School Name Here

1. 2010 NECAP Science Test Administrator Workshop School Name Here

2. Background: NECAP Science Assessment is • a standards-based test in which students’ performance is compared to standards. • used in Rhode Island’s mandated accountability system required under the No Child Left Behind. • intended to inform classroom instruction by giving detailed feedback about student performance on Grade Level Expectations in Science for the previous grade level.

3. Structure and Format: NECAP Science tests include the following types of items: • Sessions 1 & 2 • multiple-choice items (1 point each), which require students to select the correct answer from four possible responses; and • constructed-response items (4 points each), which require students to respond to a question by using words, pictures, diagrams, charts or tables to fully explain their response. • Session 3 • Short-answer items (2 points each) and constructed-response items (3 points each), which require students to apply inquiry skills to a scientific situation and respond using words, pictures, diagrams, charts, or tables to show their thinking and explain their response.

4. Test Security • Test Security relies on the professional integrity of everyone in our schools. • All Student TestBooklets and Student Answer Booklets are secure and may not be copied or duplicated in any way or kept after testing is completed. • Using secure test material to prepare students for this test administration is a violation of test security and procedure. • Every school staff person who handles a test booklet or answer booklet will sign an Affirmation of Test Security.

5. Test Security • Test administrators may not • comment on students’ work. • help students in any way except during General Instructions, Student Questionnaire or as specified in the Test Administrator Manual. • prompt students to revise or edit any test questions. • Any concern about breaches in test security must be reported immediately to the principal.

6. Test Security Policies and Procedures Security of Test Materials • On a daily basis, the Test Administrator will count all test materials received from the Principal/Test Coordinator and initial the Materials Record Form. • After testing is completed for the day, materials received from the Test Administrator will be counted and initialed by the Principal/Test Coordinator. • Materials will remain in a secure double locked storage area when not in use.

7. Test Schedule: Administer the tests in the following order at the time specified in your school’s Test Plan: • For Grades 4, 8 and 11 • May 18, Science Session 1 • May 19, Science Session 2 • May 20, Science Session 3 and Student Questionnaire

8. Make up Window • Make up testing can be started immediately after the first testing has begun and can only include what has been tested to date. No student should be scheduled for a make-up session prior to the scheduled administration of that test session. • Make up testing can be administered until May 25.

9. Who should be tested: • All students in grades 4, 8 and 11 that are enrolled in your school as of May 11, 2009 (including ELL in US less than one year) with the following exceptions: • student completed the Alternate Assessment in Science for the 2009–10 school year • students who have a state-approved special consideration. General Rule: If a student can receive instruction at home or in school, the student can participate in the assessment.

10. Test Administrator’s Responsibilities: • Read the NECAP Science Test Administrator Manual in its entirety. • Become familiar with the Inquiry Task Kit (grades 4 and 8 only) • For session III, allow for 15 minutes to set up the Inquiry Task • Kits (grades 4 and 8 only) • Read the NECAP Science Assessment Protocols for Test • Administrators in its entirety. • Account for all test materials given to you. • Maintain security of test materials between test sessions. • Ensure that students use only the test materials assigned to • them.

11. Test Administrator’s Responsibilities: • Test the group of students assigned to you according to the instructions in the Test Administrator Manual. • Meet with the principal/school test coordinator to develop a testing schedule for students who need accommodations. • Provide accommodations as determined by the student’s educational team. • Return the Affirmation of Test Security to your Principal/Test Coordinator.

12. Test Administrator’s Responsibilities: • Prepare your test environment by • posting a “TESTING—PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB” sign on the classroom door. • taking down or covering any content-related materials (i.e. charts, maps, word walls, etc.). • removing reference materials (dictionaries, thesaurus, etc.). • establishing a plan for grouping students for the Inquiry Task • determining the location(s) where the Inquiry Task will be administered • allowing for 15-20 minutes to set up the Inquiry Task Kits for Session 3 (grades 4 and 8 only).

13. Test Administrator’s Responsibilities: Inquiry Task – Session III Grades 4 and 8 • placemats and kits are set up on a flat, horizontal, elevated surface • allow 15 minutes to set up • designed to be used by groups of 2 or 3 students • enough space for kits and each student’s Inquiry Booklet • enough space for students to work comfortably • may need to be done in another than the classroom • must ensure test security when moving test materials between rooms • tap water and paper towels for clean up needed (grade 8 only) • students work alone to answer questions Grade 11 • read a short story • answer the questions about the story

14. Test Administrator’s Responsibilities: • Carefully count all materials when received from the test coordinator and returned each day. If there is a discrepancy, notify the principal/test coordinator. • Become familiar with the Guidelines for Grouping Students in Session 3 and the Inquiry Task Kits (grades 4 and 8 only). • Prior to testing, be sure you have sufficient • Student Test and Answer Booklets and Inquiry Task Kits and Inquiry Booklets (grades 4 and 8 only) • Science Reference Sheets (grades 8 and 11 only) • scratch paper and # 2 pencils. • Large Print and Braille, if needed. • Calculators, if used (grades 8 and 11 only)

15. Test Administrator’s Responsibilities: • Check that Student Answer Booklets • have Student ID Labels affixed to the front cover. • with no Student ID Label have student name and birth date bubbled in. Note: There are 2 identical labels provided; one for Student Answer Booklet and one for the Student Test Booklet. The Inquiry Booklet (grades 4 and 8) does not need a label.

16. Test Administrator’s Responsibilities: • Upon completion of testing, be sure to • confirm that no additional pages have been inserted, taped, stapled, pasted, or otherwise attached to the Student Answer Booklets. • record in the “Accommodations Used” section on page 2 of the Student Answer Booklet for students that received accommodations. • bubble in page 2 of the Student Answer Booklet for students that did not complete one or more sessions of the test.

17. Test Administrator’s Responsibilities: • Upon completion of testing, be sure to • scribe Braille and Large Print tests into the regular Student Answer Booklet and be sure that both are returned to the test coordinator. • note why a booklet is being returned via Special Handling (i.e., torn or damaged booklet, responses written in anything other than #2 pencil, computer generated responses, etc.)

18. Test Administrator’s Responsibilities: • Upon completion of testing, be sure to • follow the instructions in the Test Administrator’s Manual for delivery to the test coordinator. • ensure that all assessment materials are accounted for and returned to your test coordinator when testing is completed. • complete the Test Administrator Questionnaire.

19. Questions and Answers: Principal: Test Coordinator: Office of Research, Planning and Accountability Angela Bertoldi, 278-2842