Getting Ready for the District Choice State Testing (DCST) Administration of the ACT Presented by: Sean Moore and Kevin Rauch

2 What’s new for DCST DCST Overview Test Center Establishment Standard Testing Requirements Testing with Accommodations Test Administration Training/Staff Responsibilities Ordering & Return of Materials Getting Started Now – Review of dates and documents you must complete and return to ACT Resources Agenda

3 What’s new TWO TEST DATE OFFERINGS March Test Dates Initial test date – March 20 Makeup test date – April 3 Accommodations Testing Window – March 20 – April 3 OR

4 What’s new TWO TEST DATE OFFERINGS April Test Dates Initial test date – April 24 Makeup test date – May 8 Accommodations Testing Window April 24 – May 8 The district will select one test date for all schools in the district.

5 What’s new Pre–ID Bar Code Labels – Optional Service Districts may now provide ACT with an electronic file containing student information including the student’s state assigned ID. The file must be in the format prescribed by ACT. (See Attachment D) The deadlines for submitting your Pre-ID bar code label file varies based on your test date choice. (See Attachment D)

6 What’s new Pre-ID Bar Code Labels – Optional Service Record your district’s interest in using this new service in the District Info tab of Attachment A ACT will produce the labels to be placed on the individual student’s answer folder to assist with the collection of data and management of the student record. The State Assigned ID will be reported in the District Student Data File.

7 The DCST Administration of the ACT

8 DCST Administration of the ACT District selects one of two test options The ACT, or The ACT Plus Writing The decision applies to all schools district-wide – and cannot be changed English75 items45 min Mathematics60 items60 min Reading40 items35 min Science40 items35 min Writing30 min

9 DCST Administration of the ACT Weekday, school based administration All grade 11 students at participating schools take the test All schools must test their own students Scores for students testing with Standard Time or ACT Approved Accommodations are accepted by ALL universities/colleges and for NCAA initial eligibility Testing with State Allowed Accommodations does not result in college reportable scores

10 DCST Administration of the ACT Only schools meeting The ACT for State Testing Standard Testing Requirements are eligible to serve as test sites District notifies schools regarding participation in DCST Schools communicate to Students Early— No refunds for students already registered for a National ACT Test Date

11 DCST Administration of the ACT No “Registration” for DCST Estimated Enrollment during Establishment Enrollment Confirmation Form Pre-test session held before test day ACT fee waivers may not be used Technology requirements document posted to District Choice State Testing website:

12 DCST Test Site Establishment Process

13 DCST Test Site Establishment Establishment Packets shipped to High School Principals In early August for schools testing in March In September for schools testing in April Envelope for Principal Envelopes for appointed testing personnel in the principal’s mailing Courtesy copy Establishment Packet mailed to District Assessment Coordinators

14 DCST Test Site Establishment Principals – Review key documents Checklist of Dates Testing Staff Qualifications and Responsibilities Summary of Test Administration Policies for the ACT Standard Testing Requirements

15 DCST Test Site Establishment Principal’s Responsibilities: Consider staffing requirements and appoint testing staff Test Supervisor Back-up Test Supervisor Test Accommodations Coordinator (TAC) Select staff who will be available for the entire school year Complete Online School Information/ Appointment of Testing Staff Form

16 DCST Test Site Establishment Required Online Test Site Establishment Forms: Principals – Appointment of Testing Staff/ School Information Form Test Supervisors - ACT State Testing Test Supervisor and Facilities Profile Back-up Test Supervisors - ACT State Testing Back-up Test Supervisor Profile Test Accommodations Coordinators - ACT State Testing Test Accommodations Coordinator Profile

17 Standard Testing Requirements

18 Standard Testing Requirements Apply to both initial and makeup tests Facilities Personnel Security Exact timing of tests Documentation of test day procedures Other test administration requirements

19 Facilities

20 Facilities Choice of test rooms for standard time administration Well lit, comfortable temperature, quiet atmosphere Comfortable seating for students Prefer no more than 100 students per room for manageable security

21 Facilities Freedom from distractions Only persons assisting with that day’s administration may be in the room Turn off bells and public address systems Uninterrupted testing period required 3 ½ hours of testing time for The ACT Requires about 4 ½ hours of staff time for pre- and post test responsibilities 4 hours testing time for the ACT Plus Writing Requires about 5 hours of staff time for pre- and post test responsibilities

22 Facilities Freedom from distractions Separate testing rooms from regular school activities Away from noisy locations Quiet wing of the high school – preferred Local decision to have 11 th grade only in session on test day

23 Off-site Testing May request off-site testing location if unable to meet Standard Testing Requirements for facilities Consider off-site for initial test date and/or makeup test date Each off-site location must be approved by ACT Community college, church or other public facility, private facility Off-site Request Form on DCST website: Receipt deadline December 16, 2011

24 Personnel

25 Personnel Test Supervisors, Back-Up Test Supervisors, and Test Accommodations Coordinators have access to secure test materials prior to testing Avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, and protect relatives (children, stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings, in-laws, spouses, and persons under your guardianship) from allegations of impropriety

26 Personnel Test Supervisors & Back-up Test Supervisors may not be related to any examinee taking the DCST administration of the ACT in 2012 anywhere in your state Test Accommodations Coordinators may not be related to any examinee testing with accommodations taking the DCST administration of the ACT in 2012 anywhere in your state Room supervisors & proctors may not assist in a room where any relative is being tested

27 Personnel Testing staff must not engage in ACT test preparation activities during current year for commercial gain May be part of testing staff only if: Test preparation- part of regular job responsibilities Not employed by a commercial enterprise Must not be enrolled in high school

28 Personnel Each school is responsible for testing their own students A person may not serve as a Test Supervisor, Backup Test Supervisor or Test Accommodations Coordinator at more than one school

29 Security

30 Security Constant security of materials Receive and store secure materials Receipt, check-in, and verification of test booklets by serial numbers Restricted access at all times— documented “chain of custody”

31 Security Constant security of materials Test materials must not be transferred or shared between schools This applies to all schools Schools within the same building Multiple schools testing at same off-site location Answer documents must not be returned to students after test responses are gridded

32 Security All test sites must test on designated test days only Testing must be the first activity of the morning for all students Students’ schedules must be adjusted All Room Supervisors must begin reading the Verbal Instructions no later than 9:00 a.m. Bus schedules must be adjusted

33 Security Proper identification of students by Room Supervisor Direct consultation with ACT to handle administration irregularities Immediate and complete return of all materials to ACT

34 Test Administration Requirements

35 Test Administration Requirements Accurate completion of documentation including Roster, Seating Diagram, Test Booklet Count Form, and Time Verification Form returned for each room Briefing Session 30 min. prior to test Staff must be attentive to their testing responsibilities during the administration Tests must be administered in the order listed: Test 1 (first), Test 2 (second)…

36 Test Day Observers

37 Test Day Observers Only those directly involved in testing may be in testing area Unannounced Authorized Observers ACT Unauthorized Observers Media Test prep companies Parents School board members District personnel

38 Testing with Accommodations

39 Testing with Accommodations TAC Training Fall mailing: ACT-Approved or State-Allowed Accommodations Request Forms Examples of available accommodations Extended Time, Testing over Multiple Days Alternate Formats (Large Print, Reader’s Script) Test Administration Training In November/December for March districts In January for April districts

40 Testing with Accommodations ACT-Approved Accommodations Professionally diagnosed disabilities, current IEP or 504 documentation College Reportable Scores ACT will review all ACT-Approved Accommodations requests If approved: Student specific test materials Detailed testing instructions

41 Testing with Accommodations State-Allowed Accommodations School approved accommodations NOT college reportable ACT will review and process all complete State-Allowed Accommodations requests If complete orders are placed: Student specific test materials Detailed testing instructions

42 Testing with Accommodations ACT Approved request deadlines March districts – December 16, 2011 April districts – January 27, 2012 State Allowed order deadline March districts – February 3, 2012 April districts – March 9, 2012

43 Test Administration Training

44 Test Administration Training November/December for March districts --- OR --- January for April districts REQUIRED for ALL Newly appointed Test Supervisors, Back-up Test Supervisors and Test Accommodations Coordinators District Personnel may attend If the staff at a school (TS, Backup TS, Test Accommodations Coordinator) has not been trained – we will NOT ship test materials to the school

45 Test Administration Training Training will cover: an ACT overview standardized procedures test administration policies test accommodation administration policies return of materials questions

46 Following Test Administration Training Testing staff must read and be familiar with the Supervisor’s Manual The Test Supervisor will organize an in-school session for all Grade 11 students to complete all pre-test information sections of the answer folder (before test day)

47 Following Test Administration Training The Test Supervisor and Test Accommodations Coordinator will: Select Room Supervisors and Proctors Conduct a required local training session for all testing staff before testing (a separate training session is required for all staff who will be supporting students testing with accommodations conducted by the TAC at each school) Distribute a complete copy of the appropriate Supervisor’s Manual to each Room Supervisor

48 Ordering & Return of Materials

49 Ordering Materials Enrollment provided on Appointment of Testing Staff/School Information Form completed by Principal Confirmation of enrollment on Confirmation Form submitted by Test Supervisor in January for schools testing in March February for schools testing in April Contact ACT to order additional materials After the Initial Test Date, order makeup materials by 5 pm CT, the day after the Initial day of testing for the Makeup Test Date

50 Non-secure Shipment To arrive Early February for March testers Mid March for the April testers To Test Supervisor Supervisor’s Manual Taking the ACT for State Testing Answer documents (blank) Someone must be at the school to receive this shipment

51 Secure Shipment To arrive in schools (not district offices) the week prior to the Initial Day of testing To Test Supervisor Standard Time Test booklets To Test Accommodations Coordinator ACT-Approved Accommodations materials State-Allowed Accommodations materials Someone must be at the school to receive this shipment If your school is on spring break that week, we will ship one week early

52 Materials Return The carrier will pick up materials The day after the Initial Test Date The day after the Makeup Test Date Accommodations materials the day after the closing of the test window Pick ups are pre-scheduled by ACT Carrier may arrive at schools anywhere from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

53 Getting Started Now

54 Getting Started Now Districts need to Decide on your test date – March or April Decide on your test option – ACT or ACT Plus Writing Are you going to use Pre-ID bar code labels

55 Getting Started Now Complete and sign the Purchase Agreement Indicate your choice of test option Indicate your choice of test date Include the estimated number of students that will be tested Complete Exhibit 1 – Description of Services Indicate your agreement to the requirements by initialing next to each item

56 Getting Started Now Complete and return Attachment A Complete all three tabs – School Info, DAC (District Assessment Coordinator) Info and Billing Information With only two exceptions – ACT HS Code and Purchase Order Number – all other fields are required DAC Info tab collects information such as your test date, test option and bar code file choices

57 Getting Started Now Return signed Purchase Agreement, Exhibit 1, and completed Attachment A by the deadlines No later than June 15 for March testing No later than August 15 for April testing

58 Getting Started Now Principals, plan ahead— Work with your district to inform students and parents of this test experience Be thinking about who you will appoint as testing staff – Test Supervisor, Backup and Test Accommodations Coordinator Consider your school in terms of meeting standard testing requirements Work with staff to submit accommodations requests as this requires extra planning

59 Resources for DCST Forms and materials: Program questions: Sean 319/