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 EXPLOREPLANACT Grade 8 Grade 10Grade 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 10 th 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) 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 Testing During 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 – 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 – March 4 All 11 th 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 2 nd 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

State Testing Program Overview Administration must meet Standard Testing Requirements NC Accountability Model  ACT is used for accountability in 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 tested at 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 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