Dr' Cathy McNeal

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Midyear 2009 Alabama High School Graduation Exam
Test Coordinator Training

• Dr. Cathy McNeal
• Director
• HCS Research Development
• December 1, 2009

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Alert 1 Purpose of Training

• Present training for the administration of the
  Midyear AHSGE.
• Discuss the alerts and provide reminders of
  unique characteristics of the AHSGE assessment
  and areas that require special attention.
• Review the procedures described in The Handbook
  of Administrative Procedures for the AHSGE
  Program (Procedures Manual), Revised 2009.

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Alert 2 Primary Contact

• Dr. Cathy McNeal, Director, Research and
  Development with Huntsville City Schools is your
  primary for AHSGE contact at 256 428 7983.

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STI In-Service Credit for Training and Test
Coordinators Responsibilities

• Register on the STI database for in-service
  credit for AHSGE training and for Test
  Coordinators responsibilities.
• SEND in signatures of all staff participating in
  training session to administer the AHSGE to
  receive staff development credit to Staff
  Development/ACMC.
• No signatures
• No In-Service Credit

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Schedule Midyear AHSGE 2009

• READING
• Monday December 7, 2000
• LANGUAGE
• Tuesday December 8, 2009
• SOCIAL STUDIES
• Wednesday December 9, 2009
• SCIENCE/BIOLOGY (BOTH TESTS)
• Thursday December 10, 2009
• NATHEMATICS
• Friday December 11, 2009

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Next AHSGE Training Date for Building Test
Coordinators

• SPRING AHSGE Administration
• February 16, 2010
• Spring Break March 15-19, 2009
• Sign up on STI Staff Development for In-Service
  Credit
• Each AHSGE Test Coordinator must fill out and
  send to STAFF Development the STI In-Service form
  for each high school for administrators and
  proctors to receive in-service credit.

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Schedule for Test Administration

• The scheduled days for the spring 2010
  administration are
• Mathematics
• Monday - March 1, 2010
• Reading
• Tuesday - March 2, 2010
• Language
• Wednesday - March 3, 2010
• Social Studies
• Thursday - March 4, 2010
• Science/Biology (Both Tests)
• Friday - March 5, 2010

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Schedule / Summer AHSGE 2010

• The scheduled days for the Summer AHSGE 2010
  administration are
• Science/Biology
• (Both Tests) Monday July 12, 2010
• Mathematics Tuesday July 13, 2010
• Reading Wednesday July 14, 2010
• Language Thursday July 15, 2010
• Social Studies Friday July 16, 2010

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Every time the tests change hands

• Counted
• Signed for
• No extras

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Test Security Plan for Each High School for
Training Personnel on Test Administration and
Test Security

• VII. Procedures for Training System Personnel on
  Test Administration and Test Security
• Training sessions on test administration and test
  security will be conducted prior to all test
  administrations. The system-level training will
  be conducted approximately one to three weeks
  before testing. The school-level training will
  be conducted as soon as possible after
  system-level training by no later than one week
  prior to testing. All schools will receive a
  system-level digital copy of the PowerPoint
  presentation of the system-level training
  immediately after each test system-level training
  session to digitally disseminate to all test
  administrators and proctors.
• The STC will be trained during the SDE workshops
  and will conduct training at the system level.
  Participants in the system-level training will be
  central office personnel (to include Special
  Education Coordinator, 504 Coordinator, and ESL
  Coordinator), monitors, and BTCs.
• The BTCs will train principals, test
  administrators and proctors.
• Documentation of training will be kept for the
  system-level and school-level trainings.
  Documentation will include an agenda for each
  training session, a sign-in sheet signed by all
  those in attendance, and a signed Test Security
  Policy for each individual.
• All documentation of the system-level training
  and school-level training will be kept in the
  STCs office.
• All documentation of school-level training will
  be kept by the BTC at each school with a copy
  sent to the STCs office.

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Training of ALL Personnel involved in the
administration of the AHSGE are trained in the
procedures for

• Standardized testing conditions.
• Security of testing materials.
• Proper identification of each person entering the
  testing room.
• Inspection of completed answer documents to
  ensure that they are in proper condition for
  scoring.
• Appropriate activities for Calculator Practice
  Instructors, Test Administrators, and Proctors.
• Distribution and collection of graduation
  examination materials.
• Role responsibilities of all personnel associated
  with the administration of the graduation
  examination as described in Chapter II, pages
  9-29.
• Security of user IDs and passwords for the AHSGE
  web site.

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Alert 3 Who takes the FALL AHSGE?

• Any student in the 11th grade who is repeating
  the 11th grade in the 2009-10 scholastic year and
  HAS NOT PASSED ALL REQUIRED SUBJECT-AREA TESTS OF
  AHSGE will take the appropriate subject-area
  test(s).

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Alert 4 Who takes the FALL AHSGE?

• Any student in the 12th grade who HAS NOT PASSED
  all required subject-area tests of the AHSGE will
  take the appropriate subject-area test(s) this
  fall.

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ALERT 5 Who else can take the AHSGE?

• Non-public high school students may take the
  Alabama High School Graduation Exam (See pages
  Grad Exam -56/ Grad Exam 57 for the guidelines).

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ALERT 6 Who else can take the AHSGE?

• Any student enrolled in an Adult Diploma Program
  will be designated as Grade 14 on the answer
  document.

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Alert 7 Definition of a SMALL GROUP

• The definition of a small group for the
  administration of the AHSGE is ten or fewer
  students.

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Alert 8 AHSGE Form 3410 ONLY

• Students taking the AHSGE will take
• Form 3410.

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Alert 9State-Provided Calculators for MATH AHSGE

• A student taking the mathematics subject-area
  test of the AHSGE may ONLY use the state-provided
  calculator.

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Alert 10State-Provided Calculators for MATH
AHSGE

• The state-provided calculator will be distributed
  to each student taking the mathematics
  subject-area test of the AHSGE.
• Large-print and talking calculators will be
  provided by the state to students taking the
  AHSGE in large-print or Braille.

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Alert 11Building Test Coordinators Must Have a
10 Minute Calculator Practice Review Session

• Immediately preceding the administration of the
  AHSGE mathematics subject-area test, all students
  will complete a ten-minute calculator practice
  review session.

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Alert 12Building Test Coordinators Must Train
Test Administrators on How to use the AHSGE
Calculators

• The Training session for the Test Administrators
  and Proctors must include how to use the AHSGE
  calculator (For training the Test Administrators
  and Proctors, use the Calculator Practice Review
  on Page Grad Exam-50 during the training
  session).

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Calculator Practice Instructor

• Reads the Directions for Conducting the
  Calculator Practice Session word for word.
• Reads aloud the information in the calculator
  practice booklet while the students read along
  silently.
• Ensures that each students calculator and
  calculator practice booklet are accounted for
  before any students are dismissed from each
  practice session room.
• Writes the numbers of any defective calculators
  on Form L-7, Calculator Practice Instructor
  Receipt and Return of Calculators and Calculator
  Practice Booklets.
• Returns ALL calculators, calculator practice
  booklets, and Form L-8, School Attendance Report
  for the Calculator Practice Session to the
  Building Test Coordinator and signs Form L-7,
  Calculator Practice Instructor Receipt and Return
  of Calculators and Calculator Practice Booklets,
  AFTER practice Sessions.

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Calculator Practice Instructor

• Attends training sessions concerning the
  calculator practice session for the AHSGE.
• Ensures the security of materials while they are
  in the practice session room.
• Becomes familiar with the Directions for
  Conducting the Calculator Practice Session, and
  the Calculator Practice Booklets BEFORE each
  practice session.
• Ensures that each student signs FORM L-8, School
  Attendance Report for the Calculator Practice
  Session, for each practice session.

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Alert 13NO CALCULATOR for SCIENCE/BIOLOGY

• A student taking the science/biology subject-area
  test of the AHSGE CANNOT use a calculator.

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Alert 14USE Test Administrator's Manuals
REVISED Spring 2008

• The Test Administrator MUST use the Test
  Administrators Manuals REVISED Spring 2008

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Alert 15USE Answer Document Revised Spring 2008

• ANSWER DOCUMENTS must be the ones printed REVISED
  SPRING 2008.

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Alert 16The signature and the date of delivery
and return MUST be completed on the Form L-5,
L-5A, Form L-6, L-6A, and L-7, if applicable.,
(See pages Grade Exam 11 Grad Exam -24).
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Alert 17School Personnel Cell Phones,
Telephones, Beepers and the AHSGE

• All telephones, cell phones, and beepers used by
  or belonging to school personnel MUST be TURNED
  OFF during testing.

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Alert 18Cell Phones, Telephones, Beepers and the
AHSGE

• Students must NOT bring cell phones or pagers
  into the testing room.

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Alert 18Cell Phones, Telephones, Beepers and the
AHSGE

• Students that are found with cell phones during
  testing must have the phone checked by an
  administrator and/or BTC immediately for any data
  on the phone related to the AHSGE.
• This incident should be written up as a Testing
  Irregularity and turned into the STC that day.

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Alert 19COPY Machines Scanners must be
REMOVED from Testing Rooms

• Copy Machines must be removed from all rooms
  being used for a testing session.

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Alert 20Printers with Scanning or Copying
Capability

• All printers that have scanning or copying
  capability must either be disabled or removed
  from all rooms being used for a testing session.

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Homebound Students and AHSGE require One Test
Administrator One Proctor

• Test Booklets utilized in homebound testing
  should be securely bound and marked
  CONFIDENTIAL before being taken from the LEA
  distribution point.
• Test booklets and answer documents should
  securely bound again before they are transported
  back to the LEA distribution point.
• One Test Administrator and one Proctor are
  required to administer a graduation examination
  to a student requiring homebound services.

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Packaging Procedures for Return to HCS
Research Development

• Separate used answer documents from test booklets
  and unused answer documents.
• Return all materials to the System Test
  Coordinator.
• Friday December 11 Pack all calculators,
  calculator practice booklets, and mathematics
  reference pages
• Friday December 11 Follow directions for
  completing the School Header Sheet on Grad Exam
  pg 30.

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Alert 21NO TIME LIMITS

• The graduation examination is NOT timed.

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Alert 22Students can write in the Test Booklets

• The students may write in the test booklets.
• If a student requests scratch paper, it is the
  responsibility of the LEA to furnish it.

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SCRATCH PAPER

• Scratch paper may be used for all subject-area
  tests and should be distributed when a student
  requests it.
• All scratch paper MUST be collected with the
  students test booklet and answer document and
  RETURNED to the Building Test Coordinator to be
  SHREDDED immediately after each subject-area
  test.

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Alert 23Test Administrators Answer Documents

• The Test Administrator MUST check each answer
  document to ensure that the student has gridded
  the correct form number.

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Alert 24Test Administrators Answer Documents

• The Test Administrator MUST check each answer
  document to ensure that the student has the
  correct information
• (first and last name,
• social security number,
• birth date,
• ethnic group, and
• gender) and has gridded the information
  correctly.
• The student information on the answer document
  must be the same as the student information on
  Alabama Student Management System (STI).

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Alert 25Test Administrators Answer Documents

• The Test Administrator MUST check each answer
  document to ensure that the students has gridded
  the correct GRADE.
• The student information on the answer document
  must be the same as the student information on
  Alabama Student Management System (STI).

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Alert 26Test Administrator MUST check Answer
Documents DAILY

• The Test Administrator MUST check each answer
  document DAILY to ensure that each student has
  answers in the right section of the answer
  document.
• For example, after the Monday administration the
  Test Administrator must check each answer
  document to ensure that every student has answers
  in the mathematics section of the answer
  document.

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Test Administrators Answer Document Information

• The student information on the answer document
  MUST be the same as the student information on
  STI.
• The Test Administrator must check this data to
  ensure that the student has the correct
  information gridded.

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The SPECIAL CODES section must be filled out by
the Test Administrator AFTER testing has ended.

• After testing, the Test Administrator will
  complete the SPECIAL CODES section by filling in
  the correct information on each students grid
  where applicable.
• This procedure takes place after students have
  completed the LAST day of testing and have
  returned their answer documents to the Test
  Administrator.
• All the answer documents for students in special
  programs MUST be properly coded.

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Alert 27 School Code for Private Schools

• The Building Test Coordinator will complete one
  School Header Sheet for each private school.
• The System Test Coordinator will determine the
  school code for each private school that has
  students taking the test in their system.
• The school code for the first private school is
  8010. If you have students from more than one
  private school taking the test, for each
  additional private school the school code is 10
  added to the previous private school code. For
  example, private school codes are 8010, 8020,
  8030.8090, 8100, 8100, etc.

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Alert 27 32School Header Sheet Building Test
Coordinator

• The System Test Coordinator, Dr. Cathy McNeal,
  will determine the school code for each private
  school who has students taking the test in HCS
  system. Call Dr. McNeal (428 6969) to get the
  school code for private school students.
• Alert 27 - Building Test Administrators must
  COMPLETE one School Header Sheet for each private
  school.
• Alert 28 - Building Test Administrators must
  COMPLETE one School Header Sheet for all
  homeschooled students taking the test. The
  school code for homeschooled students taking the
  test is 8888.
• Alert 29 - Building Test Administrators must
  CHECK each header for non-public schools,
  including a homeschooled group, to ensure that
  the public school code is NOT included on the
  header.
• Alert 30 - Building Test Administrators must
  CHECK each header for Grade 13 student from
  another system to ensure that the system and
  school codes for the other system school are
  gridded correctly.
• Alert 31 All homeschooled students will be
  considered as ONE nonpublic school for the
  system.
• Alert 32 - The (LEAs) will receive All
  homeschooled students reports packaged together
  as one non-public school. These are NOT
  Homeschooled students on the Seldon Center role.

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Security Procedures for Receiving, Using, and
Returning Test Materials

• IMPORTANT - Each time test booklets exchange
  hands, a signature verifying receipt of specific
  numbers will be required.
• Materials are to be returned to Research and
  Development daily.
• Any missing materials including answer documents
  must be accounted for before ANY student leaves
  the testing room.

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DRC Data Recognition Corporation

• DRC is the KEY to data needed by individual
  schools to address school improvement issues.
• Each school has two passwords to use the DRC Web
  Reporting System

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Signed Confidentiality Statement

• Maintains evidence that personnel have signed the
  confidentiality Statement for the Administering
  and Report of Student Data on the Web site.
• Signed website agreement
• ONLY TWO PEOPLE PER SCHOOL HAVE ACCESS TO DRC

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DRC Web Reporting for AHSGE

• This website is designed for quick and easy
  access to the AHSGE reports produced by Data
  Recognition Corporation.Please keep your user
  ID and password confidential. Your user ID and
  password will allow you to view the reports for
  your authorized system.
• ONLY TWO PASSWORDS PER SCHOOL
• By logging onto this website, You are responsible
  for maintaining the security, confidentiality,
  and integrity of the data provided within this
  website. You must keep your user ID and password
  secure at all times.You understand that any
  unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or
  distribution of the information on this website
  is prohibited.

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Do NOT DISCLOSE DRC Passwords

• It has recently come to the SDE attention that
  some vendors have requested passwords from school
  systems for secure Web sites (e.g., the secure
  Data Recognition Corporation Web site that houses
  individual student results for the Alabama High
  School Graduation Exam) in order to access
  individual student data.  This request is being
  made to save the school system a step in the
  transfer of student data to the vendors system.
• Please be reminded that the release of any
  passwords issued to you by the State Department
  of Education to vendors is NOT allowed and is a
  direct violation of the Security and
  Confidentiality Statement for the Administering
  and Reporting of Student Data on the Web that
  has been signed by all personnel who have been
  given access to these passwords.  Specifically,
  this agreement states that, Disclosure of
  passwords to anyone other than an authorized
  official(s) is prohibited and may result in
  disciplinary action. 
• Please be mindful that when you release
  individual student data that you must ensure that
  you have complied with the requirements of the
  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  which pertains to the disclosure of personally
  identifiable information from the education
  records of students. 
• For more information on FERPA, see the U.S.
  Department of Educations Web page at
  http//www.ed.gov/offices/OM/fpco/ferpa/ 

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DRC Web Passwords to DRC for AHSGE data

• Each high school has TWO passwords to the AHSGE
  DRC website.
• www.drc-web.com/reportdelivery
• www.drc-web.com/onlinecorrections
• Authorized officials(s) (Building Test
  Coordinator or guidance counselor) in each school
  has access to the DRC data on the web, Dr. McNeal
  must have the security and confidentiality
  statement signed by each authorized official
  before requesting a password for that person.

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Alert 33-40DRC MIDYEAR AHSGE REPORTS

• January 11, 2010
• Student List Report
• Non-Mastery List
• Non-Mastery Summary
• January 13, 2010
• School Data (Non-cumulative for all students
  tested during the spring administration)
• January 20, 2010
• Student List Report (Cumulative for all students
  tested during the spring administration)
• January 29, 2010
• Hard Copy Individual Report (Non-cumulative for
  each student who FAILS one or more subject-area
  tests 2 copies)
• Hard Copy Student Label (2 copies)

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Alert 33DRC website For School Use January
11, 2010

• NON-CUMULATIVE INDIVIDUAL REPORTS FOR THE AHSGE
• The student list (non-cumulative),
• non-mastery list (non-cumulative), and
• non-mastery summary (non-cumulative for all
  students) for the midyear administration of the
  AHSGE will be posted on the DRC website at
• www.drc-web.com/reportdelivery
• on January 11, 2010.
• The system will not receive hard copies of these
  reports (See page Grade Exam-39).

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Alert 34 35DRC Website For School Use
January 13, 2010

• NON-CUMMULATIVE INDIVIDUAL DATA
• FOR MIDYEAR ADMINISTRATION OF THE AHSGE
• The school data (text and csv formats) for ALL
  students (non-cumulative) for the 2009 Midyear
  administration of the graduation examination will
  be posted on the DRC website at
• www.drc-web.com/reportdelivery on January 11,
  2010 (See page Grade Exam-39).
• The systems will receive NO hard copy of these
  reports.
• Please review the reports immediately to identify
  students whose results are missing or incorrect,
  notify Dr. McNeal at 256 428 7983 by January 21,
  2010.

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Alert 36 37Potential Match List January 6-12,
2010 for Midyear administration

• Matchback list
• The potential match list will be posted on the
  DRC website at
• www.drc-web.com/reportdelivery
• on January 6-12, 2010.
• Please complete the potential matchback list on
  the DRC website by 5 pm on
• January 12, 2010.
• Deadline to notify Research Development if any
  results are missing is January 21, 2010.

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DRC Website Passwords

• All HCS high schools have a password and should
  make either a hard copy or an electronic copy
  (floppy or CD or an external drive of
• the student list (non-cumulative),
• potential match list,
• and school data.
• The System Test Coordinator may request from the
  SDE a password for any school to use to access
  the data.
• (See page Grade Exam-59 for the application form.)

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Alert 38DRC Website January 20, 2010

• CUMULATIVE INDIVIDUAL DATA FOR THE Midyear AHSGE
• The Cumulative student list for Midyear
  administration of the AHSGE will be posted on the
  DRC website at
• www.drc-web.com/reportdelivery on
• January 20, 2010.
• (See page Grade Exam-39).

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ALERT 39Copy DRC website DATA

• Electronically save all data or print a hard copy
  of all data posted of DRC website for the
  schools records.
• This will be the schools copy of the data posted
  on the DRC website.
• The school will NOT receive a hard copy or an
  electronic file of any data posted on the DRC
  website.

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Alert 40 Hard Copy of Individual Reports

• LEAs should receive a hard copy of the individual
  reports (non-cumulative) and student labels
  (cumulative) for the midyear administration of
  January 29, 2010
• (See page Grade Exam-40).

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Notification of Test Results

• LEAs (principals) are responsible for notifying
  students and parents of the results of the
  graduation examination.
• The SDE will provide LEAs with two copies of the
  student label which indicates Pass or Fail
  for each subject-area test.
• ONE label must be placed in the students
  cumulative folder, and the other must be given to
  the student/parent.

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Alert 41For School Use Inventory Hard Copy
February 13, 2009

• Upon receipt of the cumulative individual
  results, please inventory them immediately to
  identify students who results are missing.
• If any results are missing, notify Dr. C. McNeal
  (428 7983) by February 15, 2010.

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Alert 42Rescoring AHSGE - 184

• There is a charge of 184 per student for
  rescoring subject-area test(s) of the graduation
  examination.
• The System Test Coordinator should make the
  request by submitting the Application for
  Rescoring form.
• (See page Grade Exam-55 for the rescoring form.)

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AHSGE Group Reports For 2008-09 DRC DATA

• The group reports posted on the DRC website at
  www.drc-web.com/reportdelivery are the currently
  group reports for the 2008-2009 scholastic year.

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AHSGE is available for a long time.

• For students not passing the AHSGE by the end of
  the 12th grade, documentation of instruction and
  remediation must be retained until 4 years after
  they have successfully completed the AHSGE or
  until 4 years following the students last
  attempt.
• There is no limitation to the number of times a
  student in grades 13 and 14 can attempt the AHSGE
  to obtain a diploma.

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LEA Roles and Responsibilities

• High School Principals are responsible for all
  graduation examination activities in their
  schools.
• Building Test Coordinators receive instructions
  from Principals and System Test Coordinators and
  assist the High School Principals in organizing
  the graduation examination administration
  activities within their schools.

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The AHSGE Test Schedule MUST guarantee that
students who will take the graduation
examinations are as free as possible from other
events that could distract them from giving their
best performance on the test.

• Principals have the primary responsibility for
  developing a schedule that will accommodate the
  administration of the graduation examination.
• Tests must be given on the days designated by the
  SDE.
• Tests should begin during the morning part of the
  day and have no time limit. (At least a 3 hour
  block of time each day should be scheduled.)
• Students NOT taking the test must be properly
  schedule to avoid disturbing students being
  tested. (Some scheduling suggestions are provided
  in Appendix F, p. 136).
• Students taking the graduation examination MUST
  have no other tests scheduled during the testing
  week.
• School calendars must be prepared in advance to
  eliminate events that would distract students
  from performing t their maximum, e.g., ballgames,
  practicing activities, cheerleader tryouts.
• The High School Principal or a designee Must be
  in the building at all times on all days that the
  graduation examination is being administered.

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AHSGE Building Test Coordinators

• For each specific test, the Principals and
  Building Test Coordinators are responsible for
  following all State Department regulations and
  guidelines for monitoring assessments.
• Building Test Coordinators are responsible for
  all staff and faculty training involved in
  testing.
• Building Test Coordinators will maintain
  documentation of all staff and faculty attendance
  at testing workshops.

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Preparing Rooms for TESTING

• Principal and BTC should consider the following
  in preparing rooms for testing.
• A sign TESTING, DO NOT DISTURB must be placed
  on the door of each testing room.
• Each testing room should be well lighted, well
  ventilated, free from crowding, and quiet.
• Desks should have adequate writing space and be
  in good repair.
• Separate desks are recommended.
• If tables must be used, students must be spaced
  to discourage CHEATING.
• All chalkboards in testing rooms should be
  erased.
• Poster and bulletin boards must NOT reflect any
  information that is being tested.
• Seating arrangements wile ensure that all
  students are FACING the Test Administrator with
  desks spaced as far apart as possible. A SEATING
  ARRANGEMENT THAT DISCOURAGES COPYING IS MORE
  EFFECTIVE THAN A WARNIGN AGAINST COPYING.
• Students MUST have assigned seats do not allow
  students to select where they sit.
• Testing in the lunchroom, where interruptions and
  noise are common, is not recommended.
• Proper seating accommodations should be made for
  left-handed students if necessary.

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HCS TEST SECURITY PLAN filed with the SDE

• The materials are disseminated to and collected
  from the Building Test Coordinators, who count
  all materials and sign inventory forms and who
  are ACCOUNTABLE for all materials in their
  schools.
• When testing materials are disseminated to or
  collected from the Building Test Coordinators and
  Test Administrators, the materials will be
  counted and required inventory forms will be used
  and signed.
• When Testing materials are not in use, they must
  be stored in a secure location.

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Accommodations for Special Populations for
Extended Time

• Provisions should be made for students of special
  populations who may need more than one day to
  complete each subject-area test. SDE permission
  is required.

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Written Documentation of Qualification for
Accommodations

• Two types of written documentation are required
  for a student to qualify for accommodations on
  state assessments
• Documentation of need and success of
  accommodation IN CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION and on
  CLASSROOM TESTS.
• Accommodations used successfully in classroom
  instruction and on classroom test as outlined
  must be documented in the IEP.
• Documentation of accommodations (s) on a specific
  state assessment.
• SDE APPROVAL requires 3 pieces of documentation
  - SDE Form Requesting SDE Approval for Testing
  Accommodations

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ACCOMMODATIONS must be honored they are not
optional.

• ACCOMMODATIONS are NOT OPTIONAL, if the student
  receives an accommodation for that specific test
  the accommodations listed must be given to the
  student.

97
Accommodations for Special Populations

• Provisions should be made for students of special
  populations who have testing accommodations in
  their individual IEPs or 504 services and ELLs.
• The Accommodations Checklists for all state
  mandated assessment are found in the Alabama
  Student Assessment Program Policies and
  Procedures for Students of Special Populations
  Bulletin.
• IF SDE approval is required the request must be
  submitted in writing with the following items
• IEP/504 or ELL Accommodation Checklist
• IEP/504 or ELL Participation Documentation
• SDE Form Requesting SDE Approval for Testing
  Accommodations
• Submitted to Research and Development.

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General Policies for Students of Special
PopulationsStudents with disabilities receiving
special education servicesStudents with
disability receiving 504 servicesLimited English
Proficient/English Language Learners

• All students attending public schools in Alabama
  must participate in the Alabama Student
  Assessment program.
• All decisions regarding the AL Student Assessment
  Program for students of special populations must
  be made on a INDIVIDUAL BASIS.

100
General Policies for Students of Special
PopulationsStudents with disabilities receiving
special education servicesStudents with
disability receiving 504 servicesLimited English
Proficient/English Language Learners

• All students of special populations must
  participate in the Student Assessment Program and
  be given the opportunity to earn necessary
  credits for an Alabama high school diploma and to
  take the AHSGE.
• Students of special populations must be given
  practice in taking tests similar in format and
  content prior to participating in an assessment.
• Students of special populations who FAIL to pass
  the AHSGE must be treated the same as regular
  students who fail to pass the AHSGE. It is the
  responsibility of the LEA to notify students and
  parent/s guardians of the consequences of NOT
  taking or failing the test.

101
Testing Accommodations

• The purpose of testing accommodations for a
  student with a disability is to enable the
  student to demonstrate his or her degree of
  achievement.
• When the disability prevents the student from
  being able to demonstrate what he or she knows or
  is able to do, testing accommodations may be
  needed.
• Accommodations should be made to ensure that each
  student with a disability receives individual
  consideration of his or her disability.

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108
Transcription of Answers from Test Booklets to
Answer Documents

• For students utilizing the accommodation of
  marking their answers in the test booklets or
  marking by machine, the answer must be
  transcribed to regular answer documents for
  scoring.
• Transcription of answers from the test documents
  to regular answer documents for scoring MUST be
  done by TWO CERTIFIED PERSONNEL.

109
Procedures for the Emergency Rules Change for
Special Education

• March 11, 2004 AL State Board of Education
  adopted emergency rules that added an alternative
  route for students with disabilities to receive
  the AL High School Diploma.
• March 12, 2004 Procedures for the Emergency
  Rules Change for Special Education Question 7
  May a student with a disability working toward an
  AOD who has passed all but ONE part of the AHSGE
  qualify for the general diploma under this new
  rule?
• Students with disability are eligible to receive
  the AL High School Diploma
• if they pass ALL but ONE subject-area test of the
  AHSGE,
• meet all other graduation documentation for the
  AOD,
• and have there required alternate documentation.
• Required Alternate documentation
• Obtained all required course credit AOB,
• Document the disability(s) in the area where a
  subject-area test of the AHSGE was not passed,
• Participated in remediation,
• Met attendance requirements, and
• Hold a cumulative C average in Grades 9-12.

110
Revised Rule Change for Awarding the Alabama High
School Diploma for students with Disabilities.

• Two memorandums addressing the revision of the
  Procedures for the Emergency Rule Change for
  Special Education
• Memo 1 April 23, 2004 Revision of the
  Procedures for the Emergency Rule Change for
  Special Education
• Memo 2 March 1, 2006 Clarification Regarding
  the Revised Rule Change for Awarding the Alabama
  High School Diploma for Student with Disabilities.

111
Criteria for Special Ed or 504 students who
qualify under Emergency Rules Change for Special
Education to be awarded a AL High School Diploma

• Jan. 26, 2006 System Special Education
  Coordinators or 504 Coordinators must verify that
  the student meets the criteria for the Emergency
  Rules Change for Special Education/504 to be
  awarded a AL High School Diploma.
• Completion of all course credit for the AL High
  School Diploma or completion of all course
  credits for the AOD.
• Documentation of the disability(s) which
  substantially limits achievement in the area of
  the ONE subject-area test of the AHSGE that was
  not passed.
• Participation in remediation activities (extent
  and nature determined by the local school system)
  during high school.
• Met attendance requirements of the local school
  system.
• Hold a cumulative C grade average for all
  Coursework (Grade 9-12).

112
Documentation of the disability(s) which
substantially limits their ability to demonstrate
achievement in the area of the ONE subject-area
test of the AHSGE that was not passed.

• Students receiving test accommodation that
  address their disability(s) will NOT be eligible
  under this new rule.
• Example
• A student with a documented reading disability(s)
  who has the math subject-area test read to them
  will NOT be a candidate under this rule change
  based on their reading disability.

113
Reading Accommodation for a student with a
Reading Disability NOT a candidate for
Emergency Rules Change for Special Education/504

• The following additional information and examples
  provide further clarification
• A student with a documented reading disability(s)
  who has the
• math,
• language,
• science, or
• social studies subject-area test(s) read to them
  would not be a candidate under this rule change
  based on their reading disability because the
  reading accommodation that was provided directly
  addressed the reading disability.

114
Extended time, preferential seating, and testing
by a special education teacher A candidate for
Emergency Rules Change for Special Education/504

• A student with a documented disability in math
  whose accommodation on the math subject-area test
  include
• extended time,
• preferential seating, and
• testing by a special education teacher could be a
  candidate for this rule change because the
  accommodations that were provided do not directly
  address the math disability.

115
Calculator on Math NOT a candidate for
Emergency Rules Change for Special Education/504

• A student diagnosed with dyscalculia who uses a
  calculator on the math subject-area test would
  not be a candidate under this rule change because
  the accommodation that was provided directly
  addresses the math disability.

116
Accommodation provided either directly
addresses the disability (not a candidate)or
does not directly addresses the disability (a
candidate for the Emergency Rules Change for
Special Education/504).

• Students who have testing accommodations in their
  instructional program SHOULD be provided these
  testing accommodation on the AHSGE as long as
  they are approved accommodations and DO NOT
  CHANGE the
• Nature,
• Content, or
• Integrity
• Of the AHSGE.

117
Who is an LEP1 student and how long is the
student considered LEP1?

• An LEP student during their first academic year
  of enrollment in U.S. school is defined as an LEP
  student who has attended schools in the united
  States (not including Puerto Rico) for less than
  12 months.
• The definition provides a window the students
  first 12 month attending school in the U.S.
  within which time such a student is entitled to a
  one-time exemption from academic content
  assessment in reading/language arts.

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119
Preparing Students for the Graduation Examination

• Students should be prepared for the test both
  physically and mentally.
• The Item Specifications distributed to all LEAs
  by the SDE describe the content that students
  should be taught prior to testing.
• Test Administrators and Proctors should feel
  comfortable and confident with the contents of
  the Test Administrators Manual during testing.

120
New Bulletin 2009 Building Test Coordinator

• Assigns no more than 35 students to each Proctor.
  
• This is a list of NAMES of 35 students.
• Proctors must also be made aware of all students
  of special populations on their assigned list
  that receive approved accommodations specified in
  the IEP/540 Plan/LEP Plan.
• Reports testing irregularities immediately to the
  STC and the HS Principal and with the STC and the
  HS Principal regarding such irregularities.

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124
New Definition Test Administrators Role

• Attends appropriate training sessions concerning
  the Graduation Examination Program.
• Becomes thoroughly familiar with the Test
  Administrator's Manual Prior to testing.
• Ensures the security of testing materials while
  they are in the testing room before, during, and
  after testing and has a systematic method in
  place to ensure test materials have NOT been
  accessed by unauthorized personnel.
• Counts all testing materials received from the
  Building Test Coordinator and signs FORM L-6,
  Test Administrator Receipt and Return of
  Graduation Examination Testing Materials, EACH
  day of testing.
• Has a supply of 2 pencils and scratch paper.
  Scratch paper can be used for all subject-area
  tests.
• Ensures proper identification of each person
  entering the testing room.

125
New Bulletin 2009Test Administrators Role

• Reads directions in the Test Administrators
  Manual WORD FOR WORD.
• Distributes testing materials according to
  directions given in the Test Administrators
  Manual.
• Ensures that students of special populations are
  provided all approved accommodations in their
  IEP/504 Plan/LEP Plan.
• Provides reading accommodation to students of
  special populations who qualify for the
  accommodation.
• Allows breaks according to Dismissal Procedures
  (Appendix F, pp 136-39).
• REMAINS in the testing room during the entire
  testing time.

126
New Bulletin 2009Test Administrator

• Assists the Proctor(s) as students are taking the
  test by moving quietly around the room to see
  that students are following directions.
• Conducts only those activities specified in the
  Test Administrators Manual during testing.
  (Excludes reading a book, working a crossword
  puzzle, working on the computer, grading papers,
  etc.)
• MAINTAIN CONTROL OF STUDENTS.
• Allows students to leave the testing room for
  emergencies ONLY and with supervision.
• Ensures that each students answer document, test
  booklet, calculator (math subject-area test),
  reference page (math subject-area tests), and
  scratch paper are accounted for each day BEFORE
  any students are dismissed from the testing room.
• Assists Proctors in counting test booklets,
  calculators (math subject-area test), and
  reference pages (math and science subject-area
  test) and in inspecting completed answer
  documents to ensure that they are in proper
  condition for scoring.
• Removes from bulletin boards and walls any
  information that might supply answers to test
  questions. Information on bulletin boards and
  walls may be covered using butcher paper.
• Completes special codes information on answer
  documents after students complete testing.

127
New Bulletin 2009Test Administrator

• Dismisses students according to Dismissal
  Procedures. (See Appendix F. pp. 131-134).
• Checks each answer document DAILY to ensure that
  each student ahs answers in the right section of
  the answer document
• Checks each completed answer document to ensure
  that each student has gridded the correct
  information (first and last name, social security
  number, birth ate, SSID number, gender, and
  GRADE).
• Completes special codes information on answer
  documents after students complete testing.
• Returns DAILY all testing materials, including
  scratch paper, to the BTC and signs Form L-6,
  Test Administrator Receipt and Return of
  Graduation Examination Testing Materials, and/or
  Form L-6A, Test Administrator Receipt and Return
  of Graduation Examination Testing Materials
  (Consolidated Group), immediately following
  testing each day. (See Appendix D., pp. 100-105).
• Completes irregularity report, if necessary,
  immediately after each subject-area test.
  (Include information such as defective material,
  student misconduct, and emergencies.) (See
  Appendix F., p. 135).
• Report testing irregularities immediately to the
  BTC.
• NOTE
• No relative of a student who is taking the test
  may serve as a TA for that student.
• No student intern may serve as a TA.

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130
New Bulletin 2009Proctors Role

• Attends appropriate training sessions concerning
  the graduation exam.
• Assists the Test Administrator in maintaining
  test security.
• Obtains a list of NO more than 35 assigned
  students from the Building Test Coordinator.
• Assists the Test Administrator in preparing
  testing materials for distribution to students on
  days of testing.
• Remains in the testing room during the ENTIRE
  testing time except when accompanying students to
  the restroom or lunch.

131
New Bulletin 2009Proctors Role

• Checks to see that left-handed students have
  proper seating accommodations.
• Takes responsibility for and maintains control of
  a specific area of the testing room.
• Verifies that students are in assigned seats
  after they enter the testing room.
• Knows the names of students who may require
  closer observation than other students.
• Checks to see that students of special
  populations receive ALL approved accommodations
  specified in their IEP/504 Plan/LEP Plan.

132
New Bulletin 2009Proctors Role

• Ensure that desks are clear of everything except
  2 pencils and testing materials checks for
  calculators and/or calculator watches before the
  mathematics and science subject-area test.
• Checks to see that students taking the
  MATHEMATICS are using ONLY the state-provided
  calculator during the mathematics subject-area
  test.
• Assists the Test Administrator in distributing
  and collecting testing materials booklets and
  answer documents, calculators, scratch paper, and
  2 pencils if necessary.
• Checks on SCIENCE day to see that all students
  have the correct subject-area test booklet of the
  examination (i.e., science or biology).
• WALKS AMONG STUDENTS while the Test Administrator
  is explaining how to complete demographic
  information to ensure that the information is
  filled in correctly.

133
New Bulletin 2009Proctors Role

• Checks to see that left-handed students have
  proper seating accommodations.
• Takes responsibility for and maintains control of
  a specific area of the testing room.
• Verifies that students are in assigned seats
  after they enter the testing room.
• Knows the names of students who may require
  closer observation than other students.
• Checks to see that students of special
  populations receive ALL approved accommodations
  specified in their IEP/504 Plan/LEP Plan.

134
New Bulletin 2009Proctors Responsibilities

• Walks around and observes during test to see that
  students are
• Marking answers dark enough.
• Marking answers that have the same numbers as the
  corresponding items in the test booklet.
• Choosing only one answer per item.
• Reading items before marking answers.
• Marking or Responding in the Appropriate section
  of the answer document (both during testing and
  upon returning from a restroom/lunch break).
• Circulates among students during testing to
  discourage cheating and other forms of misconduct
  and to be available to answer students questions
  regarding testing procedures only.
• Prohibits talking during tests, except for
  legitimate questions that students ask. (Does
  not answer any questions regarding the content of
  the test.)

135
New Bulletin 2009Proctors Role

• Reports any unusual circumstances (e.g.,
  suspicion of cheating) to the TA immediately.
• Accompanies students on restroom/lunch breaks.
• Collect all test booklets, answer documents,
  calculators (mathematics subject-area test),
  reference pages (mathematics subject-area test),
  and scratch paper according to the directions in
  the Test Administrators Manual and this
  handbook.
• Places test booklets in numerical order and
  answer documents in alphabetical order.
• Separated test booklets, used answer documents,
  unused answer documents, calculators (mathematics
  subject-area test), reference pages (mathematics
  subject-area test), and scratch paper.
• Assists the TA in accounting for test booklets,
  used answer documents, unused answer documents,
  calculators (mathematics subject-area test),
  reference pages (mathematics subject-area test),a
  and scratch paper.
• Assist the TA in completing the double-checking
  special codes.
• Reports testing irregularities immediately to the
  BTC. (See Appendix F., p 140.)

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138
AHSGE FALL Monitors

• Dr. Janice Pruitt
• Huntsville High School
• Donna Clark
• Johnson High School
• John Skipworth
• Grissom High School
• Kay Zirbel
• Columbia High School
• Debbie Mizer
• Lee High School
• Jeff Reed
• Seldon Center
• Linda Lykins
• Butler High School
• Shelia Roby
• New Century High School

139
MONITORING CHECK LIST

• Ample Supplies.
• Students have assigned seats.
• Familiar with the AHSGE Administrative Procedures
  Handbook.
• Read the directions verbatim.
• Students in order before the testing session
  starts.
• Appropriate number of Proctors.
• Proctor(s) check answer documents for correct
  gridding of student information.

140
Monitoring Check List

• Proctor(s) keep a close watch over all assigned
  students.
• Proctor(s) follow the role description.
• Test Administrator follows the roll description.
• Testing session is FREE from distractions or
  interruptions.
• Test Administrator provides a positive,
  supportive, yet neutral atmosphere.
• Students are comfortable and taking the test
  seriously.
• Dismissal Procedures handled properly.
• Test materials are collected and packaged
  appropriately.
• Test security is taken seriously.
• All standardized procedures are followed
  correctly.

141
Monitors Role

• Attends appropriate training sessions concerning
  the AHSGE.
• Enters the room BEFORE testing begins.
• REMAINS seated in the room quietly during the
  entire testing time.
• OBSERVES during testing to see that all
  procedures are followed (distribution of
  materials, administration of test, collection of
  materials, etc.).
• Completes documentation of observation and gives
  it to the System Test Coordinator (See Form L-10,
  Appendix D, p. 109).
• Reports testing irregularities to the System Test
  Coordinator.
• MONITORS SHOULD NOT INTERACT WITH STUDENTS DURING
  TESTING.

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144
Monitors will check the following items

• Monitors will check to see that each Proctor is
  assigned a list of NO more than 35 students from
  the BTC.
• Monitors will check to see that each Proctor is
  aware of all assigned students of special
  population and that all approved accommodations
  specified in that students IEP/504 Plan/LEP Plan
  are being followed.

145
Providing Student Orientation for the Graduation
Examination PRIOR to Each Administration

• The Principals participation in the Orientation
  Session will emphasize the importance of the
  AHSGE.
• It is the responsibility of the PRINCIPAL to
  ensure that all students eligible to take the
  graduation examination are informed of and attend
  this session.
• This session should include, but not be limited
  to the following
• Emphasize the importance of the graduation
  examination.
• Encourage students to get ample sleep and to eat
  a proper breakfast during the week of testing.
• Encourage students to approach the test with a
  positive attitude.
• Make a statement concerning cheating and other
  misconduct. Describe all circumstances contained
  in Chapter V. pp 43-44.
• Inform students of the way entering and leaving
  the room will be handled during the testing
  session. (See Chapter V., pp 41-42).
• Discuss the testing day's schedule with students.
  
• Assign students to testing room(s).

146
Providing Student Orientation for the Graduation
Examination PRIOR to Each Administration

• Make the following announcements to students
• Students must bring 2 sharpened 2 pencils to the
  testing room each day.
• Students must NOT bring calculators into the
  testing room.
• Students must NOT bring cell phones, MP3 players,
  and pagers into the testing room.
• There will be breaks in accordance with the
  dismissal procedures.
• During breaks (including lunch break) students
  cannot study or ready any materials.
• Students may bring reading material to use after
  completing the test. READING MATERIALS MUST NOT
  BE RELATED TO THE SUBJECT AREA BEING TESTING.
• Students will NOT be permitted to write on
  anything after completing the test each day.
• Subject-area tests will be given in the mornings.
• The subject-area tests will NOT be times.
• Test results will be returned to the students
  within ONE month.
• Inform the students about remediation for any
  subject-area test NOT passed.
• Allow ample time for students questions.

147
Break Procedures

• Breaks are allowed in accordance with Dismissal
  Procedures on Page 131-134(AHSGE Administrative
  Procedures Handbook).
• If all students have not completed the test
  within 90 minutes, testing should be stopped to
  allow students who have completed the test to
  leave quietly. Students who need to continue to
  work on the test should be given an opportunity
  for a brief stretch or restroom break.
• To maintain test security, Proctors should
  accompany students to the rest room and/or the
  lunch break.
• Following the break, the Principal may either
  move the students who have not finished the test
  to a common area or have these students return to
  their original testing room.
• Standard testing procedures must be adhered to
  during the continuation of the test. There must
  be a Test Administrator and the appropriate
  number of Proctors (one Proctor for every 35
  students).
• Students should be allowed to complete the test
  without feeling pressured. However, a student
  who is purposely delaying should be encouraged to
  complete the test.
• Students who continue to need time for testing
  should be given additional breaks after each 90
  minutes of testing.
• If testing extends into the lunch schedule,
  students should be given a lunch break.
• After ALL students have completed the test and
  all testing materials are accounted for, dismiss
  all students.

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Allows breaks according to Dismissal Procedures

• Allows breaks according to Dismissal Procedures
  (Appendix F, pp 131-134 Handbook of
  Administrative Procedures for the AHSGE.
• NO breaks until after 90 minutes from the start
  of the test.
• DO NOT TAKE a BREAK before 90 minutes of testing.

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Entering Leaving the Testing Room LATE

• A student who arrives AFTER testing has begun may
  enter the testing room at following these
  guidelines.
• A students who arrives at school after testing
  has begun many enter the testing room at a
  scheduled break and begin testing.
• If a student must leave the testing room for any
  reason other than MISCONDUCT, (e.g., illness,)
  he/she may reenter the testing room to resume
  testing after the scheduled break. If a student
  is unable to resume testing, contact Dr. McNeal
  for further instructions.
• During the time a student is OUT of the testing
  room, he/she must be in a supervised area,
  isolated from other students.
• Students should be dismissed from the testing
  room according to the directions given in the
  Dismissal Procedures. (See Appendix F. pp.
  131-134).
• DO NOT DENY STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY to take the
  AHSGE.

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Leaving the Testing Room

• If a student has to leave the testing room for
  any reason other than MISCONDUCT, e.g., illness,
  he/she may reenter the testing room to resume
  testing after the scheduled break. If the
  student is unable to resume testing, contact Dr.
  C. McNeal, HCS Test Coordinator.
• During the time a student is OUT of the testing
  room, he/she must be in a SUPERVISED AREA,
  isolated from other students.
• Students should be dismissed from the testing
  room according to the directions given in the
  Dismissal Procedures.

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Reading Materials

• A student may bring reading material to the
  testing room. The reading material should not be
  related to the subject-area being tested.
• The reading material MUST be placed under the
  desk until the student completes the subject-area
  test.
• After the test booklet, answer document,
  calculator (mathematics subject-area test),
  referenc