1. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) Administrator Training Philadelphia

2. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) Administrator Training Philadelphia Please write your name on a sheet of paper for a DRC door prize! Someone will gather them before we start.

3. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training If you are/were unable to attend this presentation at an IU or PaTTAN site and you are viewing the recorded version of this presentation via a link on the web, we will not have a record of your attendance. Please send an e-mail to Dana Klouser at dklouser@state.pa.us that includes your name, school, and district indicating that you viewed the online recording of this event.

4. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Please write your name on a sheet of paper for a DRC door prize! Someone will gather them before we start.

5. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Agenda General Overview Important Information Planning for the Assessment PASA Students and Exceptions to Participation Administering the Assessment PDE Policy – Test Security Before the Assessment – DRC Information During the Assessment – DRC Information After the Assessment – DRC Information

6. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Grades 3 – 8 and Grade 11 Reading and Mathematics – DRC Grades 5, 8, & 11 Writing – DRC Grades 4, 8, & 11 Science – DRC Grade 12 Retest – DRC Reporting – DRC Policy – PDE General Overview for 2009

7. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training General Overview Today’s Training Highlights –New this year, Important Information and Dates –Participation, Attributions, Accommodations –Administering the Assessment Barcode Labels, Procedures –Test Security –AYP

8. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training General Overview New this year –Large print and Braille materials produced by DRC. Securely bar-coded and MUST be returned to DRC –Transcription Booklets for use with large print and Braille

9. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training General Overview New this year (cont) –Handbook for Assessment Coordinators –Linking District/School labeled booklets to PIMS data –Spanish Translated materials for science

10. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training General Overview Important reminders –Booklets do not need to be returned for PASA students –Follow the procedures for the expedited return of Answer Booklets –PIMS data was used to produce Student Precode Labels

11. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training General Overview Important reminders (cont) –Match Booklets by Form Number –Student Mobility –All materials will arrive via Diamond Transportation –All materials returned using UPS

12. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Important Information DRC Contact Information –O–Our toll free number is: 1-800-451-7849 –O–Our fax number is: 1-763-268-3008 –O–Our email is: pacustomerservice@datarecognitioncorp.com

13. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Important Information PDE contact information –Our phone number is: 717-705-2343 or 717–787–4234 –Our e-mail is: 00testing@psupen.psu.edu.

14. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Important Information Key Assessment Dates –March 16 to 27 – Grades 3 – 8 & 11 Reading and Mathematics Return answer booklets early Final materials returned by April 1 UPS is used to return ALL secure materials

15. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Important Information Key Assessment Dates –April 27 to May 8 – Grades 4, 8 & 11 Science Return answer booklets early Final materials returned by May 13 UPS is used to return ALL secure materials

16. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Important Information Key Reporting Dates –May 29 to June 11, 2009 – Student Attribution Window –June 10, 2009 – District Student Performance Data Files posted to DRC’s Report Delivery System and Parent Letters available on eMetric website

17. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Important Information Key Reporting and AYP Dates –June 19 to 25, 2009 – PASA 1% redistribution window –July 1 – Student Data Files with attributions available online –Tentative pre-appeals AYP Data File release date is July 16, due to the recent approval of PDE's Growth Model.

18. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Important Information Other Key Dates There will be training sessions in April on the new look of the 2009 reports and how they are delivered. The 2009 Understanding AYP presentations will occur in May.

19. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Important Information The 2009 AYP Performance and Participation Attribution Map will be posted at www.pde.state.pa.us/pas/cwp A district that has placed a student into an alternative educational setting inside or outside the district is responsible for ensuring the student’s participation in the assessment.

20. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Important Information The entity delivering the student’s education is responsible for ordering and receiving materials and administering the test. Know your district’s procedures for Home Schooled and Cyber Charter School students.

21. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Planning for the Assessment Testing Preparation DOs: Plan for testing rooms and times. Post PA General Description of Scoring Guidelines. Provide test administrators with –Training –Test manuals –Schedule

22. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Planning for the Assessment Accommodations The Accommodations Guidelines for students with IEPs, ELL students, and all students are available on PDE assessment web page under Testing Accommodations –O–Order Braille and Large Print from DRC @ 1-800-451-7849 All student responses must be transcribed into a regular scannable answer booklet.

23. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Planning for the Assessment Be prepared for parental requests to view the test. Schedule small group setting(s). Schedule extended time setting(s). Assign test administrators for breaks and movement to other setting(s). Plan for secure distribution & collection of materials after each session.

24. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training PASA Students PASA or PSSA is decided by the IEP team To be eligible to participate in PASA, students must… –Be in grade 3 through 8 or 11 by September 1 of the school year in which assessment is to be accomplished; and –Have significant cognitive disabilities; and –Require intensive instruction to learn; and –Require extensive adaptation and support to perform and meaningfully participate in the activities; and –Require substantial modifications of general education curriculum; and –Participate in general education curriculum in a substantially different way than most other students. MUST MEET ALL SIX CRITERIA Order PASA tests: call 412-648-7082.

25. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Exceptions to Participation Participates in PASA for Math & Reading, Science Participates in school-provided alternate assessment for writing Voluntary participation in Reading and Writing for 1 st year ELL students

26. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Administering the Assessment DO: maintain calm & quiet. remove or cover all instructional materials. provide: –blank scratch paper –sharpened pencils –highlighters encourage students return all test materials to secure location DO NOT: allow unsupervised breaks display visual cues, e.g. picture icons provide pre-printed graphic organizers allow pens/colored pencils; stray marks prompt students keep any test materials

27. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Administering the Assessment Avoid test fatigue: general guideline of approximately 2.5 hours Administer sections in sequence Complete most of testing during 1 st week of window Allow 2 nd week for make-ups & unexpected occurrences

28. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training PDE Policy – Test Security The assessments rely on the measurement of individual achievement. Any deviation from assessment procedures is strictly prohibited and will be considered a violation of test security. School administrators, teachers and any other education personnel who are involved in the assessment program must maintain the security of all assessment materials at all times. Because the assessment must remain secure, teachers/Test Administrators should not have assessment materials in their possession at any time other than during the actual assessment administration.

29. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training PDE Policy – Test Security Maintain test security: –Refer to PDE security guidelines @ www.pde.state.pa.us/a_and_t/cwp and click on PSSA Test Security Procedure

30. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Before the Assessment Read the manuals Schedule the assessments Prepare administrators Inventory/account for all materials Order additional materials

31. Make sure to include your District Code along with your District Name. Make sure to include your School Code along with your School Name. Indicate the quantity you need. Additional Material Request forms are located in the Handbook for Assessment Coordinators

32. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training During the Assessment Barcode Labels Answer booklets returned to DRC for processing must have a label attached. The only answer booklets that should NOT have labels attached are booklets that are unused and COMPLETELY blank. Whether a Student Precode or a District/School Label is used, page 3 needs to be filled out for any student using an accommodation.

33. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training During the Assessment STUDENT PRECODE LABELS Student Precode Labels contain district/school information, and individual student demographic information as reported in PIMS.

34. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training During the Assessment DO NOT SCORE LABELS All sites will receive Do Not Score Labels for answer booklets that should not be scored.

35. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training During the Assessment DISTRICT/SCHOOL LABELS District/School Labels contain district and school specific information only. These labels should be used when Student Precode Labels are not used.

36. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training During the Assessment DISTRICT/SCHOOL LABELS (cont) When using District/School Labels, the students’ names must be bubbled exactly as they appear in your school’s student information system.

37. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training During the Assessment Bubbling the answer booklets English Language Learners –Use April 11, 2008, for calculating first year in U.S. school for ELL students Court/Agency Placed Students –Foster care is not a court/agency placement for NCLB purposes –Per IDEA, court/agency placed students with an IEP are required to participate

38. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training During the Assessment Non Assessed Students Student had a recent medical emergency. Student had an extended absence for the entire testing window. Student had a parental request for exclusion from the assessment. Other * These will negatively affect AYP participation rates * * *

39. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Precode issues that could impact AYP determination Coding the assessment booklets Applying labels correctly

40. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Coding booklets Coding booklets may include: 1.Filling in all information (for students who do not have a Precode Label), –Demographic information provided on a test booklet will not override information that’s on a precode label. »Please complete certain demographic information after the test has been completed »E.g., economically disadvantaged And/or 2.Filling in fields that are applicable to the testing situation

41. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Assessment Coordinators: Decide who will code the booklets Demographic data –Assessment Coordinator? Race/ethnicity Economic status –Test administrator? –Other? Testing situation data –Assessment Coordinator? Non-assessed codes –Test administrator? Absent without make up Accommodations –Other?

42. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training

43. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training

44. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training

45. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Assessment Coordinators: Train those who will administer the assessment about correct labeling and coding LABELS

46. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Students who withdraw/transfer Student withdraws or transfers prior to the testing window (March 16, 2009) Do not attach to a booklet! Discard student label!

47. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Students who withdraw/transfer Student begins the assessment but withdraws or transfers before completing it Place a “Do Not Score” label on the booklet. Put the label on top of the student precode label.

48. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Students who withdraw/transfer Student completes the assessment and withdraws or transfers before the end of the testing window Return the booklet with your materials During Attributions Window (May 29 – June 11), attribute the student to the school/district where he/she transferred if You know the school/district, and The school is in Pennsylvania

49. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training CODING Assessment Coordinators: Train those who will administer the assessment about correct labeling and coding

50. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Students who do not finish the assessment Student was absent without make up for one or more sections of the following subject Student must meet the attempt logic of all three sections of a subject to receive a score. If a student meets the attempt logic of all three math sections but fails to meet the attempt logic in one or more reading sections, the student will not receive a score in reading. This lack of a score will negatively impact reading participation rate.

51. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Attempt logic Student must attempt at least five items in each section to meet attempt logic and receive a score. –Meeting minimum attempt logic will ensure that participation rate is met –Meeting but not exceeding minimum attempt logic will result in a lower score

52. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Attempt logic Urging students to meet the minimum attempt logic only may result in meeting participation rate, but student’s score will be based only on those five items.

53. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Students who do not participate: impact on AYP Participation Student is counted as enrolled; thus is included as part of the denominator in the fraction that determines participation rate; but is not included in the numerator. Performance Students with no score are not included in calculations for performance in status and Safe Harbor. They are included as “Untested” in PPI.

54. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Students who do not participate in the assessment who DO have a negative impact on participation Student had an extended absence Parental exclusion Other (usually a refusal to participate)

55. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Students who do not participate in the assessment who DO NOT have a negative impact on participation Student participates in the alternate assessment (no longer on the test booklet) ELL student in first year of enrollment in a US school (Is excused from participation in the reading assessment) Medical emergency

56. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Students excused due to medical emergency A medical emergency is defined as a recent physical or mental diagnosis that renders a student incapable of participating in the assessment. The emergency is occurring at the time of the testing window. Mark the booklet at the time of the testing window! If you’re not sure, call PDE – don’t wait until after the preliminary AYP results are posted and then file an Appeal.

57. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training A change in attributions for 2009 Special education students All students with an IEP receiving instruction from an entity other than their district of residence will be attributed to their district of residence and the state only.

58. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training A change in attributions for this year (2009) Career and Technical Education students –Full-time comprehensive CTC students’ results will be attributed to (1) the full-time comprehensive CTC, (2) the students’ districts of residence, and (3) the state. –2008 attribution is to the CTC and state.

59. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Rationale for the change in Attribution Supports the role each district has in the preparation of students. Member school districts provide the governance and fiduciary responsibilities for the Center. Students in all other schools (except charters) are attributed to the school, district, and state.

60. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training During the Assessment Administration Do’s and Don’ts All students must use a No. 2 pencil. Be prepared, provide encouragement, and keep classroom distractions to a minimum. What to do i f a student goes home ill.

61. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training During the Assessment Use of Dictionaries Word-to-word dictionaries (including electronic dictionaries with beaming turned off) are permitted for ELLs in their first three years in a U.S. school on the math and science assessments. For all other students, do not provide or permit the use of dictionaries, thesauri, spell- or grammar-checkers, PDAs, or any device that can transmit information on any assessments.

62. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training During the Assessment Distribution and collection procedures Security Numbers Security Checklist Security numbers are located below the barcode are on the back of every secure booklet shipped by DRC. This barcode is the scannable version of the security number.

63. Mr. Gillin Mr. Schiller3/22 3/16 Destroyed due to illness 2009

64. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training During the Assessment Unusual Circumstances Test Administrators may encounter situations not covered in the manuals. The Test Administrator, along with the School and District Coordinator, should use their best professional judgment on how to handle each situation keeping test security and integrity in mind. One example is when a student becomes ill on a test. These tests should be destroyed and NOT returned to DRC. Make sure to note on the Materials Accountability Form that the document was destroyed due to student illness. QUESTIONS? CALL 1-800-451-7849 NOT

65. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training After the Assessment General Return Instructions Be organized Have clear communications and define a plan for returning scorable materials early Use the Materials Accountability Form and Security Checklist

66. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training After the Assessment Materials Accountability Form

67. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training After the Assessment Test Security Affidavit

68. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training After the Assessment Return Instructions – Math & Reading and Science Test Administrators School Assessment Coordinators DRC Return Shipping Label Answer Booklets DRC Return Shipping Label Test Booklets Unopened Packs Test booklets and unopened packages All Answer Booklets UPS

69. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training For ALL assessments, place one UPS-RS label on the top of each box to be returned to DRC. If you do not have a regularly scheduled UPS pick-up or delivery, call UPS at (866) 857-1501 to arrange a pick up. After the Assessment Material Pick Up

70. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Special Note Keep a copy of the UPS-RS tracking numbers used. When DRC has questions about a district’s assessment materials, we make follow-up phone calls after the testing window has closed. It is important to return these calls as soon as possible in order ensure fast and accurate reporting and to keep you schools off the missing materials report sent to PDE.

71. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training PA CUSTOMER SERVICE Data Recognition Corporation understands the intricacies involved with large scale assessments like the PSSA. Our customer service representatives are always ready and willing to help with any questions or problems. Our number is 1-800-451-7849 Or email us at pacustomerservice@datarecognitioncorp.com

72. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Educationwww.pde.state.pa.us PSSA Administrator Training Pennsylvania Department of Education To contact someone from the Pennsylvania Department of Education – (717) 787- 4234 Or (717) 705-2343

73. School District of Philadelphia PSSA Test Monitoring Program

74. Test Security Standardized assessments are measurements of individual student achievement whose results are used to inform instruction. Any deviation from the prescribed assessment procedures meant to ensure validity and security is prohibited and considered to be a violation of test security. Violating test security invalidates the assessment results and the use of those results to inform instruction.

75. PSSA Test Security School District of Philadelphia staff will be monitoring the testing sessions during the PSSA. Monitoring forms will be turned in to the Office of Assessment. Any reported violations of test security will be investigated by the Office of Assessment. Reported violations include those on monitoring forms, phone calls and emails to Superintendent and other central administration staff. Reports are made by monitors, teachers, students, administrators and parents. PDE also monitors the PSSA independently of the district. Teachers and staff who are found to be in violation of the test security code will be liable for dismissal and possible forfeiture of their state license.

76. SDP PSSA TEST SECURITY AND MONITORING PROTOCOLS All monitoring will be unannounced and will occur in District, EMO, and Charter Schools. This monitoring is separate from the PDE monitoring program.

77. SDP Letter for Monitoring the PSSA DRAFT

78. SDP Letter for PDE Monitoring of the PSSA DRAFT

79. PSSA Assessment Plan Agenda of Test Administrator’s training Assessment Schedule, Teacher Assignments, Room Assignments Information or references on test distribution, storage, collection and packing (refer to PSSA Handbook for Assessment Coordinators Accommodations (refer to PSSA Accommodations Guidelines) School Make-up policy

80. PSSA Test Security - Prohibited Helping the student eliminate some multiple-choice items Pointing to key phrases in test questions for students Pointing to correct answers on the assessment Using a highlighter to prompt a student on the PSSA - in questions, text or answers Discussing a particular answer after the assessment Changing any answer on student’s answer sheet Using the IEP to violate the integrity of the PSSA

81. PSSA Test Security - Prohibited Handing a test back to a student once it is turned in Having students transport tests outside the classroom either for extended time or school collection Allowing students to look ahead before being prompted to do so Leaving students unsupervised PSSA Test Security - Permitted Encouraging students during the test Pointing out that students have not completed the test or left items blank

82. Previous Test Security Violations Coaching students, giving signals, emphasizing answers when reading items, sharing information (Level II) Removal of PSSA Writing item security seals before the test session (Level II)

83. Previous Test Security Violations Failure to cover instructional materials (Level I) Administering test sections out of order (Level I) Allowing students to proceed to next section before end of current section (Level I) Allowing students to continue section after unsupervised break (Level I)

84. SDP TEST SECURITY AND MONITORING PROTOCOLS

90. SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA OFFICE OF ASSESSMENT 215-400-5825 DRC ~~ 1-800-451-7849 PDE ~~ (717) 705-2343