TESTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY DEPARTMENT

New Hanover County Schools

September 2013

Plan and ACT

Outcomes

Provide information to administrators to assist in the successful planning & administration of the PLAN and the ACT.

Review decisions/activities school principals and appointed testing staff need to know to complete the “Establishment Process” for ACT testing.

Review accommodations application process for ACT testing.

ACT Series

EXPLORE PLAN ACT

Grade 8 Grade 10 Grade 11

What is the PLAN? Serves as the entry measure of academic progress toward

college and career readiness when used with the PLAN (Grade 10) and the ACT (Grade 11).

Curriculum-based achievement test that measures college readiness and assesses academic progress. English -15 Math - 19 Reading - 18 Science - 20

Non-cognitive section provides vital planning information Career Interest Inventory and educational/career plans collected Needs Assessment - students indicate areas in which they need help Demographic Information

Target Students

All 10th grade students (Except for students on the EXTEND1 assessment)

Accommodations must be provided

No Review of Accommodations Forms

2 Day Administration

Non-cognitive student information components of the test are administered on Day 1 (October 24).

Academic tests administered on Day 2 (October 29) Plan at least 3 hours for regular administration Develop a plan for lunch for students with accommodations Develop a plan for the break between tests 2 and 3

Non-cognitive components MUST be administered prior to academic tests even in make-up situations

PLAN Details Non cognitive student information (Oct. 24)

60-75 min College readiness perception Career interests

Cognitive section (Oct. 29) English - 50 questions - (30 min) Math - 40 questions - (40 min) Break (10 minutes – develop a school plan) Reading - 25 questions - (20 min) Science - 30 questions - (25 min)

Materials Received Supervisor’s Manual “Why Take PLAN” handouts

English and Spanish Parent letter on Testing Department Website

“Instructions for Completing Your Answer Folder” Test booklets Answer folders School headers Return envelopes School poster

Test Coordinator Training

Before testing - Standard procedures (p. 6)

Inform parents – letter on website Distribute copies of Why Take PLAN? to students Train test administrators (MUST be certified staff)

Provide accommodations for those with IEP, 504, LEP (page 14-15)

Notify Testing of the number of additional Supervisor’s Manuals needed by October 16

Train Proctors (p.4)

Test Coordinator Training

Before testing - Standard procedures (p. 6)

Plan room assignments including separate settings All desks/students face the same way 3 foot rule Bulletin boards with content must be covered

Count and clear calculators Prepare test materials

Student - Test booklet (paper and pencil), # 2 pencil w/eraser, scratch paper, calculator (must be cleared)

Teacher - Door sign, absentee form, accommodations

Test Coordinator Training

Before Testing: Pre ID Bar Code Labels

Pre ID labels save administration time and ensure accuracy

Pre-ID labels will be shipped separately from test materials.

Apply to page 1 of the answer folder prior to test day.

Make certain pre-ID barcode label corresponds to correct student (e.g., double-check labels for twins, students with the same/similar first and last names).

Test Administrator Training

Suggested Training Session Outline (p. 4)

Roster for Training

Room Supervisor Responsibilities (p. 3)

Proctor Responsibilities (p. 4)

Test Administrator Training

Test Administration Policies (p. 18) Breaks – develop a plan Leaving the Room – test administrators and

proctors MUST remain in the room Electronic Devices – applies to students and adults Irregularities – call the testing office ASAP

Prohibited Behavior (p. 21)

PLAN – During TestingDuring testing - Standard procedures Display testing door sign. Display start/stop times. Provide test accommodations. Generate a plan for emergencies. Develop a plan for make-up testing on October 30 and 31.

Components needed for PLAN Certified Test Administrator Proctor Irregularities – Contact Testing Office

PLAN – After Testing Plan for make-ups to be completed by October 31 Mark accommodations codes (p 43) Complete Special Status Codes

X – STAE student Y – student living in the Youth Enrichment Zone (YEZ)

Complete School Header (p 45) Materials must be shipped by November 14

Pack student answer sheets and header per instructions on page 47

Schools ship directly to ACT UPS

PLAN – After Testing Store used student test booklets and use with

teachers/students/parents once scores arrive. Estimated arrival time – January

Return Test Supervisor manuals, unused test booklets and unused answer documents to the Testing Office on November 14.

Accommodations Read Aloud All

Work with CRT to ensure DVDs work in all testing locations using this accommodation prior to test date

Secure headphones/ear buds Ensure those reading aloud have a reader’s script

Read Aloud By Request Marks Answers in Book Separate Setting Extended Time Multiple Sessions Lunch Plan

Important Dates October 3 – School test coordinator training October 16 – Testing plan & request for additional

administration guides due to testing office TBD by schools – Test administrator training TBD by schools – Test proctor training October 24 – Non-cognitive sections administered October 29 – Academic tests administered October 30-31 – Make-up sessions administered November 14 – Deadline to ship materials Check school calendar for conflicts and reschedule

WorkKeys

TESTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY DEPARTMENT

New Hanover County Schools

October 2013

ACT

ACT ACT – March 4 All 11th grade students:

English (45 min), Mathematics (60 min), 15 min Break; Reading (35 min), Science (35 min), 5 min Break; and Writing (30 min)

Snack after 2nd test No breaks for lunch Total for tests, break, administrative – 5 hours

Accommodations must be approved prior to testing

ACT Test Dates

Initial Standard Time Test Day – March 4

Makeup Standard Time Test Day – March 18

Accommodations Testing Window March 4 – March 18 for both ACT-Approved and

State-Allowed Accommodations

2013-2014 State Testing Program Overview

Administration must meet Standard Testing Requirements

NC Accountability Model ACT is used for accountability in 2013-2014

Scores from ACT-Approved accommodations College-reportable scores accepted by all colleges and

universities in the U.S. Scores from State-Allowed Accommodations are available to

state and schools only (these are NOT college-reportable) NCAA accepts for initial eligibility

Coaches may not administer/proctor for the ACT

Key School Personnel Test Supervisor (TS)

Recommend current test coordinator Must be available to receive test materials May not be a coach

Back-up test Supervisor (BU) Cannot be same person as TS Should have previous test coordinator experience

Test Accommodations Coordinator Recommend EC/School-based Chair Collaborate with school personnel to determine which

students need to test with accommodations

ACT Immediate Critical Dates

Oct 4: Test Supervisor (TS); Back-up Supervisor (BU); and Test Accommodations Coordinator (TAC) forms due

Nov 22: Deadline for ACT to receive ACT-approved Test Accommodations with accompanying documentation.

Jan 6-10: Window for TS to provide online to ACT the number of students to be testedat your school.

Oct 23: Accommodations Q and A

Oct 31: Training Webcast for TS, BU, and TAC becomes available and must be completed.

Dec 3: Test administration Q and A

Test Site Establishment Test site – Regular classroom administration

No more than 30-35 students in a room 1 proctor in each room (County procedure) Each test administrator must have a copy of Supervisor’s

Manual Test administrators/proctors may not serve in rooms

where relatives are participating in the ACT.

Accommodations ACT provides accommodations in accordance

with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Professionally diagnosed disability Must have a current IEP or 504 Plan Current IEP or 504 Plan must document requested

accommodations

State-approved accommodations Will be used for state assessment purposes Will not be reported to colleges, scholarship agencies