Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) Reading Test Administration Training Audience: Teachers who will serve as Gr. 2-12 TELPAS reading test administrators In Georgetown ISD, the computer tasks will be performed by the Tech Facilitator and/or the Campus Testing Coordinator or his/her assistant.

General Information about TELPAS (p. 1) Fulfills federal requirements for assessing English Language Learners (ELLs), K-12 Aligned with the Texas English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) Results used in state and federal accountability and performance-based monitoring system

TELPAS Reading (p. 1) Online multiple-choice reading tests are used to assess the reading domain for grades 2–12.

Georgetown ISD Calendar of Events for TELPAS Reading (p Georgetown ISD Calendar of Events for TELPAS Reading (p. 2 – Scheduling) Events Dates Training for Gr. 2-12 TELPAS Online Reading Test By March 16 TELPAS Reading Assessment Window March 19 – April 5 Extended TELPAS Reading Assessment Window (to test ELLs in extenuating circumstances) April 9 – 11

Eligibility Requirements (p. 3) TELPAS Reading: All ELLs enrolled in Gr. 2-12, including parent denials (PEIMS code C), must test. Very rarely, the ARD committee in conjunction with the LPAC may exempt a student receiving SPED services (on a domain-by-domain basis). New ELLs who first enroll in U.S. schools in the 2nd semester must also take TELPAS reading.

Test Security & Confidentiality Requirements (p. 5) TELPAS – secure testing program (just like TAKS) Only trained, certified staff and/or their trained designees who have signed oaths have access to test materials Must receive training & sign oath before handling test materials, confidential information, or administering a test Must administer tests in strict accordance with instructions in manuals No duplication of secure materials without TEA approval

Test Security & Confidentiality Requirements (p. 4) TELPAS – secure testing program (just like TAKS/STAAR) Only trained, certified staff and/or their trained designees who have signed oaths have access to test materials Must receive training & sign oath before handling test materials, confidential information, or administering a test Must administer tests in strict accordance with instructions in manuals Must maintain confidentiality of confidential information (such as completed student rating rosters) Must destroy scratch paper used during reading tests

Test Security & Confidentiality Requirements (p. 4-5) No viewing, revealing, or discussing test content before, during, or after a test administration unless specifically authorized to do so by test administration procedures No duplication, printing, recording, writing notes about, or capturing by any electronic means any secure assessment instrument No individuals other than students may respond to test items No reviewing or discussing student responses or student performance data during or after a test unless authorized to do so by test administration procedures

Penalities for Prohibited Conduct (p. 5-6) 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 Criminal prosecution Additionally, student test results may be invalidated.

Security Oaths (p. 6) Oaths for TELPAS raters, writing collection verifiers, test administrators, and technology staff found in Appendix A (p. 83) Each oath must be read and completed AFTER training and BEFORE handling or viewing secure test materials or confidential information. Some oaths include spaces to initial for assigned roles, so some lines may remain blank. (Read carefully before initialing!)

Testing Irregularities (p. 6-8) Definition: Incidents resulting in a deviation from documented testing procedures Each person is responsible for reporting immediately to the campus or district testing coordinator any violation or suspected violation of test security or confidentiality. Failure to report is in violation of 19 TAC, Chapter 101 and could results in sanctions. Two types: Serious & Procedural

Serious Irregularities (p. 6-7) Could result in referral to the TEA Educator Certification and Standards Division for disciplinary action Assisting students (directly/indirectly) Tampering with student responses or writing samples Falsifying TELPAS holistic ratings Viewing secure test content (unless authorized to do so) Discussing secure test content, student responses, or student performance Scoring student reading tests (formally/informally) Duplicating, recording, or capturing electronically secure test content

Examples of Procedural Irregularities (p. 7-8) Eligibility Error IEP Implementation Issue Improper Accounting for Confidential or Secure Materials Monitoring Error Procedural Error

Reporting of Disciplinary Actions Taken Against Students for Cheating on State Assessments (p. 8) A district may invalidate a student’s test if the district determines that the student cheated. Additional disciplinary action may be taken at the local level. Any local actions must be submitted to TEA using a special online reporting form. A separate online incident report form is necessary ONLY IF the district determines that testing personnel contributed to, caused, or did not detect the cheating due to inadequate monitoring or another error.

Reading Test Administrator Responsibilities (p. 45 - 82)

General Information re. TELPAS Reading, Gr. 2-12 (p. 45) Assessed through online multiple-choice tests Specifically designed for ELLs Tests measure English reading ability on a continuum, aligned to the ELPS 6 Reading Test Clusters: Gr. 2, Gr. 3, Gr. 4-5, Gr. 6-7, Gr. 8-9, Gr. 10-12 Untimed, one-day tests 16 4

Testing Accommodations (p. 45-46) Refer to the Accommodations Resources website: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/accommodations Majority of testing accommodations available for STAAR reading are available for eligible students taking TELPAS reading tests. Decision made on individual basis considering needs of student and whether student routinely receives accommodations in classroom instruction & testing Decisions made by appropriate committee (ARD, LPAC, 504, etc.) well before testing begins TEA approval required for a paper version of test Contact your Campus Testing Coordinator if you have any questions regarding accommodations.

Test Administrator Checklist (p. 47) Will help you keep track of TELPAS reading test activities We will go through each activity in more detail in the next set of slides.

Activity 1: Attend Training on Administration Procedures (p. 48-49) Read and study the TELPAS Manual for Raters and Test Administrators. Sign your Oath of Test Security and Confidentiality for Gr. 2-12 TELPAS Reading Test Administrator on p. 89 after this training session and return it to the Campus Testing Coordinator (CTC). If you need more time to read the manual before you feel comfortable signing the oath, return it by the date designated by your CTC. Test Administrator Responsibilities: Guiding students through the opening of their tests to get the test started (i.e., reading the test specific administration directions in the manual); maintaining security & confidentiality

Activity 2: Prepare Students for Online Testing (p. 50) Work with your Campus Testing Coordinator & Tech Facilitator to arrange for students to complete TELPAS online reading test student tutorials. Tutorials and instructions to read aloud found at: http://www.texasassessment.com/TELPAS/tutorials Tutorials are optional, but if used, then complete BEFORE actual test day. There are no longer sample items at the beginning of the TELPAS reading tests, so the tutorials are highly recommended.

Activity 3: Become Familiar with Administration Directions (p. 51) Familiarize yourself with test specific directions: Gr. 2-5: p. 72-76; Gr. 6-12: p. 77-82 Enlarged screen shots of introduction screens available at: http://www.TexasAssessment.com/manuals (look for TELPAS Introduction Screens for Test Administrators) You may shorten directions, explain them further, simplify an explanation, or state the information in a different way to make the directions more understandable to your students. However, you can’t change the substance of the information contained in the directions. You may translate the directions into the native language of your students. Test items and reading selections, however, must not be translated.

Activity 3: Become Familiar with Administration Directions (p Activity 3: Become Familiar with Administration Directions (p. 51) (continued) Administration directions explain to students that: They will encounter questions that vary in difficulty. They should do their best on the test questions they understand and that they may skip questions or guess. More difficult reading selections are interspersed with easier selections so that the most difficult selections are not grouped together or all toward the end of the test. They should be encouraged (by the test administrator) to continue working through the test, as easier selections are likely to follow.

Activity 4: Create Test Sessions (p. 52-54) Teachers in GISD will NOT be required to set up test sessions. 23 23

Activity 5: Gather Materials for Testing (p. 55-56) You will need the following: TELPAS Manual for Raters & Test Administrators Seating chart Session Roster(s) (a list of students assigned to the test session) Student authorizations Scratch paper for each student Pencils for each student Your CTC will tell you what materials you are expected to provide and what materials will be provided for you. 24 24

Activity 6: Ensure Proper Testing Procedures (p. 57-61) Do not exceed 1:30 testing ratio. Use dividers (foam boards) between computer monitors so students can’t see others’ monitors. Cover instructional displays/bulletin boards (just like for STAAR reading). Maintain quiet, well lighted, well ventilated, & comfortable testing room. Post “Testing – Do Not Disturb” signs. Follow testing schedule established by your CTC. 25 25

Activity 6: Ensure Proper Testing Procedures (p. 57-61) continued Complete seating chart. Clear computer workstations of books & other materials not required for test. Ensure students stay seated and do not talk during test. Allow students to work at own pace. Do not allow use of reference materials. Collect all scratch paper & return to CTC after testing. Actively monitor. Allow students to leave or read books only AFTER they have finished testing. Ensure that each student submits his/her test for scoring BEFORE the student leaves the testing room. 26 26

Activity 6: Ensure Proper Testing Procedures (p. 57-61) continued Return test materials to CTC immediately after the testing session. Ensure that test security and confidentiality are maintained at all times. Remember that test items are considered secure information at all times. No unauthorized viewing, discussion, or scoring is allowed. 27 27

Activity 6: Ensure Proper Testing Procedures (p. 57-61) continued You may answer questions about test directions or procedures. You may NOT answer questions related to test content. Tell the student, “I can’t answer that for you; just do the best you can.” Do NOT translate test items or reading selections into another language. Do NOT rephrase or add information to test items or reading selections. Do NOT provide reading assistance to students. Do NOT discuss test content with anyone before, during, or after testing. Do NOT score items or discuss with students how they performed. 28 28

Activity 6: Ensure Proper Testing Procedures (p. 57-61) continued Control or minimize computer monitor glare by adjusting the angle of the computer screen or by taping a blank sheet of heavy paper or a folder to the top of the screen (projecting out). Test administrators may allow students to take breaks in the testing room. Students must not discuss the test during breaks. At grades 6-12, only one student at a time may take a restroom break. At grades 2-5, the entire class may take a restroom break if necessary. At least 1 test administrator in the testing room must be well-trained on how to exit and resume online testing when giving breaks. 29 29

Activity 6: Ensure Proper Testing Procedures (p. 57-61) continued If testing continues into the normal lunch period, students must be allowed to break for lunch. The Tech Facilitator or CTC will assist students in exiting their test correctly. Students must NOT click the Final Submit button at this time. Contact your CTC, Tech Facilitator, or the Assessment Dept. (ext. 6098) if a student accidentally submits his/her test. During lunch, students must remain together and be closely monitored by a trained test administrator. 30 30

Activity 6: Ensure Proper Testing Procedures (p. 57-61) continued Cell phones or other personal electronic devices are strictly prohibited during testing. You must ensure that students do not have cell phones in their possession. Follow the instructions of your campus testing coordinator regarding how to ensure that no student is in possession of a cell phone during testing. If a student needs to leave the testing room in case of an emergency, the Tech Facilitator or CTC will assist the student in exiting the test correctly. In case of a school emergency (such as a fire alarm), do NOT instruct students to exit their tests. Students should follow regular school procedures and be closely monitored during the event and resume testing upon return. 31 31

Activity 6: Ensure Proper Testing Procedures (p. 57-61) continued The tests are untimed. Students must be given as much time as needed to finish the test, but must finish testing the same day the test is started. Students may be moved to another location as long as test security is not breached. The Tech Facilitator or CTC will assist students in exiting the test and resuming the test in another location. While in transit, students must not discuss the test with anyone or have access to learning materials. 32 32

Activity 7: Start & Monitor Test Session (p. 62-65) Test administrators are not required to perform any of the technical activities described in Activity 7. Your Campus Testing Coordinator or Tech Facilitator will complete these tasks. Your role is to read the test administration directions, actively monitor students during testing, and maintain test security and confidentiality at all times. 33 33

Activity 8: Enter “Do Not Score” & Accommodations Information Online if So Directed (p. 66-69) Test administrators are not required to perform any of the technical activities described in Activity 8. Your Campus Testing Coordinator or Tech Facilitator will complete these tasks. 34 34

Activity 9: Prepare Materials for Return (p. 70) Return the following to the campus coordinator: - signed Oath of Test Security & Confidentiality - seating chart - Session Roster(s) - student authorizations (secure docs) - scratch paper - TELPAS Manual - any other testing resources as instructed 35 35

Test Administration Directions (p. 71-82) Use the specific test administration directions for your grade level: Gr. 2-5: p. 72-76; Gr. 6-12: p. 77-82 Enlarged screen shots of introduction screens available at: http://www.TexasAssessment.com/manuals Before students in Gr. 2-5 begin the test, a browser must be launched on each student’s computer so that the TestNav web address can be entered. In GISD, this task will be performed by the Tech Facilitator and/or the CTC. Each student will need scratch paper and pencils to use throughout the test. Review Activity 3, Activity 5, and Activity 6. 36 36