1. Non-Writing SOL Test Administration STC Training
Spring 2016

2. Disclaimer
This presentation is not meant to be the only document School Test Coordinators use in preparing for your school’s testing. It is designed to be a guide.
The Test Implementation Manual and the Examiner’s Manual should be read in their entirety prior to testing.
Please also reference documents in the PearsonAccess website as well as documents on the MCPS STC website.
All guidelines established by the Virginia Department of Education and Montgomery County Schools should be followed.

3. STC Responsibilities
The STC is an official responsibility defined by the state in the Test Implementation Manual (page 4 of the Testing Implementation Manual).
The STC is the liaison between the school and the Division Director of Testing.
The STC can choose to share duties, but this does not mean responsibility for those duties is also shared.
If the STC does decide to share responsibilities, they can only be shared with people properly trained to carry them out.
The STC must be the main point of contact in case of irregularities.

4. New Information for 2016

5. New Information for 2016
All materials for SOLs must be ordered from PearsonAccess
Online Test Examiner’s Manuals
Or, they may be printed from the VDOE website
Paper/Pencil tests
Schools can print the supplements to the Test Implementation Manual & Test Examiner’s Manuals from the VDOE website
Pearson does not provide pre-id labels
All paper/pencil test answer documents must be hand coded—all appropriate boxes must be filled in and gridded
Directions for hand gridding the answer documents are located in the Supplements to the Test Examiner’s Manuals

6. New Information for 2016
Mathematics Computer Adaptive Tests (CAT) – Including Plain English, Audio, and Read Aloud
Grade 3
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
A Computer Adaptive Test is an assessment that is customized for every student based on how the students responds to questions
The CAT adjusts the difficulty level of the questions from within the item pool for the test

7. New Information for 2016
Grades 6, 7, 8 Computer Adaptive Tests (CAT) –
The CAT assesses the Standards of Learning for the course
It does not assess standards below grade level or above grade level
Students must respond to an item in order to move to the next item
Items cannot be flagged for review
The following buttons are no longer available
Flag for Review
Previous
Section Review
Read Alouds and Interpreting/Transliterating CAT accommodations must be administered to students one-on-one

8. New Information for 2016
Grades 6, 7, 8 Computer Adaptive Tests (CAT) –
The CAT does not have a “Final Submit” button
The test is automatically submitted for the student after the last question has been answered
A student may not submit a test if it is not completed—all questions must be answered

9. New Information for 2016
Grades 6, 7, 8 Computer Adaptive Tests (CAT) –
The benefits of proctor caching remain the same.
Reducing bandwidth demand during online testing by:
Limiting the number of times the same content is downloaded over the Internet
Bringing test content closer to student workstations
Supporting online testing, to the extent possible, when Internet connectivity becomes intermittent or lost.

10. New Information for 2016 Grade 3 CAT –
Consists of 32 questions and will be administered in one day
Exception—Students with disabilities who have multiple-day testing as an accommodation may take the test over two days
The test is broken into two sections with a “Stop” sign in between
28 live questions
4 field test items
Traditional tests have 40 live questions and 10 field test questions

11. New Information for 2016 Grade 3 CAT –
No seal code is not required between Section 1 and Section 2
Individual breaks may be given at this time
Group breaks are not permissible
The Test Examiner individually reads the directions to students as they finish
Calculators are not permitted in either Section 1 or in Section 2
Some multiple-choice and technology enhanced items (TEI) may have only 3 answer choices
Make students aware prior to the test
Make students aware they may have only three answer choices before the day of the test

12. New Information for 2016 Grades 6 & 7 Mathematics CATs –
Each has two sections
A Non-Calculator Section—occurs first
A calculator Section
New icon to so teachers and students have a visual that calculators are not allowed on this section of the test
A screen with a stop sign appears between the non-calculator section and the calculator section
The Test Examiner assigns the scientific calculator to students
The Test Examiner individually reads the directions to students as they finish

13. New Information for 2016 Grades 6 & 7 Mathematics CATs –
A screen with new graphics has been added between the non-calculator section & calculator section
Indicates a calculator may be used on remaining questions.
The student is directed to raise his/her hand to receive a calculator.
A check box is available for students to indicate they received a calculator.
Note: Students will be able to proceed past this screen by hitting the Next button without entering a seal code and without checking the box. Test Examiners need to be vigilant when monitoring students.

14. New Information for 2016 Grades 6 & 7 Mathematics CATs –
Test Examiners/Proctors will need to be vigilant in monitoring students between the non-calculator and calculator sections of the test.

15. New Information for 2016 Grades 4 and 5 Reading –
The Grades 4 & 5 Reading tests have two sections.
They may be administered in one day or in two days
Be consistent with grades 4 and 5
If you do grade 4 in one day, do grade 5 in one day
If you do grade 5 in two days, do the same with grade 5
Students will need a seal code to go from Section 1 to Section 2

16. New Information for 2016 History Assessments –
Spring 2016 tests will include
Field-test items based on content that is common between the 2008 and 2015 standards
Field-test items that are technology-enhanced items
Students must have the opportunity to practice the TEI prior to test day
Operational multiple-choice items that assess only the 2008 standards

17. New Information for 2016 Expedited Retakes –
Flexibility that was offered in the Spring 2015 Non-Writing test administration is no longer available in the school year
School divisions (to be interpreted schools) must offer expedited retakes to eligible students in all non-writing subject areas
Eligibility criteria—failing scores between 375 and 399

18. New Information for 2016
Expedited Retakes in Grades 3 through 8 and CSH –
Two additional conditions must be met to administer expedited retakes to students in grades 3 through 8 and CSH
School divisions must notify parents of eligible students:
Of the opportunity to retake the test(s)
That a decision not to retake the test(s) will not impact their child’s grade or academic record
Of the opt-in requirement
Prior to any additional testing, school divisions shall obtain and maintain documentation of affirmative parental consent and permission for their child to take an expedited retake

19. New Information for 2016 Expedited Retakes in Grades 3 through 8 –
If the student qualifies for an expedited retake
STCs must make a new test assignment in PearsonAccess under Student Registration
Create expedited retake sessions in PearsonAccess

20. New Information for 2016 Student Test Scores: Privacy –
It was brought to the VDOE’s attention that in some schools, student confidentiality was not protected when providing SOL test results to students
This includes verbiage used when taking students out for remediation and testing after they failed the first administration of the SOL
This violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

21. New Information for 2016
Specific Verbal Prompts (Accommodation Code 20) –
Test Examiner may use specific verbal prompts to keep the student focused This includes verbiage used when taking students out for remediation and testing after they failed the first administration of the SOL
The only prompts that may be used are:
“Please continue with your test.”
“Keep working.”
“Keep going.”
“Focus.”
“Stay focused.”
Any other prompts used should have been submitted on a “Special Accommodation Request Form.”

22. New Information for 2016 Specific Verbal Prompts (continued) –
The student must be assessed individually
The test session must be recorded or proctored

23. New Information for 2016 Dry Erase Board (Accommodation Code 2) –
The student may use a dry erase board in place of scratch paper
This may include a large wall-mounted board
The student must be tested individually
Windows may need to be covered
The dry-erase board must be completely erased prior to the beginning of the test and at the end of the test
The student must use the dry-erase board independently without assistance from the Test Examiner

24. New Information for 2016 Dry Erase Board (continued) –
Must not be reminded to use the board
Discussing test items
Providing hints or clues
Giving verbal or nonverbal cues about the correctness of the student’s response
The test session must be video recorded or proctored

25. New Information for 2016
Additional Markers, Highlighters, Colored Pens, and/or Pencils (Accommodation Code Not Required) –
The student may have additional color dry-erase markers (if the dry-erase board accommodation is used), highlighters, colored pens, and/or colored pencils
Must be provided to the student at the beginning of the test session

26. New Information for 2016
Additional Markers, Highlighters, Colored Pens, and/or Pencils (Accommodation Code Not Required) –
The student must use the additional markers, highlighters, pens, or pencils independently without assistance from the Test Examiner
Must not be reminded to use the board
Discussing test items
Providing hints or clues
Giving verbal or nonverbal cues about the correctness of the student’s response

27. New Information for 2016
Written directions to Accompany Oral Directions (Accommodation Code Not Required) –
Allow the student to be provided a copy of the written directions from the Examiner’s Manual
Must not be reminded to use the board
Discussing test items
Providing hints or clues
Giving verbal or nonverbal cues about the correctness of the student’s response

28. New Information for 2016
Guidelines for the bilingual and English dictionary accommodation have been updated
Dictionaries must not be a specialized dictionary
Subject specific
Rhyming
Picture
Etc.
The table for Direct and Indirect Linguistic Testing Accommodations for LEP Students has been updated to clarify the ACCESS for ELLs score ranges criteria for the Plain English Mathematics test

29. New Information for 2016

30. New Information for 2016
The Table of Testing Accommodations has been expanded into two tables
Test Implementation Manual (Appendix D)
Examiner’s Manual (Appendix C)
The Table of Testing Accommodations Which Require a Code—reflects the new codes added, expansions, and new guidance
The Table of Testing Accommodations Which Do Not Require a Code—lists permissible accommodations which, at this time, do not require a code

31. New Information for 2016 Form Numbers (SXXCY) S = Subject
H—History
M—Math
R— Reading
S—Science
W--Writing
X = Version Number
C = Core Number
1, 2, and 3 are online tests
4, 5, and 6 are paper tests
Y = Year of Development
4 = the form was developed in 2014
6 = the form was developed in 2016

32. New Information for 2016 School Detail by Question Summary Report
Post-ATP report
Traditional forms only—not available for CAT
The report will be created by core

33. New Information for 2016

34. New Information for 2016 Reporting Category Data—Current Standards
Mean Scaled Score
Median Scaled Score
% Correct in School and Division
Item Difficulty Level
Item Descriptor Sort Order
% correct in school from lowest to highest
If a tie, item difficulty from high to low
If still a tie, % correct in division from lowest to highest

35. New Information for 2016 Reporting Category Data—Old Standards
Mean Scaled Score
Median Scaled Score
% Correct in School and Division
Item Difficulty Level
Item Descriptor Sort Order
% correct in school from lowest to highest
If a tie, % correct in division from lowest to highest
If still a tie, % correct in division from lowest to highest

36. New Information for 2016 Report is created by core.
Mean scaled score and Median scaled score are represented with their own bar graphs.

37. New Information for 2016
Mathematics reports will include the “double dagger” to indicate items taken in a section of the test where a calculator was not provided to students

38. New Information for 2016 Duplex Printing of Student Report—School Copy
Student Report—School Copy will be printed front and back, like the Parent Copy, when ordered from Pearson
The PDF file, however, will include a place holder page when necessary
The place holder page states: “THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.”

39. New Information for 2016

40. Important Reminders

41. Important Reminders for 2016
New Sections in Test Implementation Manual and Test Examiner’s Manual
Please make arrangements for your staff to discuss with your students prior to testing the consequences of students having cell phones and other electronic devices during the SOL assessment.
Two days of ISS
Parents pick up device
Revised Testing Status Table
Testing Status 50—Student Refusal/Disruptive
Testing Status 51—Parent Refusal—stay tuned for a possible update on this testing status

42. Important Reminders for 2016
New Sections in Test Implementation Manual and Test Examiner’s Manual
Please make arrangements for your staff to discuss with students the consequences of cheating.
Two days of OSS
Student will receive a zero on the assessment
Student cannot retake the SOL during the current administration (high schools only)
Appendices C & D—Have been updated to reflect current policy.

43. Important Reminders for 2016
Updates to Troubleshooting Section in the Examiner’s Manual
Message 8627a—Unable to communicate with the testing server
Message 8627b—Unable to communicate with the testing server
Use Internet Explorer to proctor cache and as the web browser for student testing
Google Chrome currently cannot be used at all
Mozilla FireFox could become a problem at any time

44. Important Reminders for 2016
Audio Test—The test is read by the computer to the student.
Read Aloud Test—The test is read by a live person to the student.
Audio and Read Aloud Tests
Icons are on the PearsonAccess test session screen next to the student’s form number.
Icons are on the student’s test ticket.
If a student needs to be changed to an audio or vice versa, they should be in “Exited” status before you call me
When you set up test sessions for an audio or read aloud test, remember that the audio is read by the computer. The read aloud is read by a live person. Always look for the icons for the audio (headphones) and read aloud (two people) beside the student’s form number in the test session and on the test ticket. If you don’t see an icon, you set up the test incorrectly.

45. Important Reminders for 2016
Grade 3 Reading Test –
Must be administered in two sessions
Same day
Students must have at least a 15 minute break between sessions
Over two days
Students will need a seal code in order to go from Section 1 to Section 2
When you set up test sessions for an audio or read aloud test, remember that the audio is read by the computer. The read aloud is read by a live person. Always look for the icons for the audio (headphones) and read aloud (two people) beside the student’s form number in the test session and on the test ticket. If you don’t see an icon, you set up the test incorrectly.

46. Important Reminders for 2016
Grades 4 and 5 Mathematics –
The Grades 4 & 5 Mathematics tests have two sections.
Calculators are not permitted in Section 1
Students may use a 4-function calculator in Section 2
The test may be administered in one day or in two days
Be consistent with grades 4 and 5
Students will need a seal code to go from Section 1 to Section 2

47. Important Reminders for 2016
If you plan to administer tests after 5:00, I need to know in advance
Pearson must be notified in advance
This is the last year the Modified Standard Diploma is available to students
Only available to students who entered the 9th grade prior to the school year
Watch your early graduates
Students who are planning to graduate with a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma by August 31, 2016, are considered Term Graduates
When you set up test sessions for an audio or read aloud test, remember that the audio is read by the computer. The read aloud is read by a live person. Always look for the icons for the audio (headphones) and read aloud (two people) beside the student’s form number in the test session and on the test ticket. If you don’t see an icon, you set up the test incorrectly.

48. Pre-Test Activities

49. Pre-Test Activities
Carefully read and implement the Test Implementation Manual & the Examiner’s Manual exactly as they are written—You are responsible for the content in its entirety.
Resolve any questions you may have with Carol.
If you see any conflicts with today’s training, please let Carol know.

50. Pre-Test Activities
Each school is now given a black, plastic testing folder that must be returned at the end of testing.
This folder will contain all your important paperwork.
The testing plan goes in the front with six colored folders behind it. A list of what goes in each folder is in the front of the black folder and on the label on each individual colored folder.

51. Pre-Test Activities
All tests must be completed within the testing window, including make ups.
If a student is absent and cannot do the make up prior to May 20, s/he is absent.
Exception—Expedited Retakes
Reminder—Montgomery County’s Testing Window is April 25 through May 20.
Expedited retakes may occur during the next three weeks.
See the Homebound Student SOL Testing Protocol
The STC must let me know your school’s testing schedule prior to May 7. If it changes in any way, let Carol know immediately.
All testing must be complete by June 13—Expedited Retakes may go into the next week.

52. Pre-Test Activities
When scheduling tests, if at all possible, plan your start time so students can finish testing prior to lunch or prior to the end of the school day.
Have a plan in place to move students to an alternate test site for those individuals who go over the allocated amount of time in your schedule.
The alternate test site must meet the same test security guidelines as the regular testing rooms.
Know who will move students from one location to another—make sure they know correct procedures.
Security guidelines—no curricular content or testing strategies on the walls.

53. Pre-Test Activities Determine students to be tested
All students in grades 3-8
Students in grades 3-8 are not end-of-course; they are end-of-grade. That means they take all SOLs at their particular grade level.
This includes homebound students
No exemptions except LEP students
First year in a US School—Can be exempt in Reading (Grades 3-8 only)
Grades 4-8—One time exemption in Writing and History
Carol must be notified as soon as you know of any medical exemptions.
A copy of the documentation should be faxed to Carol ( ).
Documentation from a licensed doctor must be placed in the student’s cumulative file (Red Testing Folder).
Special education students cannot be exempt
Students in grade 5 and 8 must take the science test.
Medical exemptions must be a new occurrence or a very recent escalation of an existing condition.

54. Pre-Test Activities Determine students to be tested (continued)
All students enrolled in an EOC course
Watch your AP substitute tests—You’ll have time to administer SOL tests to test students who do not take the AP
All term-grad students who need a verified credit to graduate
All project graduation students
High schools, you have a list of students at this point who took the AP test. If the student said they were going to take the AP test and did not, they MUST be tested!

55. Pre-Test Activities Determine students to be tested (continued)
Retesters
Do not “Mark Complete” and absent if retesters do not test.
NOTE: Students who have fulfilled their specific diploma verified credit requirements should not be retested (page ix of the Testing Implementation Manual).
High schools, you have a list of students at this point who took the AP test. If the student said they were going to take the AP test and did not, they MUST be tested!

56. Pre-Test Activities Determine students to be tested (continued)
Students who are participating in a VAAP are accounted for on another “side of the house”—Do not put them into a test session, and do not mark their test complete.
Arrange for hall monitors and a communication system for Test Examiners to let you know if there is an issue.
If you have a student taking an alternate assessment, they are being take care somewhere else in Pearson. You do not need to worry about them in the regular PearsonAccess.
The communication system may be telephones in the rooms, and they call you. Or, it can be a simple as putting a sticky note on the door that says I need a restroom break.

57. Pre-Test Activities
Work with your consulting teachers to determine which students have accommodations.
Determine the accommodations each student needs.
VERIFY THE ACCOMMODATIONS
Use the Accommodations Matrix—mandatory in Montgomery County
Determine groups accordingly.
One-on-one testing
Remember the CAT read alouds
Small group testing
Included in the regular classroom
The accommodations matrix is on the STC website as well as a copy included in the testing plan.

58. Pre-Test Activities
Determine the number of test examiners and proctors needed for testing.
Train all test examiners and proctors.
Examiners and proctors must have the same training.
All schools must use the PowerPoint that is provided on the STC website (it is also in Moodle).
You may add school-specific information, but you cannot remove information from it.

59. Pre-Test Activities
Examiners and proctors who will be administering tests to students with accommodations must also be trained using the Montgomery County Accommodations PowerPoint on the STC website.
Included in the PowerPoint are several external references that these examiners and proctors must also read and be familiar with.
Examines and Proctors who conduct a read-aloud assessment must read and be familiar with through the Read Aloud Guidelines.
Individuals who conduct read-aloud test sessions should listen to an audio practice prior to testing
You will need to plan a time to train your examiners who will test students with accommodations.
Everyone who may be exposed to an SOL test must sign a School Division Personnel Test Security Agreement.
All schools are required to complete the Testing Plan. Part of the test plan is the accommodations matrix. Since we’ve been using this accommodations matrix, this type of irregularity has declined. This plan helps ensure all of the required pieces of testing are completed.

60. Pre-Test Activities
Train Test Examiners and Proctors on how to prepare computers for testing the morning of the test.
Provide the handout from the DDOT
Do not use classroom management monitoring software (e.g., Insight) to log computers into Novell and go to the TestNav login screen.
This is a security violation
Do not use classroom management monitoring software to monitor students during the SOL assessment.
Again, this is a security violation

61. Pre-Test Activities
At least two weeks prior to testing—Check computer stations to be sure equipment is working and that each station has a working mouse.
Submit work orders to Technology for any computer issues.
One to two weeks prior to testing—Be sure you have all required manipulatives for each test.
For manipulatives, see pages 18 through 22 of the Testing Implementation Manual. Additionally, I’ve attached a copy of allowable calculators, etc.

62. Pre-Test Activities
One to two weeks prior to testing—Set up your test sessions in PearsonAccess.
Audio tests in a separate test session (recommendation—but not mandatory)
Form numbers will begin with a “9” (R9051)
Proctor caching for audio tests is mandatory
Read aloud in a separate test session—mandatory
Audio test session do not have to be in a separate test session—that is just my recommendation.
Read aloud test sessions must be in a separate test session so each student has the same form and you can give the test examiner his/her own test ticket.

63. Pre-Test Activities
No earlier than 4 business days prior to each test session—Print test tickets, proctor authorization tickets for read alouds, and seal codes.
Grades 3 – 7 Reading & Math—Seal Codes

64. Pre-Test Activities
One day prior to testing—Walk through testing rooms (including overflow rooms) to be sure content and strategy-related materials have been removed/covered.
Work with your school administration to establish the school climate during testing.
Testing is important and students who are not testing should be cognizant of the need to be quiet.
Teachers should not scare students into taking the test seriously.
Preparation is the best way to build a student’s confidence in the weeks prior to testing.
Administrators should be in the hallways if classes change to be sure students are quiet. However, whenever possible, bells should be held until the majority of students are finished with testing.

65. During Testing

66. During Testing Have a contingency plan in place.
Inclement weather
Technology issues
Other unforeseen events
Proctor cache the appropriate test session(s) the day before your school testing window begins (Friday if a Monday test).
No longer required to proctor cache every night
Conduct secure check out & check in of test materials.
Start the test session(s) the morning of the test.

67. During Testing Monitor testing
Activities of Test Examiners & Proctors—Be available to answer questions and resolve problems as they arise.
Students
PearsonAccess
Irregularities

68. During Testing
Move students to makeup test sessions and stop all test sessions at the end of the day:
Including students who are taking the reading and/or mathematics test over a two-day period
Students must be in “Exited” status.
Be sure all test accommodations are followed according to the guidelines in Appendix C of the Testing Implementation Manual.
In some instances, you may want to use a proctor and record the test session.
Just so you know, Roanoke County has all their test sessions recorded and proctored.

69. During Testing
Contact Carol—in all instances—if you have an issue ( ). Please do not bypass me.
Computer issues—During testing I immediately take issues to Kenny and Greg.
Occasionally computer issues become irregularity issues.
Having the administrative assistant call the ITRT and the counselor call Carol does not count as contacting Carol first.
Testing issues—In the case of a possible irregularity, call Carol immediately. An irregularity will need to be faxed ( ) by 5:00 on the date of the occurrence.
Brenda Blackburn established guidelines a couple years ago. Part of those guidelines include me physically being at technology during testing. That has worked really well. The other guideline that she established is that I am the main point of contact for all issues during testing. Sometimes I can resolve the issue myself; sometimes I need to get technology folks involved.

70. After Testing

71. After Testing Account for all test materials.
Paper/Pencil—return to Carol as soon as you finish the paper/pencil test. Do not let it sit at your school until the testing window is over.
Online
Scratch paper
Hand code all paper/pencil tests.
Code accommodations on tests.
Paper/pencil
Online—Accommodations cannot be coded until the test is submitted and in “Completed” status.

72. After Testing
Mark student tests complete—not available for elementary—you must contact Carol.
For students who are:
Absent—A student must have every opportunity to make up a test—Mark the test complete only after the test window is over.
LEP Exempt
Medical Emergency
Refusal/Disruptive
Students
Parents
Student cheats—An irregularity must be completed and the situation investigated.
Student already passed the test
Substitute test taken
Please read these guidelines carefully. I don’t want to do an irregularity because we incorrectly marked a student’s test complete.

73. After Testing Identify students for expedited retakes.
Students must have scored between
Be term grads and need the verified credit to graduate
Have an extenuating circumstance.
Contact Carol for all extenuating circumstances
Students cannot be forced to take an expedited retake.
Students must be remediated prior to the expedited retake (a minimum of 10 hours).

74. After Testing Identify students for expedited retakes.
Students must be assigned a new test under “Test Assignments.”
Go to Student Registration
Find the Student
Click on the Student’s Name
Go to the Assigned Tests tab
Click on Add Test
Click on the appropriate test with the appropriate Group Name
Look at coding on the first test to see how they were coded.
Mark them as “Retest”—very important.
They are NOT coded as Remediation Recovery on an expedited retake

75. Test Security Topics

76. Security School Division Test Security Agreement
The Virginia Department of Education requires all school division personnel who may have access to the test in any way be familiar with, read, and sign the School Division Test Security Agreement.
Teachers (Test Examiners & Proctors)
Aides
Administrators
Custodians
Administrative Assistants
Others
It can be found in Moodle under Professional Development
The link to the 11 statements on the School Division Personnel Test Security Agreement will also be included in the Examiner’s Training. Please be sure your equipment is set up to play it before you do your training—have your ITRT correct the problem before hand.
I’ll have technology folks sign the security agreement so they aren’t signing four or five of them.
VDOE recommends reading this statement at a faculty meeting—faculty and staff including administrative assistants, aids, custodians, etc.
Other school divisions have had issues with test security—teachers either trying to learn about the new tests, make sure their students do well, and even trying to enforce their personal test-prep rules be followed. Be sure that teachers understand where the line is and that they cannot cross it. Nothing is worth putting your job and teaching license at risk.
Note that VDOE forbids teachers from requiring students to perform a particular testing strategy during testing. They can teach strategies, give them a menu so to speak, but if they put undue pressure on students to use them or even require students to use them during testing, then they are violating the standardization of the testing environment and all tests involved will be invalidated.

77. Security
Specific Points from the School Division Personnel Test Security Agreement
Security before, during, and after testing is of the utmost importance.
Teachers/schools cannot require or put undue pressure on students to use a particular testing strategy during testing—this includes providing incentives.
Points 2 and 10 on the School Division Personnel Test Security Agreement addresses this.
If you have an idea that you would like to ask me about, send me an with the specific details.
Teachers cannot provide clues to students in any way or review test materials in any way. If you look at item number two on the security agreement, you see specific ways that test examiners have influenced testing in Virginia.
Scratch paper cannot be scored or reviewed in any way.
All of our schools teach students test-taking strategies, and that’s a good thing. However, a test examiner is crossing the line when he or she requires or puts undue pressure on a student to use a specific testing strategy. This violates the standardization of testing environment, and entire classes of students have had to retake a test because this occurred. This includes providing incentives for students to use a specific testing strategy—extra points on their grade, etc.

78. Security
Montgomery County does not use non-MCPS employees as Test Examiners or Proctors. They may not come in contact with the test in any way.
Student teachers
Interns
Volunteers
Substitutes
As you read the Test Implementation Manual and the Examiner’s Manual, you see security stressed in every step of testing. The Virginia Department of Education does not take security lightly.
Non-school employees, however, may be used as hall monitors, in another classroom, etc. Yes, it would be good experience for a student teacher to have the opportunity to serve as a proctor. No, they cannot do it.

79. Security
Test materials must be maintained in a secure, locked area with extremely limited access (i.e., STC, STC Assistant) before, during, and after testing.
Paper/pencil tests
Test tickets for online testing
Tests materials must be checked out the day of the test and returned as soon as possible after testing on the same day.
Each examiner is responsible for checking out and checking in his/her own test tickets (books).

80. Security
Examiners must always count and sign for test tickets (books) in front of the STC and vice versa upon check in.
Once the Test Examiner picks up test materials, they are never to be left unattended unless they are locked in a secure room with limited access.
Students, Test Examiners, and Proctors may not have access to personal electronic devices.
Cell phones, i-pods, etc.
Test Examiner/Proctor Exception: If your school asks the Test Examiner or Proctor to use his/her cell phone as a means of communication with the STC.
Left in the student’s locker
Put the device in the front of the room in a baggie with the student’s name on the baggie (turned off).
Never allow a test examiner to bring their materials to you and leave them on your desk. Don’t allow them to give them to another person and ask that person to give them to you.
Students may not have electronic devices during testing. Ask them to please leave them in their lockers or hand them to the Test Examiner prior to testing. If a student brings a cell phone in the testing room, it should be turned off. Test examiners should have baggies and sticky notes available to put the telephone in mark it as the student’s and place it somewhere the student will not have access to it until they leave the room. Again, it must be turned off. Ringing will disturb other students. If you have a student who has their cell phone or another electronic device during a testing session, you must collect the device and verify that no cheating occurred. I hope that after you verify no cheating occurred you would ask the parents to come to the school and retrieve it from the principal—at a minimum.

81. Security
Test Examiners and Proctors are responsible for monitoring students.
Test examiners must be in the same room with students—not standing in the doorway, not in the connecting room next door.
If Test Examiners and Proctors are properly monitoring the testing room, cheating should not be an issue.
My motto is “Off seat, on feet.” Test Examiners and Proctors should circulate through the room unobtrusively.
By properly monitoring students, Test Examiners and Proctors can prevent many irregularities.

82. Security Test Examiners and Proctors should not be: Reading
Grading papers
Using electronic devices (except to contact you)
Working/playing on the computer
Talking to a friend

83. Security
Once students enter the testing room, all instruction, test review, and discussion of instructional strategies stops.
Test Examiners and Proctors must not use the student’s mouse or keyboard to navigate the test at any time.
If the computer freezes, move the student away from the computer before you try to troubleshoot the problem.
Test Examiners and Proctors must not prompt students in any way, even at the end of the test—elementary exception—see Examiner’s Manual for details.
Test Examiners and Proctors must not read the test items, create an answer key, copy test items, take notes about test items, record student responses, or discuss test items.
By properly monitoring students, Test Examiners and Proctors can prevent many irregularities.

84. Security
Breaks—
Students are to be monitored at all times when they are on a break whether it be a planned break or unplanned break.
Students must not be allowed to talk to other students.
Students must not be allowed to have access to any curricular content or testing strategies.
Only one student may go to the restroom at a time, and the student must be accompanied by an adult to and from the restroom.

85. Security
All test materials must be accounted for before students leave the testing room.
Test security procedures must be followed when moving students to another location.
Test materials must be collected from the student.
The student must be escorted from one location to the other to ensure no communication with another student takes place and to ensure the student is not exposed to curricular content or testing strategies.
The adult must carry the test materials and give them back to the student only when s/he is settled and ready to begin testing.

86. coding

87. Coding
Correct coding is essential. Mistakes can significantly impact Federal Accountability & Accreditation ratings.
Name, grade, birth date, sex, ethnicity, disability, and LEP status are loaded directly from PowerSchool.
Disadvantaged data is based on data from Nutrition.
For grades 3-8, remediation recovery status is coded if the student tested last year in Montgomery County.
I run a query to input SOA Transfer & AYP status.
I code as much information as possible when I upload the students. Ethnicity, etc. comes directly out of Pearson. Disadvantaged students are coded with data from the Nutrition Office. Remediation

88. Coding
If you have a student transfer in after the upload was completed, be sure you code the student correctly. Call me if you have a question.
If you change a test type (i.e., regular Math SOL to a Plain English Math,) check the old test assignment for coding—very important:
Ethnicity (Hispanic/Not Hispanic)
Race
Remediation Recovery
SOA Transfer
AYP status

89. Coding
All accommodations used during testing must be coded—not just the accommodations that are alerted.
If they are not coded, it appears that the division is not in compliance with the student’s IEP.

90. Troubleshooting

91. Troubleshooting
Do not bypass Carol as the primary point of contact ( ) in all situations.
Never call the Virginia Department of Education or Pearson unless directed to do so by Carol.
Please report all irregularities—failing to report an irregularity is generally far more serious than the irregularity itself.

92. Troubleshooting Java is scheduled for a major update on April 19.
Be sure TestNav works on all the computers you will use for testing.
Be sure you can proctor cache from your computer.
Submit a work order as soon as possible.
Never, ever, ever click “Block”

93. Troubleshooting Audio
Be sure the student is in Exit status prior to calling DDOT
Call Carol and have the following information
Student’s name
Student’s STI
Test name
Form Number
Keep the student seated at the workstation
Carol will call the VDOE to have the test “flipped”
Carol will call you as soon as the test is ready to go

94. Troubleshooting Read Aloud
Be sure the student is in Exit status prior to calling DDOT
Call Carol and have the following information
Student’s name
Student’s STI
Test name
Form Number
Keep the student seated at the workstation
Carol will call the VDOE to have the test “flipped”
Carol will call you as soon as the test is ready to go

95. Troubleshooting Student submits test prematurely
The student must stay in the room seated at his/her workstation
Call Carol and have the following information
Student’s name
Student’s STI
Test name
Form Number
Carol will call the VDOE to have the test “unsubmitted”
Carol will call you as soon as the test is ready to go

96. Miscellaneous topics

97. Miscellaneous
Testing logins for Novell are confidential—students are not to log into the computer using the testing login.
Grades 6-8 Reading will have a tabbed presentation of paired passages.
Use the Practice Items on the VDOE Website to familiarize students.

98. Miscellaneous
A term grad for this test administration is defined as a student who plans to graduate by the end of August 31, 2016.
Term grads should be set up with term grad forms so they have pre-equated forms.
If you have any students who need to go beyond the second attempt, contact Carol before the third and fourth attempts.
We will discuss remediation.

99. Miscellaneous
Students who transfer in and are taking EOC tests for verified credit:
Please refer to your notes for coding.
Students will take the most recent form of the test (e.g., Algebra I 2009, EOC Reading 2010).
Be very careful when you distribute formula sheets and the Periodic Table of Elements for Chemistry.
Distribute the correct formula sheet for the version of the test being administered (e.g., the 2009 Algebra I formula sheet for the 2009 Algebra I test).

100. Miscellaneous
Students who take the 2010 Chemistry test online may not have paper copies of the Periodic Table of Elements.
Match the students who took the AP test to your SOL test rosters.
If they did not take the AP test, they must take the SOL assessment.

101. Miscellaneous Chromebooks
Must have a qualified virtualization software
Very expensive
Must submit a virtualization agreement with the VDOE
A lot of problems
TestNav8 coming out in

102. References Test Implementation Manual Examiner’s Manual
PearsonAccess Webpage—
Virginia Department of Education Practice Items—
STC Webpage—