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Early math matters. On August 21st, the Canadian Early Mathematics Education (CEME) Conference, in Kingston, Ontario, will spotlight innovative ways to nurture numeracy from the ground up. Through hands-on sessions and shared expertise, educators will delve into fresh approaches for supporting young learners.

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This featured article outlines the benefits and insights of conducting benchmarking reviews of the digitalization of assessments and of organizations pursuing modernization through the use of technology in their assessment processes.

UPCOMING CONFERENCE

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We attended the CAIS National Leaders Conference in Toronto, joining over 300 operational leaders from across the country for three days of engaging conversations and impactful collaboration. Focused on school operations, the conference offered insights and leadership strategies.

We attended the NCME Annual Meeting in Denver and delivered a presentation on score reliability and its critical role in ensuring accuracy and fairness in measurement. The conference offered a valuable opportunity to share research insights and explore trends in assessment.

Join us for our presentation at the FLIP+ Annual Event in the Netherlands, from June 18 to 20, as we dive into “Sharing Innovation in Digital Assessment” with educators and researchers and explore the latest tools that drive the future of e-assessments.

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This article, by Dr. Richard Jones, offers an overview of Quebec’s French-language ministerial examinations, highlighting their structure, purpose, and distinctive features within the unique education and assessment system of the province.

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This article examines the ethical use of technology-enabled data in assessment and underscores the need for adaptable frameworks to guide responsible and informed practice in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

July 2025

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We are proud to celebrate our partners at the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) for winning the Best Research Project at the Global e-Assessment Awards in London!

We are also proud that the Math Proficiency Test (MPT), in collaboration with EQAO, Conestoga College, and Vretta, was a finalist for the Best Transformational Project and Professional Certification Program—reflecting the strength of our collaboration in designing, developing, and administering the MPT to support the success of teacher candidates across Ontario.

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Our featured article, by Vali Huseyn, explores the role of blueprints in assessment design, and highlights how high-quality, technology-enabled blueprints must evolve to remain effective and future-ready.

The e-Assessment Association | Recognizes EQAO for Research Excellence

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The FLIP+ annual conference in Arnhem, Netherlands was an event where member institutions and contributors from around the world explored synergies between latest technologies and educational assessment.

We had the opportunity to share information on quality frameworks for technology-based assessments to make assessments more fair and reliable through the use of the International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA) Standards.


The 2025 National Conference on Student Assessment (NCSA) in Denver, Colorado brought together almost 1,000 educators, administrators, and policy makers from across the USA and Canada to explore ways in which assessment and accountability are advancing student learning.

We had the opportunity to connect with industry experts and share strategies for improving the delivery of large-scale assessments used for summative, interim, and screeners for students in K-12.

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We are happy to share two exciting moments of recognition!

Our President & CEO, Anand Karat, was an award recipient at the 2025 Canada-India Global Impact Awards Gala recognizing his contributions and accomplishments towards the Canada-India corridor. He shared the stage with distinguished leaders from across the country — including the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Stephen Harper.

Adding to the celebration, our Vice President of Innovation, Charles Anifowose, received the prestigious Entrepreneur Award at the 8th Prix RelèveON organized by the Canadian Club of Toronto. This recognition of Francophone excellence in Ontario showcases entrepreneurs leading the future.

These milestones fuel our mission to create impactful learning and assessment experiences that drive innovation in education. Here's to shaping a better future together!

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This article, by Dr. Richard Jones, highlights the role of assessment frameworks in guiding test development and delivery, and underscores the value of publishing clear, structured documents to support alignment and purpose.

This article, published by Elsevier on ScienceDirect reviews test blueprints in medical education, their impact on validity and reliability, key design approaches, and gaps in research and digital use.

June 2025

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We are looking forward to attending the Awards Gala at the upcoming 2025 International e-Assessment Association conference and awards ceremony on June 9-11, 2025 in London!

Vretta, alongside the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), and Conestoga College, is excited to share the news that we are finalists for the Mathematics Proficiency Test (MPT) in two distinguished categories:

✓ Professional Certification Programme of the Year

✓ Best Transformation Project

We are celebrating the impact of innovation in transforming learning and assessment experiences.

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This month’s featured article explores the value of piloting a self-evaluation framework to assess institutional readiness for technology-based assessments and strengthen system-level quality assurance.

Finalists at the 2025 e-Assessment Awards

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We presented at the OAME Conference in Oshawa, sharing research on our numeracy screener (EMA@School), highlighting key findings, demonstrating core features, and discussing classroom applications with educators and researchers.

At this year’s AIM Summit in Montreal, we shared insights on our early years numeracy screener at our presentation on "Universal Early Numeracy Screening Matters". We also joined educators and researchers in the exploration of math instructional practices and intervention strategies to support student-success in their early grades.

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Role of Tech for Accessibility and Engagement

This article, authored by Dr. Richard Jones, describes how technology is used in large-scale assessments to support and improve accessibility and engagement for students.

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This resource describes a systematic process for planning and conducting implementation pilot studies of an initiative to inform decision making.

May 2025

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Join us at the Ontario Association for Mathematics Education (OAME) Conference in Oshawa (May 8-9) and the Assessment and Instruction for Mathematics (AIM) Summit in Montreal (May 20-21), where we will share research updates on the early years numeracy screener, EMA@School, and provide a live demo of key features of the platform.

International Standards

Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Conferences

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This resource provides a detailed guidance on applying the IAEA International Standards for educational assessment organizations seeking to benchmark and improve their assessment practices.

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This article highlights EQAO’s commitment to fair, equitable, and inclusive assessments, showcasing how its evolving EDI strategy supports all students through intentional and effective practices.

April 2025

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At the Innovations in Testing, ATP Conference in Florida, we shared insights on “Leveraging Process Data from Large-Scale Assessments” and “Designing Assessment and Reporting Systems for Instructional Utility.” These collaborative sessions highlighted how assessment solutions and outreach strategies enhance student learning in Ontario through smart reporting and support educators with their teaching practices.

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Examining the impact of test delivery models on assessment integrity, quality, and per

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

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Join us at the 2025 National Leaders Conference in Toronto, from April 6-8, to connect with operational leaders from the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools and industry experts for insightful discussions and collaborations.

Engage with our team at the National Council on Measurement in Education Annual Meeting (NCME) in Denver, from April 23-26, and attend our presentation to explore score reliability and its impact on educational measurement.

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Quebec's standardized assessments play a key role in evaluating student performance, and this article explores their distinctive structure and scoring system.

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The article introduces a flexible testing approach that combines CAT, MST, and MIRT to enhance accuracy, overall adaptability, and item exposure control.

March 2025

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Is there a topic that you would like us to cover in a future Vretta Buzz newsletter? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

Share your suggestions, and we will aim to cover it in a future issue!

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This article emphasizes the importance of culturally responsive assessments for fairness in education. Traditional assessments often include biases that misrepresent diverse students' abilities. By implementing inclusive policies, research-driven

Engage with us as Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) and Vretta share information on two insightful topics: "Leveraging Process Data from Large-scale Assessments" and "Designing Assessment and Reporting Systems for Instructional Utility." These sessions will showcase the creation of assessment systems that help improve math instruction and student learning. They will also demonstrate how using process data and smart reporting systems can boost instruction, enhance learning, and support teachers through valuable insights.

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February 2025

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Our featured article examines the role of timing in assessments, focusing on circadian rhythms, seasonal variations, and frequency, while exploring technology-driven strategies to optimize scheduling and improve outcomes.

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it’s been 15 years since we began our mission to support the success of students through innovation in assessment and learning solutions, and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come!

We express gratitude to our partners who have been instrumental in championing the transformation of large-scale educational solutions that not only measure but also support the success of students.

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The article covers the assessment reform in British Columbia, focusing on e-assessments, curriculum updates, and initiatives like Learning Pathways, with an emphasis on literacy, numeracy, and Indigenous inclusion.

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This article explores the widespread desire to reduce testing time, examining the factors that influence testing duration, the trade-offs involved, and the complexities behind finding the right solution.

January 2025

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This article examines the phenomenon of “teaching to the test,” delves into the question of assessment validity, and explores technology-driven strategies to mitigate the impact of narrow learning.

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As the semester comes to an end and the holiday season kicks off, we have created a featured article and identified trending articles for you to enjoy during your break.

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The video covers discussions among Canadian ministries and agencies addressing strategies for promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in online student assessments.

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The report from Austria puts the implications of "teaching to the test" under the microscope, finding valuable insights focusing on aligning instruction with assessments.

December 2024

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Is there a topic that you would like us to cover in a future Vretta Buzz newsletter? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

Share your suggestions, & we will aim to cover it in a future Vretta Buzz issue!

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This article examines the practical value of various assessment types & their role in supporting evidence-based decision-making to improve teaching, learning, & resource allocation.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR AN UPCOMING EVENT

The British Columbia School Superintendents Association (BCSSA) conference united educators to explore research & effective strategies for building inclusive, supportive learning environments, promoting collaboration to ensure student success.

The 5th IMEC Education Conference was an impactful venue to discuss & share best practices in embracing AI for education alongside thought leaders & educators who are shaping the future of learning & assessment.

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Join us online for a discussion covering assessment reform, exam system priorities, high-stakes assessments, school accountability, & strategies for measuring school performance & student progress.

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This article explores the role of early years reading screeners as evidence-based tools for identifying learning gaps & supporting literacy development.

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This article explores whether education programs for high achievers perpetuate inequities & highlights the role of universal screening in identifying gifted students.

November 2024

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This article reflects on advancements in automated scoring and feedback generation, providing comparative analysis and technical considerations in the context of writing evaluation.

HIGHLIGHTS OF RECENT EVENTS

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Is there a topic that you would like us to cover in a future Vretta Buzz newsletter? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

Share your suggestions, and we will aim to cover it in a future Vretta Buzz issue!

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This article outlines the modernization of Alberta Education’s Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) for languages, mathematics, science, and social studies.

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This article investigates and compares the predictive validity of automated and human scoring methods in writing assessments for elementary English language learners.

October 2024

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Our team, represented by Ebrahim Talaee and Vali Huseyn, had insightful conversations on how AI can help improve educational assessments at the 49th IAEA conference in Philadelphia. We also presented an update on the innovation that is shaping the evolution of our mathematics screener for students in their early years (Kindergarten to Grade 4).

Training Programs

For the love of training, this month's featured article highlights how integrating training into every phase of the assessment life cycle fosters continuous improvement. It also emphasizes that defining clear 

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Is there a topic that you would like us to research and bring to you in a future Vretta Buzz newsletter? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

Share your suggestion, and we will aim to cover it in a future Vretta Buzz issue!

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This trending article examines the political and institutional decision-making process behind choosing in-house versus outsourced digital assessment solutions, highlighting the pros and cons of each.

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This report, from NCME, emphasizes the importance of multi-layered competencies in educational assessment, highlighting the need for timely consideration within the expanding assessment workforce.

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