1. Writing Performance Assessment (Required for DTCs, STCs, and Writing TAs)

2. Writing
Objectives
Understand the ways in which the writing assessment differs from other assessments
Administer the Writing Performance Assessment appropriately

3. Writing
Purpose
Authentic performance assessment where students produce an essay over 2-3 days.
Measures student proficiency on adopted state standards in the area of Writing.
Identifies student strengths and weaknesses through analytic trait scoring to inform classroom instruction.
May be used for students to demonstrate proficiency in the Essential Skill of Writing
-It is considered an “authentic” assessment in that students follow a writing process, including prewriting, drafting, editing and publishing, much as they would for a typical classroom assignment. Does NOT count for accountability (Report Card) purposes.

4. Based on legislative action:
Writing
Grades 11 and 12 Only
Based on legislative action:
Grades 4 and 7 remain suspended
High School restricted to Grade 11 and Grade 12 students who have not previously met or exceeded the writing standard.
Eligible Grade 11 and Grade 12 students may test in either window.
Students enrolled in Grades 9 and 10 may not access the Writing Assessment
-Due to budgetary restrictions, for only students enrolled in Grade 11 or 12 who have not already met may have access to the writing assessment. New for , Grade 12 students may test in either the winter or the spring test window.
-ODE will restrict access to Online Writing and the ability to order Paper Writing tests to students who are currently enrolled in Grade 11 or 12 and who did not previously meet the HS Writing test in an earlier grade.

5. Test Schedule Winter Window (Grades 11 and 12):
Writing
Test Schedule
Winter Window (Grades 11 and 12):
Online (Jan. 8 – March 21)
Paper-Based (Jan. 8 – Feb. 20)
(order window Oct. 19 – Dec. 10)
(shipping deadline is March 4)
Spring window: (Grades 11 and 12)
Online (April 2 – May 22)
Paper-Based (April 11– May 22)
(order window Jan. 25 – March 15)
(shipping deadline is June 3)
-Students may only test once. This means either winter or spring window (not both). This also means either paper or online format (not both). If a student already tested in a previous grade and met the standard, then that student does not need to test this year.

6. Writing
Before Testing
Review Appendix G of the Test Administration Manual and your training notes
Provide students with opportunities to become familiar with the test format, especially for the online test
Make sure students only have access to the allowable resources identified in Appendix G
Read the student directions in Appendix G aloud to students verbatim
-Appendix G of the TAM is available online. It contains instructions on how to prepare for the test, the procedure for administering the test, allowable resources, and student directions
-Practice tests are available online to familiarize TAs and students with the Online Writing format.
-Students may not access any materials not explicitly identified on the Writing allowable resource list.

7. Test Administration (Online)
Writing
Test Administration (Online)
Writing is a Test Subject that can be selected for inclusion in a test session from the OAKS Online TA Interface.
While the Online Writing test is not timed, estimate that it will take approximately 2 – 3 class sessions to complete.
Note: Tests that are not completed within 45 days of starting will expire.
-45-day expiration period applies to the Online Writing test. Students who do not complete the test within 45 days of starting it will have the test expire. As there is only 1 Writing test opportunity per student, it’s important that districts monitor Online Writing tests that are nearing their expiration date to ensure that students have an opportunity to complete the test. The Participation Reports available through the Online Reporting System allow users to identify which students’ tests are set to expire within a set number of days.

8. Test Administration (Online), cont’d
Writing
Test Administration (Online), cont’d
Students can either create and revise their drafts in the Student Response screen or print their selected prompt and create and revise their drafts on paper, entering their final draft in the Student Response Screen. Note: any printed test materials, including outlines or rough drafts, must be collected by the TA and securely stored between test sessions.
When breaking up the test over multiple sessions, remind students to pause the test rather than clicking “end test” and submitting their test for scoring. Students should
only click “end test” after entering
and reviewing their final response.

9. Test Administration (Paper-based)
Writing
Test Administration (Paper-based)
While the Paper-Based Writing test is not timed, estimate that it will take approximately 2 – 3 class sessions to complete.
TAs must collect student test booklets at the end of each test session. Note: all notes, outlines, and rough drafts must also be collected by the TA and securely stored between test sessions.
Students must enter their final draft into the student test booklet.
Students may use an additional sheet of paper to finish a thought begun on the previous page, not to exceed one half a page
Typed responses may be inserted into the test booklet
Follow the instructions on pp. G-22 – G-23 of
Appendix G to ensure that additional or typed
pages are correctly inserted
-Failure to collect and securely store all test materials at the end of each test session is considered a test impropriety and can result in the invalidation of student tests.
-Following the instructions in Appendix G is necessary to ensure that the student response can be scanned for scoring.

10. Scoring All tests are scored through a central, online scoring system.
Writing
Scoring
All tests are scored through a central, online scoring system.
Tests will be distributed to Oregon raters around the state.
Both paper and online assessments will be double scored.
Scores of papers may be appealed, but must follow the process and timelines described in Appendix G of the Test Administration Manual.
Note: Grade 12 students testing in the spring window will not receive their scores in time for May or June graduation decisions
-Completed online tests must be electronically submitted for scoring by the close of the applicable online writing test window. Paper tests must be completed by the close of the applicable paper writing test window and shipped to the scanning center by the applicable shipping deadline.
-Once scanned, the papers will be accessed by Oregon raters from around the state for scoring. Each paper will be scored by at least two raters.
-Results from the spring window will not be available until early July 2014, and would not come in time to use for decisions relating to graduations and diplomas being awarded in June.

11. Do’s and Don’ts Do’s Do review Appendix G before testing
Writing
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
Do review Appendix G before testing
Do test all students in Grade 11.
Do test Grade 12 students in the Winter or Spring window who have not yet met the standard and would benefit from this additional opportunity.
Do collect and securely store all printed test materials between test sessions (for both online and paper-based Writing)
-Review Appendix G of the Test Administration Manual prior to test administration to ensure understanding with administration procedures, allowable resources, and security protocols.
-Only Grade 11 students and eligible Grade 12 students may test in

12. Do’s and Don’ts, cont’d Don’ts
Writing
Do’s and Don’ts, cont’d
Don’ts
Do not allow students enrolled in Grade 9 or 10 to test using a blank writing booklet
Do not allow Grade 11 or eligible Grade 12 students to test more than once
Do not provide resources to students unless they are explicitly identified as allowable resources in Appendix G.
Do not retain copies of pp. 1 and 2 of paper writing booklets
-To emphasize, only Grade 11 and eligible Grade 12 students may test this year.
-To avoid an impropriety, students can only access allowable resources. Check Appendix G prior to test administration to confirm what resources are allowable. If a resource isn’t listed, assume the answer is no!
-Pages 1 and 2 of the writing booklets contain the secure writing prompts and must be securely destroyed by districts at the close of each test window. Districts may retain pp. 3 and 4 of the writing booklets (the student response) for local scoring. For students testing online, TAs may ask students to print out their final response before submitting for scoring.

13. Writing
Promising Practices
Local scoring of classroom assessments using the official scoring guide to provide feedback in some or all of the writing traits to prepare students for the writing assessment.
Districts create a system where teachers trade papers for double scoring, thus ensuring rater accuracy.
More information about work samples can be found in the Appendix K of the TAM

14. Writing
In a Nutshell
Writing administration is essentially the same as last year
Testing in restricted to Grade 11 students and Grade 12 students who have not yet met or exceeded the writing standard.
New for , both Grade 11 and Grade 12 students may test in either the winter or the spring window.

15. Online Resources Test Administration Manual OAKS Online User Guides
OAKS Portal (includes Training Site and Practice Tests)

16. Writing
Acorns for Storage
How can TAs be sure that they are only administering the writing test to eligible students?
What factors should weigh in the decision as to which window and what format are used to administer the test?
What local expertise could be tapped for an accurate and timely review and return of writing appeals?
-Check students’ grade of enrollment to ensure they are enrolled in Grade 11 or Grade 12 at the time the test is administered. Then, check to make sure the student does not have a passing score banked for them from a previous grade.
-What factors should weigh in the decision as to which window and what format are used to administer the test?
Enrollment in English class (block schedules)
Timing of instructional focus on writing
Format of writing instruction (Is usual mode paper/pencil or word processing?)
Familiarity with online tools (spell check, cut and paste features)
Access to computers for test completion
-What local expertise could be tapped for an accurate and timely review and return of writing appeals?
Objective reviewer
Calibrated scoring (state-trained/qualified raters preferred)
Review results after appeals returned to measure local efficacy
System in place with timeline on steps in appeal process
Designated resource to handle appeal submission (typically DTC)