Administering Pennsylvania’s Statewide Assessments For Test Administrators 2008-2009

1. Administering Pennsylvania’s Statewide Assessments For Test Administrators 2008-2009 1

2. 2008–2009PSSA Testing Window 2

3. 2009-2010PSSA Testing Window 3

4. Academic Standards and Anchors • Academic Standards – Revised • Mathematics • Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening • Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content • Existing Anchors Have Not Changed • Assessment Anchors for Writing will be developed 4

5. New This Year • Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) is now the contractor for all grades and reports • Large print and Braille materials produced by DRC (not longer Pattan) • These are securely bar-coded and MUST be returned to DRC • Student responses in a large-print of Braille format must be transcribed into a scannable answer booklet (additional transcription booklets will be shipped with each order) 5

6. General Reminders • Students registered to take the PASA for Reading/Math and Science DO NOT need to have a PSSA booklet coded and returned to DRC • Make sure each student’s test book and answer book form numbers match • Complete the assessment as soon as possible during the assessment period • The 2009 Score Attribution map has been redesigned and is available at: http://www.pde.state.pa.us/pas/lib/pas/2009_Attribution_Map.pdf 6

7. Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS) • All student information for pre-code labels will come from PIMS. • IMPORTANT – Information in PIMS must be correct. 7

8. Testing Responsibilities • The entity delivering the student’s education is responsible for ordering and receiving materials and administering the test • Includes IU-run classrooms housed in a district school building. • The district is responsible for ordering & returning materials so the IU personnel can administer the assessment • The district is responsible for attributing these students’ scores back to their district/school of residence.

9. The PASA and the PSSA-M 9

10. Qualifications for Administered of the PASA • PASA Project, University of Pittsburgh is test contractor • Students must meet 6 criteria in order to take the alternate assessment for students who have significant cognitive disabilities. See www.pasaassessment.org • If a student meets the 6 criteria he/she will be administered the PASA for all content areas. 10

11. PASA TIMELINE • October 1 – October 31, 2008 Enrollment of students to take PASA for Spring 2009 • February 16, 2009 – March 27, 2009 PASA Testing Window for Reading and Math • May 4 – May 29, 2009 PASA Science Testing Window for Students in Grades 4, 8, and 11 11

12. PSSA - Modified • Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) is test contractor • Field tests in all grades will occur by invitation this spring • May 18-22, 2009 • Focused Sample • Cognitive Labs • Operational in 2010 • Administration will occur at the same time as the PSSA 12

13. Planning for Assessment • Be familiar with the Accommodations Manual • All accommodations used during testing should be those used during daily instruction • Accommodations should not compromise the integrity of the assessment • The link to download the guidelines on PDE’s website: http://www.pde.state.pa.us/a_and_t/lib/a_and_t/2009AccommodationsGuidelines.pdf • Download the handout listing Accommodations Do’s and Don’ts

14. Planning for Assessment • Students must be monitored for bathroom breaks, etc. • The secure test materials must be carried by a test administrator to the extended time setting • Materials must be collected after each session and returned to the designated secure storage area

15. 2009 New Calculator Policy • The PSSA is designed so that calculators are not necessary for students to be successful. If students choose to use a calculator on the portions of the PSSA for which calculators are permitted then they must adhere to the specified guidelines • Test adminstrators must ensure that calculators have no programs stored in their memory. Please note that if a student wants to restore the deleted programs he or she will have to back them up prior to the assessment. 15

16. 2009 Calculator Policy The following are NOT allowed for the PSSA: • Non-calculators such as cell phones, PDAs, laptops, minicomputers, pocket organizers, etc. • Calculators with QWERTY keyboards or other typewriter-like keyboards or keypads (e.g. Dvorak) • Calculators with built in Computer Algebra Systems – CAS • Calculators that make noise, have paper tape, need to be plugged in or talk (unless these specific calculators are required as an accommodation - refer to the Accommodations Manual) • Sharing calculators by students during a test session • All programs / information stored in a calculator. These must be deleted prior to using that calculator on any section of the PSSA. Typically these are graphing calculators but scientific calculators may also contain stored programs. • Beaming capabilities must be disabled • Wireless communication technologies must be disabled. 16

17. The Assessment • Administer sections in sequence • Avoid test fatigue – provide breaks as needed by your students • Begin the assessment during the 1st week of the window • Use the second week for make-ups and unexpected occurrences • The missed sections should be administered in sequence

18. 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 locked location Point out if a student forgot to answer a question DON’T: 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 Point to an incorrect answer and encourage student to try again Administering the Assessment

19. The Assessment • Student must attempt at least 5 items in each section to meet the attempt logic and receive a score. • Student must meet the attempt logic of all 3 sections of a subject to 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 • If student meets the attempt logic in all 3 math sections, but fails to meet this in one or more reading sections, the student will NOT receive a score in reading.

20. The Assessment • Reminders • All students must use a No. 2 pencil • If the student has to go home ill before the end of the day’s testing period, contact your assessment coordinator who must contact PDE for guidance • Do not provide or permit the use of dictionaries, thesauri, spell-or grammar-checkers, PDAs, or any device that can transmit information • Do not read the math questions to the entire class…only do this for small groups who need it. You should read the directions aloud to the whole class at the same time • Carefully read the accommodations manual and be sure to use appropriate accommodations for students who need it • Must have a secure method of storing, distributing, and collecting materials

21. PDE Policy – Test Security • The assessments must remain secure • No test administrator should have assessment materials in their possession at any time other than during the actual assessment administration • All testing entities (including the IU) are required to certify that proper test security and administration procedures were followed • Certified by signing a Test Security Affidavit and sending it to DRC with all test materials

22. The Assessment • All answer booklets returned to DRC must have a label attached, except for unused booklets • Non-assessed students should be indicated on the answer booklet and they must have a barcode attached • The “Other” accommodation bubble is only used for rare occasions – not for minor things like chewing gum or a squeeze ball provided • Complete p. 3 for any student using an accommodation • “Do Not Score” labels should be placed on top of the label already on the booklet. Can be used if booklet becomes torn, soiled or found to be defective

23. The Assessment • Do not make copies of labels • The student’s name, PAsecure ID, and birth date must be bubbled on the answer booklet (only done when no precoded label is provided) • Make sure the information you bubble-in matches the PIMS information • As per IDEA, court/agency placed students with an IEP are required to take the assessment

24. The Assessment • Labels • Students who withdraw or transfer prior to the testing window • DISCARD LABEL and DO NOT ATTACH IT TO THE BOOKLET • If student begins the assessment but withdraws or transfers before completion • Place ‘Do Not Score’ label on top of the student precode label on the booklet • If the student completes the assessment and then withdraws or transfers before the end of the window • Return booklet with materials; student scores will be attributed to the school where he/she transferred to

25. The Assessment • On page 3 of the booklet is the ‘Non-assessed Students’ grid. • Medical emergencies are rare and should only be used when a recent medical situation makes it impossible for a student to take the assessment • Students who remain enrolled in school, but are absent for the entire assessment window, fall under the extended absence exclusion • A written parental request based on a conflict with the religious beliefs is the only valid exclusion a parent can impose. • The ‘Other’ category is typically reserved for a student who refuses to participate after efforts by school personnel to gain compliance have failed. • These will negatively affect AYP participation rates

26. The Assessment • Precoding issues can negatively impact AYP • Pay close attention to: • Coding the booklets correctly • Applying labels correctly • The label must go in the designated box ONLY • If you use a DO NOT SCORE label, it must be placed on top of the other label

27. The Assessment • Unusual Circumstances • If a situation occurs that is not covered in the administration guide, use your professional judgment and contact your assessment coordinator • Example…what should you do if a student becomes ill and destroys the test booklet? • Destroy the booklet and do NOT send it back to DRC. Make a note on the Materials Accountability Form that documents this information

28. The Assessment • After the Assessment • Schools must return the majority of their answer booklets as soon as the majority of the students have completed the test. • Please make all attempts to administer the assessment during the first week of the testing window

29. CAIU Contact Information • Assessment Coordinator • Karen Ruddle, Curriculum Specialist • 732-8400 ext. 8534 • kruddle@caiu.org • Assessment Coordination Assistant • Tracy Shank • 732-8400, ext. 8526 • tshank@caiu.org 29

30. Instructional Resources • www.pde.state.pa.us • Pre-K-12 • Assessment • Resource Materials Here’s What You’ll Find… Item Samplers, Scoring Guidelines, Exemplars

31. Office of Elementary/Secondary Education Diane Castelbuono, Deputy Secretary Bureau of Assessment and Accountability Shula Nedley, Ph.D, Director Division of Assessment Ray Young, Division Chief 31

32. CONTACT INFORMATION Pennsylvania Department of Education Bureau of Assessment and Accountability 717-705-2343 Division of Assessment 717-705-2343 Data Recognition Corporation Bureau of Assessment and Accountability 1-800-451-7849 pacustomersservice@datarecognitioncorp.com 32