march 2013 high school taks training

•TAKS and•TAKS-Accommodated•TAKS Modified

March 2013 TAKS High School Training 2

All testing personnel All testing personnel must read the must read the

2013 Directions for 2013 Directions for District Coordinators, District Coordinators, Campus Coordinators Campus Coordinators

and Test Administrators and Test Administrators

20132013

AS ALWAYS:AS ALWAYS:


Monday, March 4, 2013 TAKS, TAKS-Accommodated, TAKS Modified ELA Exit Level

TAKS, TAKS-Accommodated ELA Exit Level Retest Tuesday, March 5, 2013 TAKS, TAKS-Accommodated Math Exit Level RetestWednesday, March 6, 2013

TAKS, TAKS-Accommodated Science Exit Level RetestThursday, March 7, 2013 TAKS,TAKS-Accommodated Social Studies Exit Level Retest

No Make-Ups are ever allowed for TAKS


All testing personnel must be trained and sign an oath before handling secure test materials

Test Administrators conducting an Oral Administration must sign a separate section at the bottom of their Oath.

All tests must be administered in strict accordance with the instructions contained in the Test Administrator Manual.

Only authorized personnel may have access to test materials, and all secure items must be kept in locked storage, for example, in a locked closet.

Students are NEVER allowed to transport test materials, including answer documents. If a student is relocated for testing or sent to the office, s/he can NOT transport test materials.

Test materials must be returned to the Campus Coordinator by the Test Administrator as each testing group completes the test.


No person may view, reveal, discuss, print, record,

write notes about, capture by any electronic means or score the contents of the test booklets or answer documents. No one may answer verbally or nonverbally any question that relates to the contents of a test before, during, or after a test administration.

No person may change any response or instruct a student to do so.

Any irregularity or “appearance of impropriety” must be reported immediately to the Campus Testing Coordinators who will then make the District Testing Coordinators aware of the situation and who will provide instructions regarding how to proceed further.


Secure test materials may NOT be duplicated.Duplication of written compositions or open- ended responses for TAKS is no longer allowed nor will the state provide a CD of these items.Therefore, no discussion of any written compositions or open-ended responses are ever allowed for any reason just as no discussion is ever allowed for any portion of any TAKS test.


When it has been determined that a student has cheated or attempted to cheat on a test, the answer document must be marked as OTHER in the score code section.

An on-line electronic form must be filled out and submitted to the state outlining what happened and what disciplinary action was taken against the student. The District Testing Coordinator will complete this form.

It will be determined on a case-by-case basis whether or not a student has cheated. If a student is caught with a cell phone or other electronic

in their possession, the administrator and CTC will determine if cheating

was involved.



Everyone signs one Oath of Test Security and Confidentiality for each role they perform in test administration for 2013 (no more multiple oaths for each testing cycle).

Oaths must be kept for 5 years. All testing personnel who will administer a test must also read the

20132013 Directions for District Coordinators, Campus Coordinators Directions for District Coordinators, Campus Coordinators and Test and Test Administrators Administrators and attend training prior to handling test materials for each

testing cycle in which they participate each year. Noncertified individuals who assist with testing are under the

supervision of a certified individual and must sign an Oath of Test Security and Confidentiality for NON-Certified Test Administrators. Noncertified individuals must be supervised by someone who holds a certificate. Both names appear on the NON-Certified Oath.

A trained Test Administrator must be in the room at all times.

There must be at least one Test Administrator for every 30 students.

Cover or remove any instructional material or student work samples that could assist examinees in areas where tests are administered and throughout the campus where examinees would travel.

Place a “Testing – Do Not Disturb” sign outside of the testing room/location.

Complete the seating chart, provide the name of the Test Administrator, the Monitor (if applicable), and the test booklet number assigned to each student.


TAKS and TAKS-Accommodated students CAN be tested together if those taking the Accommodated version do not have accommodations that would distract other students.No scratch paper is allowed without appropriate documentation in the IEP.Students cannot be required to first mark their answers in their test booklet and then transfer them to the answer document.Students are not allowed to return to a subject-area test attempted on a previous test day or to work on a subject- area test that has not yet been administered.Students must remain seated during testing – if a student needs a pencil sharpened, a restroom break, etc., instruct them to raise their hands. Test Administrators will go to the student’s desk to determine what is needed.


Do NOT provide students with a review session before testing.

Do NOT remind students of strategies before testing.

Pep talks/Motivational talks are allowed!

During testing, students are only allowed to have testing materials at their desks.

When a student completes the test, s/he is allowed to leave the room or read a book.


Only students are allowed to erase stray marks or darken answer-choice circles and only during the scheduled test session.Students must use #2 pencils. Highlighters or colored pencils are allowed in the test booklets.

If there is a stray pencil mark, highlighter mark, or a tear on a student’s answer document, the Test Administrator should notify their Campus Testing Coordinator when they return their materials. If an examinee makes a large stray mark or accidentally tears his/her testing materials during testing, they must contact their Campus Testing Coordinator at that time.


Students must be allowed to work at their own pace. The TAKS test is still an untimed test!

Campuses can establish starting times for testing. A student who arrives after testing has begun may be tested if sufficient

time remains in the day and if the student has not had contact

with students who have already completed testing. Test

Administrators should always confirm that the student has

checked in with the Campus Testing Coordinator prior to

starting the test and have evidence from the CTC that the student

is allowed to test.

If testing personnel have a situation that they don’t know how to handle, they must know how to contact their Campus Testing Coordinators and/or Campus Administrators.


Dictionaries or Dictionaries/ Thesauruses must be provided for the Reading and Composition sections of the Exit Level ELA TAKS and TAKS-Accommodated. Dictionaries are not allowed for the Revising and Editing section of any Exit Level TAKS tests.


Once a student breaks the seal on the Revising and Editing section, s/he can no longer have access to a dictionary, even if the examinee chooses to return to the open-ended response and/or written composition sections. Monitors and Relief Staff must know and monitor the examinees at all times to know when the dictionaries must be collected from the students. An ESL dictionary may be provided for LEP students, but only for the Reading and written composition sections – NOT for the Revising and Editing section.


Math: For all TAKS and TAKS-Accommodated tests, students must be supplied with a graphing calculator for the entire administration of the math test. Science: For all TAKS and TAKS-Accommodated tests, students must have access to a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. There should be at least one calculator for every 5 students.


Calculators

Test Administrators must read aloud the “2013 Telecommunication Devices” document before beginning each test administration.

The use or possession of cell phones, PDAs, IPODs, pagers, CD players, etc. by examinees during testing is PROHIBITED.

Test Administrators must follow campus policy regarding the return of these items to students. If devices are to be returned to students, wait until testing is completed for the day.

The USE of any Telecommunications Device by a Test Administrator or Monitor during testing is also PROHIBITED.


Test Administrators must actively monitor the testing room while students are testing:

Active monitoring means the Test Administrator is actively engaged in monitoring the test. They are moving around the room, pausing in various places, confirming that no student has any unauthorized materials at their testing location, confirming the students are on the correct section and/or have the appropriate materials for that section, making sure the students are awake and alert, and have no telecommunication devices at their testing location.

Active monitoring requires the Test Administrator to make sure the student has gridded the responses on the answer document and recorded their written composition on the lined pages. Test Administrators should regularly remind students to respond to every question. This reminder is in each test’s script.


Before a student leaves the room, the Test Administrator MUST inspect the completed answer documents to be sure the student has recorded answers as instructed. If the student has not done so, the Test Administrator must say, “You have not recorded your answers on the answer document. Please go back and mark your answers on it now.” Remember: If the student chooses to leave one or more items blank, the Test Administrator cannot require the student to respond. Test Administrators are NEVER allowed to comment on or examine any responses for correctness.

TEST ADMINISTRATORS MUST CONFIRM THAT STUDENTS HAVE WRITTEN THE COMPOSITION AND OPEN-ENDED RESPONSES ON THE APPROPRIATE LINED PAGES.

ACCEPTING BLANK ANSWER DOCUMENTS IS CONSIDERED AN IRREGULARITY AND WILL BE REPORTED TO TEA.


Transcriptions must be provided for unusable scorable materials, Braille tests, or Large Print tests.

Test Administrators should NOT transcribe a test unless directed to do so by the Campus Testing Coordinator.

All transcriptions must be done in #2 pencil. They must transcribe EXACTLY the student responses and/or composition and open-ended responses.

Write “Transcribed by __________ because __________” at the top of the new answer document, and write “VOID” on the unusable answer document.


Test Administrators are allowed to answer questions about test directions or procedures.

Test Administrators are NOT allowed to answer questions related to the content of the test itself.

If a student asks a question that they are not permitted to answer, they may respond, “I can’t answer that for you; just do the best you can.”

Test Administrators are NOT allowed to:

translate test questions or passages (including the writing prompt) into another language (except sign language);

rephrase or add information to questions or to the prompt;

discuss test questions with anyone before, during, or after testing; or

score test items or discuss with students how they performed.


For 2013, students taking TAKS and TAKS-Accommodated are asked to sign an Honor Statement.

The Test Administrator will instruct examinees to look at the honor statement on their answer document, and say, “This statement says that you will not give or receive unauthorized assistance during the test. Unauthorized assistance means giving or receiving answers to test questions from someone else. Students may not help other students with any test questions. Only the Test Administrator is allowed to provide or repeat test directions to students. If you cheat on the test, your test may be invalidated, which means that your test will not be scored.”

If the student asks if s/he must sign the honor statement, tell the student, “That decision is up to you. Signing the honor statement is not required, but I want you to know that you are expected to follow the testing rules even if you do not sign it.”


Test Administrators may allow students to take brief breaks, but none are required. During breaks, students must have their test materials closed with answer documents inside. Students are not allowed to discuss the test. Students may be allowed to take restroom breaks as a class or individually, at the discretion of the Test Administrator. A Monitor must always be present during restroom breaks. Any time a break is taken and materials are being re- distributed to students, the Test Administrator must require

examinees to confirm that their own test is being returned to them. These types of errors have occurred in the past and can be very difficult to remedy later on.

If snacking, test materials should be collected and stored in a locked closet or remain in the Test Administrators possession at all times.March 2013 TAKS High School

Training 24

If an emergency or unusual testing situation arises at your campus during testing, Test Administrators should notify the Campus Testing Coordinator as quickly as possible. If they cannot be contacted, they should ask a hallway monitor to get the CTC or campus principal immediately. Campus personnel will contact the District Testing Coordinators to report the situation.You must consider the safety of students and personnel first and foremost.Should the bells ring to evacuate the building, have students place their answer document in the test booklet and close their test booklet. Leave the materials on their desks and exit quietly and calmly. If possible, doors should be locked when exiting.If an individual student has an emergency and leaves the room, secure the student’s test materials. If the student is able to return and continue testing, the Campus Coordinator and Test Administrator can determine whether confidentiality was maintained and if the student can continue testing. If the student cannot continue, mark the Score Code as “O”, OTHER, secure the student’s test materials in a locked cabinet or closet, and escort the student to another location.


Students who need additional time for testing can be relocated to a “Consolidation Room,” if needed.

Prepare the Consolidation Room in advance. Trained Test Administrators, additional #2 pencils, material control forms, and seating charts should be there for the relocated students. Remove or cover all instructional aids.

Students must place their answer document inside their test booklet. Test Administrators or other trained personnel will escort the materials and the students to the Consolidation Room.

Any time that students and/or secure materials are relocated, students are NOT allowed to carry the test materials to the new location.

Students are NOT allowed to discuss the test at any time when changing testing rooms.

When a student indicates s/he is finished, the Test Administrator who accepts the document must check to see if responses are marked. Do not assume the previous Test Administrator has already done this.March 2013 TAKS High School

Training 26

Do NOT break a seal on a test booklet to demonstrate for examinees.Test Administrators must read aloud WORD FOR WORD the material printed in bold type and preceded by the word “SAY”. They must not deviate from the instructions in any way.Test Administrators may repeat the directions as many times as needed. The material in italics is information meant for Test Administrators and should not be read aloud to students.


Can I read the writing prompt aloud to the entire class?

TAKS tests – NO, only read it to students who request it. TAKS –Accommodated tests – NO, only read it to students

who request it.A

t no time before, during, or after the administration of the test are you permitted to provide assistance with the composition.

D

o NOT comment on the composition or communicate in any way your opinion of the composition to the student.


The Test Administrator must NOT

elaborate on the prompt; give students an opening and/or closing sentence; give students an outline for organizing their

compositions; give students information about how to develop their

ideas; or translate into another language (except sign language).

If a student asks a question about the prompt, Test Administrators may say, “I can’t explain it to you; just respond to the prompt in the best way you can.”


For questions regarding specific accommodations or accommodation categories, please refer to the 2010-2011 Accommodations Manual at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/accommodations/ . There is not a new Accommodations Manual for TAKS for 2011-2012.

See pp. 18 – 28 and Appendix F to determine which accommodations are allowed with/without requesting permission with the Accommodations Request Form (ARF). ARF’s should have been submitted earlier in the year unless an ARD change was made after April testing. If you believe an ARF has not been submitted but should have been, call the District Testing Coordinators. ARF’s, unless there is an emergency, are due at least two weeks prior to a testing cycle.A

NY accommodation provided for a student on a state assessment must: Be an accommodation the student has used in the course of instruction throughout the year on classroom assignments and assessments. Be recorded in the student’s IEP as per the ARD Committee. The only exception would be an accommodation provided for a student that has experienced an incident causing temporary physical damage immediately before the test and cannot participate in the test without some type of assistance or accommodation.


http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/accommodations/

Only students meeting eligibility requirements may receive an oral administration. Refer to the 2010-2011 Accommodations Manual.

CRITERIA:

An eligible examinee identified as having a disability that affects the examinee’s reading and who regularly and effectively receives this accommodation in the classroom, or

An examinee who is deaf or hard of hearing and whose IEP requires the signing of daily instruction.


Appendix D: Supplemental Aids, pp. 90-94, 96 (Accommodations Manual)

Allowed for TAKS-Accommodated:

Mnemonic devices that are acronyms, phrases, words, pictures, or a combination of these

Checklists that contain general information. Example – the checklist can remind a student to make a plan before writing or to proofread written work. Checklists can NOT provide a formula for writing a composition (number of paragraphs, etc.)

List of grade–appropriate grammar rules may be used. It can NOT contain any specific examples.

List of grade-appropriate vocabulary may be used to help students with word choice. Example – list of homophones and synonyms for commonly used words. No specific examples of a word’s use are allowed.

Blank graphic organizers - may NOT contain titles, words, labels, pictures, acronyms, numbers, or symbols.


A supplemental aid must meet ALL of the conditions below (see p. 91): Serve as a tool, not a source of direct

answers Helps a student access grade-level

content Factual and error-free Concise and well-organized so a student

can quickly access the information Routinely used in instruction and testing Documented in the student’s IEP


INFORMATION ABOUT TEST INFORMATION ABOUT TEST DOCUMENTS DOCUMENTS

AND AND HOW TO APPROPRIATELY CODE HOW TO APPROPRIATELY CODE

TEST DOCUMENTSTEST DOCUMENTSAnd there is great news – no more multiple test forms for TAKS tests for any of the administrations – ONE FORM ONLY! This is because this testing program is being phased out next year! There is no bubble on the answer document to indicate which form of the test was given – you must only indicate if a TAKS or TAKS-Accommodated was administered.Sample TAKS answer documents for this year may be found at: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/training/answer-docs/Specific information about demographic and program coding is located on pp. 135-144 in the 2012 Directions for District 2012 Directions for District Coordinators, Campus Coordinators and Test Administrators – Coordinators, Campus Coordinators and Test Administrators – TAKS, TAKS-Accommodated), TAKS-M, and LATTAKS, TAKS-Accommodated), TAKS-M, and LAT


http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/training/answer-docs/



Grid the TEST TAKEN INFO field for all TAKS and TAKS- Accommodated tests. The TEST TAKEN INFO and the test form determine the answer key used to score the test.Campus Testing Coordinators, Administrators, and Test Administrators may mark score codes with the exception of the OTHER code which may only be bubbled by a Campus Testing Coordinator or Administrator.Grid only one Score Code.If no score code is marked, the test score is reported as a ZERO.



A = AbsentX = ARD Decision: Student does not participate on the basis of SpEd, as determined by ARD and documented in the student’s IEPP = Previously met standardO = Other (This will be marked by Campus Coordinators or Campus Administrators only.)* = Student did not test in the scorable test booklet or answer document for the subject area indicated; in October this would mean the subject was administered on-line rather than with the paper versionS = Score

Some students receive a Foreign Exchange Student

Waiver and do not take Exit Level TAKS

because they do not intend to receive a Texas High School diploma. Mark the Foreign Exchange Student Waiver bubble on their answer document and mark their score code as OTHER.

Students would normally take Exit Level TAKS but who are in a court-ordered, authorized High School Equivalency Program (HSEP) do not take TAKS. Mark the HSEP bubble and mark their score code as

OTHER.S

tudents may receive a one-time LEP Postponement for Exit Level TAKS. Mark this

Bubble on their answer document and mark

their score code as OTHER.



Sample Score Code fields for Exit Level Retest

Grid the Score Code for each subject-area Retest. Indicate if the student has previously passed the test. There must be a score code for every test.

The four categories of accommodations are:

Presentation (P) Response (R) Setting (S) Timing and Scheduling (T)

Other accommodations include Braille (BR); Large Print (LP); and Oral Administration (OA) – Math, Science, and Social Studies.


Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions before, during, or after testing!

Thank you for doing your best to ensure that our students have the best possible opportunity for testing.

Please sign your

2013 oath!


march 2013 high school taks training

Documents

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