Test Administrators

1. Test Administrators

2. Test Administrators Big Picture Objectives • Be aware of what’s new this year in OAKS • Understand the roles and responsibilities of test administrators • Understand how to use valid test administration practices • Learn where to find test administration resources and tools

3. Test Administrators Purpose: To ensure consistent statewide test administration and valid test results. Test Administration Resources: • 2010–2011 Test Administration Manual • Accommodations Manual http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=487 Promising Testing Practices http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=2444

4. Test Administrators What’s new OAKS Online • OAKS Test Administrator Interface easier to use • User accounts managed through new TIDE system instead of UMS • New item types included in OAKS Online Math and Science tests • Pilot of text-to-speech feature in spring 2011

5. Test Administrators What’s new (cont) OAKS Online (cont) • OAKS Paper/Pencil and Large Print no longer offered • Printing of test items available as a restricted resource • DSAs or DTSAs must authorize in TIDE prior to testing • For students on IEPs or 504 Plans, the student’s plan must indicate the student needs access to test items in paper format • For students not on an IEP or 504 Plan, the decision must be based on individual student need and documented by the district

6. Test Administrators What’s new (cont) Writing Performance Assessment • Online Writing an option for all Grade 7 and H.S. students • New for 2010-11, Online Writing will include a spell check feature • Paper-based Writing tests for Grades 4, 7, and H.S. will be ordered through TIDE • H.S. papers will be double-scored; Grade 4 and 7 papers will be single-scored

7. Test Administrators New Math Achievement Standards • Implementation of Math core content standards • New math standards will become operational • Achievement Standards were reviewed by committee in August 2010. May be adopted by the Board as early as October 2010. If Not, then in December of 2010. Tests administered in October, November and December of 2010 will be scored against the December 2010 achievement standards (even if the new achievement standard is higher than the achievement standard at the time the test was administered)

8. Test Administrators When are Achievement Standards Revised? The review and revision of achievement standards follows Board approval of Academic Content Standards. During the interim, • Schools are provided an opportunity to implement new curricula • Students are provided opportunity to learn the new content • Assessments are re-designed to reflect the new content expectations • Test items are field tested at the appropriate grade

9. Test Administrators Who is Involved in Achievement Standards Setting? • ODE establishes standard setting panels that include educators, parents, community/business representatives and higher education officials. • Panel members provide a consensus recommendation on achievement standards and edit the achievement level descriptors. • ODE invites public input on the proposed achievement standards prior to official adoption by the State Board of Education.

10. Test Administrators Required Testing Environment • Trained test administrator • Quiet environment void of distractions • Only allowable resources made available to students upon request • Limited interaction with students • Read student directions • Administer accommodations appropriately • No coaching

11. Test Administrators Dos and Don’ts Do’s • TAs must read the 2010-11 Test Administration Manual, receive annual test administration and security training, and sign an Assurance of Test Security form before administering state tests. • TAs may only provide students with allowable resources listed by content area in the 2010-11 Test Administration Manual. • TAs may only provide the restricted resource of printed test items to students for whom the district has identified individual student need. • TAs may only provide the version of allowable resources provided by ODE. These are posted online at http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=2346 • TAs must read verbatim the student directions provided in the 2010-11 Test Administration Manual.*

12. Test Administrators Dos and Don’ts (cont) Don’ts • TAs may not allow untrained aides, volunteers, or substitutes to assist with test administration. • TAs may not coach students (including requiring students to show their work). • Students may not access non-allowable resources such as textbooks, class notes, or cell phones during testing. • Students may not talk to or help other students during testing.

13. Test Administrators Promising Practices • TA reviews the Test Administration Manual before testing, focusing on test security and content-specific allowable resources and accommodations. • TA spaces students appropriately or provides visual barriers to prevent students from seeing others’ tests. • TA reads student directions verbatim and circulates through test environment to ensure proper testing conditions. • TA makes available but does not require students to use allowable resources.

14. Test Administrators In a Nutshell • TAs must receive training each year • TAs enforce valid test environment for students • When in doubt about a particular testing practice, before testing begins: • Check the Manual • Check your training notes • Ask your School Test Coordinator • If all else fails, assume the answer is “no”

15. Test Administrators Acorns for Storage • What 3 things must a test administrator do before administering a state test? • What are some examples of assistance to students that are not allowed? • What are some methods we can use to reduce test improprieties? • What is the role Test Administrators should have in closing the achievement gap?