September 2019

1. Washoe County School District Department of Assessment A Primer for Testing: Policies and Professional Expectations 2019-2020 Training Presentation September 2019

2. Purposes of the Assessment Program • Support Envision WCSD 2020 Strategic Plan, school improvement plans, and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). • Inform school and classroom decisions on differentiated instruction and intervention. • Track statistical data longitudinally. • Gather and report data that are accurate, meaningful, and professionally sound. • Fulfill accountability requirements. #

3. Test Dates (slide 1) Check Assessment Calendar(s) for other district-wide assessments and testing windows: https://www.washoeschools.net/Page/347 #

4. Test Dates (slide 2) Check Assessment Calendar(s) for other district-wide assessments and testing windows: https://www.washoeschools.net/Page/347 #

5.  Major Duties: STC School Test Coordinator (TC) • Principal or designee (AP, Dean, Counselor); implement school test security plan • Create and implement school test security plan • Train authorized* personnel to assist with testing • Troubleshoot during test administrations • Respond to incidents; report irregularities to district • Liaison to Assessment Support (District Test Director) *Long Term Substitute, licensed; contact Assessment Support --Hired on UHR filling specific vacancy; proctor or TA --Assigned through AESOP, temporary; may proctor only #

6.  Major Duties: TA Classroom Test Administrator (TA) • Licensed Nevada educational personnel • Prepare test environment; ensure students do not access non-permissible materials • Maintain security of test materials—distribute, monitor use, collect, return • Verify student identity and participation, provide assigned testing supports and accommodations • Read aloud test directions; read and follow procedures in manual • Supervise students; respond to needs during testing • Report irregularities and test security violations • Liaison to School Test Coordinator (TC) #

7.  Major Duties: Proctor Proctor • School staff; may be licensed or unlicensed • Note: Unlicensed proctors/staff must not be left alone with testing students or secure test materials. • Assist the TA: • Observe testing room; escort students on breaks • Ensure students do not access non-permissible materials • Distribute, monitor and collect testing materials • Assist in emergencies • Report irregularities and test security violations • Serve as liaison to School TC when TA cannot leave testing room #

8.  Responsibilities: All Authorized Personnel • Participate in test security and test administration training • Fulfill duties as assigned by the School TC • Understand purpose and expectations of tests to be administered; review school’s testing calendar • Adhere to policies and professional expectations; ensure the security of testing materials • Ensure a standardized, secure and successful administration of district and statewide assessments • Protect against cheating and prohibited behaviors • Report test security incidents and testing irregularities #

9. Security & Confidentiality prevent, deter, detect, respond #

10. DISCLOSURE OF TEST CONTENT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED BY STATE LAW Unlawful review or disclosure of secure content is TEST FRAUD #

11. Professional Integrity Copying, reproduction, or paraphrasing in any manner the test items, problems, answer sheets or questions and the approved answers for grading them by any means ordisclosure of those items, problems, or questions and the approved answers for scoring them is a breachof NRS provisions, NAC regulations, WCSD testing procedures, and ethical expectations for the professional behaviorof all district employees. • Breaches of test security shall be cause for disciplinary action. #

12. SECURE TEST MATERIALS Before, during or after testing— • Students shall NOT have access to testing materials unless attended by licensed educational personnel. • Test materials shall NOT be left unattended (unless locked and secure). In other words, SUPERVISE STUDENTS AND KEEP TEST MATERIALS SECURE AT ALL TIMES! #

13. Student Test Data & FERPA Reporting and accessing test scores of individual students by anyone other than authorized school personnel, the student’s authorized parent/guardian, or the student is prohibited. What is FERPA? http://www.washoeschools.net/Page/448 #

14. Test Administration Procedures careful adherence to test administration procedures contributes to the validity and reliability of each student’s results #

15. TEST MANUALS • Read each specific test administration manual thoroughly. • You are responsible for complying with the contents of these manuals. • Well in advance of testing, test administrators should be provided access to available manuals to read and practice scripts. • Follow the instructions script provided for the test administration. #

16. TESTING ROOM • Recommended 1:30 Test Administrator (licensed) to students; ensure sufficient visual coverage. • Changes to testing rosters made by School TC only; do not admit students not on testing roster. • Students not participating in a test are NOT ALLOWED in testing room. • Parents/guardians are NEVER ALLOWED in testing room (exception=kindergarten screening). • Post a testing sign (“Do Not Disturb”) on the door. • Log ALL students and adults in testing room; entry/exit time-stamp & signature. • Document authorized and unauthorized visitors during testing (including persons who disrupt environment). #

17. TRACK ALL MATERIALS • DO NOT distribute test booklets and secure materials until the date of the examination. • Log each exchange; materials must not be left unsupervised. • ACCOUNT FOR ALL TEST MATERIALS AT ALL TIMES! • BEFOREa student is allowed to leave the testing area for any reason--collect ALL testing materials (including scratch paper, test tickets, test booklets, writing prompts, student response/answer documents, etc.). #

18. Test Materials Return • Account for and return all materials in person to the School Test Coordinator upon completion of testing and not later than the end of the school day on which the examination is administered. • Secure materials must be stored in a designated locked cabinet with limited access (Principal and designee). • Exceptions to this procedure will be discussed during test specific training. #

19. PERMISSIBLE MATERIALS • Distribute permissible materials to students prior to testing. • Materials specified as a designated support or accommodation for a student may be used only if they are also listed as allowed for the test. • Students may not access additional instructional/support materials. • Students may not access personal materials during testing. #

20. ENGLISH ONLY Administer tests in ENGLISH ONLY Translation by the Test Administrator or Proctor of any test material (directions, passages, questions, answer choices) into another language is prohibited. • Translation and review of non-secure directions for a student prior to the test date is permitted for some assessments. #

21. TEST ITEM ISSUES Student reports item concern…there is never a need to read or discuss secure test items. • Follow test vendor guidelines for reporting item issue. • Nevada Assessments: • Without reviewing the item – Test Administrator records ONLY: test subject, grade level, test name/part, item number, version (for paper test), student name and ID, general statement about issue or concern, and submits information to School Test Coordinator • School Test Coordinator reports information to WCSD Assessment Support • District Test Director (WCSD Assessment Support) reports information to the state #

22. ACTIVELY CIRCULATE • ATTEND TO STUDENTS • Do not engage in distracting activities (and do not be a distraction!). • Monitor for students working on their own test, responding in the correct section, etc. • NO ASSISTANCE of any kind may be given beyond making certain that students understand the instructions, in ENGLISH, for taking the test, and access to the correct test (e.g. launch browser, login, select test). • Students must NOT assist or interact with other students. #

23. BREAKS • Log (signature, time-stamp) all persons entering and exiting the testing room. • Breaks taken during untimed and timed test administrations must be closely supervised and monitored by authorized staff; peer interaction is prohibited. • Limit breaks during testing except for students taking the NAA or as noted in a student’s IEP or 504 Plan. • Access to personal items during breaks is for approved medical supports only. #

24. EARLY FINISHERS • Students who finish early and are waiting for the testing period to end… • proctor collects all test materials • supervise student while they access their personal print materials (paper-only*, book) *this means >> NO E-READERS<< • Pencil/paper activities are prohibited (no writing or drawing); students must not interact/talk #

25. TRANSITIONS • Untimed Tests: Provide additional time for any student who is working productively. • Changing Location or TA: Students must be accompanied by trained, licensed staff and secure materials transported by licensed staff only. • Unsupervised Break/Subsequent Day: For most exams, students may not return to a previously-administered section or part of a test after any break in supervision. #

26. The testing room is not a “bring your own device” zone. #

27. NO ELECTRONICS!Students and Test Administrators • Electronic devices strictly PROHIBITED • TA and proctors—avoid cell phone use unless it is the only means of contacting (phone call) school administration regarding testing issues. • Unauthorized possession of a non-permissible device may result in the invalidation of scores and other consequences. • IEP/504 accommodation—must be documented in student’s plan and approved for each test administration. #

28. WCSD Local Assessments assessment use must always adhere to the intended purpose of the assessment #

29. The same prohibitions and rules against inappropriate Test Administrator/Proctor assistance and/or tampering with or inflating student scores that apply to Nevada accountability assessments apply to all WCSD Local Assessments. #

30. District-Wide Administrations • District-level examinationsmay vary significantly in rules and procedures from State tests. • Administrators and staff – • carefully read all guidelines and resources that accompany specific tests; • participate in appropriate training as required. #

31. BRIGANCE and MAP • Adhere to prescribed testing windows. • Must be administered by qualified & trained Test Administrators. • Ensure full administration to all eligible students within* the testing window. • Do not use scores from interim (or screener) assessments for academic grades. *Read by Grade 3 program guidance requires all new-to-WCSD Kindergarten students to be screened within 30 calendar days of enrollment; consult Assessment calendar for BRIGANCE/MAP testing windows #

32. WCSD Common Finals & NV EOC Finals • Test materials—test booklets/items, scoring guides/keys, calculator clearing guides—are secure. • Follow security guidelines for storage, distribution/collection, supervision, administration, etc. • Read and follow WCSD prepared guidelines for School Test Coordinators and Test Administrators. • TA must read teacher script/s verbatim. • Ensure ALL students enrolled in the course participate; assist TC with make-up scheduling. #

33. Testing Students with Special Assessment Needs remove obstacles to the test-taking process without changing, lowering, or reducing expectations for learning #

34. Special Assessment NeedsIEP, 504, EL, general • All students may be considered for designated supports/features • Language supports may be appropriate for some students identified EL or Former EL • Students with a current IEP or 504 Plan are provided accommodations specified in their plan • Students without documented supports or accommodations must test under regular conditions #

35. Alternate Assessments IEP teams identify or verify alternate assessment eligible students by October of each school year (ELPA, NAA). • Alternate ACCESS (ELPA), Grades 1-12, EL program eligible • Contact Department of ELD • Nevada Alternate Assessment (NAA), Grades 3-8 & 11 • Contact Special Education Student Services & WCSD Assessment Support #

36. Review Student Needs All educational staff at each school share professional responsibilityin assisting the principal with ensuring all students with special assessment needs receive appropriate designated supports and/or accommodations for testing. #

37. The notion that “more is better” is not appropriate when recommending testing supports and accommodations. • Decisions must be individually based. • Review at least annually; student needs change! • Supports and accommodations should be beneficial to the student, consistently provided in the classroom and consistently used by the student, and promote independence. #

38. Make Optimal Accessibility Decisions When matching accessibility supports (designated supports, accommodations) with students’ needs, consider the following: • the student’s willingness to learn to use the accessibility support, • opportunities to learn how to use the accessibility support in classroom settings, and • conditions for use on state and district assessments (is it allowed for a test?). #

39. Designated Supports • An education team, familiar with the student, identifies designated supports/features for testing. • The education team must have knowledge about the purpose of the specific assessment and what supports are available. • Designated supports must be assigned (online testing) or provided before the test begins; (students must test under consistent conditions from start to finish). #

40. Testing Accommodations • Only for students for whom the accommodations are included in their current IEP or 504 Plan • Specific for each student • Consistent with those accommodations used during the instructional day • Implemented and practiced for at least 5 weeks prior to use on state or summative district assessments • Documented in the IEP or 504 Plan PRIOR to participating in an assessment #

41. Accommodations vs. Modifications • Students testing with “modifications” will be counted as non-proficient and not participating. Contact WCSD Assessment Support if considering testing a student with modifications. #

42. Allowed Accommodations Do Not Invalidate Test Results • Learn about each test. • Not all accommodations listed in a student’s IEP or 504 Plan are appropriate for state/district assessments. • Use of non-permissible accommodations may result in invalid scores. • Follow a consistent decision-making process for identifying designated supports and accommodations for use during instruction and on assessments. #

43. Be Judicious Too manyunneeded designated supports or accommodationscan DECREASE student performance. #

44. Communicate Student Needs to Test Administrators • Test Coordinator verifies embedded supports and accommodations are enabled in the testing platform prior to testing. • Test Administrator must be provided with a list of students who will use designated supports and accommodations for the test. • School retains documentation (3 years) of designated supports and accommodations used by students for each state/district test. #

45. Confidentiality Confidentiality Agreement must be signed by test administrator providing read aloud assistance and/or acting as a scribe, authorized D/HH interpreters, and medical providers prior to test administration. • Computer-based testing: Attempt to use embedded technology first. Read aloud, scribe, and interpreter support will require one-on-one testing of students. • Test specific guidelines for accommodations or designated supports must be followed exactly. • Misadministration may result in invalid scores and disciplinary action. #

46. Gr 3-5: Read Aloud/Human Reader • Grades 3-5, Smarter Balanced Summative, Science 5 • Designated support (needed by very few if any) • Separate setting • Math/Science–All test content • ELA–Items only; passages are NOT read aloud on any ELA assessments in grades 3-5 • ENGLISH ONLY • NO paraphrasing, elaborating, or explaining • Signed Confidentiality Agreement retained 3 years #

47. Gr 6-8: Read Aloud/Human Reader • Grades 6-8, Smarter Balanced Summative; Science 8 • Needed by very few if any • ENGLISH ONLY • NO paraphrasing, elaborating, or explaining • Signed Confidentiality Agreement retained 3 years #

48. HS: Read Aloud/Human Reader • Science (gr 9/10), End of Course (EOC) ELA/Math Finals, WCSD Common Finals • Needed by few if any • ENGLISH ONLY • NO paraphrasing, elaborating, or explaining • Signed Confidentiality Agreement retained 3 years #

49. Text-to-Speech/TTS • Embedded text-to-speech (TTS) technology is the preferred mode for read aloud support on computer-based tests. • TTS may impede performance of students who have not previously experienced this support during practice or regular instruction. • TTS for reading passages is an accommodationappropriate for very few if any IEP/504 eligible students district-wide. #

50. Deaf/Hard of Hearing IEP eligible students may have access to • Interpreter for all directions, math/science content, and ELA listening items (paper/pencil) • ASL videos for listening and math items (computer) • Closed captioning for listening items (computer) • ASL glossary, hard-copy (paper), word-to-signed symbol style (math, science items) • Random House Webster’s, Concise ASL Dictionary or Pocket ASL Dictionary • Collins, ASL Concise Dictionary #