PreACT Training September 26, 2016

Test Security North Carolina Testing Code of Ethics Secure test questions must NOT be used at any time during instruction or in resource materials (e.g. study guides) Materials with sample test questions must be shared with principal and STC before use Teachers CANNOT provide instruction related to the content being tested on test day Cannot use test items or test information as basis for additional review Teachers CANNOT discuss specific items from the tests with students or colleagues Directions for not discussing specific test questions is included as the final statement in the Student Directions section of the AG. If questions arise about the origin of sample test questions used in instruction or study guides, the School Test Coordinator or Principal must send to Curriculum and Instruction for review.

2012 PSAE Test Administration Training Calculators Allowed by ACT but not required If school provides calculators to students – distribute before testing begins as students are being admitted to the test room This is a school decision. Either the school gives calculators to each student or all students are expected to provide their own for uniform testing practices Calculator requirements At least 4 function with square root Calculators must have the memory cleared before and after testing Calculators cannot be shared Earlier we discussed that you can remind students about calculators when you have your pre-test session where students complete NON-test portions of the answer folder. students are allowed to use calculators Only for Math (Test 2). EXPLORE Bringing a permitted calculator is the student’s responsibility. Several models and features are prohibited -- refer to website Staff must check the calculators when you check students in at the door. --If you find a “prohibited” calculator after the start of Test 2, the student must be dismissed. -Students cannot share calculators. --Every question can be solved without a calculator. -If your school plans to provide calculators to students, distribute them before testing begins.

Testing Staff Qualifications – for all positions Proficient in English Experienced in testing and measurement A staff member of the school district Not a relative or guardian of an examinee in their assigned room Not a private consultant or individual tutor of any examinee in their assigned room Test Supervisor (Testing Coordinator) Test supervisor should not be a relative or guardian of any examinee (At the school where they are the Supervisor) Strongly encouraged to watch the training videos on the NC ACT website.

Room Supervisor (Test Administrator) Read and understand the Supervisor’s Manual Attend training and briefing session at school Serve in one room during entire session Identify and admit each student into the testing room Direct students to specific, assigned seats Account for test materials before, during and after testing Read test instructions Time each test accurately Monitor students and materials at all times Complete all required documentation Document and report any irregularities Required documentation includes seating diagram, test booklet count form, testing day roster, testing time verification form

Proctor Should be used in rooms where additional support is needed Read and understand the Supervisor’s Manual Attend training and briefing session at school Help to identify, admit and direct students to seats Distribute test materials Verify the timing of the test Monitor students Report any irregularities to the room supervisor Help collect and account for all test materials A proctor may be used to assist a room supervisor or the Test Supervisor if fewer than 25 students are testing.

2012 PSAE Test Administration Training Testing Environment Desks Three feet apart Students face same direction Bulletin boards covered Maps and periodic tables do not need to be covered or removed All test taking strategies and content material covered Comfortable temperature and lighting Limited distractions Inform the main office to not call into testing rooms Have all alarms and bells turned off Large Scale Administrations Prohibited Facilities are the first requirement of your pre-test planning. Testing rooms must be selected and prepared so that students can concentrate on testing. -Large, writing surfaces. -Students face same direction so that they can see you and you can monitor them. -Adequate spacing between examinees (3 feet shoulder-to-shoulder and head-to-head). -Aisle space wide enough for testing personnel to circulate. Limited Distractions: --Gym or music classes are arranged so they don’t distract. School Provides: Extra Pencils with good erasers, pencil sharpeners, supply of scratch paper, 2 timepieces per room for proper timing (a wall clock is desirable), audio CD or cassette player if used. (Optionally – schools may provide approved calculator to student for use during ACT mathematics test).

PreACT Student Information Section 30 minutes English (45 items) 30 minutes Mathematics (36 items) 40 minutes Optional break 5-10 minutes Reading (25 items) 30 minutes Science (30 items) 30 minutes General Administration 10 minutes Total Time 120 minutes Students Must Complete All Sections Tests must be given in the order listed Staff should report at least 30 minutes before examinees are instructed to report. Testing can begin as soon as students who reported on time are seated -- do not allow any students to enter the test room after test booklets have been distributed. The 10 minute break after the Mathematics exam is optional Timing is done by the individual room supervisor in each room allowing the opportunity to respond to questions/problems. (EMPHASIZE) Full time must be given for each test. Do not move on to next test even though all students are done early--standardized testing requires all students be given entire time allowed. Testing should be completed in approximately 2.5 hours after it begins. Test day schedule for student’s testing with accommodations will vary depending on the accommodation granted and the timing code authorized. 8

2012 PSAE Test Administration Training Test Day Procedures Identify and admit students Utilize student ID cards and roster to confirm students Direct students to seats Alphabetical (Left / right and front / back) No late arrivals No cell phones or other electronic devices ANY STUDENT WITH A PHONE ON THEIR PERSON WILL BE REMOVED FROM TESTING AND THEIR TEST WILL NOT BE SCORED Staff should DIRECT students to seats. -Alphabetical order or --left / right for instance. This is a good place for the room supervisor and proctor to work together These procedures prevent friends from sitting together, which creates temptations. No Late Arrivals: Absolutely no one may be admitted to the test room after test booklets have been distributed. Schedule any late-comers for the makeup session. . Students are not allowed to have cell phones or other electronic devices in the testing room

2012 PSAE Test Administration Training Exact Timing of Tests Use more than one timepiece (not a cell phone) Time each room individually No “central” timing Provide 5-minutes remaining reminders (in script) Post Start and Stop times and or time allowed for each test on the board Record times in the Supervisor’s Manuals The full time allotted for each section must be given to all students regardless of students finishing early Ways you can prevent mis-timings: Have more than one timepiece in room. A wall clock should be present and working in the room for students to view. -Wall clock and watches ensure if one timepiece fails, there’s back-up. -Room supervisor and proctor confer on timings and calculations. - If you use an interval timer (e.g. stopwatch) you must also have a standard timepiece so actual time of day can be recorded in the Supervisor’s manual. You may post the start and stop times and/or time allowed for each test on the board. Do not post time remaining. DO NOT attempt to time the test from one central location, or use the intercom to broadcast the verbal instructions. Central timing does not allow for questions from examinees to be adequately addressed, or for disruptions, such as a sick student, to be handled without disrupting the testing experience for the entire school. The Room Supervisors Manual provides space for you to write in the START, 5 MINUTES REMAINING, and STOP times for each test. You must complete these sections. -Do not miss the Five-minute warning: It is important for students and also serves as double-check on total time.

2012 PSAE Test Administration Training No Breaks in Testing There are no break scripts in the manual. Remind students to use the restroom before testing begins. If students leave during testing to go to the restroom, secure their test materials and ensure the hall monitor or proctor escorts them. Notify students that they will not receive that time back if they leave. There are no breaks identified during the exam. Breaks are at the discretion of the testing location Suggested Breaks: 1-Day administration 5-10 min break prior to the start of Test 1 5-10 min break between Tests 2 and 3 -Let students stretch, use restroom -This is NOT a lunch break -- snack outside room is OK. -Remind to be quiet, courtesy to other examinees and students. -No cell phones may be used during the break The time for the 10-minute break is determined by the individual room’s activity, not a preset school schedule. Do not hold students in the room at the end of test 2 in order to synchronize the start of the break for all rooms. Students cannot take booklets from room. -One staff member must stay in the room to ensure security. -AT NO TIME ARE TEST BOOKS TO BE UNATTENDED. If the students don’t return on time, resume testing without them. -Students who miss start of Test 3 should be quietly admitted. -If they were late, no makeup time is allowed. They must stop testing with other students. Should a break time exceed the time allowed for any reason, please note this on an Irregularity Report.

2012 PSAE Test Administration Training Irregularities All Irregularities must be reported to Ms. Grigg immediately Pg. 17-19 of your Administration Manual gives further instructions and guidance on irregularities All completed ACT Testing Irregularity Reports should be submitted to ACT. You will have to submit an Irregularity Report at Check-In. Document all irregularities on an Irregularity Report found in the back of the Manuals. Retain TIR’s and voided answer documents until results are received and returned to students. Copy TIR’s involving defective materials, challenged test items or timing errors and forward to ACT. Group irregularities typically affect a room or rooms of students. Call ACT if needed to help resolve any major problems -Use your judgement depending on the situation…if you have to stop testing, record the time, secure the test books, and call ACT. Always put the safety of students first. -If there are complaints, your test-day observations will help us resolve fairly.

Types of Irregularities Defective materials Examinee illnesses Mistimed tests Marking or reading in future section of answer folder or test booklet Student challenge of testing items Irrational behavior Unauthorized testing aids

Electronic Devices Other than permitted calculators, students are not allowed to have in their possession or to use a cell phone or any other electronic device at any time during testing, including breaks. Any student with a cell phone/electronic device during testing will result in a VOIDED answer folder.

2012 PSAE Test Administration Training Post-Test Room Supervisor’s (Test Administrator) Responsibilities Account for all test booklets, and answer folders before dismissing students Verify you have an answer folder for each student who tested Check answer folders to ensure they are correctly marked and student information is entered on the folder Complete the irregularity report (if applicable) Return materials to School Testing Coordinator Account for all test booklets, answer folders and scratch paper before dismissing students Verify you have an answer folder for each student who tested Check answer folders to ensure correctly marked All responses marked with No.2 pencil, stray marks or doodles erased, students name gridded properly Secure testing materials Following the verbal instructions in the Supervisor’s Manual will help to ensure a successful administration.

Accommodated Testing

Computer Reads Test Aloud Implemented with DVD DVD’s come in a pack of 4 – Each student must have an entire pack of 4 Audio DVD players must have the capability to page forward or back by tracks Students must be given the index of the tracks Students using DVDs can test as a group provided they have individual head phones and can control the progress of the DVD on their own Students may be given up to 120 minutes to complete Test 1 and up to 90 minutes to complete each of the other three tests Before test day, test the DVDs to make sure that they work properly with your equipment

Test Administrator Reads Test Aloud- Read Everything Implemented with Reader’s Script Separate Setting one-on-one required Test Administrator (Reader) must read verbatim from the reader’s script Passages may be repeated when requested by student Each time a passage is read, the reader should read the test directions, test passages and test questions exactly as they are presented, with no explanation and no additional information Use of a reader will require extended time

Large Print Implemented with Large Print Test Book and Large Print Response Worksheet 18 point font Student responses must be transferred on to a regular answer document Ensure that seating does not allow other students to see student’s responses during the test session (D2.07) 8.5’’ x 11’’ paper with 12-point font for standard administration. Several questions prompt committees to consider if the student also needs the following accommodations documented: Marks in Book, Magnification Device, and/or Scheduled Extended Time. Consider if the student needs Large Print AND OIPP  Must submit with special Accommodation Notification form. Omit instructions for bubbling student name and other background information. Follow rules of transcription if student records answers in test booklet. Math tests that contain gridded response items must be transcribed in the manner described in the assessment guide. Student name and ID number must be clearly printed on the front cover of the test booklet. For online tests, large font is available to all students -Thus, should not be documented for online assessments -Must be selected in NC Education before testing day - If not sure paper/pencil vs. online, document

Mark in Book Student can test in regular setting with regular testing materials Transcribe responses when students record their responses in a manner other than the regular answer document Braille, Large Print, Dictate to Scribe, MIB etc. Must occur under secure conditions Three or more school personnel present at the time of transcription Transcribe, Verify, Observe All sign front cover of original response Answers must be transcribed exactly as written, including student errors The three persons involved in transcription to 1) transcriber, 2) verify, and 3) observe must all be present at the same time in the same location. Transcription of Student Responses: For any accommodation where student’s responses are not recorded directly on the answer sheet, the student’s responses should be transcribed under secure conditions in a group setting. Three individuals must participate and sign the outside cover of the test book. One will transcribe, one will verify the transcription, and one will observe. For Braille transcription, the transcriber and individual verifying the transcription must be trained and proficient in Braille. (D2.05) New procedures for math gridded response and English II constructed response items. Transcribers must record the student’s response exactly as it was originally written.

Testing in a Separate Room All students must be receiving the same accommodations or accommodations that are permitted to be grouped together Document range or maximum # of students Maximum size for a small group for ACT assessments is 10 students CMS “Small Group” defined as 12 students. It is inappropriate to provide certain accommodations to a small group unless all the students are receiving the same accommodations.

Multiple Testing Sessions More frequent breaks 5 minute break every 30 minutes 3 minute break every 10 test items Multiple Days Must complete each test (Test 1, Test 2, etc.) in a single session Student may not return to previously completed sections Separate Setting required if breaks are different than the standard script Only students with same breaks can test together Students must finish in maximum time

Extended Time Document based on maximum testing time Options for PreACT are: Time and a half Double time per section Sections are timed, students must stop testing at the end of the extended time even if they are still working Students must eat lunch and travel home at regular dismissal time When a student has too much time to finish an assessment, he or she may engage in non-productive guessing or change answers when they should not be changed