Getting Ready for the District Choice State Testing (DCST) Administration of the ACT

Getting Ready for the District Choice

State Testing (DCST) Administration

of the ACT

Presented by: Sean Moore and Kevin Rauch

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What’s new for DCST DCST Overview Test Center Establishment Standard Testing Requirements Testing with Accommodations Test Administration Training/Staff

Responsibilities Ordering & Return of Materials Getting Started Now – Review of dates and

documents you must complete and return to ACT

Resources

AgendaAgenda

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What’s newWhat’s new

TWO TEST DATE OFFERINGS March Test Dates

Initial test date – March 20 Makeup test date – April 3 Accommodations Testing Window –

March 20 – April 3

OR

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What’s new What’s new

TWO TEST DATE OFFERINGS April Test Dates

Initial test date – April 24 Makeup test date – May 8 Accommodations Testing Window

April 24 – May 8

The district will select one test date for all schools in the district.

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What’s newWhat’s new

Pre–ID Bar Code Labels – Optional Service

Districts may now provide ACT with an electronic file containing student information including the student’s state assigned ID.

The file must be in the format prescribed by ACT. (See Attachment D)

The deadlines for submitting your Pre-ID bar code label file varies based on your test date choice. (See Attachment D)

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What’s newWhat’s new

Pre-ID Bar Code Labels – Optional Service Record your district’s interest in using this

new service in the District Info tab of Attachment A

ACT will produce the labels to be placed on the individual student’s answer folder to assist with the collection of data and management of the student record.

The State Assigned ID will be reported in the District Student Data File.

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The DCSTThe DCSTAdministration of the ACTAdministration of the ACT

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DCST Administration of the DCST Administration of the ACTACT

District selects one of two test options The ACT, or The ACT Plus Writing The decision applies to all schools district-

wide – and cannot be changed

English 75 items 45 min Mathematics 60 items 60 min Reading 40 items 35 min Science 40 items 35 min Writing 30 min

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DCST Administration of the DCST Administration of the ACTACT

Weekday, school based administration All grade 11 students at participating

schools take the test All schools must test their own students Scores for students testing with Standard

Time or ACT Approved Accommodations are accepted by ALL universities/colleges and for NCAA initial eligibility

Testing with State Allowed Accommodations does not result in college reportable scores

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DCST Administration of the DCST Administration of the ACTACT

Only schools meeting The ACT for State Testing Standard Testing Requirements are eligible to serve as test sites

District notifies schools regarding participation in DCST

Schools communicate to Students Early— No refunds for students already registered

for a National ACT Test Date

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DCST Administration of the DCST Administration of the ACTACT

No “Registration” for DCST Estimated Enrollment during

Establishment Enrollment Confirmation Form Pre-test session held before test day

ACT fee waivers may not be used Technology requirements document

posted to District Choice State Testing website: http://www.act.org/aap/dcst/

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DCST Test SiteDCST Test SiteEstablishment ProcessEstablishment Process

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DCST Test Site DCST Test Site EstablishmentEstablishment

Establishment Packets shipped to High School Principals In early August for schools testing in March In September for schools testing in April Envelope for Principal Envelopes for appointed testing

personnel in the principal’s mailing

Courtesy copy Establishment Packet mailed to District Assessment Coordinators

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DCST Test Site DCST Test Site EstablishmentEstablishment

Principals – Review key documents Checklist of Dates Testing Staff Qualifications and

Responsibilities Summary of Test Administration

Policies for the ACT Standard Testing Requirements

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DCST Test Site DCST Test Site EstablishmentEstablishment

Principal’s Responsibilities: Consider staffing requirements and

appoint testing staff Test Supervisor Back-up Test Supervisor Test Accommodations Coordinator (TAC)

Select staff who will be available for the entire school year

Complete Online School Information/Appointment of Testing Staff Form

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DCST Test Site DCST Test Site EstablishmentEstablishment Required Online Test Site Establishment

Forms: Principals – Appointment of Testing Staff/

School Information Form Test Supervisors - ACT State Testing Test

Supervisor and Facilities Profile Back-up Test Supervisors - ACT State

Testing Back-up Test Supervisor Profile Test Accommodations Coordinators - ACT

State Testing Test Accommodations Coordinator Profile

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Standard Testing Standard Testing RequirementsRequirements

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Standard Testing Standard Testing RequirementsRequirements

Apply to both initial and makeup tests Facilities Personnel Security Exact timing of tests Documentation of test day procedures Other test administration requirements

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FacilitiesFacilities

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FacilitiesFacilities Choice of test rooms for

standard time administration Well lit, comfortable temperature, quiet

atmosphere Comfortable seating for 25-30 students Prefer no more than 100 students per

room for manageable security

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FacilitiesFacilities Freedom from distractions

Only persons assisting with that day’s administration may be in the room

Turn off bells and public address systems

Uninterrupted testing period required 3 ½ hours of testing time for The ACT

Requires about 4 ½ hours of staff time for pre- and post test responsibilities

4 hours testing time for the ACT Plus Writing

Requires about 5 hours of staff time for pre- and post test responsibilities

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FacilitiesFacilities Freedom from distractions

Separate testing rooms from regularschool activitiesAway from noisy locationsQuiet wing of the high school – preferredLocal decision to have 11th grade only in

session on test day

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Off-site TestingOff-site Testing May request off-site testing location if unable

to meet Standard Testing Requirements for facilities

Consider off-site for initial test date and/or makeup test date

Each off-site location must be approved by ACT Community college, church or other

public facility, private facility

Off-site Request Form on DCST website: www.act.org/aap/dcst

Receipt deadline December 16, 2011

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PersonnelPersonnel

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PersonnelPersonnel Test Supervisors, Back-Up Test

Supervisors, and Test Accommodations Coordinators have access to secure test materials prior to testing

Avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, and protect relatives (children, stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings, in-laws, spouses, and persons under your guardianship) from allegations of impropriety

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PersonnelPersonnel Test Supervisors & Back-up Test

Supervisors may not be related to any examinee taking the DCST administration of the ACT in 2012 anywhere in your state

Test Accommodations Coordinators may not be related to any examinee testing with accommodations taking the DCST administration of the ACT in 2012 anywhere in your state

Room supervisors & proctors may not assist in a room where any relative is being tested

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PersonnelPersonnel Testing staff must not engage in ACT

test preparation activities during current year for commercial gain May be part of testing staff only if:

Test preparation- part of regularjob responsibilities

Not employed by a commercial enterprise

Must not be enrolled in high school

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PersonnelPersonnel Each school is responsible for testing

their own students A person may not serve as a Test

Supervisor, Backup Test Supervisor or Test Accommodations Coordinator at more than one school

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SecuritySecurity

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SecuritySecurity

Constant security of materials Receive and store secure materials

Receipt, check-in, and verification of test booklets by serial numbers

Restricted access at all times—documented “chain of custody”

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SecuritySecurity Constant security of materials

Test materials must not be transferred or shared between schools

This applies to all schools

Schools within the same building

Multiple schools testing at same off-site location

Answer documents must not be returned to students after test responses are gridded

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SecuritySecurity

All test sites must test on designated test days only

Testing must be the first activity of the morning for all students Students’ schedules must be adjusted

All Room Supervisors must begin reading the Verbal Instructions no later than 9:00 a.m. Bus schedules must be adjusted

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SecuritySecurity Proper identification of students by

Room Supervisor Direct consultation with ACT to handle

administration irregularities

Immediate and complete return of all materials to ACT

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Test Administration Test Administration RequirementsRequirements

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Test Administration Test Administration RequirementsRequirements

Accurate completion of documentation including Roster, Seating Diagram, Test Booklet Count Form, and Time Verification Form returned for each room

Briefing Session 30 min. prior to test

Staff must be attentive to their testing responsibilities during the administration

Tests must be administered in the order listed: Test 1 (first), Test 2 (second)…

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Test Day ObserversTest Day Observers

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Test Day ObserversTest Day Observers Only those directly involved in testing

may be in testing area Unannounced Authorized Observers

ACT Unauthorized Observers

Media Test prep companies Parents School board members District personnel

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Testing withTesting withAccommodationsAccommodations

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Testing withTesting withAccommodationsAccommodations

TAC Training Fall mailing:

ACT-Approved or State-Allowed Accommodations Request Forms

Examples of available accommodations Extended Time, Testing over Multiple Days Alternate Formats (Large Print, Reader’s Script)

Test Administration Training In November/December for March districts In January for April districts

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Testing withTesting withAccommodationsAccommodations

ACT-Approved Accommodations Professionally diagnosed disabilities,

current IEP or 504 documentation

College Reportable Scores

ACT will review all ACT-Approved Accommodations requests

If approved: Student specific test materials

Detailed testing instructions

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Testing withTesting withAccommodationsAccommodations

State-Allowed Accommodations School approved accommodations

NOT college reportable

ACT will review and process all complete State-Allowed Accommodations requests

If complete orders are placed: Student specific test materials

Detailed testing instructions

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Testing with Testing with AccommodationsAccommodations

ACT Approved request deadlines March districts – December 16, 2011 April districts – January 27, 2012

State Allowed order deadline March districts – February 3, 2012 April districts – March 9, 2012

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Test Administration Test Administration TrainingTraining

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Test Administration Test Administration TrainingTraining November/December for March districts

--- OR --- January for April districts REQUIRED for ALL Newly appointed Test

Supervisors, Back-up Test Supervisors and Test Accommodations Coordinators

District Personnel may attend If the staff at a school (TS, Backup TS,

Test Accommodations Coordinator)has not been trained – we will NOT ship test materials to the school

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Test Administration Test Administration TrainingTraining

Training will cover: an ACT overview standardized procedures test administration policies test accommodation administration

policies return of materials questions

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Following Test Following Test Administration TrainingAdministration Training

Testing staff must read and be familiar with the Supervisor’s Manual

The Test Supervisor will organize an in-school session for all Grade 11 students to complete all pre-test information sections of the answer folder (before test day)

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Following Test Following Test Administration TrainingAdministration Training

The Test Supervisor and Test Accommodations Coordinator will: Select Room Supervisors and Proctors

Conduct a required local training session for all testing staff before testing (a separate training session is required for all staff who will be supporting students testing with accommodations conducted by the TAC at each school)

Distribute a complete copy of the appropriate Supervisor’s Manual to each Room Supervisor

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Ordering & Ordering & Return of MaterialsReturn of Materials

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Ordering MaterialsOrdering Materials Enrollment provided on Appointment of

Testing Staff/School Information Form completed by Principal

Confirmation of enrollment on Confirmation Form submitted by Test Supervisor in January for schools testing in March February for schools testing in April

Contact ACT to order additional materials After the Initial Test Date, order makeup

materials by 5 pm CT, the day after the Initial day of testing for the Makeup Test Date

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Non-secure ShipmentNon-secure Shipment To arrive

Early February for March testers Mid March for the April testers

To Test Supervisor Supervisor’s Manual Taking the ACT for State Testing Answer documents (blank)

Someone must be at the school to receive this shipment

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Secure ShipmentSecure Shipment To arrive in schools (not district offices)

the week prior to the Initial Day of testing To Test Supervisor

Standard Time Test booklets To Test Accommodations Coordinator

ACT-Approved Accommodations materials State-Allowed Accommodations materials

Someone must be at the school to receivethis shipment If your school is on spring break that week,

we will ship one week early

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Materials ReturnMaterials Return

The carrier will pick up materials The day after the Initial Test Date The day after the Makeup Test Date Accommodations materials the day after

the closing of the test window Pick ups are pre-scheduled by ACT Carrier may arrive at schools anywhere

from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Getting Started NowGetting Started Now

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Getting Started NowGetting Started Now

Districts need to Decide on your test date – March or April Decide on your test option – ACT or ACT

Plus Writing Are you going to use Pre-ID bar code

labels

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Getting Started NowGetting Started Now

Complete and sign the Purchase Agreement Indicate your choice of test option Indicate your choice of test date Include the estimated number of students that

will be tested

Complete Exhibit 1 – Description of Services Indicate your agreement to the requirements

by initialing next to each item

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Getting Started NowGetting Started Now

Complete and return Attachment A Complete all three tabs – School Info, DAC

(District Assessment Coordinator) Info and Billing Information

With only two exceptions – ACT HS Code and Purchase Order Number – all other fields are required

DAC Info tab collects information such as your test date, test option and bar code file choices

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Getting Started NowGetting Started Now

Return signed Purchase Agreement, Exhibit 1, and completed Attachment A by the deadlinesNo later than June 15 for March testing

No later than August 15 for April testing

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Getting Started NowGetting Started Now

Principals, plan ahead— Work with your district to inform students

and parents of this test experience Be thinking about who you will appoint as

testing staff – Test Supervisor, Backup and Test Accommodations Coordinator

Consider your school in terms of meeting standard testing requirements

Work with staff to submit accommodations requests as this requires extra planning

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Resources for DCSTResources for DCST

Forms and materials: http://www.act.org/aap/dcst

Program questions: DCST@act.org

Sean Moore @ 319/ 337-1768