Educational Data and Support Services (EDSS) Assessment Department Jacqueline Law, Director of Assessment

 For any of the accommodations, it is preferred that the test proctor is the person who regularly provides this accommodation during classroom instruction and test administration.

 A student who uses a large print test format should record his/her answers directly on the adapted format book. The student’s responses must be transcribed into a regular test booklet to be submitted for scoring.  [It is the SAC’s responsibility to ensure that all test booklets needing to be transcribed are done so.]

 Trained test proctors should be provided to a small group of students with similar abilities so the students have the option of asking a reader to slow down or repeat text.  Teacher-Read Directions allow only the directions for individual items to be read to students. The test proctor must follow the script in the teacher read directions in conjunction with the script in the proctor’s manual, not read from the actual student test booklet. Therefore, it is imperative for the test proctor to be familiar with and practice with these materials.  While the proctor may have access to the Teacher-Read Directions 24 hours prior to testing, the SAC or designee must be present while the proctor examines the material.

 The “Teacher Read-Directions” scripts must be read by a trained test proctor.  The test proctor must read test directions and text word-for- word exactly as written in the script. Proctors are not to use a student test book to read directions.  The reader must use even inflection and tone so that the student does not receive any cues by the way the information is read.  Test proctors may not clarify, elaborate, or provide assistance to students. Test proctors need to be familiar with the terminology and symbols specific to the content.

 Trained test proctors should be provided to a small group of students with similar abilities so the students have the option of asking a reader to slow down or repeat text.  Oral Scripts allow the directions and items/ prompts to be read to students. The test proctor must follow the script and not read from the test booklet.  Oral Scripts are not provided for the Reading sessions, as this invalidates the construct of the assessment.  The prompt for the writing question in the combined Reading/ Writing session of TCAP is found in the Oral Script for Writing. This is the only item from that session that can be fully read to the student.

 The “Oral Script” must be read by a trained test proctor. [Test proctors, carve out time the day before the assessment to REALLY familiarize yourself with the format of the script. You are allowed to highlight everything that you are supposed to say out loud. You should NOT read the script “on the fly”—mistakes are made when proctors do not pre-read and prepare their scripts.]  The test proctor must read the text word-for-word exactly as written in the script. Proctors are not to use a student test book to read directions but may have a book available for reference.  The test proctor must use even inflection and tone so that the student does not receive any cues by the way the information is read.  Test proctors may not clarify, elaborate, or provide assistance to students. Test proctors need to be familiar with the terminology and symbols specific to the content.

 In Reading / Writing Session 6, it is critical for proctors to follow the indented instructions explicitly. Prior to reading the entire script out loud, pay close attention to the time allotted between item numbers.  Pay close attention to the amount of time students are taking and allow for enough time for students to finish the writing portion of the assessment. Remind students that they are allowed to go back and finish the questions (if they didn’t finish prior to you reading the next section in the script).

 In Reading / Writing ◦ Session 1: Writing (Oral Script) ◦ Session 2: Writing (Oral Script) ◦ Session 3: Reading (Teacher Read Directions Only) ◦ Session 4: Reading (Teacher Read Directions Only) ◦ Session 5: Writing (Oral Script) ◦ Session 6: Reading/Writing (Teacher Read Directions and Oral Script)  In Math ◦ Session 1 (Oral Script) ◦ Session 2 (Oral Script) ◦ Session 3 (Oral Script)  In Science ◦ Session 1 (Oral Script) ◦ Session 2 (Oral Script) ◦ Session 3 (Oral Script)

 Restricted to: ◦ Augmentative communication devices ◦ Personal portable keyboards (Alphasmarts, Braillers, etc.) ◦ Computers / Laptops* ◦ Speech-to-text ◦ Word prediction**  These accommodations are only permitted at the direction of the SAC. *Grammar checking capabilities must be disabled during the writing assessment. [EDSS recommends using “Notepad” rather than “Microsoft Word”, as “Notepad” doesn’t contain grammar or spell check.] **Word prediction software on the assessment is restricted to students with an IEP / 504 only. Please see instructions under restricted accommodations in this section.

 To access “Notepad”, go to:  “Start” menu  ◦ “All Programs”  “Accessories”   “Notepad”

For the sake of test security:  Students must be seated in such a manner that they cannot see each other’s terminals.  Students must not retrieve or access work from another student. be able to access any additional programs or the internet while taking the assessment. be able to hear sound from another student’s computer.

 Only authorized personnel may have access to the test, test materials, and student answers.  Students or proctors should save the student’s work to the jump drive (provided by EDSS) prior to printing responses to the test questions.  The proctor is responsible for securely retrieving the printed material and returning the printed material (along with the test materials) to the SAC.

 On Writing Session 2 (the final copy) student may use a printed “draft” of his/her work to re-type from Writing Session 1, and must begin with a “blank page” in his/her word processing program (Copy/pasting and editing are NOT allowed.)  It is not allowed to give extended time due to “lost” work. Students may save his/her work to the assistive technology device or on a flash drive during the assessment. [Students are only to use the flash drive provided by EDSS.]  All student responses must be removed from the assistive technology device immediately following the printing.

 Suggestions for Proctors: ◦ Have NotePad open and ready for each student ◦ In Notepad, type the student’s name, test, session #, and date (prior to the student sitting down to begin the test) ◦ Keep track of which student uses which jump drive—ensure that each student uses their original jump drive for every test in every session ◦ Ensure that students list the item # for every single question that they answer. (Transcribers are NOT allowed to guess which typed answer goes to which question in the test booklet.)

 The amount of extended time a student requires must be documented in a formal plan.  This accommodation must be administered individually or in a small group of no more than 15 students with fairly equivalent skills and abilities in the same testing environment.

 Extended time does not mean unlimited time. Extended time for TCAP usually means time and a half (90 minutes for a 60 minute session).  If extended time is given to a group of students, all students must remain seated and quiet until all students have finished and testing materials are handed in to the test proctor.

 Students should be briefed about the break accommodation before the test starts (e.g., how long the break can last, who will determine when to take a break).  Breaks may be predetermined or given on an as needed basis.  Breaks do not stop the clock on the test. ◦ If a student has a documented need for a “stop the clock” break, it must have been submitted by the SAC to be approved by the DAC (in November 2011).

 A break accommodation may be used in conjunction with an extended time accommodation. These combined accommodations must: ◦ Be administered in a separate environment ◦ Be pre-planned ◦ Follow the Extended Time instructions from the Colorado Accommodations Manual

 No part of this PowerPoint is intended to replace the School Assessment Coordinator’s reading and execution of the Colorado Accommodations Manual and the Procedures Manual.  The School Assessment Coordinator should use this PowerPoint as a guide only.