South Carolina Alternate Assessment DTC-Alt Pretest Workshop 2015–16 South Carolina Department of Education American Institutes for Research

Training Topics General Information SC-Alt SC-NCSC Eligibility Precode SC-Alt SC-NCSC Alternate Career Readiness Assessments Alternate ACCESS

Eligibility Participation Guidelines 2015–16 Alternate Assessment Age and Birth Date Reference Sheet Guidance for IEP Teams on Determining Participation in the South Carolina Alternate Assessment (SC-Alt) http://ed.sc.gov/tests/assessment-information/testing-swd/sc-alt/

One Percent Rule Permits up to one percent of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in a state or district to be counted as proficient based on alternate achievement standards.

SC-Alt 2016 Administration 5

Administration Window March 7–April 22 Testing materials will arrive in the districts by February 26

SC-Alt Spring 2016 Content to be Assessed Science (ages 9–13, all students) Biology (age 16, all students) Social Studies (ages 9–13, all students)

SC-Alt Spring 2016 Test Format Grade Band Forms Elementary: Grades 4–5 (ages 9–10) Middle: Grades 6–8 (ages 11–13) High: Grade 11 (age 16) 12 tasks per form

Grade-Band Form Assignments (Elementary and Middle) Students are assigned to SC-Alt grade-band forms on the basis of their age as of September 1, 2015, as precoded in the PowerSchool data base. For students who do not have a pre-assigned form, refer to the Age and Birth Date Reference Sheet in the 2016 TAM (Appendix B) or on the SCDE website to determine the correct form. 9

2015–16 SC-Alt Precoding Imelda “Mel” Go Office of Assessment SC Department of Education

Why Precoding is So Important Precode is used to order and sort test SC-Alt materials and to pre-populate student demographic information. Test Administrator’s name determines SC-Alt materials distribution and second rater assignments. The homeroom field will not be used for this purpose. Reduces additional material orders Reduces errors related to: Student demographic coding SC-Alt form assignment

Where to Find the Precode Manual

Importance of the Birthdate The grade level the student tests in is always based on the student’s age as of September 1 of the current school year. Focus on the correctness of the date of birth. The state will calculate the age and determine the grade tested. You may use Appendix B in the Precode Manual as a reference sheet to determine the grade the state will assign to the student.

Age as of Sept. 1 and Assessment Grade Alternate Assessment Grade 4 4K 12 7 5 5K 13 8 6 1 14 9 2 15 10 3 16 11 17 18 or above Non-graded

Precode Tab in PowerSchool

Alternate Assessment Eligibility Select ‘Y’ if the student is eligible regardless of age or grade designation. (You are no longer asked to determine the grade. The state will calculate the age and determine the grade.)

Alternate Assessment Eligibility This field will not be set to blank for the next school year. Its value will remain the same until changed by school personnel. The assumption is most students who are eligible remain eligible. Be on the alert for students with a change of eligibility. The alternate assessment eligibility field remains a Yes unless it is changed to a No in PowerSchool. The SCDE should not precode for students who are not eligible. The district is responsible for making sure PowerSchool data are correct and only students who are eligible are marked as eligible.

Alternate Assessment Test Administrator Name Fields For the same test administrator, be consistent across students. Use the same capitalization, spacing, and punctuation.

Alternate Assessment Rosters in November 2015 Rosters of alternate-assessment-eligible students were posted in ADTS for districts to review. Rosters listed birthdates; age of student as of September 1, 2015; and alternate assessment test administrator. Data for eligible students should be correct in PowerSchool in time for the January extraction. SCDE has deadlines with contractors that cannot be extended. Work ahead to reduce stress on all parties involved.

Alternate Assessment Rosters in November 2015

The Alternate Assessment Exception field is important for 2015–16.

The Alternate Assessment Exception field is important for 2015–16. Students who were not assessed with the high school form of the alternate assessment at age 16 last year (2014–15) due to district error may be assessed the following year (this year, 2015–16) at age 17. For such students, select Yes in the Alternate Assessment Exception field. The requirements for this field can vary from year to year.

Precode Forecast for 2016–17 Because of the transition to online assessments, there is a need to include teacher IDs and email addresses in the precode files. To do this, the SCDE has to turn to course enrollment data in PowerSchool. Districts will be asked to use a specific combination of numbers/letters as the first 4 characters of the course code for precoding alternate assessments. Sections of students will be created using the course code to reflect the groups of students each test administrator is responsible for.

Aaron Brown arbrown@ed.sc.gov Precode Questions Aaron Brown arbrown@ed.sc.gov

SC-Alt 2016

Procedural Guidelines Test Administration Manual (TAM) District Test Coordinator’s Supplement Manual Score Report User’s Guide

Secure File Transfer (SFTP) AIR uses an SFTP site to electronically send secure materials to the school districts. You will be notified whenever pertinent files or information are posted on the SFTP site for your access such as: District Roster of Students Taking SC-Alt Second Rater Roster Training Webinar for the District Training Secure Video Clips for Training Demographic Correction Forms District Data Files

SC-Alt Test Materials

Packaging of Test Materials All test materials for each grade band are bundled into one Test Administrator Kit. Test Administrators receive one kit for each grade band that they are assessing. Each kit contains a serial number. This number is also included in the ancillary documents packed in the school and district boxes.

Other Items Not Included in the TA Kits Test Administrator Security Checklists Student Rosters Answer Folders (organized by grade-band form, color coded) Scoring Worksheets Precoded Bar Code Labels

Braille Materials Teachers with students who need braille and tactile graphic materials must use the Braille Order Form in the TAM (Appendix N) to request these materials. TAs submit the form to the DTC-Alt who forwards it to AIR. A list of tasks with braille and/or tactile graphic materials is in the TAM (Appendix Q). Braille Order Forms are also provided in the district box.

Return Procedures Review the DTC-Alt Supplement for return shipping procedures. Review Appendices J and K of the TAM for additional information.

Before Returning Materials, Verify: All appropriate students were assessed. All responses have been transferred from the Scoring Worksheet to the Answer Folder. All signatures are on the Test Administrator Security Affidavit. You have received all TA Kits, test booklets, and other materials back from your schools.

Test Security Administration and Scoring Fidelity

Test Security Regulations SC-Alt is subject to SC Test Security Regulations. All Test Administrators and monitors must sign Agreement to Maintain Test Security and Confidentiality. A copy of the Test Security Regulations is located in Appendix A of the TAM and on the Department website. Test Security Violations must be reported using the Test Security Violation Action Form in the TAM.

Monitors Monitors are required and must be trained. See TAM pages 6–7 for training requirements Observe all assessment sessions and verify the use of proper procedures and authenticity of student responses. Sign the Test Administrator Security Affidavit located in student answer folder (TAM Appendix E). Sign Agreement to Maintain Test Security and Confidentiality (TAM Appendix D). Copies of the agreement will be provided in the school box.

Second Rater Selection Teachers are selected to have a second rater observe an administration based on the January 2016 Precode file. Accurate precoding of the SC-Alt Test Administrator field is important to ensure accurate assignment. DTCs-Alt select and assign the second rater to observe the administration. Second rater administrations for 2016 will be conducted in science/biology only.

Second Rater Qualifications Must meet the Test Administrator criteria: Certified teacher Administrator (e.g., school administrator, district level special education consultant, or other administrator) Related services personnel Must participate in the District Level Test Administration training

Second Rater Timeline January 28-March 4 DTCs-Alt notify AIR Help Desk of any changes that need to be made. February 2 AIR uploads the roster of all SC-Alt students and of students selected to have second rater administration to district SFTP sites. February 5 Second Rater Procedures and Instructions Memorandum sent to the districts with district training materials. February 26 Second rater kits arrive in district with SC-Alt test materials. March 4 Deadline to notify AIR of any changes to the Second Rater Roster.

Common Errors Resulting in Non-Valid Administrations Failure to complete Test Administrator Security Affidavit (all signatures) Assessment of student with wrong form Failure to administer all required tasks as specified in the Directions for Determining the Starting and Concluding Tasks Assessment of student beginning with wrong starting task (not following drop-back rule if student does not obtain 3 points on the starting task) Failure to transfer item scores from the worksheet to the answer folder 40

Test Administrator Training

Test Administrator Requirements All Test Administrators must be trained annually. A Test Administrator must be a certified employee of the district or another individual who meets the criteria specified in the TAM (page 6) and approved by the DTC-Alt.

Test Administrator Training Regional Workshops Teachers/Test Administrators who did not administer the SC-Alt in spring 2014 or spring 2015. One additional district representative District Level Training All Teachers/Test Administrators Experienced Teachers/Test Administrators who administered SC-Alt in spring 2014 or spring 2015 Teachers/Test Administrators who attended the regional workshops. School Test Coordinators Second Raters

Regional Workshops January 25 Charleston January 26 Florence Columbia Greenville

District Training To be conducted by DTC-Alt or Designee Training Window: February 8–March 4 Approximately two and a half hours

Training Materials Test Administration Manuals (TAMs) DTC-Alt Supplement Training Tasks Participant Sign-in Sheet Return Envelope AIR will ship these materials so they arrive in the district by February 5.

Additional Training Materials AIR SFTP SCDE Website Webinar presentation Administration procedures Scoring procedures Optional video clips of standards based instruction and test administrations Training PowerPoint Administration and Scoring Training Acknowledgement Agreement to Maintain Test Security and Confidentiality Training Evaluation Form

Training Activities Administering and Scoring SC-Alt Webinar Download from the AIR SFTP site. Scoring Practice Allow about 15 minutes for teachers to practice in pairs administering and scoring the sample tasks in the Training Task Booklet. Facilitate discussion and questions. Training Videotapes Examples of actual assessments and instruction are linked to South Carolina State Standards .

Training Paperwork/Forms At the completion of the training have the Test Administrators Sign the Administration and Scoring Training Acknowledgement Form Sign the Agreement to Maintain Test Security and Confidentiality Complete the Training Evaluation Form

Collect and Maintain in the District Agreement to Maintain Test Security and Confidentiality forms Administration and Scoring Training Acknowledgement forms One copy of the Participant Sign-in Sheet

Materials to be Returned Use the envelope included in the training materials shipment to return the following materials to AIR: Training Evaluations Participant Sign-in Sheets

Final Important Dates April 22, 2016 April 27, 2016 Last day of testing April 27, 2016 Last day to ship materials to contractor Shipping the materials on this date ensures that the materials are received by the contractor on or by April 29, 2016. 52

Resources South Carolina Alternate Assessment Social Studies Instructional and Assessment Guide South Carolina Alternate Assessment Science Instructional and Assessment Guide

South Carolina National Center State Collaborative Alternate Assessment (SC-NCSC)

SC-NCSC Assessment System Complete system of instructional supports and online technology platform for student enrollment and management, test administrator training, test administration, and reporting. Purpose Ensure that all students are able to participate in an assessment that is a measure of what they know and can do in relation to grade-level college and career ready standards. Ensure students with significant cognitive disabilities achieve increasingly higher academic outcomes and graduate high school prepared for post-secondary options. Meet requirements of IDEA and ESEA. Produce scores that can be used for accountability purposes.

Administration Window March 7–April 29, 2016 Online DTC-Alt and Test Administrator Training February 2016

SC-NCSC Spring 2016 Content to be Assessed ELA (ages 8–13, age 16, all students) Math (ages 8–13, age 16, all students)

SC-NCSC Test Format Computer delivered assessment with paper options Grade-level specific forms Item-based Items aligned to the NCSC Core Content Connectors linked to South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards (SCCCRS) in ELA and Math Selected response Constructed response

SC-NCSC Testing Procedures

SC-NCSC Procedural Guidelines Test Administration Manual SC-NCSC Assessment System User Guide Test Coordinators Test Administrators Directions for Test Administration (DTA) Procedures for Assessing Students who are Blind, Deaf, or Deaf-blind

Administration and Scoring Fidelity Monitors are required Test Administrator Security Affidavit Copies will be shipped with TAMs Complete signatures (principal, monitor, TA) Return with other paper materials Second Raters are NOT required for ELA or Math this year

Accessing the SC-NCSC System The SCDE will upload all DTC-Alt e-mail addresses to the system in early January. Check the website to make sure information is correct and contact us for any corrections. DTCs-Alt will receive an automated e-mail that contains a temporary URL. This provides access to the system and allows you to add test administrator names and e-mail addresses at the school or district level.

SC-NCSC Training Webinar for DTCs-Alt will be on January 20th. Online training modules will be available in February. TAs take all modules and must receive 80% on the final quiz to access the assessment. DTCs-Alt take some modules but are not required to take a final quiz.

SC-NCSC Instructional Resources An instructional resources wiki and a number of additional resources have been created to host materials that educators will need to deliver instruction aligned to the SCCCRS. https://wiki.ncscpartners.org/index.php/Main_Page

Alternate Career Readiness Assessments

Alternate Career Readiness Assessments District should select one of the following transition assessments approved by the SCDE. Brigance Transition Skills Inventory (Sections D, E, F, G, and H) Enderle-Severson Transition Rating Scales Functional Independent Skills Handbook Life Skills Inventory (Categories A–N) Student Annual Needs Determination Inventory Supports Intensity Scale (Sections 1 and 2) TEACCH Transition Assessment Profile

Test Administration Required for all alternate assessment- eligible students who are age 16 (commensurate with grade 11) Can be administered anytime during the 2015–16 school year

Reporting A spreadsheet for reporting will be sent after the Winter Break. Results must be submitted by May 27, 2016.

English Language Proficiency Assessment Alternate ACCESS English Language Proficiency Assessment

Administration Window February 2─March 18

Alternate ACCESS ELL students who are eligible for alternate assessment. Ages commensurate with grades 1–12 (or until exit from ELL services). Kindergarten-age students take the general ACCESS test. Monitors are required. Paper test delivery. Test administrator training is provided online.

Contact Information

American Institutes for Research Celine Tobal ctobal@air.org South Carolina Alternate Assessment Helpdesk schelpdesk@air.org 877-231-7789 73

Department of Education Office of Assessment South Carolina Department of Education Office of Assessment Anne Mruz amruz@ed.sc.gov 803-734-8034 Suzanne Swaffield sswaffie@ed.sc.gov 803-734-8274 Jill Christmus mchristmus@ed.sc.gov 803-734-8048 74