Test Preparation, Security, and Administration
State Mandated Testing2006-07
In accordance with State Regulations at 6.10 Part 7
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Required Training For school principals, test coordinators, test
examiners (teachers), and proctors (EAs) Training is required for any school personnel who
handle the assessments including office staff. Assessments include
• NMHSCE (10th-12th)• NMELPA (K – 12)• NMSBA (3-9 and 11)• Alternate Assessments (3rd-12th)
Sign-in, with a printed name and signature, on the Non-disclosure forms that list the training topics and dates.
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Required Training A signature on the non-disclosure is the teacher’s
consent that • They will comply with the rules of test administration outlined
by the testing company and PED including accommodations for all students.
• They will comply with test security as outlined in state regulation 6.10 part 7.
Make a copy of the Non-disclosure form for your records.
Send the ORIGINAL Non-disclosure forms to RDA!!– Deadlines:
• High Schools for fall NMHSCE staff: Thursday, Oct. 19, 2006• Remaining staff: Thursday, November 30, 2006
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Who can administer the tests?
Only trained, certified staff are permitted to administer tests:– Licensed school instructors and administrators
– Teachers on waivers or intern licenses
– Long-term substitutes with a valid teaching license
– Coaches and contractors with a valid teaching license
– Licensed counselors and related service providers
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Who can serve as a test proctor?
Any staff or community member who has been trained in proper test administration and test security may serve as a proctor.
Parents cannot proctor in their own child’s classroom.
Proctors can assist, but may not act as test administrators.
All proctors must sign a non-disclosure form.
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New Mexico High School Competency Examination (NMHSCE)
– New Test Vendor: Harcourt Assessment Inc.
– Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Composition (English and Spanish version)
Test Windows:
October 23-November 17
January 16-February 2
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New Mexico Standards-Based Assessment (NMSBA): Grade 11
– Replaces the New Mexico High School Standards Assessment (NMHSSA) • Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science (English
version)• Reading, Writing, and Math (Spanish version)
– Test Window: February 26 - March 23
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Original and New Mexico Alternate Performance Assessment (NMAPA)
– Grades 3-12+
– Available only to students with significant cognitive disabilities who meet the eligibility criteria established by the NMPED
– Test windows: November 1 - 30 March 5 - April 6
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New Mexico English Language Proficiency Assessment (NMELPA)
Three testing windows per year
Students tested once per year
Test Windows:
October 30 - November 17
January 15 - February 2
April 16 - May 4
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Test Preparation Do’s
Do ask RDA if you are not sure if the materials you have are appropriate for test preparation.
Do look at the test objectives provided by the testing company.
Do read, review, and discuss the PED Procedures Manual and the Test Examiner’s Manual before administering the test.– Clarify staff questions.
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More Test Preparation Do’s
Do use the practice materials provided and the copies of teacher guides.
Do learn how to identify secure test materials. (The booklet will be labeled as “Student Test” or with the name of the test.)
Do schedule your school’s test administration windows early in the designated state administration window.
• Do allow plenty of time for students to complete the assessments.
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More Test Preparation Do’s Optimal Testing Times
– Mornings– Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
May adjust order of content area tests or test sessions to accommodate scheduling needs of school.
Students within the same grade must take the same session(s) at the same time
Do arrange for make-up tests for all students who are absent.
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Test Preparation Don’ts
Don’t use old tests as test preparation materials!! (Even old forms are copyrighted.)
Don’t use or make copies of any copyrighted test preparation materials.
Don’t use any actual test items as preparation materials (Changing the setting or numbers, paraphrasing the item, or rewording the item is a violation of test security).
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More Test Preparation Don’ts
Don’t use materials when you are not sure of the source.
Don’t photocopy, discuss, or reproduce test items.
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TEST SECURITY
Tests must be stored in a locked, secure area with limited access at all times when not in use.
No one can review secure tests without prior approval from RDA and without signing the Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Test booklets and answer documents are counted and issued by sequential number to the school.
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Teachers must sign to receive test booklets.
Test booklets must be issued to teachers in sequential order.
Tests are to be stored overnight in a secure, locked setting.
Tests must be assigned to students and the record must be given to RDA, as well as a copy kept by the Test Rep.
TEST SECURITY
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Test Administration Do’s
Do test 100% of students required to take the test.
Do encourage a student who is not trying.
Do remove instructional materials (e.g., multiplication tables) from test settings during testing.
Do have test monitors in the halls to assist with emergencies or to obtain additional test materials.
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More Test Administration Do’s
Do return test materials each day to the testing coordinator for secure overnight storage.
Do keep records on unique situations that keep students from being tested.
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Testing Irregularities
A testing irregularity is “any circumstance within or beyond the control of a school district that in the opinion of the PED or a school district, raises doubts about the propriety of standardized testing procedures, preparation materials, standardized test administration, standardized testing security, student scores attained from standardized testing, or teacher or student conduct observed during standardized testing.” (6.10.7.7 (A) NMAC)
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Reporting Testing Irregularities
Do report suspected testing irregularities immediately to the Principal and RDA.
Suspected testing irregularities should be reported in accordance with procedures in NMPED rules at 6.10.7.13 NMAC
The DTC submits report to the NMPED that contains the allegations, findings, and corrective actions taken, if any
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More Test Administration Do’s
Do post conspicuous signs near copy machines warning that tests cannot be copied.
Do refer parents, and staff members, who request to view the test to RDA.
Do arrange for make-up tests for all students who are absent.
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More Test Administration Do’s
Do follow all directions for a standardized administration. Do collect materials after testing each day, have test
examiners inventory booklets and notify RDA if a booklet is missing.
Do allow students to read if they finish early, but not to write.
Do return tests for shipping to RDA immediately after testing is completed.
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Test Administration Don’ts Don’t discuss items on a test with other teachers!!
– Teachers may not take the test being administered, unless they will be giving student accommodations.
Don’t use items from the test to teach concepts to students (changing the setting or numbers, paraphrasing the item, or rewording the item is a violation of test security).
Don’t let students leave the room and return to continue on the same subtest.
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More Test Administration Don’ts
Don’t leave students alone in the room when they are testing.
Don’t help or coach students with test answers.
Don’t suggest that students rethink an answer or provide hints.
Don’t change a student’s answer or direct a student to change an answer.
• According to state regulation a teacher’s license can be either suspended or revoked for a testing irregularity
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More Test Administration Don’ts
Don’t give students breaks or allow them to talk in the midst of a subtest.
Don’t let students take cell phones out during test administration.
Don’t leave tests unattended in an unlocked room.
Don’t test students on different subtests at the same time.
Don’t show a secure test to a parent.
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More Test Administration Don’ts
Don’t permit students to use any unauthorized materials during the test administration.
Don’t take test booklets or answer documents off campus.
Don’t permit students to leave the room with testing materials for any reason.
Don’t post the test vocabulary words from the items or words from the test directions.
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Distinctions Adaptations
– Timing/scheduling
Accommodations– Presentation– Response
(see handout)
Modifications
Reference the NMPED Testing Accommodations Guide for specific
details.
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Testing Accommodations Defined
Adaptations: variations on standardized test administration that do not need to be documented or reported as accommodations.
Accommodations: allowable changes in administration procedures that do not change the construct intended to be measured.
Modifications: prohibited changes that cause the measurement of the intended construct to be invalid.
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Accommodations ELL Special Education 504 students All students are eligible for the allowable
accommodations listed; however the student should have been receiving these accommodations in the classroom for at least three months prior to testing in the content area – (Reference NMPED Testing Accommodations document)
Order large print and Braille versions ASAP from Testing Services 848-8751
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Braille version or large print version of assessment
Reading aloud, tape recording, or signing of test directions only
Paraphrasing of directions only Reading aloud or in the student’s native
language or translation of the directions only Use of word-to-word translation reference or
word list
HighlightsAllowable Accommodations:
Reading
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Use of scribe to write/record oral responses. Use of signing or pointing as alternative
responses. Use of certain types of assistive technology
(with voice output disabled). Recording responses on audio tape. Use of a scribe to translate a student’s oral
responses from a language other than English.
HighlightsAllowable Accommodations:
Reading
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Allowable Accommodations: Writing
Braille version or large print version of assessment
Reading aloud, tape recording, or signing of test directions, stimulus material, questions, and/or response choices
Paraphrasing of directions only Reading aloud or in the student’s native
language or translation of test directions, stimulus material, questions, and/or response choices
Highlights
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Allowable Accommodations: Math, Science, & Social Studies
Braille version or large print version of assessment
Reading aloud or tape recording of test directions, stimulus material, questions, and/or response choices
Use of communication devices (e.g., text talk converter) to read items
Reading aloud or in the student’s native language or translation of test directions, stimulus material, questions, and/or response choices
Highlights
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Allowable Accommodations: Math, Science, & Social Studies
Use of word-to-word translation reference or word list
Use of scribe to write/record oral responses Use of scribe to translate student’s oral
responses from a language other than English Use of signing or pointing as alternative
responses Use of certain types of assistive technology Recording responses on audio tape
Highlights
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Prohibited Modifications All Tests
Paraphrase stimulus material, questions, and/or response choices
Restate questions with more appropriate vocabulary or define unknown vocabulary
Clarification of English words Use of a dictionary to look up words
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Prohibited Modifications: Reading
Reading aloud, tape recording, or signing of stimulus material, questions, and/or response choices
Using communication devices (e.g., text talk converter) to read stimulus material, questions, and/or response choices
Reading aloud in the student’s native language or translation of stimulus material, questions, and/or response choices
Use of assistive technology in which voice output has not been disabled
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Prohibited Modifications: Writing
Using communication devices (e.g., text talk converter) to read stimulus material, questions, and/or response choices
Recording responses on audio tape Use of a spell checker Indicate responses to a scribe for constructed responses
in which writing is scored Use of a scribe to translate a student’s oral response
from a language other than English into the test book
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Prohibited Modifications: Math
Use of a calculator on a test or test session in which calculator use is not permitted.
Use of arithmetic tables.
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Adaptations of Standardized Administration
Do not need to be documented for any content area.
Available to all students. Should not be reported as
accommodations on the Student Data Grid.
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Adaptations: Setting/Environment
Location appropriate to testing needs of students
Grouping students: whole classroom, small groups, individual administration
Administration by individuals other than the student’s usual teacher
Preferential seating
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Adaptations: Presentation
Use of devices providing kinesthetic, visual, or auditory assistance, such as pencil grips, visual magnification devices, auditory amplification
Rereading the script in the administration manual to all students when requested by any student
Use of place markers to maintain place
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Adaptations: Response
Spelling words to students who request it (except for Writing & Language Arts)
Allowing students to mark responses in test booklet
Allowing students to mark responses on large-print answer documents
Use of place markers to maintain place for responding
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Alternative Assessment for ELL (The Portfolio)
Portfolio window is October 23 - April 3, 2007 for NMHSCE
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Accommodation Workshop Dates
Tuesday Nov. 14 4:00 – 6:00pm Wednesday Nov. 15 2:00 – 4:00pm Tuesday Nov. 21 4:00 – 6:00pm Wednesday Nov. 29 2:00 – 4:00pm Thursday Nov. 30 4:00 – 6:00pm
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NMHSCE Q&A Session
Friday Jan. 5 3:00 – 4:30pm Tuesday Jan. 9 7:30 – 9:00am Wednesday Jan. 10 3:00 – 4:30pm
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Test Administration Workshops
Monday Feb. 5 3:00 – 5:00pm Tuesday Feb. 6 3:00 – 5:00pm Wednesday Feb. 7 7:30 – 9:30am
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Thank You for your help!
Questions? Call RDA (848-8710)
and/or Rda.aps.edu