1. AzMERIT/AIMS Science Pre-Test Training for School Teachers & Staff
Spring 2015
Welcome to the AzMERIT Pre-Test Training for the Spring I am Mary Pat Wood State Test Coordinator. This training will cover the administration of the AzMERIT Testing for Spring 2015.

2. Babies Discuss High Stakes Testing

3. AzMERIT
Arizona’s Measurement of Educational Readiness to Inform Teaching.
This assessment is for 3rd-8th graders in our schools and includes assessments in the English Language Arts, both Reading & Writing, and Mathematics.
Like 60% of the schools in Arizona, we will be taking the Paper-Based Test.
AIMS Science
Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards in Science
This assessment is for 4th and 8th graders only at our schools.

4. training overview AIMS Science AzMERIT Testing Schedule
Preparation, Administration, Accommodations
AzMERIT
Testing Schedule
Prior to Testing
Test Administration
Accommodations

5. Tests are Untimed HOWEVER These are Estimated Times
For Legacy and Athlos
Grades 3 – 8
Test Days
Content Area
Tests are Untimed HOWEVER
These are Estimated Times
Day 1
Monday, April 13, 2015
ELA – Writing
45-90 minutes
Day 2
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
ELA – Reading, Part 1
Mathematics, Part 1
45-75 minutes
60-85 minutes
Day 3
Wed., April 15, 2015
ELA – Reading, Part 2
Mathematics, Part 2
Here is the schedule and approximate times for Grades testing.

6. Mathematics – For Legacy and Athlos AIMS Science (more on this later)
End-of-Course (EOC)
Estimated Times
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Algebra I (Pt. 1 & 2)
Geometry (Pt. 1 & 2)
Algebra II (Pt. 1 & 2)
Pt. 1: minutes
Pt. 2: minutes
AIMS Science (more on this later)
Estimated Time
Monday, April 20, 2015
Grades 4 and 8 only
2 hours

7. Test Administration Schedules
There must be a break between test sessions scheduled on the same day
AzMERIT and AIMS Science are untimed.
95% of students should finish in estimated time
Test Session must be completed by the end of the day
***WE will need to talk about the details of the break – maybe print out a guidance sheet with do’s and don’ts.
Don’t let your kids be loud in the class or halls; DO let them stretch or even do a brain break video.... Etc.

8. Students Who Need More Time
Students who have not completed a portion of the test will need to go to Mrs. Hall in the Library to finish.
REPEAT AFTER ME:
IF I HAVE 5 STUDENTS TESTING, I WILL COLLECT THEIR TESTS, CALL THE OFFICE, and they will be escorted to the library.

9. Mr. Sanders: Cover Ms. Hall’s JH Computer classes – in gym if needed
Job Duties
Mr. Sanders: Cover Ms. Hall’s JH Computer classes – in gym if needed
Mrs. Hall: Proctor AIMS to AIMers who arrive after 9:00AM in Library
Miss Wagner: Assist in Library
Coach Harrell and Mrs. Cowan: Monitor Halls and provide bathroom breaks for teachers
Miss Chapman: Assist Mr. Ogden
KINDER, 1st, and 2nd might be able to still have specials in the afternoon?? Let’s talk about this.

10. PBT
Make-Up Testing
All make-up testing for both the AzMERIT and the AIMS Science Tests must be completed no later than April 24.
Students in the same grade for grades or taking the same EOC test within the school must test on the same day.

11. This section we will discuss tasks that need to be done prior to testing.

12. Test Security Form Fill Yours Out Now.

13. Have the following items ready in the rooms being used to test:
“Testing- Do Not Disturb” sign for classroom door (provided by school)
#2 sharpened pencils (provided by school)
Scratch paper
Dictionaries and thesauri for each classroom (for the Writing Test only).
Grade Level Writing Rubrics (provided by school)
Printed Classroom Roster Sheets (provided by school)

14. You May Access Sample Tests at http://www. azed
These are available to everyone.
Look for section on Paper-Based Testing.
These do not have sample items that introduce content for each grade level.
These are merely to help students understand the format of the questions.
Who has gone over these with your students???

15. Calculators are not allowed to be used in Grades 3-6,
however…

16. CALCULATORS
7th & 8th grade students are permitted (but not required) to use scientific calculators (or calculators with fewer functions)—ONLY on Part 1 of their Math test.
Students taking EOC tests, are permitted to use a scientific or graphing calculator (or a calculator with fewer functions).
Jr. High/EOC Math Teachers are aware of the specific guidelines regarding calculators.

17. AzMERIT is a computer-based test (and has been adapted for paper testing) and has the following item types:
Multiple-choice items (according to the newest information available from ADE, most of the questions are multiple choice)
Multi-select items
Editing tasks
Hot text items
Grid items
Equation items
Open Response items
Technology-enhanced items are adapted for use on the paper version of AzMERIT assessments.

18. Test Preparation for Students and Parents
It is very important to communicate a positive attitude about testing.
Send home positive messages in grade level newsletters, teacher websites, etc.
Remind parents to ensure their children eat breakfast every day and get enough sleep the night before.
Stress the importance of avoiding checking out their children from school early on testing days.
Message that Parent Volunteers are to be scheduled outside of the testing rooms on testing days.

19. This section will cover the Test Administration .

20. All staff at schools must sign a test security agreement for the AzMERIT & the AIMS Science tests.

21. All Test Administrators will-
follow Testing Administration Directions exactly as stated in the Test Administration Directions.
receive/verify each day that testing materials were received and returned.

22. Test Administrators will-
distribute/collect all testing materials on testing days.
complete the accommodation information on the testing booklets for all of the students receiving accommodations.

23. Test Administrators will
ensure that any visual aids displayed in the testing room (that could assist students while
Testing) are removed
or covered
completely
during testing.

24. Testing Administrators will-
supervise the room at all times during testing.
answer student questions pertaining only to the clarification of directions.
verify students are marking their answers in the proper locations in their testing materials.

25. Students who disrupt testing, refuse to participate, receive help from others or engage in any other unacceptable behavior, should be subject to the disciplinary procedures established by the school.
These students should be
allowed to continue testing
in another location.

26. Students who leave the Classroom during testing…
Must have their test materials collected upon exit.
Must have their test materials given back to them when they return.
May only leave one-at-a-time.

27. Students who leave campus during testing…
Must have their test materials collected upon exit.
Are not allowed to finish that testing session when they return.

28. Students are not allowed to use electronic devices (with the exception of acceptable calculators for 7th-8th grade math, pt. 1 & EOC testers) during testing.
Personal electronic devices are prohibited. Remove unacceptable device if observed. Allow testing to continue, but report it to the District Assessment Coordinator.

29. PBT
Each student will receive at least two Pre-ID labels for the AzMERIT, one for their Math test booklet and one for their ELA test booklet. There will be no separate answer documents, as students will write their answers directly in their test booklets for all grades.

30. Any Students taking the End of Course Test for Algebra I, Geometry or Algebra II, will also receive a Pre-ID Label for that test, as well.

31. AzMERIT Testing Accommodations Guidance
This section will cover the Test Administration .
AzMERIT Testing Accommodations Guidance

32. AzMERIT Testing Conditions, Tools, and Accommodations Guidance for Spring All Test Administrators should be familiar with this document prior to testing.
The AzMERIT Testing Conditions, Tools, and Accommodations Guidance for Spring 2015 outlines Universal Test Administration Conditions and Universal Testing Tools for Computer-Based Testing. What subject area tools are available for Computer-Based Testing and Paper-Based Testing. All test administrators should be familiar with these accommodations prior to testing.

33. Science
AIMS Science Testing

34. Science AIMS Science is administered to 4th and 8th graders only.
It is untimed, however the estimated time to complete the test is 2 hours
It will be given on Monday, April 20, 2015

35. Science All of the same testing preparation, administration and
security precautions
will be taken with the
AIMS Science test
as with the AzMERIT.
What can we do to preserve the testing environment?
**Where recess is held, don’t go down the hallway by 4th grade classrooms if it can be avoided (use other exits)

36. Science AIMS Science Sample Items can be found at-

37. Science There is a separate set of Testing Accommodations,
for the AIMS Science Test.
All Testing Administrators need to be aware of these accommodations,
as well.

38. Are there any