AzMERIT/AIMS Science Pre-Test Training

for School Teachers & Staff

Spring 2015

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https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=video&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCkQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DCmCXQ5DPdsA&ei=2oUAVdTAD9PVoATGjICIDw&usg=AFQjCNG5-3NdvLk8yj4knyrCKrKbHslX4w&sig2=UbZximXY6HvFuzb-9V8pIg

Babies Discuss High Stakes Testing

AzMERIT • Arizona’s Measurement of Educational Readiness to Inform

Teaching. • This assessment is for 3rd-8th graders in our schools and

includes assessments in the English Language Arts, both Reading & Writing, and Mathematics.

• Like 60% of the schools in Arizona, we will be taking the Paper-Based Test.

AIMS Science • Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards in Science• This assessment is for 4th and 8th graders only at our schools.3

TRAINING OVERVIEW

AzMERIT• Testing Schedule• Prior to Testing • Test Administration• Accommodations

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AIMS Science• Testing Schedule• Preparation,

Administration, Accommodations

Grades 3 – 8Test Days

Content Area Tests are Untimed HOWEVER

These are Estimated Times

Day 1 Monday, April 13, 2015

ELA – Writing 45-90 minutes

Day 2Tuesday, April 14, 2015

ELA – Reading, Part 1Mathematics, Part 1

45-75 minutes60-85 minutes

Day 3Wed., April 15, 2015

ELA – Reading, Part 2Mathematics, Part 2

45-75 minutes60-85 minutes

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For Legacy and Athlos

Mathematics – End-of-Course (EOC)

Estimated Times

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Algebra I (Pt. 1 & 2)Geometry (Pt. 1 & 2)Algebra II (Pt. 1 & 2)

Pt. 1: 50-85 minutesPt. 2: 50-85 minutes

AIMS Science (more on this later) Estimated Time

Monday, April 20, 2015

Grades 4 and 8 only 2 hours

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For Legacy and Athlos

Test Administration Schedules – There must be a break between test sessions

scheduled on the same day–AzMERIT and AIMS Science are untimed.• 95% of students should finish in estimated time

– Test Session must be completed by the end of the day

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• Students who have not completed a portion of the test will need to go to Mrs. Hall in the Library to finish.

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Students Who Need More Time

• Mr. Sanders: Cover Ms. Hall’s JH Computer classes – in gym if needed

• Mrs. Hall: Proctor AIMS to AIMers who arrive after 9:00AM in Library

• Miss Wagner: Assist in Library• Coach Harrell and Mrs. Cowan: Monitor Halls

and provide bathroom breaks for teachers• Miss Chapman: Assist Mr. Ogden

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Job Duties

•Make-Up Testing–All make-up testing for both the

AzMERIT and the AIMS Science Tests must be completed no later than April 24.

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PBT

PRIOR TO TESTING

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Test Security Form Fill Yours Out Now.

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Have the following items ready in the rooms being used to test:

• “Testing- Do Not Disturb” sign for classroom door (provided by school)

• #2 sharpened pencils (provided by school)• Scratch paper• Dictionaries and thesauri for each classroom (for the Writing

Test only).• Grade Level Writing Rubrics (provided by school)• Printed Classroom Roster Sheets (provided by school)

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You May Access Sample Tests at http://www.azed.gov/assessment/azsampleassessmentitems/:

– These are available to everyone.– Look for section on Paper-Based Testing.– These do not have sample items that

introduce content for each grade level.– These are merely to help students

understand the format of the questions.

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Calculators are not allowed to be used in Grades 3-6,

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HOWEVER…

CALCULATORS

• 7th & 8th grade students are permitted (but not required) to use scientific calculators (or calculators with fewer functions)—ONLY on Part 1 of their Math test.

• Students taking EOC tests, are permitted to use a scientific or graphing calculator (or a calculator with fewer functions).

• Jr. High/EOC Math Teachers are aware of the specific guidelines regarding calculators. 16

AzMERIT is a computer-based test (and has been adapted for paper testing) and has the following item types: – Multiple-choice items (according to the newest information

available from ADE, most of the questions are multiple choice)– Multi-select items– Editing tasks– Hot text items– Grid items– Equation items– Open Response items 17

Test Preparation for Students and Parents• It is very important to communicate a positive attitude

about testing.• Send home positive messages in grade level newsletters, teacher

websites, etc.• Remind parents to ensure their children eat breakfast every day and

get enough sleep the night before.• Stress the importance of avoiding checking out their children from

school early on testing days.• Message that Parent Volunteers are to be scheduled outside of the

testing rooms on testing days.

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TEST ADMINISTRATION

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All staff at schools must

sign a test security

agreement for the AzMERIT & the AIMS

Science tests. 20

All Test Administrators will- • follow Testing Administration

Directions exactly as stated in the Test Administration Directions.

• receive/verify each day that testing materials were received and returned.

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Test Administrators will- • distribute/collect all testing materials

on testing days.• complete the accommodation

information on the testing booklets for all of the students receiving accommodations.

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Test Administrators will ensure that any visual aids displayed in the testing room (that could assist students while Testing) are removed or covered completely during testing.

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Testing Administrators will- • supervise the room at all times during

testing.• answer student questions pertaining

only to the clarification of directions.• verify students are marking their

answers in the proper locations in their testing materials.

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Students who disrupt testing, refuse to participate, receive help from others or engage in any other unacceptable behavior, should be subject to the disciplinary procedures established by the school.These students should be allowed to continue testing in another location.

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Students who leave the Classroom during testing…

• Must have their test materials collected upon exit.

• Must have their test materials given back to them when they return.

• May only leave one-at-a-time.

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Students who leave campus during testing…• Must have their test materials collected upon exit.• Are not allowed to finish that testing session when

they return.

Students are not allowed to use electronic devices (with the exception of acceptable

calculators for 7th-8th grade math, pt. 1 & EOC testers) during testing.

Personal electronic devices are prohibited. Remove unacceptable device if observed. Allow testing to continue, but report it to the District Assessment Coordinator.

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PBT

Each student will receive at least two Pre-ID labels for the AzMERIT, one for their Math test booklet and one for their ELA test booklet. There will be no separate answer documents, as students will write their answers directly in their test booklets for all grades.

Any Students taking the End of Course Test for Algebra I,

Geometry or Algebra II, will also receive a Pre-ID Label for

that test, as well.

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AzMERIT TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS GUIDANCE

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AzMERIT TESTING CONDITIONS, TOOLS, AND ACCOMMODATIONS GUIDANCE FOR SPRING

2015

All Test Administrators should be familiar with this document prior to testing.

http://azmeritportal.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AzMERIT-Testing-Accommodations-2015_rev-Feb-2015.pdf

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AIMS SCIENCE TESTING

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Science

AIMS Science • is administered to 4th and 8th graders

only.• It is untimed, however the estimated

time to complete the test is 2 hours• It will be given on Monday, April 20,

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Science

All of the same testing preparation, administration and security precautions will be taken with the AIMS Science test as with the AzMERIT.

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Science

AIMS Science Sample Items can be found at-

http://www.azed.gov/assessment/aimssupportmaterials/

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Science

There is a separate set of Testing Accommodations, for the AIMS Science Test.

All Testing Administrators need to be aware of these accommodations,

as well. 37

Science

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ARE THERE ANY