Training Workshops

1
The ACT for Colorado State Test

• 2008
• Training Workshops
• Presented by CDE and ACT

2
Why are we here?

• Overview of purposes and participants
• Detailed explanations of procedures
• Ensure a smooth administration

3
Workshop agenda

• The ACT for Colorado State Test Overview
• Test Administration
• Policies
• Pre-Test
• Test Day
• Post-Test
• Test Accommodations
• Questions

4
Is this a real ACT test?

• Form is equivalent to other ACT test forms
• English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science
• Administration must meet standard testing
  requirements

5
How will the results be reported?

• Type of Testing - STATE
• Student Reports
• High School Reports
• Colleges and Universities
• Summary Reports

6
Do colleges accept State scores?

• All U.S. colleges and universities notified by
  ACT
• All colleges and universities in Colorado
• NCAA does accept for initial eligibility

7
The ACT for Colorado basics

• April 23 and May 7
• All Grade 11 students
• Every School Must Appoint
• Test Supervisor
• Back-Up Supervisor
• Test Accommodations Coordinator (TAC)

8
Answer Folder Supplement State-Assigned Student
ID

• SASID State-Assigned Student Identification
  numbers assigned for all
• Must be included on answer folder
• Bar-Code Labels provided
• Insert label in Block R
• Grid I.D. number if no label provided
• Call District Office for missing ID numbers

9
Answer Folder Supplement Block T

• State questions
• Must be completed for each student
• When to complete?
• 1 - 9 before test
• Default answers if left blank
• 10 after test
• Use correct codes - SARs

10
CDEs use of scores

• Will report scores received by each school and
  district
• (not individual student scores)
• Used in School Accountability Reports
• Only scores from Reading, English, and
  Mathematics used for SARs

11
Vouchers for April 12,2008ACT National Test Date
ACT National Test Date April 12

• CDE approval required - specific eligibility
  criteria only for online schools
• March 7 registration deadline for student to
  register with ACT
• If voucher used for April 12, may not test on May
  7

12
Success for you and your students

• Avoiding the Pitfalls
• Testing must begin by 9 am
• Pre-test session not on test day
• Administer tests in order Test 1,
• Test 2, etc.
• Accommodations testing dont mix timing codes
• Test materials no transferring or sharing
  between schools
• If in doubt, always contact ACT with questions!

13
District Assessment Coordinators Key points to
keep in mind

• All test materials are shipped from ACT directly
  to schools
• Student biographical information provided by
  districts and linked to the student labels used
  during testingjust like CSAP testing
• Student Biographical Data (SBD) Review for CO ACT
  takes place in June
• Communicate with CO ACT ADE respondents early and
  often

14
ACT policies

• Protect integrity of testing program
• Protect you from allegations
• Apply to initial, makeup, and accommodations
  testing

15
Standardized procedures

• Supervisors Manual of Instructions
• Standard Time Manual
• Special Manual
• All staff must read follow
• Responsibilities
• Supervisor Back-up (p. 7)
• TAC (p. 8 )
• Verbatim verbal instructions
• Uniform procedures

16
Authorized dates and times

• First activity of morning
• Must begin by 9 am
• No afternoon or evening testing
• April 23 and May 7
• No Early Bird testing
• Accommodations window
• April 23 - May 7

STATE Test Date April 23
17
ACT Standard Testing Requirements

• Facilities
• Personnel
• Security
• Exact Timing
• Test Day Documentation

18
Pre-testSelecting/preparing rooms (p. 4) (p. 6)

• Desks surfaces
• Face same direction
• Spacing
• Bulletin boards
• Temperature and lighting
• Limited distractions
• Off-site facilities
• Materials provided by school

19
Staff selection

• No students, parents, volunteers or potential
  future examinees
• Integrity
• Available for entire test session

20
Standard Time Testing staff roles

• Room Supervisors
• Same person all session
• One for each room
• Proctors
• 26-50 examinees, one proctor
• Each additional 25, one more proctor
• Roving proctor
• Proctor shifts

21
Restriction on test preparation

• No ACT test preparation activities during current
  year for commercial gain
• Allowed only if
• Test prep part of regular job responsibilities
• Employer not a commercial enterprise

22
Relatives testing

• Supervisor/Back-up/TAC
• Prior access, so no relatives testing in State
• R/S and proctors
• Not in the same rooms
• Avoids appearance of conflict of interest
• Protects staff and related examinees

23
Before test dayLocal training session required

• Discuss before test day
• Policies
• Pre-Test duties
• Test Day assignments
• Post-Test procedures
• Read
• Supervisors Manuals
• Training Outline
• (p. 57) Standard Time Manual
• (p. 89) Special Manual
• Room supervisor, proctor, and TAC guides

24
Attentiveness during testing

• Read only Supervisors Manual of Instructions
• Walk around room
• Discourage prohibited behavior
• Answer questions
• Must not engage in non-test related activities
• Grade papers
• Read books
• Talk casually

25
Non-secure materials

• To arrive Feb 26 - Mar 3
• To Test Supervisor
• Supervisors Manual
• Room supervisor and proctor supplements
• Taking the ACT for State Testing
• Answer Folders (blank)
• Answer Folder Supplement
• Bar-Code Labels

26
Bar-Code Labels

• Labels will be yellow in color
• Affix to Page 4 of Answer Folder (Block R only)
• All students must grid identifying information
  and address even those with labels

27
Pre-testAnswer Folder Pgs 1, 2, 4

• Pre-test session held before test day
• ALL students, including any with accommodations
• School-supervised non-secure session(s)
• Verbatim instructions
• Block P College codes
• Block R Bar-Code labels

28
Collect and OrganizeCompleted Answer Folders

• Collect folders (keep secure)
• Student reminders
• Bring 2 pencils
• Bring permitted calculator (p. 12, p.13)
• Bring required ID
• Plan redistribution
• Give to TAC

29
Staff Answer Folder Pages 1 4

• Colorado Answer Folder Supplement
• Block M H.S. Code (If necessary)
• Block O Local ID Number (Optional)
• Block R Colorado State ID
• Bar-Code Label
• Block T School Use Only State Specific
  Questions
• (Required)

30
Test day pre-planning

• Review rooms
• Organize answer folders
• Prepare rosters
• Assign staff
• Prepare test day materials
• Practice verbal instructions

31
Standard TimeSecure materials (week of April 14)

• To Test Supervisor
• TEST BOOKLETS
• Supervisors Report Form
• Fax Order Form for Makeup Materials
• Return envelopes
• Packing instructions
• Spring Break Conflict?
• -- week of April 7
• KEEP Carton(s) for return

32
Missing secure materials

• Report shortages or evidence of tampering
  IMMEDIATELY to ACT
• Phone [phone]
• ext 2800 Standard Time
• ext 1788 Special Testing

33
Security of materials

• Two Lock Rule
• Treat as you would a large sum of MONEY
• Documented Chain of Custody

34
Test DayBriefing session

• R/S and proctor arrival
• At least 30 minutes early
• Review procedures
• Last-minute details
• Hand-delivery of test materials
• Document with Test Booklet Count Form (p. 49)

35
Observers

• Authorized Observers
• ACT
• CDE
• Letter and ID
• Unauthorized Observers
• Media
• Test prep companies
• Parents
• School board members

36
Examinee ID requirements (p. 19) (p.20 )

• Personal recognition by school staff
• Not friends or parents
• Not via phone calls
• YEARBOOK
• Current official photo ID
• ID letter, notarized statement

37
Admitting examinees

• Check IDs and mark rosters
• Direct students to seats
• Alphabetical OK
• Left/right and front/back
• Be directive about it
• No late arrivals
• No food or drink
• No cell phones

38
Test day schedule (Standard Time, p. 18)

• ACT English 45 min.
• (no break)
• ACT Mathematics 60 min.
• (15 min. break)
• ACT Reading 35 min.
• (no break)
• ACT Science 35 min.

39
Distribution of Test Books
End

• After students are seated
• Only when prompted by verbal instructions
• In unbroken, sequential order
• Only to those present
• Individually, one-by-one

002
003
007
absent
004
absent
001
005
006
Start
40
Exact timing of tests

• Use more than one timepiece
• Time each room individually
• No central timing
• Record times in Supervisors Manual
• Standard Time Testing Time Verification Form
  (p. 51)
• Special Testing Accommodations Administration
  Report (p. 75)
• Dont miss 5-minute warning

41
Permitted calculators (p. 12) (p. 13)

• Details in student booklets or at
  www.actstudent.org
• Prohibited features - see list
• Do not clear calculators
• Check before Test 2 (Math) starts
• Permitted calculator is ultimately the students
  responsibility

42
Standard Time15-minute break after Test 2 (p.
22)

• No lunch
• Remind students to be quiet
• Room attended at all times by staff
• If students dont return on time
• Resume testing
• No makeup time
• Irregularity Report

43
Group irregularities (p. 33) (p. 69)

• Document and call ACT if
• Inclement weather
• Power failure
• Emergency evacuations
• Major disturbance
• Missing materials
• Mistiming
• Ph 800/553-6244
• ext 2800 Standard Time
• ext 1788 Special Testing
• Document minor distractions

44
Individual irregularities (p. 34) (p. 70)

• Defective materials
• Replace (standard time)
• Examinee illnesses
• Schedule for makeup
• Marking in future section of folder
• Irrational behavior
• Document everything

45
Prohibited Behavior (p. 36) (p. 72)

• Examples of prohibited behaviors
• Creating disturbance
• Giving/receiving help
• Previous test section
• Beyond time
• Calculator issues
• Void answer folder
• No makeup test
• If security breach
• Call ACT
• Document everything

46
Post-testTest Day Documentation

• Test Roster (p. 43)
• (Provided by ACT for Special Testing)
• Irregularity Report (p. 45) (p. 81)
• Seating Diagram (p. 47) (p. 77)
• Test Booklet Count Form
• (Standard Time Only p. 49)
• Testing Time Verification Form
• (Standard Time Only p. 51)
• Accommodations Admin. Report (Special Testing
  only p. 75)
• Testing Staff List (p. 53) (p. 79)

47
Ordering Standard TimeMakeup Test Materials (p.
38)

• Makeup examinees
• April 23 absences - check roster
• Illness / unable to finish
• NOT if dismissed for prohibited behavior
• Examples
• Fax Form for Materials
• Fax [phone] (ACT)
• By Thursday, April 24
• New materials by May 2

48
Standard TimeGREEN ink envelope

• ANSWER FOLDERS FOR PROCESSING
• Supervisors Report Form
• Used Answer Folders to be scored

49
Standard Time RED ink envelope

• TEST ADMIN. FORMS
• Irregularity reports
• Void answer folders
• Test Roster(s)
• ID Letters (if any)
• Test Booklet Count Form(s)
• Testing Time Verification Form(s)
• Seating Diagram(s)
• Testing Staff List

50
Standard Time MaterialsPackaging for return
(p. 41)

• Follow Packing Instructions
• Unused test booklets
• Used test booklets
• Used Supervisors Manuals
• Answer folder envelope(s)
• Envelope of completed test administration forms
• Seal and keep secure

51
Packing Initial Test Date vs. Makeup Testing
(p. 40)

• After April 23
• Keep unused and partial Answer Folders for makeup
• Pack used Answer Folders for scoring (green ink
  env.)
• Pack void answer folders from prohibited behavior
  (red ink env.)
• Return ALL test booklets
• After May 7 Makeup
• Return everything

52
Return Shipping UPS will Pick Up

• Pre-scheduled UPS pickups
• Thursday, April 24
• Thursday, May 8(makeup and accommodations
  testing)
• Call ACT if UPS does not arrive
• Ph 800/553-6244 x 2800

53
TEST ACCOMMODATIONS

• For Test Accommodations Coordinators and Test
  Supervisors
• We will discuss
• Who makes the decisions
• Materials security organization
• Administration procedures
• Return of materials

54
Locally Approved Accommodations

• Standard time limits with normal breaks
• - Regular type
• - No special test format
• Examples
• Wheelchair access
• Sign language interpreter for spoken instructions
  (not items)
• Seating at front of room
• Separate room

55
ACT-Approved Accommodations

• Approval from ACT required if documented
  disability and request
• Extended time
• Multiple days
• Alternate formats
• - Cassette tapes
• - Large type
• - Reader
• - Braille
• If approved, testing window April 23 - May 7

56
State-Allowed Accommodations

• If student does not meet criteria for
  ACT-Approved accommodations, school may apply for
  State-Allowed accommodations
• Application to ACT by Mar. 7
• Separate Materials and Testing Room
• Accommodations Testing Window April 23 May 7,
  2007
• Scores only for state assessment accountability
• No scores to colleges

57
Secure Materials for Students with Accommodations

• To TAC
• ACT-Approved Preliminary Roster March 5
• Week of April 14
• Final Roster/Student letters
• Test Materials
• Administrative forms
• State-Allowed Materials
• April 14
• Keep the ACT-Approved and State-Allowed materials
  and administrations separate
• KEEP Cartons for return

58
Materials Security and Organization

• Test Materials and Rosters must be kept SECURE
• Keep in locked storage
• Confidential information
• Individual Packet for each approved student
• Only for named student
• Only the approved accommodation(s)
• Decide number of rooms and assign staff -
  separate room for each timing code

59
Accommodations Testing (p. 9, 10, 83, 85)Testing
staff roles

• Room Supervisor for each room
• Same timing code per room
• Proctor - if more than 10 examinees in a room
• Reader (if approved by ACT)
• Also serves as room supervisor
• Must sign agreement (p. 83)
• Sign Language Interpreter
• For spoken instructions
• If ACT approved signing test questions, must sign
  agreement (p. 85)

60
Extended-time Testing Procedures

• Do not mix timing codes
• Tests in proper sequence
• If separate sessions/days, must complete test
• Never left unattended
• School bells allowed
• May reschedule within
• two-week window
• Document time used

61
Other Administration Requirements

• Same staffing standards
• No coach if student-athlete
• Reader ONE examinee
• Group testing OK for cassettes with earphones
• Transfer responses from large type worksheets or
  test booklets

62
Return of Accommodations Materials

• ACT-Approved Accommodations
• Use BLUE ink envelope
• Complete envelope checklist to be
• sure all materials included
• Follow packing instructions
• State-Allowed Accommodations
• Use BROWN ink envelope
• Complete envelope checklist to be
• sure all materials included
• Follow packing instructions
• May 8 - UPS will pick up

63
Keep Test Administration and Materials Separate!

• If not, scores may be voided or delayed

ACT-Approved Accommodations
Standard Time
State-Allowed Accommodations
64
Questions?

• Administration issues
• ACT 800/553-6244 x 2800
• COTest_at_act.org
• Accommodations questions
• ACT 800/553-6244 x 1788
• ACTStateAccoms_at_act.org
• Program issues
• CDE 303/866-6929