Title: Hidalgo I.S.D. Office of Testing
1Hidalgo I.S.D. Office of Testing Program
EvaluationMarch 2010TAKS/TAKS-M Administrator
Training
- General Overview The Texas Assessment of
Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), TAKS-Accommodated,
TAKS-Modified, as well as the TAKS Exit Level
Retest will be administered the week of March
1-5, 2010. The Texas Education Agency assesses
the statewide curriculum (TEKS) in ways that
reflect classroom instruction. The instructions
in this training explain the responsibilities of
test administrators for all 2010 TAKS grade 3 -
Exit-Level (Retest) test administrations. Test
preparation and administration procedures must be
followed exactly so that all individuals eligible
for testing have an equal opportunity to
demonstrate their academic achievement. (Note
This Training Does Not Take the Place of Reading
the Appropriate Manuals.)
bEYOND mEASURE Hidalgo ISD Assessment
Program Evaluation 2009-2010
2Test Eligibility
- Students are required to participate in this
test if - They are enrolled in grades
- Grade 4 Writing English/Spanish
- Grade 7 Writing
- Grade 9 Reading
- Grade 10 and Exit Level (11) ELA
- Grade Exit Level Re-testers (11th , 12th, Early
Graduates, Continuing Graduates 5-Year/6-Year
and Out-of-District) ELA, Math, Science, Soc.
Studies
3 Test Security and Confidentiality
- All TAKS/TAKS-Acc, TAKS-M, including Retest
administrations are governed by the same set of
security standards. Test security involves
accounting for all test materials before, during,
and after the test administration. Trained,
certified personnel and/or their designees are
the only individuals authorized to have access to
test material, and all secure items must be kept
in locked storage when not in use. Materials
should be carefully inventoried upon receipt.
4Test Security and Confidentiality Continued
- Confidential integrity involves protecting the
contents of all test booklets, completed answer
documents and ancillary materials such as
specific braille instructions, dyslexia proper
nouns lists, or linguistic simplification guides.
Maintaining confidential integrity requires
compliance with all of (but not limited to) the
following guidelines - See pages 4-5 of the 2010 TAKS General Test
Administrator Manual
5Security Oaths
- All district and campus personnel who handle
secure test materials must sign a security oath
(General Test Security Oath and Specific Test
Administration Security Oath or Non-Certified
Personnel Security Oath). They must be signed
before handling secure test materials. Test
administrators must sign an oath for each
administration, in addition to a separate oath
for any role they serve in an online test
administration. Any person who serves more than
one role must sign a security oath for each role.
6Security Oaths Continued
- Note the process for initialing and signing
oaths has changed. All district and campus
personnel who handle secure test materials must
sign a security oath. - Any person who has more than one testing role
(for instance, a principal who also serves as - campus coordinator) must sign a security oath for
each role. - Test administrators will now be required to sign
an oath following the general training on test
security and test administration procedures. They
will then be required to sign an oath following
each administration-specific training, as well as
after each administration. - The administration-specific oath includes a
special section to be signed by test
administrators who give an oral administration of
a test. - Security oaths for test administrators can be
found in appendix E of this manual and in the
grade-specific test administration directions. - Test administrators, technology staff, and other
school personnel who will be present in the
testing room must sign an oath for each
administration. - All other testing personnel are required to sign
only one oath for the 2010 testing year. - All oaths (except for the administration-specific
test administrators oath) are valid thru October
2010 - for all test administrations including
any field testing conducted during this time
period. - The oath must be returned to the campus
coordinator and it will be kept on file for at
least five years. You must sign the second part
of the oath at the end of each test
administration. - Security Oaths for paraprofessionals can be found
in your HISD documentation training packet.
7Departures from Test Administration Procedures
- Incidents resulting in a deviation from
documented testing procedures are defined as
testing irregularities. - Each person participating in the testing program
is directly responsible for reporting immediately
to the campus/district coordinator any violation
or suspected violation of test security or
confidential integrity. - Failure to report to the appropriate authority
that an individual has engaged in conduct that
violates the security or confidential integrity
of a test violates 19 TAC 101.65(d)(7) and could
result in sanctions.
8Penalties for Prohibited Conduct
- In accordance with 19 TAC 101.65(e), any person
who violates, assists in the violation of, or
solicits another person to violate or assist in
the violation of test security or confidential
integrity, and any person who fails to report
such a violation, may be penalized through
9 Penalties for Prohibited Conduct Continued
- Placement of restrictions on the issuance,
renewal, or holding of a Texas teacher
certificate, - Issuance of an inscribed or non-inscribed
reprimand - Suspension of a Texas teacher certificate for a
set term - Revocation or cancellation of a Texas teacher
certificate without opportunity for
reapplication, either for a set term or
permanently - Irregularities in test security or
confidentiality may result in the invalidation of
student results
10 Penalties for Prohibited Conduct Continued
- Certified personnel are directly responsible for
supervising certified or non-certified
paraprofessionals. If a violation occurs under
this circumstance, the certified professional is
subject to the penalties listed above as well. - No person may view, reveal, discuss, or score the
contents of an assessment instrument at any time
unless expressly authorized to do so by the test
administration materials. Release or disclosure
of confidential test items could result in
criminal prosecution under Section 552.352 of the
Texas Government Code and Section 37.10 of the
Texas Penal Code.
11Testing Irregularities
- Categories describing the more common
irregularities are listed below - Eligibility Error
- Individualized Education Program Implementation
Issue - Improper Accounting for Secure Materials
- Monitoring Error
- Procedural Error
12Potential Referral to the Educator Certification
and Standards Division
- See pg. 8 of your 2010 TAKS General Test
Administrator Manual
13Potential Referral to the Educator Certification
and Standards Division
- Testing personnel viewed a test before, during,
or after an assessment (unless specifically
authorized to do so by the procedures outlined in
the test administrator materials. - Testing personnel scored student tests.
- Testing personnel discussed secure test content
or student responses. - Testing personnel made a copy of secure materials
without permission from TEA. - Testing personnel directly or indirectly assisted
students with responses to test questions. - Testing personnel tampered with student
responses. - Testing personnel revealed confidential student
information.
14Consequences for Students Caught Cheating on
State Assessments
- Students who are caught cheating may have their
tests invalidated and may not receive scores.
Additional disciplinary action may be taken at
the local level in accordance with district
policy.
15Test Coordinator/Administrator Training
- Individuals who will serve as test
coordinators/administrators should be trained
prior to administering any test. They should be
trained in TAKS testing procedures and the
procedures unique to specific accommodated test
administrations (i.e. large print, oral,
dyslexia, LAT, individual/small group)
Directions for administering these tests should
be read carefully by test administrators before
testing begins
16Active Monitoring
- Active monitoring means that test administrators
must be actively engaged while students are
working on the test, moving about the room and
aware of students actions. - Test administrators should confirm that students
do not have ballpoint pens, markers, cell phones. - Test administrators should confirm that students
have bubbled their responses on the answer
document. - Principals and campus test coordinators should
confirm that test administrators are actively
monitoring in each testing room. - See supplemental material online modules
17What is NOT Active Monitoring?
- Anything that takes the test administrators
attention away from the students during testing.
Examples include - Working on the computer or doing email.
- Reading a book, magazine, or newspaper.
- Grading papers or doing lesson planning.
- Leaving the room without a trained substitute
test administrator in the room. - Leaving students unattended during lunch or
breaks. - Test Monitors/Administrators may NOT read the
test content over a students shoulder and may
NOT examine specific student responses during
testing, since doing this will be a test security
violation committed while actively monitoring.
18On-Site Monitoring by TEA
- TEA will again be conducting on-site visits to
districts and campuses throughout the 2010
testing year. - TEA will use independent test monitors.
- The monitors will show up unannounced.
- Monitors report to the superintendents office
first and then will go to campuses. - TEA Monitors will first report to the campus main
office and sign in using the normal campus
visitor process. They will show an authorization
letter signed by our Superintendent, Edward
Blaha. - Provide them with campus maps and information
about testing procedures. Answer their questions
and provide them with any requested documents.
19Test Accommodations
- A number of testing accommodations are available
for students who need them. (see newly expanded
2009-2010 Accommodations Manual) - Any student may be considered for an allowable
accommodation. Students who receive special
education/ section 504 services must have all
accommodations documented in the IEP/IAP. - Certain accommodations require an Accommodation
Request Form that will need TEA approval (There
is a two-week processing period for all ARF
considerations) . See pages 44-47 of 2009-2010
Accommodations Manual for a description of
Objective Evidence required for all ARF
submissions.
20Test Materials
- All students need to be given one
grade-appropriate test booklet - All students need to be given one answer document
- All students need to be given two 2 sharpened
pencils with eraser - One math chart per student if applicable
- One science chart if applicable
- One answer document for teacher demonstration
- Other materials that apply to the accommodated
test administrations see Section Prepare test
materials for distribution in your manual
21Breaks and Lunch
- Breaks are not mandatory. Test administrators
should use their own judgment in determining
whether any are necessary. During breaks,
students must not discuss the contents of the
test, and test booklets must be closed with
answer documents inside. At your discretion,
student may be allowed to take restroom breaks
one at a time or as an entire class. - If testing continues through lunch, students must
remain together as a group and be closely
monitored to ensure that students do not discuss
the contents of the test. Instruct students to
place their answer documents inside their test
booklets. Collect the booklets and place them in
locked storage. Students must remain together as
a group and be closely monitored by a trained
test administrator to ensure that they do not
discuss the contents of the test. - Hall monitors should check restrooms every 20-30
minutes using the Restroom Clearance Logs. - Hall monitors should confirm that restrooms and
hallways are clear of potential test security or
integrity violations.
22During Testing Procedures
- No cell phones or other two-way telecommunication
devices (students, teachers, campus/district
monitors). - Students may use highlighters in non-scorable
test booklets (NOT allowed for grade 3). - No scratch paper for any TAKS testing (except as
an accommodation or for an online test). - Test administrators are not allowed to answer any
question relating to the content of the test
itself.
23During Testing Procedures
- Test administrators cannot leave the room unless
a trained test administrator is present. - May change testing rooms as long as test security
is not breached.
24During Testing Procedures
- Reinforcing, reviewing, and/or distributing
testing strategies on the day of an assessment is
strictly prohibited. Providing this type of
assistance to students may result in the
invalidation of their tests and compromise the
assurance that all individuals are equitably
tested in accordance with the guidelines for
standardized assessments. - You cannot require students to use any particular
test taking strategy. Students can use test
taking strategies but you cannot require them to
do so during the test. This includes first
marking answers in test booklet and then
transferring them later to the answer document. - Students must be allowed to work (not sleep
quietly resting for brief periods of time is
allowed at teachers professional discretion) at
their own pace. Students may not be directed to
speed up or slow down.
25During Testing Procedures
- Students must remain seated during testing and
are not allowed to talk while test booklets are
open. - Students are not allowed to work on a previous
section of the test or a section that has not yet
been administered. - IMPORTANT Test administrators may NOT carry
their secure test material around during their
lunch break (i.e. staff lounge, cafeteria,
classroom, office, etc.) These materials MUST
ALWAYS be placed in locked storage when not in
use.
26Emergencies
- If a student leaves the testing room, the test
administrator should store their testing
materials until they return. - If a student cannot continue the test, campus
testing coordinators should VOID the students
answer document, place under a Voided Header
Sheet, and return with scorable materials to
central office. - If a student needs more time to test and must be
moved to another testing room, the student should
place their answer document in the test booklet
and a trained test administrator should carry the
tests to the next room and redistribute them once
the students are ready to continue. Please
document any room changes with a change of room
form and a new seating chart.
27Cell Phones
- The use of cell phones during testing is not
permitted at any time. - During test administration dates, students and
test administrators shall adhere to the District
cell phone use policy found in the Local Test
Administrator Training Manual. see District
Practices - Students and test administrators are not
permitted to use cell phones for the following
reasons - Making or receiving calls disrupts the testing
environment by disturbing other students - Making or receiving calls could compromise the
integrity of the test - The text messaging and camera features of cell
phones could be used to compromise the integrity
of the test
28Specific Test Administration Directions
- The test administration directions found in the
Test Administrator Manual in addition to or in
lieu of the LAT, Dyslexia Bundle, Oral or Large
Print administration manual/supplement should be
read to students before each administration. - Test Administrators should read aloud WORD for
WORD the material printed in bold type and
preceded by the word SAY. - Be cautious of administrations that require
non-traditional testing schedules such as oral
administrations, two-day administrations (LAT or
Dyslexia Bundled Accommodations), etc. Read,
read, read the manuals before testing day!!!
29Test Administration Directions Continued
- For the written composition, you must NOT read
the writing prompt aloud unless a student
specifically requests that it be read aloud. Do
NOT read the writing prompt to the entire class,
as not all students will have the same writing
prompt. If a student asks a question about the
prompt, you may say, I can not explain it to
you just respond to the prompt in the best way
you can.
30Ensuring proper testing procedures...
- See Activity 6 in your TAKS General Test
Administrator Manual to read how test
administrations should be conducted under the
best possible conditions. - Campus principals must approve all rooms used for
testing ensuring that they are clear of possible
security/integrity violations by signing a
Classroom Clearance Form before testing begins.
31Answering Questions
- Test administrators and school personnel are NOT
allowed to - answer questions related to the content of the
test itself. If a student asks a question that
you are not permitted to answer, you may respond,
for example, I cant answer that for you just
do the best you can. - translate test questions into another language
(except in sign language) - rephrase or add information to questions
- discuss test questions with anyone before,
during, or after testing or - score test items or discuss with students how
they performed
32Returning your test material
- After testing, follow the directions on Activity
8 of your TAKS General Test Administrator Manual
before you return your test material to your
campus coordinator - Your campus coordinator will verify that you have
returned all test booklets. Your campus test
coordinator will sign the Materials Control Form
similar to the sample found on pg. 55 of your
TAKS General Test Administrator Manual in order
to document that all materials were returned
according to the directions and procedures
stipulated by the Texas Education Agency.
33Conflict or Confluence Ethical Standards in
Assessment - Thought of the Day...
- A Firm Foundation of Knowledge is a constant
source of strength!
34Thank You for Your Dedication
- Again - thank you for all of your hard work and
dedication to ensuring that all of our Students
have the Opportunity for Academic Achievement
Through the Texas Assessment Program
35Contact Information
- Campus Testing Coordinator
- Campus Testing Team
- Campus Principal/Asst. Principals
-
- OR
- Sandra Garza-Cavazos
- Hidalgo I.S.D. Assessment Program
Evaluation - 843-4431 office 605-1958 district cell
- SaCavazos_at_hidalgo-isd.org
bEYOND mEASURE Hidalgo ISD Assessment
Program Evaluation 2009-2010