Augusta County Public Schools Testing Training Spring 2010 Writing Procedures

1. Augusta County Public Schools Testing Training Spring 2010 Writing Procedures

2. Plan for Today • Basic Procedures • New in 2010 • PEMSolutions • Data file • Tricks of the Trade

3. The Basics • Writing test is administered in two parts • Multiple Choice section on March 1 or 2. • Direct Writing on March 3 • The two sections are combined into one writing test score. • Both sections of test go in one answer document. • If a student uses a word processor accommodation the response must be transcribed into an answer document • A student cannot get a score without completing both sections.

4. Tests • You will receive spiraled sets of the main MC form. • A few read aloud forms (same form #) • Main prompts • A few make-up prompts

5. More Basics • Make up testing • The regular form of the MC test is used fror make ups (student was absent on the regular test day) • For direct writing make ups use the alternate prompt. • Be sure that the MC form number and the direct Writing prompt number are coded on the answer document.

6. Administering the Tests • This week • Check on accommodations and plan • Make sure all students to be tested are registered. Data file • Plan for testing areas • Room for scratch paper • Enough room to discourage copying. • Do not disturb signs • Dictionary available for direct writing • No interruptions • Plan for students who take extra time.

7. Planning Ahead • Train Examiners • All individuals having contact with tests sign the security agreement. • Examiners answering questions • Examiners can re-read directions and can re-word directions. No other assistance is allowed. • Read examiner’s manual!!!

8. Test Administration • Inventory test materials when they arrive • Materials will arrive Monday through Thursday Week of 2/22 by Media Van. • Testing rooms should not have displays that could give clues to content of test. • Needed materials • Scratch paper only for MC • Dictionary for Direct Writing portion of test • No thesaurus • Audio tapes/recorders for read aloud sessions.

9. Pre-ID labels • Have not yet arrived. • Will deliver to school upon arrival • I recommend placing labels on answer sheets after students test. • BE CAREFUL – • Billy Johnson written name – Sally Jones on PRE-ID

10. Test Day • Deliver materials to teacher or have them pick up from you. • Use The examiners/proctors transmittal form to document the number of tests or prompts. • Pick up tests or prompts from the teachers • Tests and prompts must be kept secure by the teacher while in their possession. • Teacher should deliver each test/prompt to each student and take them up from each student. – not hand them down row.

11. Test Day • Count test booklets as they are returned to you. • Count answer documents as they are returned to you. • Scratch paper is to be shredded • Examiner’s manuals are discarded. (keep 1 for reference) don’t send back to me.

12. Irregularities (Pg 21 and 91 in manual) • Call 245-5121 or 836-0718 for irregularities • Student became ill and could not complete the test • For MC Gordon will provide the irregularity form of the test – we may use “fresh” answer document or erase responses on original. • For Direct Writing the alternate prompt is use for the make up. • Cheating, major disruptions, Fire alarm other factors that can affect the students’ scores – call Gordon.

13. Examples • A student becomes ill during testing. • A student is observed cheating during the testing session. • An Examiner, a teacher, or another adult provides improper assistance to a student. • Testing accommodations specified in a student’s IEP, 504 Management Plan, or LEP Student Assessment Participation Plan are not provided. • A student is provided an accommodation that is not specified in her/his IEP, 504 • Management Plan, or LEP Student Assessment Participation Plan. • An excessive disturbance or disruption occurs during the testing session. • A student’s test booklet, writing prompt, or used answer document is missing. • Any unused/unassigned test booklet or writing prompt is missing.

14. Returning Materials • Answer documents • Due on March 12 or before • Separate documents by homeroom for ease of counting and handling.

15. Term Grad • Answer docs for term grad students go on top in Set A • Both answer docs • These are scored first and automatic appeals apply. • Mark 2nd attempt • Term grad in Pearson

16. Set B • Test booklets and prompts • Verify numbers with packing lists • Put test booklets and prompts in boxes. • Special forms including examiner’s copies of audio forms and audio tapes provided with audio tests • Place verified and signed packing lists in top of box 1. Nothing else.

17. Set C • School Affidavit – page 53 in TIM • Security Agreements • Assembly ID sheets • Unused pre-ID labels • Recordings of read aloud sessions

18. Things to Discard • Examiner’s manuals • Unused answer documents • Scratch paper (shred) • Unused header sheets

19. Due Dates • March 12 – for answer documents – SET A • March 12 – for test booklets, prompts and Set “C” materials (documentation)

20. Accommodations Appendix D • Word processor on direct writing. • For students who have disability related to composition. • Must be transposed into answer document. • Spell check not auto • No grammar check. • Word prediction may be ok

21. New for 2009 • Manual – more later • Testing Status • Be sure to complete if student does not take test • Prompts have bar codes • Header sheet – spring admin • Reporting problems with tests. • Record form or prompt number and report to me.

22. Manual • One examiner’s manual for all grades. • Grade specific information in manual • Important for teachers to review manual before administering tests.

23. Test Specific Directions • Varies by grade and type of test • Regular vs audio for example

24. Coding

25. Status and Accommodations • Don’t confuse • Page 79 for accommodations • Test status in your TIM manual pg 29

26. Status codes • 1 – absent for entire window • 2 – IEP – NEVER!! (change) • 3- LEP a few • 4 – medical emergency – hospital stay. Not homebound • 5 – refusal/disruptive • 7 – cheating – call Gordon • 8 – do not use unless I say • 9 – already passed • 10 – substitute test (not used this year workkeys) • Y-Code –C Temporary Accommodations

27. Exemptions From Test • IEP exemptions (status 2) – No longer an option!!! • LEP. (status 3) level or 2 LEP proficiency. Last year. Not applicable for EOC • One time exemption – writing – social studies – grade 3 science

28. Read Aloud Accommodation on SOL Reading Test • Effective with spring 2007 test administration, use of read aloud on reading test restricted to those students with disabilities who are UNABLE to read because of their disability as certified by a competent professional. • Not allowed for students with disabilities who are simply reading below grade level or who are having difficulty learning to read. • Decoding disability.

29. Other New Stuff • WIDA not SELP • Benchmarks – ROS • New History Standards • New Science Standards • New English Standards

30. English Language Proficiency (ELP) Assessment • WIDA • To be administered in April. • ESL teachers do the assessments • Managers may be asked to help assemble the tests for return to Gordon.

31. More New Stuff • Science tests for all • New history standards • Approved • Field test items in 09-10 • New items on tests 10-11 • Science and English revisions coming

32. Data File and Registration • Download From ACPS site. • Group code field

33. Budget and Test Managers • Not good news