1. ACT Administration Training
November 2018

2. Agenda What is ACT? ACT Systems Important dates
What’s New for
Taking ACT Online or Paper
Manage Participation and Shipping
Editing Enrollment Counts
Enroll and Unenroll Students
Accommodated Testing

3. What is ACT?
ACT is a standardized test used by most colleges and universities to make admission decisions.
The purpose of the ACT test is to measure a high school student’s general educational development and their capability to complete college-level work and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.
The length of the ACT test is 2 hours and 55 minutes and tests four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science.
The LDOE pays for all 11th grade students to take the ACT and any 12th grade student who has no ACT score on record.
ACT scores count as 25% of the high school School Performance Score (SPS).

4. ACT Systems
Test Accessibility and Accommodations System (TAA) – used by the STC
Test accommodations management system
Submit ACT approved accommodations requests and check the PIN numbers issued for approvals only
Setup for testing students with previously approved accommodations
Pearson Access Next (PA Next) – used be the DTC and STC
ACT test management system for districts, schools, students, and materials
Test Nav – used by the STC and Test Administrators
Administer ACT online; ONLY for districts participating in the online testing
Welcome to Your Testing Program State found on the ACT state testing website is a short video explaining how the state testing site is organized, demonstrates how and where to locate resources for each test, and points out tips for a successful test administration.

5. ACT Official State Testing Dates
The Schedule of Events is available on the ACT State Testing site.
Test
Type of Testing
Date/Window
ACT® Test - Paper
Initial Test - Standard Time
March 12, 2019
Testing Window - Accommodations & Supports
March , 2019
Makeup Test - Standard Time
April 2, 2019
Makeup Testing Window - Accommodations & Supports
April 2 - 8, 2019
ACT® Test - Online
Testing Window - Standard Time, Accommodations & Supports
March , 2019
March , 2019

6. What’s New for ACT in
What’s New for the ACT can be found on the ACT State Testing website.
The ACT Electronic Content Delivery link is on the ACT State Testing website and provides an overview of all how to search electronic ACT Test manuals to find information about ACT testing.
The video demonstrates step by step how to search and filter for topics that are found in all ACT test manuals.

7. What’s New for ACT in
A search for “materials” results list appears in a dropdown list. If the needed topic does not appear, click “enter” after typing “materials” and a filterable list of topics will appear.
Dropdown list

8. What’s New for ACT in
Click “enter” after typing “materials” in the search bar, then filter specific topics.

9. What’s New for ACT in
Filtering ACT State or ACT District, Accommodations, Paper, and Test Accommodations Coordinator shows only 54 results.

10. What’s New for ACT in
The search attempts to find out if a teacher at a school can act as a test administrator if a relative of the teacher is taking the ACT this year. In the 54 results, this was found.

11. What’s New for ACT in 2018-2019 Calculator Policy Update
The calculator policy now clarifies that examinees are fully responsible for making sure any calculator they bring to the test is an allowed model. Staff will continue to check for prohibited behavior during testing, which includes using a prohibited calculator or using a calculator improperly.
Examinees testing online will have a calculator made available within the testing platform for the math subject test only.
Note: If your school provides calculators to examinees for testing, the school is responsible for making sure those calculators are acceptable.

12. What’s New for ACT in 2018-2019 Transfer of Item Responses
All examinee multiple choice item responses recorded in the test booklet or large type answer documents must be transferred to a scannable answer document.
ACT will not provide scores for any responses provided in test booklets or on large type answer documents.
Transcribed essays must either be transcribed onto the writing answer document or the printed essay must be taped inside the writing answer document to be scored.
The test coordinator must arrange to transfer the responses to the answer document in the examinee’s presence after testing.
See the LEAP 2025 Accommodations and Accessibility User Guide for more information specific to Louisiana.

13. What’s New for ACT in 2018-2019 Accommodations and Supports Roster
The TAA PIN Report has a new name: “Accommodations and Supports Roster.” The report:
still identifies the examinees and their approved accommodations and/or English learner supports.
is used to identify test materials provided for each examinee with ACT-approved accommodations and EL supports.
can still be accessed through PANext.
Pre-Recorded Audio Format
USB only

14. What’s New for ACT in
ACT-Approved Accommodation Timing Code 6
Examinees with the ACT-approved accommodation of time and a half in a single session, timing code 6, will have 50 percent extended time for each subject test of the ACT® test, with a hard stop after each test. Examinees will no longer have to self-pace through the four multiple-choice tests. All examinees in a test room will begin the same test at the same time and have the same amount of time to complete each test.
Test 1 English – 70 minutes
Test 2 mathematics – 90 minutes
Break – 15 minutes
Test 3 reading – 55 minutes
Test 4 science – 55 minutes
There is no timer built into test session and must be timed manually by the room supervisor.

15. What’s New for ACT in 2018-2019 Online Testing Tools
Additional tools are now available to examinees taking the ACT online. A highlighter and color contrast options will be available for use on all subject tests.
Online Testing App
To provide examinees with the best testing experience possible, online testing will only be delivered using the TestNav app. Beginning in Spring 2019, browser-based testing is no longer available. TestNav can be downloaded at

16. What’s New for ACT in 2018-2019 Return Process for Test Materials
The process for returning materials to ACT has been updated. Pre-paid polymailers will be used to return scoreable answer documents and administrative documentation. Pre-paid cartons will be used to return non-scoreable test materials.
Symbols on Test Booklet Covers
The ACT test booklets now have a symbol on the front cover to help you keep the standard time and accommodations materials separate for testing and when packing them to return to ACT.
Standard time booklets – triangle Accommodations booklets – circle
Note: If examinees test with the wrong test materials, they will not receive scores. Mixing standard time and accommodations materials together or returning them in the wrong envelope or carton will delay scores.

17. ACT Taken on Paper or Online
The Differences Between Testing Options document found on the ACT State Testing site explains the difference between taking the ACT on paper and online. The topics covered are:
What subjects and content are covered?
How many testing opportunities are available?
What are the different testing staff roles?
What is the role of the technical coordinator?
How are test questions delivered?
Are carrels, dividers, or partitions allowed?
The Technical Requirements web page for testing ACT online provides the Technical Guide and other information about online testing.

18. ACT Online Testing Resources
ACT State Testing Website has a number of resources to help examinees prepare to take the ACT online for those districts participating in the online pilot, including the ability to take a practice test in an online format.
Preparing for the ACT Test Taken Online
free guide that provides instructions for taking online practice tests and explains how to use the online application and navigation system.
Technical Requirements for the ACT® Test Taken Online
outlines the technical requirements for online testing.
The ACT® Test Technical Guide for Online Testing
helps technical staff configure an organization’s systems for online testing.
Using PearsonAccessnext™ for the ACT® Test
provides information about procedures in PearsonAccessnext relating to online testing.
The ACT® Test Mock Administration Guide
contains instructions the test coordinator will use to prepare for and perform a mock administration.

19. Managing Participation
The deadline to manage participation is tomorrow, November 30, 2018.
Login to PANext and make that ACT Spring 2019 shows at the top. Under SETUP, choose “Organization” from the dropdown menu.

20. Managing Participation
The DTC will choose “Show all results” to see if all the schools have completed this. Then check the “Organization Name” box. The school will just check the box in front of the school name.

21. Managing Participation
Under Tasks, select “All Tasks”. Now all tasks show across the top, but test coordinators will want to click on Manage Participation.

22. Managing Participation
Under Manage Participation, DTCs will see all the schools listed and will click each school to see what was completed. STCs will only see their school.

23. Managing Participation
March 12, 2019 is the Initial Paper Testing Date and the Paper Initial Accommodations Test Window Start Date.
If testing online, choose Not applicable/Online Testing.
April 2, 2019 is the paper makeup date and should not be chosen unless the school will not be open on March 12.
If not completed by the deadline, ACT will not ship materials for testing

24. Managing Participation
ACT allows two options to have materials shipped to the district office: February 11 and February 18, Check your school system’s calendar to ensure the district office will be open and staff is there to receive the shipment. If your school is testing online, a shipping date must be selected. Click “Save” at the bottom of the screen.

25. Managing Participation
If a school will not be administering ACT to any students, testing dates or materials receipt dates should be left blank and the Not Participating section must be completed. If the reason is visible, chose it. If not, choose “Other” and a reason must be typed in the box. Click save when done.

26. Editing Enrollment Counts
The enrollment counts found in PANext reflect the number of 11th and 12th grade students who need to test at each school.
Only students in PANext by January 25, 2019 will receive barcode labels.
These numbers determine the amount of materials each school will receive. ACT always includes a 5% overage to account for any additional testers a school might have.
If more materials are needed, an additional materials order must be placed ONLY if the overage send with the initial shipment is depleted.
Test booklets may not be shared between schools, so ensure your school system orders what is needed.
Answer documents can be shared between schools in the same district.
The STC will upload any 12th grade students who want to test ACT again and any new students in grade 11 and 12 who need to test.

27. Enroll and Unenroll Students
The Using PearsonAccessnext™ for the ACT Test provides instructions on how to submit a request to enroll or unenroll an examinee on page 7. This function is only used to move students from one Louisiana school to another Louisiana school. Use your ACT Match/No Match Lists to identify all students required to test. These lists will be placed in the district FTP the week of January 7, 2019.
ENROLL any 11th grade student or 12th grade student taking ACT for the first time who entered a school from anywhere in Louisiana not on the original roster. Your ACT No Match list identifies the 12th grade students who need to test.
ACT will process the request by adding the student to the roster.
UNENROLL any 11th grade student or 12th grade student taking ACT for the first time who transfers. Accountability codes will be applied for all other students no longer enrolled or not testing after testing is complete.
ACT will remove the student from the roster and the student will remain unenrolled until some other school requests to enroll the student.

28. Student Data Upload (SDU)
Student Data Upload (SDU) instructions and the SDU template can be used to enroll 12th grade students retesting ACT and can be located on the ACT State Testing site under on the ACT page under the 2-Configuration section.
This upload is reserved for only students in grade 12 who are taking the ACT again.
Use only the 10-digit LASID number for the State Student ID.

29. Accommodated Testing
ACT provides training videos for accommodation testing on the ACT State Testing website under section 3-Verification.
All things new for accommodated testing were covered on previous slides.
Symbols on Test Booklet Covers
Transfer of Item Responses
Accommodations and Supports Roster (previously known as the PIN Report)
ACT-Approved Accommodation Timing Code 6
USB for recorded audio

30. Accommodated Testing Grouping Students Individual testing
Stop-the-Clock Breaks
Reader (Human)
Group testing:
Same timing code with similar accommodations/supports
Pre-recorded Audio or Text-to-Speech with individual computers and headsets

31. Accommodated Testing Materials
All students with ACT-Approved Accommodations or EL Supports must use accommodated materials.
Keep accommodated materials at your school as long as necessary to ensure students with accommodations have had every opportunity to test during the window, then send the materials back together.
The following accommodations and local arrangements require answers to be transferred to a regular type answer document:
Marked answers in test booklet
Used large type answer document
Transfers must be done in the student’s presence. ACT will not transfer responses. Answer documents which are not transferred locally will not be scored.

32. Test Accessibility and Accommodations System (TAA)
Assigning a new test date to an examinee’s request should only be done for initial testers.

33. Required Documentation
Required documentation varies and the LDOE policy is more restrictive than the ACT policy. The entire IEP/IAP/El Checklist must be submitted for ACT-approved accommodation. Refer to the ACT Policy for Documentation Guide for all requirements.

34. Required Documentation for Accommodations
ACT requires the following documentation for ACT-approved accommodations:
Diagnosis (Psychoeducational Evaluation, Doctor’s letter for physical disabilities
Educational Plan (IEP, 504 plan)
ACT has an exception statement about educational plans, but LDOE requires a student to have a current plan.

35. Requesting Accommodations and/or English Learner Supports
Any time you submit information to ACT through the TAA system, you must have a Consent to Release Information to ACT form on file at your school.

36. Requesting Accommodations and/or English Learner Supports
Criteria must be met in order to receive English Learner Supports.
Not proficient in English (EL)
Participates in an English Language Acquisition Program
Receives supports in school indicated on the English Learner Checklist

37. Requesting Accommodations and/or English Learner Supports
The English learner documentation needed is listed below.
Annual English Language Proficiency Assessment
Individual Student Report
Name
Test Date (17-18 SY)
Composite or Proficiency Status
Acceptable assessments by ACT: ELDA, ELPA21, LAS Links, NYSESLAT, OTELA, TELPAS, TOEFL, and ELPT.
Do not just submit the English Language Proficiency Screener. ACT must have documentation on the determination of acceptance to a program.

38. Late Considerations
After the published submission deadline of January 25, 2019, a late consideration can be submitted if a student:
enrolled in NEW school
was classified in a NEW grade level
has an evaluation that resulted in NEW diagnosis and started a NEW plan
is NEWLY identified as EL and started receiving supports
has a medical emergency
Requests must include a completed Late Consideration Form submitted in TAA.
January 25, 2019 is the deadline for submitting ACT-approved accommodations request. Missing this deadline is not an accepted reason for submitting a late consideration.

39. Resources
The ACT State Testing Website for Louisiana has the resources needed for a successful ACT test administration.

40. Resources
The Assessment Library has the ACT documents needed for state testing.

41. Resources
Additional resources for ACT testing that can be found on the ACT State Testing Website:
Schedule of Events
Staff Requirements and Staff Roles and Responsibilities Training
PearsonAccessnext User Guide for the ACT® Test
Student Data Upload (SDU) Template (Excel)
Student Data Upload (SDU) File Layout and Loading Instructions (PDF)
Student Data Upload (SDU) Troubleshooting Guide (PDF)
Ordering Additional Materials Guide (PDF)
Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) User Guide (PDF)

42. Contact Information
LDOE Assessment Support
ACT Customer Service
ext Standard Time Testing
ext – Accommodated Testing

43. Next Steps Key Dates Action November 30
Deadline to manage participation
December 3
Consult district staff about online testing
Week of January 7
Use ACT Match/No Match lists to identify students needing to test
January 16 at 1:00 PM
ACT Test Administration webinar hosted by ACT (registration is required)
January 25
Deadline to submit requests for ACT-approved accommodations
Verify and upload student data in PANext
Install ProctorCache software and setup proctor caching for online testing
Complete mock administration (ACT online only)