2013 NeSA-Writing Grades 8 & 11 Online Test Administration Training 1

Agenda  Testing Window & Other Key Dates  General Guidelines  Online Testing Procedures & Paper/Pencil  Accommodations  Loose Ends  Questions & Answers 2

2013 NeSA-Writing Testing Window January 21-February 8, Materials must be returned to CIA by February 8, 2013

Key Dates – NeSA-Writing Test Paper/Pencil Test Materials Delivered to Districts January 7 Management Tools & Test Session Online Tickets Available January 9 NeSA-Writing Testing Window January 21 – February 8 Print Online Student Responses NO LATER THAN February 8 Return ALL Materials to CIA By February 8 4

Agenda  Testing Window & Other Key Dates  General Guidelines  Online Testing Procedures & Paper/Pencil  Accommodations  Loose Ends  Questions & Answers 5

General Guidelines – Grades 8 & 11  Online Test All grade 8 and 11 students are expected to test online – except for those who: – Have an IEP or 504 Plan that requires paper/pencil testing; – Are contracted to an agency that does not allow internet access; – Are responding in Spanish, or another foreign language. A test record for all grade 8 and 11 students should be returned with: − a response, an Alternate Assessment flag, or a not tested reason. 6

General Guidelines – Grades 8 & 11  One Session Untimed Does not generally exceed 90 minutes  Flexibility during the 3-week window Recommend avoiding Mondays and Fridays Recommend scheduling early in the window  Make-ups are required 7

Agenda  Testing Window & Other Key Dates  General Guidelines  Online Testing Procedures & Paper/Pencil  Accommodations  Loose Ends  Questions & Answers 8

Online Testing > Management Tools  Accessed through eDIRECT Available on January NeSA-W Spring 2013 Online Testing – Management Tools permissions required Principals: please notify Chad or Denise to grant permissions 9

Online Testing > Management Tools > Manage Testing 10

Online Testing > Management Tools > Manage Testing  Monitor Status Reactivate Tickets (same day) − Next day reactivations must be approved by NDE. Student Status Spreadsheet  View Results Print Student Responses by end of day, February 8. Re-opens on March 4.  Audit Spreadsheet 11

Online System Restrictions  The NeSA assessments are not to be taken on any computing device that does not allow for the locking of the desktop or operating system for test security.  The NeSA testing client should be running natively on the computing device.  The NeSA testing software does not support touch screen functionality. Performance, security, and test validity cannot be guaranteed on virtualized desktop environments.  Virtualization of a desktop is not allowed unless the security settings of the computer are held in tact and/or by approval of a waiver by the Nebraska Department of Education Assessment Department. 12

Important Tips for Successful Online Testing  Verify testing software works using the Practice Tests.  Have students exit the NeSA software completely after finishing a test session.  Make sure students always log in from the desktop to start a new test session. 13

Important Tips for Successful Online Testing  Make sure students use their own Test Session Tickets.  If a disruption occurs, always try to log in on the same computer first.  If a student is “kicked out” of a test, exit the software completely before trying to log in again.  Should unexpected formatting irregularities occur: Assure students that the irregularities will not be present in their submitted responses, will not be taken into consideration during scoring, and will not affect student scores.  Be sure to close the test engine between testers. 14

Preparing Testing Locations  Plan ahead – check schedules.  Confirm computers have been updated with the latest version of the testing software (CAL 6.7.1) — currently available.  Prepare testing location – remove visual aids/clues.  Provide blank scratch paper for students who wish to pre-write on paper.  Post a TESTING IN PROGRESS sign. 15

Test Security for Test Administrators  The test prompts are not to be viewed by anyone prior to test administration.  The NeSA-Writing test prompts may not be copied.  No coaching or feedback of any kind with regard to the test content should be provided to students.  Talking or sharing of responses should be prohibited.  Move around the testing site and ensure that students are following instructions.  See test administration manual for comprehensive test security information. 16

 Use the NeSA shortcut on the computer desktop to access the Practice Test and the NeSA-Writing Test. Accessing the Online NeSA-Writing Test 17

Accessing the Online NeSA-Writing Test Students should click on the NeSA Test icon to access the NeSA-Writing Test. 18

2013 NeSA-Writing Test Session Ticket Grade 11 Student Test Session Ticket Login 19

ONLINE PROCEDURES GRADES 8 & 11 Test Administration Tasks Student heading in writing: name, date, teacher, etc Print copies of writing Monitor Status (page 47 in manual) View/Print Student Status Spreadsheet Reactivate Test Session Tickets Review Audit Spreadsheet (page 50 in manual) View Results (pages in manual) 20

ONLINE PROCEDURES REACTIVATION – GRADES 8 & 11 Tests are not timed and students will never be forced out of a test. Test Session Tickets are only active for 90 minutes after a student logs into the test. Inactivity of 90 minutes during testing will cause the system to log student out of test. Pause functionality (15 minutes) Internet connectivity issues and unexpected interruptions can happen (fire drill, emergency, computer freezes up, power outage, etc.) 21

ONLINE PROCEDURES REACTIVATION – GRADES 8 & 11 (CONT’D) Reactivation of ticket will be required if it has been more than 90 minutes since login. Rules: –Approval by School Test Coordinator –Same day only –Expires at the end of the day if not used Procedures and exceptions: Contact CIA to obtain NDE approval. 22

ONLINE PROCEDURES GRADES 8 & 11 Post-Test Tasks Check Audit Spreadsheet to confirm 100% participation Confirm Not Tested Codes are marked. View Results – Districts and schools can save, view, and print typed responses for students who take the test online. Securely return Test Session Tickets and all other materials to CIA. 23

Agenda  Testing Window & Other Key Dates  General Guidelines  Online Testing Procedures & Paper/Pencil  Accommodations  Loose Ends  Questions & Answers 24

Be sure to follow appropriate accommodation procedures as found in the “Nebraska State Accountability (NeSA) Approved Accommodations” Document. NeSA Test Administration

Alternate Assessment  The NDE does not provide an alternate assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities (1%). Districts are to assess Alternate Assessment students locally. Indicate a student was administered an alternate assessment test by making sure the student is flagged as Alternate Assessment. Contact Denise to verify a student’s status. 26

Accommodations – Grades 8 & 11  Paper/Pencil Accommodations for grade 8 and 11 students with IEP or 504 Plans and English Language Learners who responded in a paper test booklet must be reported in the Accommodations field on page one of the test booklet. NDE’s Approved Accommodations document. Accommodations.pdf Accommodations.pdf 27

Accommodations – Grades 8 & 11  Online Accommodations for grade 8 and 11 students with IEP or 504 Plans and English Language Learners who were tested online must be reported in Online Testing > Management Tools > Student Editor (CIA will mark) 28

Visual Accommodations – Grades 8 & 11  Online Grade 8 and 11 students requiring Visual Accommodations for online testing should be flagged in Online Testing > Management Tools > Student Editor (CIA will mark) 29

Transcription Instructions  Grades 4, 8, and 11 – Paper/Pencil or Online DRC has provided one red envelope labeled “NeSA- Writing Transcription Envelope” for each district. Attach original student responses to writing test booklets containing transcribed responses or printed copies of responses transcribed online and return with test materials to CIA. (See page 12 of Test Administration Manual for additional details.) Return red envelope whether used or unused. 30

Foreign Language Responses  Grades 4, 8, and 11 – Paper/Pencil Spanish translated test booklets which include the test instructions, rubric self assessment tool, and the writing prompt are available from DRC. All students responding in Spanish or another foreign language must do so in an English version of the paper test booklet. Complete the field on page one of the test booklet indicating the student responded in a foreign language. 31

Test Format – Braille & Large Print  Districts are authorized to create Braille and large print versions of the NeSA-Writing tests. Must be securely destroyed at the end of testing.  For Grades 4, 8, and 11 – Paper/Pencil testers For student responses transcribed in a paper test booklet – indicate the student was administered the test in a Braille or large print format in the Test Format field on page one of the test booklet. 32

Test Format – Braille & Large Print  Grades 8 & 11 – Online For student responses transcribed online, indicate the student was administered the test in a Braille or large print format in the Test Format field in Online Testing > Management Tools > Student Editor 33

Labeling Test Booklets  District/School Labels – orange stripe Intended for students without PreID Labels. Use label and fill in demographic information on answer sheets.  Do Not Score Labels – blue stripe Contain barcodes that indicate the answer sheet should NOT be scored. Contact CIA if you need 34

Labeling Test Booklets  All entries must be made in Number 2 pencil.  Writing booklets that are disassembled will not be scored. You will need to make copies for local scoring and appeals, but are not to take the writing booklets apart.  Do not attempt to remove incorrect labels from answer sheets – instead cover with the appropriate label.  Every booklet with a student response must have a label.  Do not write on labels. 35

Labeling Test Booklets  Place District/School Labels, and Do Not Score Labels on the front of the test booklet in the designated area ONLY.  The preprinted Blank Barcode indicates a test booklet is completely unused. 36

Not Tested Codes – Grades 8 & 11  Online and Paper/Pencil Testers Indicate the reason the student was not tested by using Online Testing > Management Tools > Student Editor 37

 School – Administrative Materials 2013 NeSA-Writing Test Administration Manual School Packing List Security Checklist  School – Secure Materials NeSA-Writing Test Booklets Spanish Translation Test Booklets Receiving Paper/Pencil Test Materials 38

 Return ALL used and unused materials.  Use original boxes.  Check: All used test booklets have labels; No loose paper is left in test booklets.  Retain Security Checklist. Materials Return - School 39

Agenda  Testing Window & Other Key Dates  General Guidelines  Online Testing Procedures & Paper/Pencil  Accommodations  Loose Ends  Questions & Answers 40

 NDE Statewide Assessment Website  DRC eDIRECT - General Information > Documents > Administration – NeSA-Writing Spring 2013  CAL NeSA Testing Website > Documentation (Online Manual Only) Where to Find the Manuals 41

 March 21, 2013 Standard Setting – Grade 4  April 23-24, 2013 NeSA-Writing Reporting WebEx Sessions  April 29, 2013  2013 NeSA-Writing Reports Posted in eDIRECT  July 29, 2013  Individual Student Reports including NeSA-Writing delivered to districts. More Important Dates 42

Questions & Answers 43 CIA Customer Service Chad x Denise x Beth x