END-OF-COURSE ASSESSMENTS

1. END-OF-COURSE ASSESSMENTS 2019-2020 DESE Assessment

3. Versions • Version 1 – Posted 8/29/19

4. Contents Tested • Required Assessments • Algebra I, Biology, English II, Government • Optional Assessments • Algebra II, American History, English I, Geometry, Physical Science • Personal Finance • Required for students taking content in an embedded course • Optional for students taking a stand alone course

5. Exceptions • English Learner (EL) Students who have been in the U.S. for less than 12 cumulative months at the time of the test administration may be exempt from ELA assessments. • Students eligible for MAP-A do not take End-of-Course Assessments. • The Test Coordinators Manual covers other special populations.

6. Testing Windows • The district must complete all testing for a content area in a 7 business day window. • Each content area can have their own 7 business day window, as long as the windows fall within the state testing window. • Content windows can overlap.

7. Universal Tools & Accommodations • Universal Tools are available to all students taking EOC assessments, unless otherwise noted. • Accommodations must appear in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan. • Someuniversal tools and accommodations are only for use by English Learners (ELs). • EL students are those marked LEP-RCV in Core Data

8. Universal Tools and Accommodations • Some universal tools and all accommodations need to be marked in Nexteraprior to the assessment. • Complete descriptions and codes for tools and accommodations are available on the DESE EOC website, under the Resources tab, and in the TCM and TAM. • Please carefully review the tools and accommodations procedures. • Test Examiner must be aware of the tools that have been specified for each student.

9. EOC Read Aloud • Read Aloud of all directions and items in any subject, except ELA reading passages, is available as a universal tool in 4 ways: • Text-To-Speech • Human Reader • Assistive Technology • Native Language • Read Aloud of an ELA reading passage requires an IEP or 504. • Any Read Aloud tool must be marked in Nexterabefore testing.

10. EOC Read Aloud • Decision to read aloud should be made by educators who work with the student on a regular basis and believe it is necessary. • DESE does not recommend the use of Read Aloud for students who do not use it as part of their everyday learning in the classroom. • The use of Read Aloud for some students can prove distracting and become a hindrance to student performance. • Read Aloud of ELA Listening items will require the download of a script. • Listening items also have Closed Captioning and ASL video for the deaf/hard of hearing student.

11. Paper/Pencil Editions • Paper/Pencil edition of the test is available for: • Students with an IEP that says the student should take the Paper Based Assessment. • Students who are testing out-of-district. • Homebound students who cannot come to school to test. • For EL Translation when the translator needs to translate prior to assessing the student due to technical language.

12. Special Considerations • Paper/Pencil, Braille, or Large Print assessments must be marked in Nexteraprior to testing. • Braille and Large Print need to be ordered in advance. See the TCM for more information and ordering deadlines. • Paper/Pencil must be downloaded by the DTC via Nexteraand printed locally prior to testing.

13. Test Tickets – Student Information • If a student is not listed: • Add student manually • Mark accommodations • Assign student to a test session • Login information will be generated • Make sure the test tickets have the correct Student Name and Test Session. • If issues arise, the Test Examiner should contact the STC or DTC who can contact Questar Customer Service at 800-571-2545.

14. Blueprints • Blueprints serve as a guide for test construction. • Arranged by content areas. • Reporting Category • Strand/Domain • Cluster/Theme/Big Idea • Point Range • Range of Emphasis • Found on the EOC website, under the Resources tab, and in the LEA Guide To The Missouri Assessment Program.

15. Timing Guidelines Required Assessments Optional Assessments • *Required for students taking content in an embedded course

16. Item Sampler • The item sampler offers an opportunity for students to become familiar with the test format, the question types and the tools they will experience during testing to help prepare them for testing day. • https://mo.nextera.questarai.com/tds/#practice

17. Test Tutorials • The tutorial gives users the ability to see the types of items that will be on the assessment, and become comfortable with answering items within the testing platform. • Test tutorials available in Nextera platform

18. Practice Form • The practice form mirrors the operational assessment and gives users the ability to see the types of items that will be on the assessment and, if taking the practice test online, become comfortable with answering items within the Nexteratesting platform. • Available in the Nextera platform

19. eDirect/Insight • eDirect Administration site: • https://mo.nextera.questarai.com/admin • Ensure that proper staff have accounts. • Which may include: District IT Staff, STCs, and Test Examiners • District IT staff should log in and download the latest version of the Nextera platform and run workstation readiness tests.

20. Required/Allowed Materials • A workstation with Internet access, a monitor, a mouse, and a keyboard for each student, OR a tablet device with Internet access if a student will be testing on a tablet. Devices must have Nexteraproperly loaded and certified. • Student Test Tickets provide the secure login credentials (i.e., username and password) required for a student to use the testing software. • Writer’s Checklists, Mathematics and Science Reference Sheets are available in the Nextera platform during testing for students to access. Physical copies may also be given to students. They may be copied from the appendices of the manuals. • During online testing, all students may have access to a printed list of the Quick Tips for Students available in Nextera. The list may be printed from the appendices of the manuals. The list can also be printed at https://mo.nextera.questarai.com/admin.

21. Dictionary/Thesaurus/Grammar Handbook • A physical English dictionary, physical thesaurus and physical grammar handbook may only be used on the writing prompt in English I and English II. If the grammar handbook is electronic, it may not connect to the internet. The grammar handbook must be one that is published—it cannot be a district, school or classroom created handbook. • An electronic English dictionary and thesaurus is available in the Nexteraplatform to use on the writing prompt. • English Learners (EL) may have access to a physical bilingual dictionary for use only on the writing prompt in English I and English II. If the bilingual dictionary is electronic, it may not connect to the internet.

22. Calculators • A physical calculator can be accessed for the Mathematics and Science assessments. An electronic calculator is available in the Nextera platformfor Mathematics assessments. • Test Examiners are responsible for ensuring and verifying that any calculator with the ability to store functions and equations, e.g., a scientific calculator, has the memory cleared before and after each Mathematics assessment. • Calculators cannot have Internet connectivity or be able to connect to anyone inside or outside the classroom during testing. • Students cannot use a calculator on a laptop or other portable computer, pocket organizer, cell phone, watch, device with a typewriter-style keyboard, electronic writing pad, or pen-input device unless a particular assistive device is required for a student and is specified on his or her IEP. No calculators with QWERTY keyboards are allowed.

23. Prohibited Materials • Electronic devices, including any portable device that can connect to the internet or to anyone inside or outside of the classroom, must not be accessible during the testing sessions. Such items include, but are not limited to: • cellular/mobile phones • smart watches • electronic music players • digital cameras • handheld scanners • portable gaming devices • any device that can connect to the internet

24. Cell Phone/Smart Watch Policy • As part of your board approved assessment plan, each district shall have a cell phone/smart watch policy in place that ensures both test security and test validity. The policy should address both students and Test Examiners. Each classroom is expected to follow the district policy. • Some students use their phone to track medical issues, such as blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar. If the student uses their phone for a medical issue, they can have it in the testing room, but it should be held on to by the Test Examiner or a test proctor and not by the student. The phone should also be setup to not disturb other students by making noise for phone calls, text messages or other non-medical alerts.

25. Moving Students: Disruption or Illness • Student may need to move during testing because of disruption or illness. • Pause and Exit the test. • Escort the student to a new location. • Login the student to a new workstation using the same test ticket.

26. Invalidations • Tests are not invalidated because of: • Students behavior • Judgment of student effort • Tests are onlyinvalidated because of cheating. • Only the DTC can invalidate a test. • Should be done as soon as possible while the circumstances are fresh in your mind. • A letter signed by the superintendent is faxed to DESE. • Follow the instructions from the TCM.

27. After Testing • DTC responsibilities: • 100% return of all Paper/Pencil, Braille and Large Print assessments. • Questarwill audit the returned shipments • Use the online Materials Accountability Form • Securely destroy immediately • Test Tickets • Scratch paper • Paper/Pencil, Large Print and Braille test books and materials must be shipped back to Nextera after transcription.

28. dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/assessment (573) 751-3545 assessment@dese.mo.gov