Test Security, Accommodations, and Special Populations Issues DTC Workshops

2. Test Security, Accommodations, and Special Populations Issues DTC Workshops January 27 and 28, 2009

3. District Test Security Policies • Turn in Statements of Assurance • Due January 1, 2009 • Verify current policies • Reflect changes in SBESE Test Security Policy, updated October 2008 (Bulletin 118, chapter 3) • Update local policy if adopted prior to 2007

4. Alternate Environment Form • Required if not testing • In class-sized groups (Bulletin 741) • In the usual classroom environment • Not required if environment is provided as an approved accommodation • Submit 30 days prior to testing (by March 2, 2009) • Must describe testing environment • Adequate spacing between students • Sufficient space for students to handle materials • If in multipurpose spaces (e.g., cafeteria, library), describe procedures for controlling interruptions. • May not schedule different assessments in same room at same time – even small groups

5. Test Security Issues • Monitoring by state during testing • Forms at www.louisianaschools.net, Testing Information, Policies • End-of-Course Testing • Arrange room and computers to prevent copying • Test in class-sized groups (Bulletin 741) • Scratch paper and graph paper must be picked up and shredded after testing. • Personnel in room • Must be trained in test security and administration • Recommended: more than one monitor

6. Test Security Issues (cont’d) • Test administrator name and TA number • Must be for the person who administers most of test. • If more than one person administers test, keep documentation of test administrators and what sessions they tested.

7. Administrative Errors • If high stakes tests (LEAP grade 4 & 8 ELA and Math, GEE, LAA 2 grades 10 & 11) are voided by the district due to administrative errors that result in questions regarding the security of the test or the accuracy of the test data, the LEA superintendent may request in writing an opportunity to retest prior to the next scheduled test administration.

8. Administrative Errors (continued) • Also, if administrative errors result in a question of the accuracy of the test data, the LEA superintendent or parent or legal guardian of the affected student may request in writing an opportunity to retest prior to the next scheduled test administration. • If LDE determines that the retest is allowable, the tests will be voided by LDE.

9. Administrative Errors (continued) • LDE will contact the superintendent. • LEA must provide a corrective plan of action. • Vendor will assess the LEA a fee. • A memo will be produced with student’s scores. • Scores will not be included in reporting.

10. Major Types of Administrative Errors in 2008 • Test administrator read aloud Reading and Responding to students with the accommodation Tests Read Aloud. • Students are not provided accommodations documented on their IEPs or Section 504 plans that they had received in instruction and classroom assessment. • Student responses are not transferred to scorable answer document.

11. Special Populations Issues • All test administrators, proctors, monitors, and interpreters MUST be trained in test security and administration. • Reading aloud or signing the following tests = VOID. • LEAP/GEE – Reading and Responding • iLEAP – Reading, part 2 (grades 3, 5-7) Reading Comprehension (grade 9) • LAA 2 – Reading and Responding • ELDA – Reading • Small group • Maximum of 8 • Require careful monitoring - Testing irregularities such as students sharing answers resulting in voiding of tests continue to happen. • May test students with IEPs and students with Section 504 plans in same group.

12. Graduation Waiver Requests • For graduating seniors with disabilities (IEPs only) taking GEE or LAA 2 • A waiver request will NOT BE PROCESSED if all required documentation is not included in the request. It is the districts’ responsibility to assure all required documentation is submitted for each student.

13. Graduation Waiver Requests (cont’d) • Deadlines for submitting waiver requests: • Fall Retest: October 15, 2008 • Spring 2009: March 30, 2009 • Summer Retest: May 15, 2009 • Do not wait until test scores are received to submit requests. • Waiver requests only need to be submitted once in a school year. • LDE will check test scores of any student who was denied the waiver within the year. • Requests after deadline are processed after the next test administration.

14. Accommodations Issues • Confusion about Transferred Answers and Answers Recorded • Transferred Answers – Student writes or types responses and TA transfers to answer document • Answers recorded – Student signs or says responses and TA acts as scribe writing answers on answer document • Transferred Answers • STC must verify that responses are transferred. • Testing companies will not transfer responses. • Any materials containing student responses other than the scorable answer document or large print test booklet must be kept by the STC in the locked, secure area until test scores are returned. • Do not attach papers to answer documents.

15. Accommodations Issues (cont’d) • Students may use different means to provide answers for the different sessions. • For example, a student may write the constructed responses in the answer document, circle answers to multiple-choice questions in test booklet which the test administrator transfers to answer document (transferred answers), and dictate the Writing Session to the test administrator who writes the Final Draft in the answer document (answers recorded). • Requires clear documentation • Code all used accommodations on answer document • Provides documentation of accommodation if an issue • Provides accurate reporting in Accommodation Report Guidance for providing accommodations is found in accommodations handouts and manuals.

16. Accommodations Issues (cont’d) • Assistive Technology • STC must verify that all test items and student responses are removed from computer hard drives, including the recycle bin (Windows) or trash (Mac). • Students with a calculator as an accommodation may use a calculator for the entire test. • On LAA 2, all students may use a calculator for the entire math test. • All responses must be transferred to a scorable answer document.

17. End-of-Course (EOC) Test Accommodations • Must be entered prior to starting any of the tests • Once a student begins testing, the accommodations may not be changed. • If it’s determined a student needs an accommodation that was not entered, such as Tests Read Aloud, Communication Assistance, or Large Print, the test administrator should inform the STC and determine how to provide the accommodations. • Document as a testing irregularity • Tests Read Aloud • Headphones-check sound prior to beginning testing • Check for icon on screen • Small group not required unless student requires small group for other reasons

18. EOC Test Accommodations (cont’d) Large Print Size may be adjusted except for Reading Passages (ELA) Communication Assistance – may test in small group if signing test Request script for communication assistance Answers Recorded – individual testing Braille Read-aloud script provided with braille booklet Test administrator must enter responses online.

19. Accommodation Questions • Guiding questions • Does it subvert the purpose of the test? • Examples: reading the reading test, LEP accommodations for students taking ELDA • Does it breach test security? • Examples: providing class-made glossaries or math fact sheets, test administrator clarifying questions • Does it provide an unfair advantage over other students? • Examples: providing a dictionary for sessions other than Writing, allowing access to electronic thesaurus for sessions other than Writing Call or e-mail if you have a question regarding legitimacy of accommodation

20. ELDA and ELL • New exit criteria may be applied prior to ELDA testing. • Composite and comprehension levels added to student report due to new criteria. • Even if parents refuse ELL services, students identified as LEP must take ELDA.

21. When is a K-2 student considered fully English proficient? To be considered English proficient and exit limited English proficient (LEP) status, a LEP student in grades K-2 must score as follows: a:  two years at composite level 5 on the English language development assessment (ELDA); or b.i:  one year at composite level 5 on ELDA; and b.ii: one year at grade-level/benchmark/low-risk on a standardized reading assessment, such as DRA or DIBELS

22. When is a grade 3-12 student considered fully English proficient? To be considered English proficient and exit limited English proficient (LEP) status, a LEP student in grades 3-12 must score as follows: a:     composite level 5 on ELDA; or b.i:  one year at composite level 4 on ELDA; and b.ii: one year at proficient on English language arts portion of the iLEAP, LEAP, GEE, LAA 1, or LAA 2

23. When is a student with disabilities considered fully English proficient? LEP students with disabilities who are unable to meet the exit criteria after 4 years or more in LEP status because of their disability, as decided only by consensus of the members of the school building level committee (SBLC), may be exited from LEP status (but will still be required to take statewide assessments).

24. Do nonpublic school students who receive Title III services have to be assessed with ELDA? Districts are responsible for administering an annual English proficiency assessment that is agreed upon by the nonpublic school. ELDA or other assessments may be used. If ELDA is used, districts should use their district overage materials. Do not affix bar-code labels.

25. Contact Information • Noah Wartelle (noah.wartelle@la.gov; 225-342-0576) • Questions regarding students with disabilities • Graduation Waiver • LAA 1 and LAA 2 eligibility • Diane Knight (diane.knight@la.gov; 225-342-5576) • LAA 1 and LAA 2 • Leslie Lightbourne (leslie.lightbourne@la.gov; 225-342-0170) • Test security and testing irregularities • Special population testing issues, including accommodations • ELDA