grade level and writing resources should
be aligned with what is happening in your classroom.
4. Is there really going to be no access to the stimuli after day one? From the Examiner’s Manual: during part
2 of the MDPT - student online notes and the resources will be available. We are still recommending that
students take notes on paper (stored in secure location) and must be shredded following completion of Part
2 IF that aligns better with what they’ve been doing in the classroom or IF they are more comfortable with
paper notes.
5. Will all students in a grade level have the same prompt? We don’t think so since they are piloting so many
prompts, but it could happen.
6. If we are going to expect our kids to type are we going to start a typing program? This is a new feature
and our technology teachers are working hard to get kids ready with typing skills. It’s a journey just like
the newness of the MDPT. It will take a team to have kids ready.
7. Will students be expected to do all three of these or will they just choose one or be assigned one? They
will just do one and it should be assigned. We don’t think there will be choice.
8. We have been using interactive notebooks a lot this year. Will students be able to use those on this? See
above…Suzy said yes BUT make sure there is nothing content specific.
9. SPAM posters for classrooms? See the attached Word document.
10. Can we get a copy of the slide show? It is attached.
11. Are kids going to start a typing program? See #6 above.
12. In regards to resources that are available during the test – in my classroom, if I have a designated
computer for research, would it be possible to allow this for a dictionary/thesaurus with staff monitoring?
See #8 above.
13. Since we are going to technology based research in the classroom, if we can not use the web for thesaurus,
dictionary, or encyclopedia references. How do we go about getting those resources for the classroom?
See #8 above and Suzy’s response…you should be able to use it but make sure kids don’t go outside that
web page.
14. On the state assessments are students allowed to use an interactive language student reference book that
the students put together throughout the year? Yes…see Suzy’s answer.
15. Since one of our main resources in the classroom is the tablet, will they be able to use them as their
thesaurus, dictionary, etc.? Yes, see #8 and Suzy’s answer.
16. Are the students able to go back and view the resources in session 2 when they are writing? Yes they can.
17. Will the voice read the essential questions to the kids or only the texts? We believe that it will do that.
Again, it’s not a reading test so it should work.
18. Who is scoring the tasks? Local or state? We don’t have this answer yet. As soon as we know, I will be
sure to include it in the Friday Focus.
19. Are teachers going to be allowed to answer student questions in part 1 or clarify any of the resource text?
Or are we silent observers? See Suzy’s answer above…pronounce a word but otherwise just an observer.
20. Are students going to have to write all three (opinion, informative/explanatory, narrative), or will they be
given one prompt? Only one prompt and we aren’t sure which one they might get.
21. But when I look at the word choice in the prompts is a third grader going to understand the words such
as…evidence…convince…or relevant?...are they even going to understand what the prompts are asking? And
who is grading these? That’s the challenge of adjusting our instruction. It’s why I’m doing my best to be
sure we are sharing this with EVERY grade and content level. Those words fit in any area. Our instruction
will prepare them as we make these shifts.
22. Can we read the students the prompt? No, but the Voice of Heather can. 
23. Will the students be given an example of each writing types and be able to choose which one to write
about? Or will they just be given one to write about? They will be given one and there won’t be any
examples in the text we don’t think.
24. Will PreK-2 get more training on this? We are incorporating this into the Curriculum Academies across the
board. Be sure to ask your Facilitators to tailor this to your grade level during your PLC meetings. It takes
a team to have our kids ready. If there is something specific needed at a grade level, we will do our best to
provide it. Send me an email to let me know.
25. Will students be able to go back to the resources from part one when they are working on part 2? Yes.