1. The ACT® State Testing Program in Arkansas

2. TODAY’S GOAL
Provide insights into what the districts and schools can expect.
Prepare for the coming months.
Share some the Best Practices for ACT’s State Testing programs.

3. 2015-2016 ARKANSAS STATE TESTING DATES for the ACT
Administration
Dates
The ACT Standard Time Initial Test Date
March 1, 2016
The ACT Standard Time Makeup Test Date
March 15, 2016
The ACT Accommodations Testing Window
March 1 – 15, 2016
ACT taken Online Testing Window
(weekdays only)

4. ACT Arkansas State Testing Website
ACT State Testing Information
ACT Aspire Testing Information
Navigating to Additional Information

5. CHOOSING STAFF Reliable, dependable, trustworthy
Staff to student ratios
Make sure that staff attend training and are prepared
Conflict of interest policy
Relatives
Tutors
Coaches

6. PREPARATION AND TRAINING
Watch the Webcasts available online for individual viewing
Accommodations
Test Administration
Attend Accommodations a Q&A session
November 4 at 10 & 2
November 10 at 10 & 2
Attend Test Administration Q&A sessions
December 9
February 9
Checklist in the Administration Manual

7. TESTING ENVIRONMENT Shut off bells and PA
Quiet area away from distractions
Offsite testing
Adequate spacing
Large writing area
Adequate lighting
Comfortable temperature

8. ACCOMMODATIONS ACT APPROVED
ACT-Approved Accommodations result in ACT scores that are fully reportable to colleges, scholarships, and other entities.
Currently on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plans
Professionally Diagnosed and Documented Disability
Submitted through Test Accommodations and Accessibility (TAA)
Materials are student specific
Non-College Reportable Scores

9. ACCOMMODATIONS ACT APPROVED
Submitted through Test Accommodations and Accessibility (TAA)
College and Career Readiness System (CCRIS) Login Screen:
Requesting ACT-Approved Accommodations using TAA (video):

10. ACCOMMODATIONS ACT APPROVED
TAA User Guide:
ACT Accommodations Overview - TAA:
Scheduled Question & Answer sessions for all test coordinators
Nov 4 & 10 at 10 am & 2 pm

11. ENROLLMENT CONFIRMATION & PRE-ID FILE SUBMISSION
In January schools will be asked to confirm enrollment. This used for material shipments.
Have student database current with the state. ADE will provide ACT with a student data file by December 11th. This is used to create student Pre-ID labels.

12. RECEIVING MATERIALS PAPER TESTING
Non secure shipment
Week of February 1
Secure shipments – Week of February 22
Standard time
ACT Approved Accommodations
Receipt and check-in of materials
Secure Storage

13. PRE-TEST SESSION FOR STUDENTS PAPER TESTING
Must be conducted before test day – preferably days in advance
Verbal instruction in the Administrative Manuals
All students – don’t forget accomms students
Taking the ACT for State Testing for each student
Highlight fields
Address, College choices, EOS, , Interest Inventory and SPS
Usually takes about an hour

14. TEST DAY PREPARATION Make sure students know what to do and expect
Where to report
No cell phones
Bring calculators and pencils
Train staff
Prepare testing rooms
Assign staff keeping requirements in mind
Count & prepare materials for each room

15. TEST DAY – PAPER TESTING
Briefing session for staff
Last minute reminders
Distribute materials -- document
Admitting students
ID and mark the roster
Seat assignments
Administering the test is the only thing they do
Administration Forms completed accurately
Collecting the materials following testing

16. MAKEUP TESTING – PAPER TESTING
Makeup test date March 15
Place orders for Makeup test materials by March 3
Makeup materials arrive in schools the week of March 7
Do not use Test Books from the Initial day of testing on the Makeup Test Day.

17. PACKING AND RETURNING MATERIALS PAPER TESTING
Following Packing instructions
Do not put polymailers in the boxes
Scorable items are returned in polymailers for standard time testers
Different instructions for Standard Time vs. Accomms Keep Standard Time materials separate from Accomms
Have material ready for pick up on scheduled date
Initial test date pickup scheduled on March 3
Makeup and Accomms material pickup on March 17

18. USING THE SCORE REPORTS
There is a wealth of information for school and student use
Student score report –mailed to the address provided
Can be viewed online at actstudent.org
School reports
District data files
State data file
Use to inform student and curriculum choices

19. FOR MORE INFORMATION Website -- http://www.act.org/aap/arkansas/
ACT State Testing 800/ x 2800
ACT State Testing Accommodations 800/ x 1788
Contact Us Via Our Contact Us Webpage:
Standard Customer service hours: M-F 7:30 a.m :00 p.m. Central Time

20. FOR MORE INFORMATION Website -- http://www.act.org/aap/arkansas/
ACT State Testing 800/ x 2800
ACT State Testing Accommodations 800/ x 1788
Contact Us Via Our Contact Us Webpage:
Standard Customer service hours: M-F 7:30 a.m :00 p.m. Central Time