EXPLORE Training October 3, 2014

2 Serves as a baseline measure of academic progress toward college and career readiness when used with PLAN and the ACT Designed to help 8 th grade students build high school course plans Assesses academic progress, areas that need extra help, suggestions for improving skills, and careers that match the students interests Provides early indicators of whether students are on track for college, with time to intervene and focus on areas of need

3 Only test CMS students from your school ACT EXPLORE All 8 th grade Students Repeat students are eligible X1 students are not participating Medical exemptions must be applied for LEP first year in U.S. schools exemption does not apply ACT PLAN All 10 th grade Students Repeat students are eligible X1 students are not participating Medical exemptions must be applied for LEP first year in U.S. schools exemption does not apply

4 Secure Test Materials Includes all regular and accommodated PLAN and EXPLORE materials sent by ACT Staff and students may not disclose any secure test questions or answer choices to anyone Must be stored in a locked room or cabinet Authorized Access Restricted to the Test Supervisor (STC)

5 PLAN – Allowed by ACT but not required EXPLORE – Required by ACT If school provides students calculators – distribute before testing begins as students are being admitted to the test room This is a school decision. Either the school gives calculators to each student or all students are expected to provide their own for uniform testing practices. Calculator requirements pg of Supervisor’s Manuals At least 4 function with square root Calculators must have the memory cleared Calculators cannot be shared

6 Qualifications – for all positions Proficient in English Experienced in testing and measurement A staff member of the school district Not a relative or guardian of an examinee in their assigned room Not a private consultant or individual tutor of any examinee in their assigned room Test Supervisor (Testing Coordinator) Test supervisor should not be a relative or guardian of any examinee (At the school where they are the Supervisor). Room Supervisor (Test Administrator) Must not be a relative or guardian of any examinee in the supervisor’s assigned room. Proctor (Required for 26 or more students) Must not be a relative or guardian of any examinee in the assigned room.

7 Read and understand the Supervisor’s Manual Attend training and briefing session at school Serve in one room during entire session Identify and admit each student into the testing room Direct students to specific, assigned seats Account for test materials before, during and after testing Read test instructions Time each test accurately Monitor students and materials at all times Complete all required documentation

8 May be used in testing rooms with 10 or more students Required in testing rooms with 26 or more students Read and understand the Supervisor’s Manual Attend training and briefing session at school Help to admit and direct students to seats Verify the timing of the test Monitor students Report any irregularities to the room supervisor Help collect and account for all test materials

9 Student information must be written and bubbled in for students who do not have a pre- printed label

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11 Desks Three feet apart Students face same direction Bulletin boards covered Maps and periodic tables do not need to be covered or removed All test taking strategies and content material covered Comfortable temperature and lighting Limited distractions Inform the main office to not call into testing rooms Have all alarms and bells turned off Large Scale Administrations Prohibited

12 Student Information Section40-50 minutes Test 1 English 30 minutes Test 2 Mathematics 30 minutes Optional break 5-10 minutes Test 3 Reading 30 minutes Test 4 Science 30 minutes General Administration10 minutes Total Time 180 minutes Students Must Complete All Sections

13 STUDENT INFORMATION MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TOCONTENT AREAS, AND WITHIN TESTING WINDOW TA will read Option 3 (TA reads instructions specific to Pre-ID labels) of the student information section for students with Pre- ID labels A separate session for students without Pre-ID labels should be held and TA will read option 1 or 2 of the student information section ACT allows an option of a 1 or 2 day administration (pg. 23) 1 day administration: Student information section will be completed on the same day students begin the content sections of the test 2 day administration: Student information section will be completed on a day prior to the day content sections will be administered Test Administration should occur first thing in the morning with no instructional content prior to testing

14 Who should attend? Room Supervisors Can be a brief reminder during materials checkout Review procedures Last-minute details Room Supervisor checks materials out from Test Supervisor on the morning of testing

15 Identify and admit students Utilize student ID cards and roster to confirm students Direct students to seats Alphabetical (Left / right and front / back) No late arrivals No cell phones or other electronic devices ANY STUDENT WITH A PHONE ON THEIR PERSON WILL BE REMOVED FROM TESTING AND THEIR TEST WILL NOT BE SCORED

16 Use more than one timepiece (not a cell phone) Time each room individually No “central” timing Provide 5-minutes remaining reminders Post Start and Stop times and or time allowed for each test on the board Record times in the Supervisor’s Manuals The full time allotted for each section must be given to all students regardless of students finishing early

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18 There are no break scripts in the manual STC needs to plan what Test Administrators will say STC must also make script changes for settings with non-standard timing Break(s) are at the discretion of the School Testing Coordinator Train your staff on the exact times and what to say Suggested Breaks: 1-Day administration 5-10 min break prior to the start of Test min break between Tests 2 and 3

19 Other than permitted calculators, students are not allowed to have in their possession or to use a cell phone or any other electronic device at any time during testing, including breaks. Any student with a cell phone/electronic device during testing will result in a VOIDED answer folder.

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21 Test Room Documentation Room Supervisor’s (Test Administrator) Responsibilities Account for all test booklets, answer folders and scratch paper (EXPLORE ONLY) before dismissing students Verify you have an answer folder for each student who tested Check answer folders to ensure they are correctly marked and student information is entered on the folder Secure testing materials