MARCH & APRIL 2012 TEST ADMINISTRATION SPECIAL SITUATIONS

Bulletin 118 Changes The district’s test security policy shall provide:  procedures for ensuring the security of individual student test data in electronic and paper formats, including encryption of student demographics in any correspondence;  to the extent practicable, procedures to assign a different test administrator for a class than the teacher of record for the class, except for teachers testing students with accommodations and younger students, grades 3 through 8;  procedures for monitoring of test sites to observe test administration procedures and to ensure that appropriate test security procedures are being followed. 2

Reporting of Irregularities (R.S. 17:81.6)  Allows public school employees to report irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests directly to LDOE who can investigate the allegations  Misdemeanor offenses: Obstructing reporting Obstructing reporting Retaliating against an employee who participates in an investigation or reports an irregularity Retaliating against an employee who participates in an investigation or reports an irregularity Submitting a false report Submitting a false report 3

Testing at Alternative Program Sites  If students are preidentified for their home base school but attending an alternative program at another site, districts may test them at the program site and Handcode documents at the alternative program site and accountability code the documents at the home base school with 91. Handcode documents at the alternative program site and accountability code the documents at the home base school with 91. 4

Foreign Exchange Students  Foreign exchange students screened for English language proficiency and determined to be limited English proficient may qualify for test accommodations on the statewide assessments provided they are used in the student’s regular classroom instruction and assessment. 6

7 Test Security Issues  Problem – more than one TA administers different parts of the test  Test administrator name and TA number on the answer document Must be for the person who administers most of test. Must be for the person who administers most of test. If more than one person administers test, keep documentation with Security Checklists of test administrators and what sessions they tested. If more than one person administers test, keep documentation with Security Checklists of test administrators and what sessions they tested.

Alternate Environment Form  Required if not testing In class-sized groups (Bulletin 741) In class-sized groups (Bulletin 741) In the usual classroom environment In the usual classroom environment  Not Required/Exceptions If environment is provided as an approved accommodation (i.e., IEP, Section 504 IAP, or LEP) If environment is provided as an approved accommodation (i.e., IEP, Section 504 IAP, or LEP) For EOC, if testing in computer lab or classroom For EOC, if testing in computer lab or classroom  Submit 32 days prior to testing Phase 1: by Friday, February 17, 2012 Phase 1: by Friday, February 17, 2012 Phase 2: by Thursday, March 8, 2012 Phase 2: by Thursday, March 8, 2012 Summer: by Thursday, May 24, 2012 Summer: by Thursday, May 24,

Alternate Environment Form (continued)  Must describe testing environment Adequate spacing between students Adequate spacing between students Sufficient space for students to handle materials Sufficient space for students to handle materials  If in multipurpose spaces (e.g., cafeteria, library, teacher’s lounge), describe procedures for controlling interruptions.  May not schedule different assessments in same room at same time  May not test more than one small group in same room at same time 9

Monitoring During Testing  Monitor’s Role Observing testing Observing testing Documenting observations Documenting observations Notifying Principal, STC, and DTC of issues requiring immediate attention Notifying Principal, STC, and DTC of issues requiring immediate attention  NOT Monitor’s Role Assisting in testing including supervision of students or materials Assisting in testing including supervision of students or materials Answering questions regarding testing Answering questions regarding testing Providing immediate feedback to schools Providing immediate feedback to schools 11

School Responsibilities for Test Monitors   Answers questions completely and honestly.   Provide documentation when required.   Map of campus identifying testing rooms.   A list of testing rooms including name of TA and the type of test.   Copy of Testing Schedule for the day.   Every testing room must be unlocked.   Oil squeaky door hinges.

School Responsibilities for Test Monitors (continued)   Post on board or poster in front of classroom the name of the TA, TA Number, Type of Test, Subject Area being tested.   Position the arrangement of student seating so the backs of the students are to the testing room doors to minimize disruptions when monitors enter the testing room.   Warn TA’s about the role of test monitors so TA’s do not infringe on their responsibilities.

14 Special Populations Issues  Deadline for adding new accommodations is February 20,  All test administrators, proctors, monitors, and interpreters MUST be trained in test security and administration.  Reading aloud or signing the following tests = VOID. LEAP/GEE/LAA 2 ELA: Reading and Responding LEAP/GEE/LAA 2 ELA: Reading and Responding iLEAP ELA: Reading, part 2 iLEAP ELA: Reading, part 2 ELDA: Reading test ELDA: Reading test EOC English II: questions linked with reading passages (specified in test) EOC English II: questions linked with reading passages (specified in test)  Small group requirements Maximum of 8 Maximum of 8 Careful monitoring: Testing irregularities, such as students sharing answers resulting in voiding of tests, continue to happen. Careful monitoring: Testing irregularities, such as students sharing answers resulting in voiding of tests, continue to happen. May test students with IEPs and students with Section 504 plans in the same group May test students with IEPs and students with Section 504 plans in the same group

16 Section 504 Update  Data validation form no longer has to be submitted to LDOE.  Records must be maintained at the school and available for review upon request.  Temporary Accommodation Plan For those “broken arm” students For those “broken arm” students No longer has to be submitted to LDOE No longer has to be submitted to LDOE

LAA 1  Deadline for assessment decision for LAA 1 and submission to SER is January 27,  For significant cognitively disabled students Must meet participation criteria Must meet participation criteria Students with Mental Disability – Mild are not eligible Students with Mental Disability – Mild are not eligible  Even though LAA 1 is not administered in 9 th grade, LAA 1 must be documented on the IEP.

LAA 2 Deadline for assessment decision for LAA 2 and submission to SER for spring LAA 2 testing is March 9, Deadline for assessment decision for LAA 2 and submission to SER for spring LAA 2 testing is March 9,  LAA 2 is still available in grades 10 and 11.  Students may use the LAA 2 results to meet graduation requirements.  LAA 2 must be reflected on the 9 th grade IEP and all following years, including all content areas that LAA 2 will be taken in regardless of the grade the LAA 2 content area tests are administered.

EOC and LAA 2  Students eligible for LAA 2 must take EOC tests if enrolled in the corresponding courses.  For students eligible under IDEA who meet the LAA 2 participation criteria prior to taking the first EOC test, the EOC test score shall count as 5% of the final course grade in the content areas identified as LAA 2 on the IEP.  Participation in LAA 2 and content areas must be reflected on the IEP prior to April 23, 2012.

21 Accommodations Issues Guidance for providing accommodations may be found in accommodations handouts and test administration manuals. Guidance for providing accommodations may be found in accommodations handouts and test administration manuals. Test accommodations may not be different from or in addition to the accommodations documented on the student’s IEP, IAP, or LEP ACC and provided in regular classroom instruction and assessment. Test accommodations may not be different from or in addition to the accommodations documented on the student’s IEP, IAP, or LEP ACC and provided in regular classroom instruction and assessment. All used accommodations must be coded on the answer document. All used accommodations must be coded on the answer document. Provides documentation of accommodation, if an issue Provides documentation of accommodation, if an issue Provides accurate reporting in Accommodation Report Provides accurate reporting in Accommodation Report

22 Accommodations Issues  Transferred Answers: Student writes or types responses and TA transfers to answer document. – STC must verify that responses are transferred. – Testing companies will not transfer responses – Any materials containing student responses other than the scorable answer document or large print test booklet must be kept by the STC in a locked, secure area until test scores are returned. – Papers must not be attached to answer documents. – Administrative Error: If materials with responses are found after answer documents are returned, the district may pay DRC to return test booklet and answer document to district for responses to be transferred.  Answers Recorded: Student signs or says responses and TA acts as scribe writing answers on answer documents.

23 Accommodations Issues (cont’d) Students may provide answers in multiple ways requiring both Transferred Answers and Answers Recorded. Students may provide answers in multiple ways requiring both Transferred Answers and Answers Recorded. – For example, a student may write the constructed responses in the answer document; circle answers to multiple-choice questions in the test booklet, which the test administrator transfers to the answer document (Transferred Answers); and dictate the Writing session to the test administrator who writes the Final Draft in the answer document (Answers Recorded). – Requires clear documentation Tests Read Aloud: Students may not have Tests Read Aloud as an accommodation if tests are not read aloud to them on a regular basis in the classroom. Tests Read Aloud: Students may not have Tests Read Aloud as an accommodation if tests are not read aloud to them on a regular basis in the classroom.

24 Accommodations Issues (cont’d)  Students may use different means to provide answers for the different sessions. For example, a student may write the constructed responses in the answer document, circle answers to multiple-choice questions in test booklet which the test administrator transfers to answer document (transferred answers), and dictate the Writing Session to the test administrator who writes the Final Draft in the answer document (answers recorded). For example, a student may write the constructed responses in the answer document, circle answers to multiple-choice questions in test booklet which the test administrator transfers to answer document (transferred answers), and dictate the Writing Session to the test administrator who writes the Final Draft in the answer document (answers recorded). Requires clear documentation Requires clear documentation Code all used accommodations on answer document Code all used accommodations on answer document Provides documentation of accommodation if an issueProvides documentation of accommodation if an issue Provides accurate reporting in Accommodation ReportProvides accurate reporting in Accommodation Report Guidance for providing accommodations is found in accommodations handouts and manuals.

25 Accommodations Issues (cont’d)  Assistive Technology STC must verify that all test items and student responses are removed from computer hard drives, including the recycle bin (Windows) or trash (Mac). STC must verify that all test items and student responses are removed from computer hard drives, including the recycle bin (Windows) or trash (Mac). Students with a calculator as an accommodation may use a calculator for the entire test. Students with a calculator as an accommodation may use a calculator for the entire test. On LAA 2, all students may use a calculator for the entire math test. On LAA 2, all students may use a calculator for the entire math test. All responses must be transferred to a scorable answer document. All responses must be transferred to a scorable answer document.

27 Tests Read Aloud and Communication Assistance Accommodations on the Information Resources Section  Read the introduction page.  Read the titles of each resource from the individual resource pages.  Read the questions and answers.  Return to the resource pages and read them completely.  Reread the questions and answers.

28 Accommodations Issues (cont’d)  Electronic Readers (Assistive Technology) Text-to-speech may be used except for Text-to-speech may be used except for Reading and Responding (LEAP, GEE, LAA 2) Reading and Responding (LEAP, GEE, LAA 2) Reading, Part 2 (iLEAP) Reading, Part 2 (iLEAP) Reading (ELDA) Reading (ELDA) only needed for Writing only needed for Writing CDs containing PDFs may be requested from LDOE or a LDOE approved vendor CDs containing PDFs may be requested from LDOE or a LDOE approved vendor District must have a written plan for preparation of materials and security procedures. District must have a written plan for preparation of materials and security procedures.

End of Course (EOC) Test Accommodations  Must be entered prior to starting any of the tests Once a student begins testing, the accommodations may not be changed. Once a student begins testing, the accommodations may not be changed. If it is determined a student needs an accommodation that was not entered, such as Tests Read Aloud, Communication Assistance, or Large Print, the TA should inform the STC and determine how to provide the accommodations. (Document as a testing irregularity.) If it is determined a student needs an accommodation that was not entered, such as Tests Read Aloud, Communication Assistance, or Large Print, the TA should inform the STC and determine how to provide the accommodations. (Document as a testing irregularity.) Both braille and large print cannot be coded for EOC. Both braille and large print cannot be coded for EOC.  Tests Read Aloud Check headphones prior to beginning testing. Check headphones prior to beginning testing. Make sure icon appears on the screen. Make sure icon appears on the screen. Small group is not necessary unless student requires it for other reasons. Small group is not necessary unless student requires it for other reasons. 29

30 Accommodation Questions?  Call or if you have a question regarding legitimacy of an accommodation.  Guiding questions Does it subvert the purpose of the test? Does it subvert the purpose of the test?  Examples: reading aloud the reading test, LEP accommodations for students taking ELDA Does it breach test security? Does it breach test security?  Examples: providing class-made glossaries or math fact sheets, test administrator clarifying questions Does it provide an unfair advantage? Does it provide an unfair advantage?  Examples: providing a dictionary for sessions other than Writing, allowing access to an electronic thesaurus for sessions other than Writing

Graduation Waiver Requests  For graduating seniors with disabilities (IEPs only) taking GEE or LAA 2  A waiver request will NOT BE PROCESSED if all required documentation is not included in the request. It is the district’s responsibility to ensure all required documentation is submitted for each student. 32

Graduation Waiver Requests  Student must have passed at least one test before the waiver can be submitted to LDOE.  Waiver requests only need to be submitted once in a school year. LDOE will check test scores of any student who was denied the waiver within the year.  Any waiver request submitted after the January deadline will be processed with the May submissions. DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSION RESULTS SENT TO DISTRICTS January 20, 2012 March 15, 2012 May 25, 2012 August 17, LPSS DOSS Deadline Wednesday, May 16, 2012