Have you read your manuals?

This training does not replace your responsibility to read and follow all manuals.

Calendar of Events

Test Versions:

STAAR, STAAR A

Date Test

March 30 English I

March 31 Make Ups

April 1 English II

April 2 Make Ups

A look ahead

STAAR, STAAR A, STAAR L

Date Test

May 5 US History

May 6 Biology

May 7 Algebra I

May 8 Make up

Re-testers

July 6 English I

July 7 Algebra I (AM) & Biology (PM)

July 8 English II

July 9 US History* and Make up

July 10 Make up

Who takes what

STAAR A•Students who cannot access STAAR

with or without accommodations•Students must be serviced through

SPED or 504 with Dyslexia•Online assessment with embedded

accommodations & accessibility tools•ARDC or 504 Committee decision

STAARThe first consideration for ALL

students with or without Type 1 or Type 2

accommodations

Who takes what

STAAR LAvailable for ELL students who:

•Are not most appropriately assessed with STAAR Spanish AND

•Have not attained Advanced High in TELPAS Reading (2-12) AND

•Have been enrolled is US schools for 3 years or less (5 years for asylee/refugee)

•LPAC decision•Not available for students whose parent denies

program services•Linguistically accommodated online test

•Available for math, science & social studies

Time limit policies & procedures

• Each student is allowed five hours to complete English I & II and four hours to complete Algebra I, Biology & US History

• Time starts after the test administrator has read all of the directions and tells students: “…you may begin” or “You may now put on your

headphones”

• Test administrators must communicate orally or in writing the amount of time left to test (one hour intervals then smaller increments)

• Students with Extended Time must start testing as soon as possible

• Late students must test if there is enough time left in the school day• Breaks are allowed but the clock does not stop

• Time stops only for:– Lunch

– Emergencies– Consolidation

– Medical breaks

Allowable procedures & materials

The following test procedures and materials are NOT accommodations. They may be provided based on individual student need. It is not

necessary to indicate the use of these on a student answer document.

•Signing or translating test administration directions•Reading aloud or signing the writing prompt upon request

•Minimize distractions•Small group or individual administrations

•Remind students to stay on task•Scratch paper

•Colored overlays•Blank place markers

•HighlightersPage 13 ManualPage O-12 DCCM

Principal responsibilities• Oversee training and the implementation of test administration process as stated

in the manual

• Attend trainings and sign oath

• Ensure security and confidentiality of the tests and materials

• Approve test administrators, logistics and ensure that the testing environment meets the following:

– Testing rooms are quiet, well ventilated and comfortable. Students have enough room to work

– A “Testing- Do Not Disturb” is posted outside each room

– Bulletin boards and instructional displays are covered or removed from any location students may pass while testing

– All desks used for testing are clear of books and other material not required for the test

• Monitors the test administrators

• Report any incident to the DTC

Test administrator responsibilities

• Read the Test Administrator Manual• Attend training conducted by your campus test coordinator • Receive secure testing materials from your campus test coordinator• Observe all rules regarding test security and confidential integrity of the

state testing system• Read “Guide to the Test Administration Directions” prior to administering

any state assessment• Administer the tests in strict compliance with the directions in the Test

Administrator Manual• Supervise and actively monitor students during testing• Do not provide any unauthorized assistance to students during testing• Do not view the test, discuss the test, or score a student test either

before, during, or after testing

Test administrator responsibilities

• Complete answer documents in accordance with the manual

• Return all testing materials to the campus test coordinator (CTC) immediately after students finish testing

• Accurately and completely fill out all required documentation for testing

• Assist the CTC for on-line administrations as needed

• Report testing irregularities and security violations immediately to the CTC

• Prepare statements for submission to CTC if you are involved in a testing irregularity or test security violation

Campus proceduresInclude things such as:

•Check Out/In Process•Testing Rooms•Cell Phone Policy•Testing Environment (covering instructional material)•Time limits•Lunch•What students do after testing •Who is monitoring hallways/restrooms•Procedures for late students

Materials Control Form

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DCCM S-30

Test administrators must verify they have received the exact number of secure test materials recorded as issued and initial the “Out” box. The initials also indicate you have signed the appropriate oath.

Testing Environments• Ensure appropriate testing areas are properly prepared.• Each student should be sufficiently separated from other

students to work without distraction• Activities that would interfere with the testing conditions should

be scheduled for another time.• In the event of a school-wide emergency, ensuring student safety

is top priority. Student should follow campus procedures for exiting the building. Test administrators should collect the test materials and keep the materials secure until the testing can be continued.

• If testing rooms have to be changed during the test administration, ensure the proper testing environment of the new location and maintain proper testing procedures during the transition.

DCCM S-2913

Testing Environments: Preparation

No element of the testing room environment should hinder any student’s performance.

A “Testing – Do not Disturb” sign should be posted outside the testing room.

Bulletin boards and instructional displays that could aid the students during testing must be covered or removed.

Clocks (either analog or digital) in the testing room do not have to be covered or removed.

All desks used for testing must be cleared of books and other materials not required for the test.

Cell phones and personal electronic devices use is not permitted during test administrations. A “No Cellphone” sign must be posted during test administrations. Student must be made aware of this policy and sign a “Telecommunication Devices” form prior to testing.

Test Administrators should verify that students have access only to allowable materials.

A Seating Chart must be completed for each test administration.

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Reading directions• Test Administrators MUST read the Guide to the Test

Administration Directions page 43• Test Administrators must read word for word all directions in

bold following the word “SAY”• Be aware of the different sets of directions for the various types of administrations

(STAAR Paper, STAAR Online, STAAR L, STAAR A)• Optional Directions for General Tools Available in TestNav for

STAAR L, STAAR A (page 121 Manual)

accommodations

Refer to the 2015 State Assessment Reference Guide for allowable accommodations and

eligibility

Accommodations-let’s practice

Brian is a student who receives special education services under the eligibility of autism. The best approach is when Brian uses a daily

reminder chart to ensure that he gets to the correct classes, participates appropriately, and completes classroom assignments and

tests. Brian checks in with a social skills teacher periodically throughout the day to review his chart and receive positive

reinforcement for all categories successfully completed. There is evidence that on days when this routine cannot be maintained (e.g., prior state assessments, field trips, or special programs during the school day), Brian can become agitated and somewhat confused.

Can Brian receive extra time on his STAAR assessments in order to maintain some critical elements of his routine?

Accommodations-let’s practice

Accommodations- Oral Administration

For writing tests, an oral administration is NEVER allowed for any part of the revising and editing passages, questions, or answer

choices.

However, reading aloud the writing prompt is an allowable test administration procedure for any student who needs assistance.

Dictionaries

• Must be provided to students taking STAAR:– English I & II (minimum 1:5 ratio)– Standard Dictionary– Dictionary/Thesaurus Combination– Bilingual or ESL Dictionary

• Not considered a linguistic accommodation

– Sign Language Dictionary

Linguistic AccommodationsSTAAR (English) STAAR L STAAR A

MathScience

Social Studies

• Bilingual Dictionary• Extra Time

• Bilingual Dictionary• Extra Time

• Bilingual Dictionary• Extra Time• Clarification of word

meaning in English

ReadingWriting

Reading:•Dictionaries of Various Types•Extra TimeWriting:•Clarification in English of word meaning in writing prompts

NA • Dictionaries of Various Types

• Extra Time• Clarification of word

meaning in English

English I & II

• Dictionaries of Various Types

• Extra Time• Clarification in English of

word meaning in short answer questions & writing prompts

NA • Extra Time• Clarification of word

meaning in English

When providing linguistic accommodations

to students, test administrators may not

provide any direct or indirect assistance

or reinforcement that aids a student in

identifying a correct response to the test

question.

Linguistic Accommodations

Linguistic Accommodations• Do you have any students with linguistic

accommodations on your campus?• Review the “Linguisitic Accommodations for

ELLs Participating in the STAAR Program”• Provide the appropriate training for staff

Mark Accommodations on the Answer Document

• Accommodations are marked if they are assigned to the student, not if the student used them

• If LEP students are assigned linguistic accommodations in reading, that student will not be eligible for EXIT for this year

Basic transcriptionIf the student has

the accommodation,

complete the transcription and note on the top of

the answer document the

reason and name of the person that

transcribed

Transcribed by Cindy Blair due to IEP on 3/30/15

English I & II answer documents

will come with a precoded label

Answer documents

Place label here

Answer documentsBiology, Algebra I

and US History answer

documents will come precoded

Student information will

already be bubbled in

Mark the correct score

code

A- absent

O- other

S- score

Substitute assessment

HSEP(High School Equivalency

Program)

marking Answer

documentsTest date must be

filled in

Answer documents- hand gridding

When hand gridding answer documents, ensure that ALL information has

been filled in and ALL bubbles have

been marked

Local ID must be left justified.

All demographic information

bubbles must be filled in. Do not leave any blank.

Do not forget to write the district/campus

name

Online test reminders• Online tests are accessed in TestNav

by using the URL address• Students will use the student

authorization forms to log in to the test• Student Authorizations are secure

documents and must be shredded • Each student will need headphones• Students must still adhere to the four hour time limit

(unless they have the Extra Time assigned to them as an accommodation)

STAAR A reminders• Students independently control the text to speech

feature• TAs can read the “pop-ups” and “rollovers” to any

student who requests it• TAs can read optional directions for General Tools for

STAAR A to any student who needs extra help • TAs can read aloud information in the Help Tool for

students who request it• Students may receive other Type 1 accommodations

or allowable materials

Seating charts• START TIME for class is after the directions have been

read• STOP TIME for class is the stop time of the last student• Student Name, ID # and Test Booklet # MUST be filled

out• Each student should have their individual stop time

indicated• Seating charts are located in the Test

Coordinator folder

Paraprofessionals Paraprofessionals must complete a district

noncertified personnel testing oath•CANNOT be used as test administrators•CANNOT relieve test administrators for breaks• CAN be used to take students to lunch without being with a test administrator•CAN be used as hallway or restroom monitors – cannot be working on anything while monitoring hallways or restroom

Security Training Modules

Web-based Texas Test

Administrator Online Training Modules

www.TexasAssessment.com/TAonlinetraining

All three modules should have been completed by campus personnel involved in testing.

Test Security• Test security is accounting for all secure materials and

confidential examinee information before, during, and after testing– Assemble and securely store student authorization and proctor

authorization forms– Collect and destroy all student authorizations and any used

charts, scratch or graph paper after testing is complete– Maintain an inventory of all secure materials– Use limited access locked storage for test materials– Keep all materials secure at all times

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Confidentiality Requirements

• Maintaining confidentiality involves protecting all contents of the online assessment and secure test materials

• All testing personnel must be trained and sign an oath• For online testing, all testing personnel must accept a statement of

confidentiality when accessing the Texas Assessment Management System (TAMS)

• All tests must be administered according to the manual• No person may view, reveal or discuss test content• No person may duplicate, print, record or capture test content• No person other than the examinees may work problems or respond to test

items• Oral test administrators must sign an additional portion of the security oath

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Penalties for Prohibited Conduct

• Placement of restrictions on the issuance, renewal, or holding of a Texas educator certificate, either indefinitely or for a set term

• Issuance of an inscribed or non-inscribed reprimand• Suspension of a Texas educator certificate for a set term• Revocation or cancellation of a Texas educator certificate without

opportunity for reapplication for a set term or permanently• Release or disclosure of confidential test content is a Class C

misdemeanor and could result in criminal prosecution under TEC ξ39.0303, Section 552.352 of the Texas Government Code, and Section 37.10 of the Texas Penal Code.

• In addition, any irregularities in test security or confidentiality may result in the invalidation of student results.

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Security Oaths • TEA requires that everyone be trained and sign a

security oath before handling secure testing materials or participating in the administration of a state test

• A person who has several roles must sign aln oath for each role (Test Administrator, Rater, Verifier, etc)

• A copy of the CTC and principals oath must be provided to the DTC to keep on file

Testing IrregularitiesIncidents resulting in a deviation from documented testing

procedures are defined as testing irregularities

Procedural Examples Serious Examples

Improper accounting for secure materials Directly or indirectly assisting students with responses to test questions

Eligibility Error Tampering with student responses

Monitoring Error Viewing secure content

IEP Implementation Issue Discussing test content, student responses or student performance

Procedural Error Formally or informally scoring student tests

Duplicating or recording test content

Reporting Irregularities

If you become aware of any irregularities, contact the CTC immediately with the who,

when, where, what and why.

If the irregularity is deemed an incident the following documentation is required: Incident report including a plan of action (local

form)

Signed statement(s) from individual(s) involved (typed, printed and signed name, and dated)

Statements should not include names of students

The local disciplinary referral form used to report disciplinary actions taken against students for cheating, cell phone issues or disruptions

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Active Monitoring Monitoring during test administrations is the responsibility of

the test administrator, the campus test coordinator and administrators.

What is NOT active monitoring?Anything that takes the test administrator’s attention away from the

students during testing. Examples include:

Working on the computer or checking email

Reading a book, magazine, or newspaper

Grading papers or working on lesson plans

Leaving the room without a trained substitute test administrator in the room

Leaving students unattended during meals or breaks

Think-Pair-Share

• What are some ways to reduce the risk of having an irregularity before testing? During? After?

• What are some testing pitfalls to avoid?

Emphasize importance of training and reading manuals Account for all test materialsEnsure proper storage of materialsVerify accuracy of student information Verify testing requirements for students receiving special education services

Reduce the risk of having an irregularity!

Before the test administration:

Ensure each student receives the correct assessment and testing material(s)Emphasize and verify active monitoringEnsure all testing personnel understand that they may NOT:

provide assistanceview the tests without authorizationdiscuss confidential student

informationcheck for strategies

Reduce the risk of having an irregularity!

During test administration:

Reduce the risk of having an irregularity!

After test administration No unauthorized viewing (only TEA may permit) No scoring of student responses Shred Student Authorization forms (ASAP) No discussion of confidential student information No erasing stray marks or darkening response ovals No copying of students answer documents

Account for all test materials No opening answer documents to view

answers

Pitfalls to Avoid:Assigning untrained staff to administer and/or

monitor tests (must be certified personnel)Failing to inventory testing materialsHaving insufficient test booklets and/or test

administrator manualsNot accounting for all test booklets and answer

documents each dayTeacher violates time limit

Testing beyond the normal school day

Pitfalls to Avoid:Assigning a student the incorrect assessment or

student authorization formFailing to give appropriate accommodation(s) Improper (or nonexistent) monitoringLeaving secure materials unattended (to include

Student Authorizations and Writing Samples)Stopping an on-line session prior to removing

absent studentsFailure to report a testing irregularity

Questions?