1. South Carolina Alternate Assessment
DTC-Alt Pretest Workshop 2015–16
South Carolina Department of Education
American Institutes for Research

2. Training Topics General Information SC-Alt SC-NCSC
Eligibility
Precode
SC-Alt
SC-NCSC
Alternate Career Readiness Assessments
Alternate ACCESS

3. Eligibility Participation Guidelines
2015–16 Alternate Assessment Age and Birth Date Reference Sheet
Guidance for IEP Teams on Determining Participation in the South Carolina Alternate Assessment (SC-Alt)

4. One Percent Rule
Permits up to one percent of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in a state or district to be counted as proficient based on alternate achievement standards.

5. SC-Alt 2016 Administration5

6. Administration Window March 7–April 22
Testing materials will arrive in the districts by February 26

7. SC-Alt Spring 2016 Content to be Assessed
Science (ages 9–13, all students)
Biology (age 16, all students)
Social Studies (ages 9–13, all students)

8. SC-Alt Spring 2016 Test Format
Grade Band Forms
Elementary: Grades 4–5 (ages 9–10)
Middle: Grades 6–8 (ages 11–13)
High: Grade 11 (age 16)
12 tasks per form

9. Grade-Band Form Assignments (Elementary and Middle)
Students are assigned to SC-Alt grade-band forms on the basis of their age as of September 1, 2015, as precoded in the PowerSchool data base.
For students who do not have a pre-assigned form, refer to the Age and Birth Date Reference Sheet in the 2016 TAM (Appendix B) or on the SCDE website to determine the correct form. 9

10. 2015–16 SC-Alt Precoding Imelda “Mel” Go Office of Assessment
SC Department of Education

11. Why Precoding is So Important
Precode is used to order and sort test SC-Alt materials and to pre-populate student demographic information.
Test Administrator’s name determines SC-Alt materials distribution and second rater assignments. The homeroom field will not be used for this purpose.
Reduces additional material orders
Reduces errors related to:
Student demographic coding
SC-Alt form assignment

12. Where to Find the Precode Manual

13. Importance of the Birthdate
The grade level the student tests in is always based on the student’s age as of September 1 of the current school year.
Focus on the correctness of the date of birth. The state will calculate the age and determine the grade tested. You may use Appendix B in the Precode Manual as a reference sheet to determine the grade the state will assign to the student.

14. Age as of Sept. 1 and Assessment Grade
Alternate Assessment Grade 4 4K 12 7 5 5K 13 8 6 1 14 9 2 15 10 3 16 11 17
18 or above
Non-graded

15. Precode Tab in PowerSchool

16. Alternate Assessment Eligibility
Select ‘Y’ if the student is eligible regardless of age or grade designation. (You are no longer asked to determine the grade. The state will calculate the age and determine the grade.)

17. Alternate Assessment Eligibility
This field will not be set to blank for the next school year. Its value will remain the same until changed by school personnel.
The assumption is most students who are eligible remain eligible. Be on the alert for students with a change of eligibility. The alternate assessment eligibility field remains a Yes unless it is changed to a No in PowerSchool.
The SCDE should not precode for students who are not eligible. The district is responsible for making sure PowerSchool data are correct and only students who are eligible are marked as eligible.

18. Alternate Assessment Test Administrator Name Fields
For the same test administrator, be consistent across students. Use the same capitalization, spacing, and punctuation.

19. Alternate Assessment Rosters in November 2015
Rosters of alternate-assessment-eligible students were posted in ADTS for districts to review. Rosters listed birthdates; age of student as of September 1, 2015; and alternate assessment test administrator.
Data for eligible students should be correct in PowerSchool in time for the January extraction.
SCDE has deadlines with contractors that cannot be extended. Work ahead to reduce stress on all parties involved.

20. Alternate Assessment Rosters in November 2015

21. The Alternate Assessment Exception field is important for 2015–16.

22. The Alternate Assessment Exception field is important for 2015–16.
Students who were not assessed with the high school form of the alternate assessment at age 16 last year (2014–15) due to district error may be assessed the following year (this year, 2015–16) at age 17. For such students, select Yes in the Alternate Assessment Exception field.
The requirements for this field can vary from year to year.

23. Precode Forecast for 2016–17
Because of the transition to online assessments, there is a need to include teacher IDs and addresses in the precode files. To do this, the SCDE has to turn to course enrollment data in PowerSchool.
Districts will be asked to use a specific combination of numbers/letters as the first 4 characters of the course code for precoding alternate assessments. Sections of students will be created using the course code to reflect the groups of students each test administrator is responsible for.

24. Aaron Brown arbrown@ed.sc.gov
Precode Questions
Aaron Brown

25. SC-Alt 2016

26. Procedural Guidelines
Test Administration Manual (TAM)
District Test Coordinator’s Supplement Manual
Score Report User’s Guide

27. Secure File Transfer (SFTP)
AIR uses an SFTP site to electronically send secure materials to the school districts.
You will be notified whenever pertinent files or information are posted on the SFTP site for your access such as:
District Roster of Students Taking SC-Alt
Second Rater Roster
Training Webinar for the District Training
Secure Video Clips for Training
Demographic Correction Forms
District Data Files

28. SC-Alt Test Materials

29. Packaging of Test Materials
All test materials for each grade band are bundled into one Test Administrator Kit.
Test Administrators receive one kit for each grade band that they are assessing.
Each kit contains a serial number. This number is also included in the ancillary documents packed in the school and district boxes.

30. Other Items Not Included in the TA Kits
Test Administrator Security Checklists
Student Rosters
Answer Folders (organized by grade-band form, color coded)
Scoring Worksheets
Precoded Bar Code Labels

31. Braille Materials
Teachers with students who need braille and tactile graphic materials must use the Braille Order Form in the TAM (Appendix N) to request these materials.
TAs submit the form to the DTC-Alt who forwards it to AIR.
A list of tasks with braille and/or tactile graphic materials is in the TAM (Appendix Q).
Braille Order Forms are also provided in the district box.

32. Return Procedures
Review the DTC-Alt Supplement for return shipping procedures.
Review Appendices J and K of the TAM for additional information.

33. Before Returning Materials, Verify:
All appropriate students were assessed.
All responses have been transferred from the Scoring Worksheet to the Answer Folder.
All signatures are on the Test Administrator Security Affidavit.
You have received all TA Kits, test booklets, and other materials back from your schools.

34. Test Security Administration and Scoring Fidelity

35. Test Security Regulations
SC-Alt is subject to SC Test Security Regulations.
All Test Administrators and monitors must sign Agreement to Maintain Test Security and Confidentiality.
A copy of the Test Security Regulations is located in Appendix A of the TAM and on the Department website.
Test Security Violations must be reported using the Test Security Violation Action Form in the TAM.

36. Monitors Monitors are required and must be trained.
See TAM pages 6–7 for training requirements
Observe all assessment sessions and verify the use of proper procedures and authenticity of student responses.
Sign the Test Administrator Security Affidavit located in student answer folder (TAM Appendix E).
Sign Agreement to Maintain Test Security and Confidentiality (TAM Appendix D).
Copies of the agreement will be provided in the school box.

37. Second Rater Selection
Teachers are selected to have a second rater observe an administration based on the January 2016 Precode file.
Accurate precoding of the SC-Alt Test Administrator field is important to ensure accurate assignment.
DTCs-Alt select and assign the second rater to observe the administration.
Second rater administrations for 2016 will be conducted in science/biology only.

38. Second Rater Qualifications
Must meet the Test Administrator criteria:
Certified teacher
Administrator (e.g., school administrator, district level special education consultant, or other administrator)
Related services personnel
Must participate in the District Level Test Administration training

39. Second Rater Timeline January 28-March 4
DTCs-Alt notify AIR Help Desk of any changes that need to be made.
February 2
AIR uploads the roster of all SC-Alt students and of students selected to have second rater administration to district SFTP sites.
February 5
Second Rater Procedures and Instructions Memorandum sent to the districts with district training materials.
February 26
Second rater kits arrive in district with SC-Alt test materials.
March 4
Deadline to notify AIR of any changes to the Second Rater Roster.

40. Common Errors Resulting in Non-Valid Administrations
Failure to complete Test Administrator Security Affidavit (all signatures)
Assessment of student with wrong form
Failure to administer all required tasks as specified in the Directions for Determining the Starting and Concluding Tasks
Assessment of student beginning with wrong starting task (not following drop-back rule if student does not obtain 3 points on the starting task)
Failure to transfer item scores from the worksheet to the answer folder 40

41. Test Administrator Training

42. Test Administrator Requirements
All Test Administrators must be trained annually.
A Test Administrator must be a certified employee of the district or another individual who meets the criteria specified in the TAM (page 6) and approved by the DTC-Alt.

43. Test Administrator Training
Regional Workshops
Teachers/Test Administrators who did not administer the SC-Alt in spring 2014 or spring 2015.
One additional district representative
District Level Training
All Teachers/Test Administrators
Experienced Teachers/Test Administrators who administered SC-Alt in spring 2014 or spring 2015
Teachers/Test Administrators who attended the regional workshops.
School Test Coordinators
Second Raters

44. Regional Workshops January 25 Charleston January 26 Florence
Columbia
Greenville

45. District Training To be conducted by DTC-Alt or Designee
Training Window: February 8–March 4
Approximately two and a half hours

46. Training Materials Test Administration Manuals (TAMs)
DTC-Alt Supplement
Training Tasks
Participant Sign-in Sheet
Return Envelope
AIR will ship these materials so they arrive in the district by February 5.

47. Additional Training Materials
AIR SFTP
SCDE Website
Webinar presentation
Administration procedures
Scoring procedures
Optional video clips of standards based instruction and test administrations
Training PowerPoint
Administration and Scoring Training Acknowledgement
Agreement to Maintain Test Security and Confidentiality
Training Evaluation Form

48. Training Activities Administering and Scoring SC-Alt Webinar
Download from the AIR SFTP site.
Scoring Practice
Allow about 15 minutes for teachers to practice in pairs administering and scoring the sample tasks in the Training Task Booklet.
Facilitate discussion and questions.
Training Videotapes
Examples of actual assessments and instruction are linked to South Carolina State Standards .

49. Training Paperwork/Forms
At the completion of the training have the Test Administrators
Sign the Administration and Scoring Training Acknowledgement Form
Sign the Agreement to Maintain Test Security and Confidentiality
Complete the Training Evaluation Form

50. Collect and Maintain in the District
Agreement to Maintain Test Security and Confidentiality forms
Administration and Scoring Training Acknowledgement forms
One copy of the Participant Sign-in Sheet

51. Materials to be Returned
Use the envelope included in the training materials shipment to return the following materials to AIR:
Training Evaluations
Participant Sign-in Sheets

52. Final Important Dates April 22, 2016 April 27, 2016
Last day of testing
April 27, 2016
Last day to ship materials to contractor
Shipping the materials on this date ensures that the materials are received by the contractor on or by April 29, 2016. 52

53. Resources
South Carolina Alternate Assessment Social Studies Instructional and Assessment Guide
South Carolina Alternate Assessment Science Instructional and Assessment Guide

54. South Carolina National Center State Collaborative Alternate Assessment
(SC-NCSC)

55. SC-NCSC Assessment System
Complete system of instructional supports and online technology platform for student enrollment and management, test administrator training, test administration, and reporting.
Purpose
Ensure that all students are able to participate in an assessment that is a measure of what they know and can do in relation to grade-level college and career ready standards.
Ensure students with significant cognitive disabilities achieve increasingly higher academic outcomes and graduate high school prepared for post-secondary options.
Meet requirements of IDEA and ESEA.
Produce scores that can be used for accountability purposes.

56. Administration Window March 7–April 29, 2016
Online DTC-Alt and Test Administrator Training
February 2016

57. SC-NCSC Spring 2016 Content to be Assessed
ELA (ages 8–13, age 16, all students)
Math (ages 8–13, age 16, all students)

58. SC-NCSC Test Format Computer delivered assessment with paper options
Grade-level specific forms
Item-based
Items aligned to the NCSC Core Content Connectors linked to South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards (SCCCRS) in ELA and Math
Selected response
Constructed response

59. SC-NCSC Testing Procedures

60. SC-NCSC Procedural Guidelines
Test Administration Manual
SC-NCSC Assessment System User Guide
Test Coordinators
Test Administrators
Directions for Test Administration (DTA)
Procedures for Assessing Students who are Blind, Deaf, or Deaf-blind

61. Administration and Scoring Fidelity
Monitors are required
Test Administrator Security Affidavit
Copies will be shipped with TAMs
Complete signatures (principal, monitor, TA)
Return with other paper materials
Second Raters are NOT required for ELA or Math this year

62. Accessing the SC-NCSC System
The SCDE will upload all DTC-Alt addresses to the system in early January.
Check the website to make sure information is correct and contact us for any corrections.
DTCs-Alt will receive an automated that contains a temporary URL.
This provides access to the system and allows you to add test administrator names and addresses at the school or district level.

63. SC-NCSC Training Webinar for DTCs-Alt will be on January 20th.
Online training modules will be available in February.
TAs take all modules and must receive 80% on the final quiz to access the assessment.
DTCs-Alt take some modules but are not required to take a final quiz.

64. SC-NCSC Instructional Resources
An instructional resources wiki and a number of additional resources have been created to host materials that educators will need to deliver instruction aligned to the SCCCRS.

65. Alternate Career Readiness Assessments

66. Alternate Career Readiness Assessments
District should select one of the following transition assessments approved by the SCDE.
Brigance Transition Skills Inventory (Sections D, E, F, G, and H)
Enderle-Severson Transition Rating Scales
Functional Independent Skills Handbook
Life Skills Inventory (Categories A–N)
Student Annual Needs Determination Inventory
Supports Intensity Scale (Sections 1 and 2)
TEACCH Transition Assessment Profile

67. Test Administration
Required for all alternate assessment- eligible students who are age 16 (commensurate with grade 11)
Can be administered anytime during the 2015–16 school year

68. Reporting
A spreadsheet for reporting will be sent after the Winter Break.
Results must be submitted by May 27, 2016.

69. English Language Proficiency Assessment
Alternate ACCESS
English Language Proficiency Assessment

70. Administration Window
February 2─March 18

71. Alternate ACCESS
ELL students who are eligible for alternate assessment.
Ages commensurate with grades 1–12 (or until exit from ELL services).
Kindergarten-age students take the general ACCESS test.
Monitors are required.
Paper test delivery.
Test administrator training is provided online.

72. Contact Information

73. American Institutes for Research
Celine Tobal
South Carolina
Alternate Assessment Helpdesk 73

74. Department of Education Office of Assessment
South Carolina
Department of Education Office of Assessment
Anne Mruz
Suzanne Swaffield
Jill Christmus 74