1. South Dakota End of Course Exams Laura Snow SD Department of Education Office of Assessment and Technology Systems

2. SDDOE Policy Statements: Waivers Credit Before Grade Nine Exam –http://doe.sd.gov/oatq/accreditation/docs/waiverpolicy(July08).pdfhttp://doe.sd.gov/oatq/accreditation/docs/waiverpolicy(July08).pdf Course must be placed on the student’s high school transcript as a letter grade/credit Provides more time for student to take upper level courses in high school Minimum score for credit: 85% Course Equivalency Exam –http://doe.sd.gov/oatq/accreditation/docs/test%20out(May07).pdfhttp://doe.sd.gov/oatq/accreditation/docs/test%20out(May07).pdf “Test-Out” Credit Recovery options Minimum score for credit: 80% Waivers are valid for five years

3. Blueprint Summary Table End of Course Exam: ALGEBRA 1 (45 TO 60 Test Items) School: Category% of Questions RequiredSD StandardBlooms Level Transform Algebraic Expressions15%9-12.A.1.1Comprehension Solve Equations and Inequalities20%9-12.A.2.1 9-12.A.2.2 Comprehension Application Mathematical Models15% (some integrated with Number Sense or S & P) 9-12.A.3.1 9-12.A.3.2 Application Comprehension Properties and Behaviors of Relations, Functions, and Inverses 15% (some integrated with Number Sense) 9-12.A.4.1Application Apply measurement concepts2% (integrated with other standards) 9-12.M.1.2Comprehension Characteristics of the real number system 5% (some integrated with Algebra Standards) 9-12.N.1.1 9-12.N.1.2 Comprehension Operations with real numbers13% (some integrated with Algebra Standards) 9-12.N.2.1Comprehension Number of items should be between 45 and 60 items to adequately sample the range of knowledge and skills included in Algebra 1. Distribution by Goal: Algebra60% Measurement2% (integrated with other standards) Number Sense20% (some integrated with Algebra standards) Statistics & Probability20 (some integrated with Algebra standards)

4. End of Course Exam Content Blueprint –Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry –Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science, Physics –Geography, Government, US History, World History

5. “Test-Out” vs. Diagnostic No South Dakota End of Course Exams are to be used as a Diagnostic test. Schools need to develop their own tests in order to determine what standards have been met, by students, in given content areas and not use and End of Course exam for such purposes.

6. State-Created End of Course Exams Apply for, and receive, an administrative waiver for the appropriate exam(s) –Must complete the application form –Allow at least 30 days for processing and approval –http://doe.sd.gov/octa/assessment/EOC/documents/Admin%20Rule%20Waiver.dochttp://doe.sd.gov/octa/assessment/EOC/documents/Admin%20Rule%20Waiver.doc Appropriate school personnel sign and return the Test Security Agreement –Administrator, all test proctors CB9: must be HS certified –Agreement must be mailed; not faxed or emailed –http://doe.sd.gov/octa/assessment/EOC/documents/Security%20Agreement.dochttp://doe.sd.gov/octa/assessment/EOC/documents/Security%20Agreement.doc Notify SDDOE of test date Test –Strongly encouraged to use online assessment No reporting necessary –All information is gathered from Achievement Series

7. District-Created End of Course Exams Proposed changes –Best Test Practices Training –February 1 st Deadline –Blueprint Alignment –Two versions Minimum 30% refresh of test items every 2 years –Achievement Series questions are not permitted –Security Plan –Reporting Results

8. Creating a District End of Course Exam Apply for, and receive, an administrative rule waiver for the appropriate exam(s) Submit exam no later than Feb. 1 st Submission materials –Cover Sheet –Exam with correct responses –Completed Blueprint Alignment Form –Security Plan/Test Security Agreement –Formula Sheets (if applicable) Allow minimum of 30 days for approval Notify SDDOE of testing date(s) Submit all required reporting data

9. Things to Remember: End of Course exams must be completed in one sitting (not paused or taken over a period of days) –Test Irregularity Form http://doe.sd.gov/octa/assessment/EOC/documents/TestIrregularityForm2010.doc http://doe.sd.gov/octa/assessment/EOC/documents/TestIrregularityForm2010.doc Restricted Mode –Secure Site for testing –Will be enabled this fall for all non-math end of course exams Highly qualified proctor –Credit before grade nine exams only

10. Can a MS student test out of a course? Can districts view a copy of a state-created end of course exam prior to testing? Is there a testing window for end of course exams? Is there a time limit for the student to complete the exam? Can students use calculators/formula sheets? How many times can students take an EOC exam? What are the minimum number of questions that must be on a district-created EOC test? FAQ’s

11. Viewing Student Reports http://achievementseries.com –Staff Login (site ID, staff ID, password) –Classroom area (if students are set up in a class for the exam) District Gradebook Tab A+ link will show student roster/scores –District Reports (if students are not set up in a class) Scroll down to Students area Click on Scores

12. Questions? Laura Snow Office of Assessment and Technology Systems Laura.Snow@state.sd.us 605.773.8193