PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IOWA 9th and EOC Exams (Algebra I, Geometry, Biology) School Test Coordinators’ Training 1:00pm Professional Development Center March 7, 2013

GOALS • To review ACTAAP Rules • To discuss the test administration guidelines • To review the role of the School Test Coordinator and Test Administrator • To discuss test security guidelines • To discuss testing session schedule

ACTAAP RULES • TEST ADMINISTRATION • The following 11 rules are enumerated in the ACTAAP Rules • 5.05.1 • ADE shall establish mandatory training sessions for local district testing coordinators and other appropriate school personnel to ensure understanding of the administration of assessments

ACTAAP RULES • 5.05.2 • The superintendent or his/her designee in each school district shall be responsible for coordinating all local assessment activities • 5.05.2.1 • Scheduling testing times of all affected campuses according to the testing calendar developed by the ADE

ACTAAP RULES • 5.05.2.2 • Ensuring that security is maintained as specified in the appropriate testing administration materials • 5.05.2.3 • Ensuring that all district personnel involved in the testing have been properly trained as specified by the ADE

ACTAAP RULES • 5.05.2.4 • Ensuring that all testing instruments are administered to all students according to the procedures established by the Commissioner of Education • 5.05.2.5 • Ensuring that all assessment documents and student identification information are properly and accurately coded

ACTAAP RULES • 5.05.2.6 • Attesting whether ALL students have participated in the appropriate grade-level assessment (s) • 5.05.2.7 • Recommending for adoption by local school boards a school calendar that in no way jeopardizes or limits the valid testing and comparison of students’ learning gains

ACTAAP RULES • 5.05.3 • The appropriate test administration materials shall specify any allowable accommodations available to students participating in the administration of standard state assessments • 5.05.4 • All students enrolled in a state-tested grade shall be accounted for in the State Assessment System

ACTAAP RULES • 5.07 Security and confidentiality • 5.07.01 Violation of the security or confidential integrity of any assessment is prohibited. • 5.07.2 The Board shall sanction a person who engages in conduct prohibited by this section. Sanctions shall be considered and imposed in compliance with the Department’s rules Governing Testing Improprieties or in the Department’s Rules Governing Background Checks and License Revocation, as appropriate. Additionally, the Board may sanction a school district or school, or both, in which conduct prohibited in this section occurs.

ACTAAP RULES • Sanctions imposed by the Board may include without limitation one (1) or more of the following: • 5. 5.07.2.1 Revocation, suspension, or probation of an individual’s license • 5.07.2.2 Issuance of a letter of reprimand to a licensed individual to be placed in his or her state personnel file; • 5.07.2.3 Additional training or professional development to be completed by a licensed individual within the time specified;

ACTAAP RULES • 5.07.2.4 Additional professional development to be administered by the school district to all licensed school district personnel involved in test administration within the time specified; • 5.07.2.5 Issuance of a letter of warning to the school district and • 5.07.2.6 Establishment of a school district plan containing strict test security guidelines that will implement procedures to ensure the security and confidential integrity of all assessment instruments.

ACTAAP RULES 5.07 • Maintaining security of testing materials • Proper Administration of tests • Failure to report security breaches • Return of materials on time • Superintendent’s responsibility • 5.07.2.7 Professional development required pursuant to this section as a result of violating test security or confidentiality may be in addition to professional development required for licensure.

ACTAAP RULES • 5.07.3 Procedures for maintaining the security and confidential integrity of all testing and assessment instruments and procedures shall be specified in the appropriate test or assessment administration instructions. Conduct that violates . . . . • 5.07.3.1 Viewing secure assessment materials; • 5.07.3.2 Duplicating secure assessment materials; • 5.07.3.3 Disclosing the contents of any portion of secure assessment materials;

ACTAAP RULES • 5.07.3.4 Providing, suggesting, or indicating to an examinee a response or answer to any secure assessment items; • 5.07.3.5 Aiding or assisting an examinee with a response of answer to any secure assessment item; • 5.07.3.6 Changing or altering any response or answer of an examinee to a secure assessment item; • 5.07.3.7 Failing to follow the specified testing procedures or to proctor students; • 5.07.3.8 Failing to administer the assessment of the designated testing dates;

ACTAAP RULES • 5.07.3.9 Encouraging or assisting an individual to engage in the conduct described herein; • 5.07.3.10 Failing to report to the appropriate authority that an individual has engaged in conduct set forth in this section; • 5.07.3.11 Failing to follow the specified procedures and required criteria for alternate assessments; or • 5.07.3.12 Failing to return the secured test booklets to the testing company in a timely manner.

CODE OF ETHICS • 5.03 Standard 3: • An educator honestly fulfills reporting obligations associated with professional practices • 5.06 Standard 6: • An educator keeps in confidence secure standardized test materials as well as information about students and colleagues obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure serves a professional purpose or is allowed or required by law

CODE OF ETHICS FOR EDUCATORS RULES • The Professional Licensure Standard Board (Board) is authorized to recommend to the State Board probation, suspension, revocation or denial of a teaching license or the issuance of a reprimand or warning after an investigation is held….. • The Board is also authorized to recommend other avenues to assist the educator via training…

END OF COURSE ASSESSMENTS • 5.12 • An IAIP shall include research-based remediation activities and multiple opportunities for the student to take and pass subsequent high-stakes end-of-course assessments as long as the student remains in an Arkansas public school and has not reached twenty-one (21) years of age.

THE SCHOOL TEST COORDINATOR’ S ROLE

Test Preparations • Attitudes, Perceptions and Circumstances can significantly impact the test results. Please be sure that: • Conditions are conducive to testing • Test is well organized • Parents, Faculty, and Students are informed of the testing dates and procedures. • Underscore the importance of testing by characterizing these Exams as a crucial component of education.

School Test Coordinators • The information presented during this workshop is an overview of testing procedures. You are responsible for reading the school test coordinator’s manual. • Be sure to include the backup test coordinator in the planning of the exam. • You are responsible for : • Inventorying the test materials immediately • Securing the test materials (storing, distributing, and collecting) • Developing a plan for administering the assessments including accommodated sessions

School Test Coordinators • Selecting the test administration sites and administrators • Ensuring all test administrators are currently licensed by the ADE • Coordinating the schedule with the principal • Picking up, packaging, and returning the test materials on time • IEP, 504, LPAC assessment information is on file • Training the test administrators • Formal training must be held at least 3 days prior to test administration • Additional training for test administrators of accommodation to ensure that the allowable accommodations are delivered • Reporting test violations • Answering questions and resolving problems during the testing period • Preparing a backup plan in case of emergencies

School Test Coordinators • Ensuring that all required accommodations are provided and administrators are trained in delivering the allowable accommodations • IEP, 504, and LPAC assessment information are on file and available for review upon request

STC Training • Train all Test Administrators • Include • Test administration for standard and accommodated sessions • The campus testing schedule including breaks • Testing assignments including list of students and room • Test administration manual • Review of the district written cell phone policy • Emergency procedures plan • Review of the Test Security Guidelines • Read affidavit 3 and have Sign in Sheet

STC Training • Review of Test Security Guidelines • Read Affidavit 3 together so that all certified personnel involved in administering assessments will understand the security requirements before they sign the form • “I certify that I have not read, copied, reproduced, or released in any way the secure Benchmark/ IOWA/ End-of-Course Examinations items or students’ responses to test items. I have not conducted any inappropriate test preparation activities with students that could invalidate the test results or give them an unfair advantage over others. As directed in the manual for the current administration, all used and unused best booklets, all used and unused answer documents, and all completed Student Not Tested Forms have been packaged and returned to the School Test Coordinator. • I have read the statements above and understand that I am certifying that they are true. I understand that violating any of the Arkansas Department of Education’s test security procedures could result in revocation of my license.

STC Responsibilities After Testing • Collect and inventory all materials from Test Administrators • Ensure that all materials are accounted for • Check for answer documents in the test booklets • Check for extraneous materials in the answer documents • Count all materials being returned and initial the Test Booklet Security Form • Report all lost or damaged materials to the District Test Coordinator immediately • Return all materials to the District Test Coordinator in the order prescribed • Ensure Affidavit 3 and Affidavit Waiver Forms are signed. • Complete Affidavit 2.

Test Administrator’s Role

Test Administrator’s Responsibilities • Test Administrators shall • Count all materials and sign the Test Booklet Security form when checking out test materials each day • Ensure that all testing materials are kept secure before, during, and after testing (including breaks) • Follow the testing schedule provided by the School Test Coordinator • Eliminate items from the classroom that could provide cueing to students • Provide a classroom environment that is conducive to testing

Test Administrator’s Responsibilities • Test Administrators shall • Sign the Affidavit Waiver before providing the read-aloud accommodation (Cannot administer any other form of test) • Review the administration script in the manual • Follow all training instructions and schedules • Distribute test booklets in spiral order • Read all directions using a normal tone and manner • Provide no cues or assistance to students • Actively monitor throughout the session • Walk unobtrusively around the room • Look for use of electronic devices • Use the large session number at the top of answer document to ensure students are working in the correct space

Test Administrator’s Responsibilities • Active monitoring during test administration Check the large session titles at the top of the answer documents while circulating around the room during monitoring Check the bottom of the answer document to verify that testing sessions for the day are completed while circulating around the room during monitoring

Test Administrator’s Responsibilities • Administrators shall ensure that students: • Use a #2 pencil ONLY • Do not remove mathematics reference sheet from the test booklet • Do not have extraneous materials in the testing area, including scratch paper • Do not have access to any prohibited electronic device

Test Administrator’s Responsibilities Test Administrators shall not answer students’ questions about the content of the test • Instruct students to select the best answer • If a student insists there is not an answer, or there is a problem with a question • Do not look at the test item • Provide the school test coordinator with the form letter, the item and session number and test name • The STC will contact the DTC with the information

Test Administrator’s Responsibilities • Test Administrators shall not have access to computers during testing • Use of Smart board timer is allowed • No food or drink is allowed in the testing area with testing materials • No gum or mints • Do not leave students with secure testing materials in an unlocked room unless a trained, licensed teacher or administrator is present • Maintain security of test booklets and answer documents with student work at all times

Test Administrator’s Responsibilities • Cell phones shall be turned off and not accessible • Each school will post signs reminding teachers not to bring cell phones into the building on test days. • Teachers having access to cell phones is a security breach and will be reported

Test Administrator’s Responsibilities • Collect materials from students • Ensure that all materials are accounted for • Check for answer documents in test booklets • Check for extraneous materials in answer documents (rulers, math reference sheets) • Report all lost or damaged materials the School Test Coordinator • Return all materials in the order prescribed by the School Test Coordinator • Sign Affidavit 3 • Sign the Affidavit Waiver if required

District and School Troubleshooting

Misadministration Test Administration Errors • Responses cannot be scanned (open-response written in ink or pencil other than #2) • Labels attached then distributed to wrong students • Incorrect label placement • Students with same or similar name given incorrect answer document • Student answering in the wrong place • Administering wrong accommodations • Student given the wrong level assessment

Misadministration • Answering in the Wrong Place • Test Administrator must immediately alert the School Test Coordinator • Corrective action may be taken on the day of test • With specific directions from the ADE • School Test Coordinator must contact the DTC as soon as possible to report the incident • NEVER make a copy of a student response written in the wrong place to transcribe later!

Misadministration • Student accesses cell phone/takes photo • Incorrect State-ID number gridded • EOC administered to students who should not test

Scheduling Interruptions • Inclement weather • If school is closed on a testing day due to inclement weather, upon returning to school, contact DTC before beginning testing • Do not resume testing until an alternate test schedule has been provided • Testing interruptions • If an interruption occurs during testing (power failure, fire alarm, etc.), follow emergency plan • See to the safety of the students • Secure the testing materials • Note the time remaining in the session • Call DTC

Alert Process • Do not read student responses • ADE has an alert process in which the testing company notifies ADE for concerns • Disturbing content • if a student writes anything that indicates he/she is going to harm himself/herself or others • Suspected teacher interference • Suspected plagiarism • Call the DTC if concern for student safety arises based upon suspicion of what a student has written

Prohibited Material • Electronic Devices – No electronic devices with photographic capability shall be accessible at any time during test administration. • Scratch paper – Students can use the blank spaces in the test booklets to do scratch work. • Food and Drink – During testing, no food or drink is allowed in the testing area. • Highlighters – No highlighters may be used on the answer documents. • Ink Pens/Felt Tip Markers – Use a No. 2 pencil only. No mechanical pencils.

Cell Phone/Electronic Device • Cell Phones shall be turned off and not accessible. This includes the Test Administrator also. • Students shall not have access to any device with photographic capabilities • Any electronic device that allows for communication among students shall not be accessible at any time during test administration (e.g., iPhone, MP3 player, etc.) • Follow district policy!

Calculators • Calculators are allowed on all sessions of the Algebra I and Geometry Exams. • Calculators are NOT allowed on any session of the Biology Test. • Most mathematics sessions permit calculator use on the IOWA. • The test administration manual clearly states the sessions where calculator are allowed.

Calculators • Provide a copy of the PCSSD calculator policy and review this policy as well as instructions in the manual • Include the policy in the Test Administrator training • Ensure that only approved calculators are available during testing. • Students shall not share calculators and may have only ONE calculator. • Test administrators are responsible for ensuring that calculators are used properly during testing and that all calculators are cleared at the start and end of each testing day.

Calculators • Individuals assigned to clear calculators shall be knowledgeable about the details of clearing the various calculators for use. • No programs that simplify algebraic expressions, multiply polynomials, or factor polynomials, etc. are allowed. • If using the TI-Nspire calculators with Press to Test, the calculator must be cleared before and after the EVERY session by the Test Administrator. • Programmable calculators must have the RAM cleared before and after testing each day.

Use of Prohibited Devices • If any prohibited equipment is accessed during testing • Immediately report any irregularity to the STC • STC: • Immediately check that no information about the test has been saved, sent, or received • Follow district policy for further actions regarding the student involved • All parties involved will write a signed statement • Describing how the irregularity was handled • Describing how the district policy was followed • Statement sent to DTC

WHAT’S NEW

WHAT’S NEW • Answer Document Grid • Some of the boxes for answering open-response questions will contain a grid, which may or may not be needed to answer the questions. • Students must keep their responses inside the boxes provided. However, if the question does not direct the student to use the grid when one is provided, they may answer the question anywhere inside the box, including across the grid.

WHAT’S NEW • Shipping of Large Print, Braille, and Read-Aloud • All accommodated test booklets will now be shipped in the boxes of school materials and will no longer be provided in the district’s box of materials. • Separate Large Print, Braille, and Read-Aloud Test Booklet Security Forms will also be provided in the school boxes for schools that ordered these materials.

PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT