Casas E-Testing

1. Casas E-Testing Myths to Avoid, Truths to Tell

2. Myth-Busters: Untruths that Might Dissuade You! I can’t e-test because I can’t fully convert to ALL e-testing. UNTRUE. If we have a Mac lab, we cannot run e-test. UNTRUE. My students aren’t tech savvy and would do worse because of the computer. UNTRUE. I use multiple sites so it is too difficult to organize the logistics. UNTRUE. I only have one lab, so I can only test 24 people. UNTRUE. I don’t have enough staff to e-test. UNTRUE. It doesn’t seem like it is worth the effort to get organized and begin. UNTRUE.

3. What IS True… E-Testing saves you money! E-Testing can earn you money! CASAS has multi-lingual, student instructions for filling out entry forms! In three hours you can test and place over 100 ESL students. (Yes, it is really true!) E-test adjusts based on students’ answers. E-test has a time limit, and that’s a good thing.

4. Components to E-Testing Getting the licenses/loading the software. Organizing the “flow.” Who is needed and what do they do? Signing students up for the test. Charging (optional) for the test. Handouts that will help. Post-Testing.

5. Getting the FREE licenses and FREE software Call CASAS Tech support to get started. Basically you fax an order form and call in and they walk you through it. Load the CASAS E-Test software on the machines. NOTE: If you have only Mac machines and they have the Intel chip (i.e. last 5 years), buy the dual boot Windows ($65/station via WIA funds). Test!

6. Organizing the Flow First Room: Students complete their entry record; once completed, they are escorted in groups to the computer lab. Second Room: Computer room where students are set up one-by-one. Once completed, they are escorted to the placement room. Final Room: Placement room. They walk out with a start day/time, classroom number and map.

7. Who is needed and what do they do? Check in table (1-2 people) set up outside TOPs entry room. • Verify student name; • Highlight name on list; • Give students their entry form and send to the TOPs entry room. Note: Important time saver! Pre-bubble students’ name and identification number so it is ready at check in.

8. B. TOPs Entry Room Students allowed to have their “translators” in this room; Fill out entry form; Staff (2-3 people) verify all areas filled out and bubbled well; Students form line when complete and wait in “batches” to be escorted to computer lab.

9. C. Computer Lab Turn on computers, check headphones, set to CASAS id login page an hour before testing; Students are met at the door and taken in individually. Staff at 2-3 per lab. When one lab = full, move other two to cover second lab. STAFF enters all of the demographic information. (For post-testing, students verify their information and that it is the correct record.) Students begin test with a small demonstration of mouse (as needed) and choosing and clicking arrow. Completed test? Score written on the TOPs entry form and sent with student to the placement room.

22. D. Placement Student is told class level for which they have qualified; recommended three placement stations if running 2 simultaneous labs. Student chooses (if there is a choice) which class location and day/time; Student is given a paper with the day, time and location, and start date of their class. If on a waiting list, student is given a paper explaining this and how they will be contacted. Students who “test out” of free ESL, speak with Coordinating Teacher for fee-based class. Credit of testing fee toward class is optional.

23. Signing students up for the test.Charging (optional) for the test. Advertise a date when testing signups begin. For 2011-2012, our testing signup date is August 3rd, 2011. Students pay (if you are charging) fee at the time of the test signup. Non-refundable. Students sign up for the date and time of the test at that time. Signups can be in person, on the phone, or—if you have it—via the web.

24. Post-Testing Scheduled every 8 weeks; e-testing sifts and sorts the data. Give your teachers a folder with TOPs update forms and paper tests (and CD if oral modality) for students who show up and say, “Teacher, this is my last night.” After May 15th, you can “roll” those post-tests as 2011-2012 pre-tests. But is that wise to do?

25. Existing/Returning Students Returning students may register and pay their fee in May for first round of testing in August; failure to do so forgoes their guaranteed spot for 2011-2012. New students are tested in a second round of testing; this is advertised as an August signup and August testing date. This fills the remaining available spots and begins a “wait list.”

26. Do’s that lead to success Charge BEFORE the test and make it non-refundable. Train staff to assess advanced students and have them use the same mantra (e.g. if you place at the advanced level you must pay for those classes and your testing fee is not refunded). Give students a specific start time and not a “window” for testing. Have your staff knowledgeable: provide them time to take the test. Have one extra staff member scheduled as a backup. You just never know! For post-testing, have a paid “helper” there. After testing, update the 999 test records to show the class number of placed students. Prior to scanning of entry forms, have an “eagle eye” do one final check of entry forms for bubble issues. It will save a great amount of time in the long run!

27. Do Not’s: Don’t say we didn’t warn ya’ Do NOT allow student guests to join them in the computer lab. Translators in the TOPs entry room only. Do NOT over-enroll a test date by more than 10-15% if you are charging a testing fee. Money increases attendance. Do NOT take any form of payment on the day of the test if you can avoid it; have them register ahead of time. Give a “future date” handout for those trying to “crash” the test. Stick to the testing day plan; debrief and then change it AFTER, but do NOT change it during the testing; Stick to the placement level guide to place students. Use CASAS as the guide. Do NOT have teachers there telling you where the student “really belongs.”

28. What we are piloting or considering: Drop-in population placement based on needs; Friday placement tests; Scanning TOPs forms in the placement room; Managed enrollment dates versus every week; GED/Adult diploma: Testing by office staff throughout the year.

29. If you have future questions… Liz_Ambra@fuhsd.org Peggy_Raun-Linde@fuhsd.org