Building Test Coordinator Training October 20 – Day 1 October 21 – Day 2 EXPLORE / PLAN Fall 2014 Building Test Coordinator Training October 20 – Day 1.

EXPLORE / PLANFall 2014

Building Test Coordinator Training

October 20 – Day 1October 21 – Day 2

Cathy C. McNeal, Ed.D.

October 1, 2014

Primary Contact

• Dr. Cathy McNeal, Director, Research and Development with Huntsville City Schools is your primary contact for EXPLORE and PLAN assessment, including additional materials, special formats, and/or shipping at 256 428 6966.

Benchmark Scores

Test Subject Grade

Benchmark or Minimum Proficiency

LevelACT Explore English 8 13ACT Explore Mathematics 8 17ACT Explore Science 8 18ACT Explore Reading 8 16

ACT Plan English 10 15ACT Plan Mathematics 10 19ACT Plan Reading 10 18ACT Plan Science 10 20

ACT English 11 18ACT Mathematics 11 22ACT Reading 11 22ACT Science 11 23

Explore and Plan Pick Up on October 14, 2014Butler HS – Research & Development

School Time School Time

AAA 8:30 ASFL 8:30

Challenger 8:45 Chapman 8:45

Davis Hills 9:00 Ed White 9:00

Hampton Cove 9:15 Huntsville 9:15

Mt. Gap 9:30 Providence 9:30

Whitesburg 9:45 Westlawn 9:45

Butler 10:00 Williams 10:00

Grissom 10:15 Columbia 10:15

Huntsville High 10:30 New Century 10:30

Lee High 10:45 Johnson High 10:45

Explore and Plan RETURN on October 23, 2014Butler HS – Research & Development

School Time School Time

AAA 8:30 ASFL 8:30

Challenger 8:45 Chapman 8:45

Davis Hills 9:00 Ed White 9:00

Hampton Cove 9:15 Huntsville 9:15

Mt. Gap 9:30 Providence 9:30

Whitesburg 9:45 Westlawn 9:45

Butler 10:00 Williams 10:00

Grissom 10:15 Columbia 10:15

Huntsville High 10:30 New Century 10:30

Lee High 10:45 Johnson High 10:45

EXPLORE and PLANFrequently Asked Questions

• What constitutes a small group for PLAN and EXPLORE?– A small group consists of 10 or fewer students.

• How will absences be handled for PLAN and EXPLORE assessments? – The testing window is October 15-23, 2014. All testing, including make-up

testing, must be completed within the state approved window. • If EXPLORE or PLAN is scheduled for October 22, the last day of the

window, will students be able to make up the test?– No. All testing must be completed within the testing window—October 15-

22, 2014.• Will repeating 8th graders take EXPLORE? Will repeating 10th graders

take PLAN?– ALL students currently enrolled in grade 8 will take EXPLORE. All students

enrolled in grade 10 will take PLAN.


• One of the alerts in the Training Handbook says, “Do not admit anyone to the testing room once the timed tests have begun.” May a student be admitted during the 5-minute break?

– No. Once testing begins, no one may be admitted to the testing room. The four parts of the test must be administered in the order indicated in the Supervisor’s Manual. The student who arrives late may be tested when other students who are absent make up the test.

• Can the assessments be administered in class periods or throughout the day?– No. The demographics and non-academic part of the test may be administered on one day

and the academic part of the test may be administered on the second day. The academic part of the test must be administered exactly as described in the Supervisor’s Manual.

• When was the information for Pre-ID labels pulled from INOW?– Information from the ALSDE INOW accumulator was pulled on September, 2014.

• If any of the information on the Pre-ID label is not correct, what should be gridded?

– Building Test Coordinators will destroy a label that has incorrect information. The student’s answer folder will be treated as though no label was provided.

• If a student has a Pre-ID label, will the Building Test Coordinator need to ensure that the status codes are gridded on the answer folder?

– No. Information for status codes is encrypted in the Pre-ID label. Gridding will need to be completed for students who do not have Pre-ID labels; however, information concerning accommodations will need to be gridded for any student receiving accommodations.


• For Test Administrator• Supervisor’s Manual• Grade 8: ACT Explore Test Booklets• Grade 10: ACT Plan Test Booklets• Answer Folders with Pre-ID Labels Attached• Seating Chart• Extra #2 Pencils (no ink or mechanical pencils)• Grade 8: ACT Explore ONLY—Plain Scratch Paper for Mathematics

Test*– *Scratch paper is not allowed for ACT Plan.

• Approved Calculator for Each Student**– **All problems on the mathematics test may be worked without

a calculator.• Countdown Timer or Stop Watch***

– ***If countdown timers or stop watches are not available, a watch with a second hand may be used.

Materials Used for ACT Explore and Act Plan

Test Booklets are NOT sequentially numbered.

General Alerts 1-3 • • This document, EXPLORE and PLAN Alerts for System and Building Test

Coordinators, provides reminders of unique characteristics of this assessment and areas that require special attention. – Heretofore, this document will be referred to as Alerts.

• 1. Dr. Cathy McNeal HCS is your primary contact for the EXPLORE and

PLAN assessments, including additional materials, special formats, and/or shipping at 256-428-6966.

• 2. The 2014 EXPLORE and PLAN will be administered – October 20 - Day 1 and October 21 - Day 2, 2014.– October 22 Make up

• 3. Students enrolled in Grade 8 will participate in the EXPLORE assessment. Students enrolled in Grade 10 will participate in the PLAN assessment.

October 20, 2014 – Monday – 8:30 am

October 21, 2014 – Tuesday – 8:30 am

All students enrolled in Grade 8 will participate in the EXPLORE assessment. All students enrolled in Grade 10 will participate in the PLAN assessment.

• October 20, 2014 - Monday• Start time 8:30 am

• Distribution of Test Materials Approximately 10 minutes• Career Interest Inventory (untimed) 40-50 minutes

• October 21, 2014 - Tuesday• Start time 8:30 am

• Distribution of Test Materials Approximately 10 minutes• English 30 minutes/EXPLORE and 30 minutes/PLAN• Mathematics 30 minutes/EXPLORE and 40 minutes/PLAN• BREAK 10 minutes EXPLORE and PLAN• Reading 30 minutes/EXPLORE and 20 minutes/PLAN• Science 30 minutes/EXPLORE and 25 minutes/PLAN

General Alert 4• • 4. The Building Test Coordinators, Principals, Monitors,

Room Supervisors, and Proctors working with Grade 8 ACT Explore and/or Grade 10 ACT Plan must be familiar with the following documents:– 2014-15 ACT Explore Supervisor’s Manual (Grade 8). Hereafter,

this document will be referred to as Supervisor’s Manual.– 2014-15 ACT Plan Supervisor’s Manual (Grade 10). Hereafter,

this document will be referred to as Supervisor’s Manual.– ACT Explore Training Handbook for Room Supervisor and Proctor

or ACT Plan Training Handbook for Room Supervisor and Proctor. Hereafter, these documents will be referred to as Training Handbooks.

– ACT Explore and ACT Plan Alerts for System and Building Test Coordinators.

General Alerts 5 - 7 • 5. Pre-ID labels, packaged by school, will

be shipped from ACT to the System Test Coordinator on October 3, 2014.

• 6. Test materials for each school will be

shipped, packaged by school, directly to the System Test Coordinator from ACT. ACT will begin shipping test materials on October 3, 2014.

• 7. Special format (large-print, reader’s

script, and braille) test materials will be shipped at the same time as all other test materials. Due to the size of the booklet, braille will be sent in a separate package

General Alert 8• When school boxes are opened, System

Test Coordinators will remove the Pack/Return Slip, traceable shipping labels and polymailers that will be used for returning answer folders to be scored.

• (Note: ACT will include extra shipping labels in each box of materials.)

• When Building Test Coordinators return materials, school envelopes will be placed inside polymailers for shipping.

• See Figure 1 on page 6 of Alerts for sample Pack Slips.

•

General Alerts 9 - 10Test Administrators are Room Supervisors

Answer Documents are Answer Folders• 9. Building Test Coordinators will

inventory all materials upon receipt from the System Test Coordinator and sign the Receipt and Return of Testing Materials (page 10 of Alerts).

• 10. For this assessment, the Test Administrator is referred to as the Room Supervisor, and the answer document is referred to as an answer folder. – This is consistent with the titles utilized

by ACT in all manuals.

General Alert 11• 11. See the Training

Handbook for information concerning students’ possession and use of prohibited items during testing.

Prohibited Items for Students• The possession of a digital device (including but not limited to cell phones, MP3 players,

cameras, or other telecommunication devices capable of capturing or relaying information) is strictly prohibited during the administration of a secure test.

• School personnel will collect such devices before students can enter the testing room. If a student is observed in possession of a digital device during the administration of a secure test, the device will be confiscated.

• If a student is observed using a digital device during the administration of a secure test, testing for the student will cease, the device will be confiscated and is subject to search, the student will be dismissed from testing, and the student’s test will be invalidated. Additional disciplinary action may be taken by the LEA.

• Students may bring #2 pencils (not mechanical pencils) with erasers into the testing room.

• No highlighters, pens, mechanical pencils, rulers, or other devices are allowed in the testing room.

• Students will NOT be allowed to bring calculator watches, watches with timers or alarms, unapproved calculators, foreign language or other dictionaries, textbooks, backpacks, or other bags into the room.

•

General Alert 12 - 14• 12. School personnel involved in administration of state testing may

not use digital devices (including but not limited to telephones, cell phones, MP3 players, cameras, or other telecommunication devices capable of capturing or relaying information) during test administration.

• Violations may result in disciplinary action/certification revocation. Additional disciplinary action may be taken by the LEA.

• 13. All electronic devices, including computers located in the testing room, must be turned off before testing materials are brought into the room, and they must remain off until testing materials are removed from the room.

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

General Alerts 15 - 16• 15. The Pre-ID label must be placed in the

correct section of the answer folder. See Figure 1, page 11 of Training Handbook, for directions for applying Pre-ID labels to answer folders. LEAs will receive student reports with no demographic information if Pre-ID labels are placed in the incorrect section of the answer folder.

• 16. If a student does not have a Pre-ID

label, the student’s demographic information (B and D-H) on the answer folder should be hand gridded.

• See pages 12-13 of the Training Handbook for specific instructions.

General Alert 17

• During training, the Building Test Coordinator will give specific instructions concerning options for the completion of the non-cognitive student information sections to the Room Supervisors and Proctors.

• Verbal instructions for the non-cognitive student information section of are located on pages 25-32 of the EXPLORE Supervisor’s Manual and pages 23-35 of the PLAN Supervisor’s Manual.

General Alert 18 - 20

• 18. Prior to testing, the Building Test Coordinator will determine whether the EXPLORE or PLAN program will be administered in one day or two days.

• 19. Without exception, the non-academic components must be administered prior to the tests.

• 20. Make-up testing is allowed within the testing window.

Even with make-up testing, students must complete all non-cognitive sections prior to completing the academic tests.

•

General Alert 21

• 21. When an accommodation of extended time is allowed, the test is considered a non-standard administration; however, all students will receive score reports, and their scores will be included in data files and group reports.

General Alert 22-24• 22. Testing materials should be distributed for the exact number of

students being tested in each setting. The directions for completing the demographic information and test do not require the use of a test booklet or answer folder for demonstration purposes.

• 23. The Room Supervisor’s Receipt and Return of Testing Materials

form accompanies testing materials which are delivered to Room Supervisors and returned to the Building Test Coordinator at the conclusion of testing each day. See page 8 of the Training Handbook.

• 24. The Building Test Coordinator will shred all scratch paper used on the ACT Explore mathematics test immediately after the test. N0 scratch paper is allowed for any part of the ACT Plan.

General Alert 25

• 25.See pages 19-22 of the EXPLORE Supervisor’s Manual for specific test administration policies, including leaving the room during testing and announcing of time remaining on the test.

• The identical information can be found on pages 18-21 of the ACT Plan Supervisor’s Manual.

•

General Alerts 26 - 27• 26. Information concerning the reporting of irregularities in test administration is

also included on the pages related to specific test administration policies (see alert 25).

– Room Supervisors should complete the irregularity form provided by ACT (located on page 65 of the ACT Explore Supervisor’s Manual and page 73 of the ACT Plan Supervisor’s Manual) only for the following irregularities: defective materials, student challenge of a test item, or mistimings that could not be corrected.

– A copy of these irregularity forms will be placed with answer folders to be returned to ACT. – The original forms should be kept on file in the LEA with other documentation for this

administration. – Note: The SDE should be contacted immediately if a mistiming occurs and answer folders

need to be voided.• 27. For test irregularities not included above, the standard Irregularity Report (see

page 25 of Alerts or page 9 of the Training Handbook) provided for all other state supported tests must be utilized.

• In cases of unusual circumstances (e.g., bomb threats or incidents of cheating), the System Test Coordinator must notify the SDE immediately.

General Alerts 28 - 29• 28. Unused answer documents and reader’s scripts should be returned to

the System Test Coordinator to be destroyed according to the System’s Test Security Plan.

• No materials should be destroyed until results are received from ACT. • 29. Test booklets and Supervisor’s Manuals should be packed in the original

shipping boxes, sealed, and retained in a secure location in the school until individual results are received.

• (Students’ booklets should be packed so that they may be easily redistributed when score reports are received from ACT.)

• If a secure room within the school is not available for an extended time, these materials should be stored in the system’s secure location until results are returned.

• Large-print and braille test booklets may be retained with the standard test booklets and returned to the students with their score reports.

•

General Alert 30

• 30. Packing instructions for Building Test Coordinators may be found on pages 12-17 of the Alerts.

• The EXPLORE and PLAN headers are NOT the same. • The School Header for EXPLORE should be completed as

indicated on page 12 of the Alerts, placed on top of used answer folders, and inserted inside the ACT envelope.

• See Figure 2, page 13, for a sample EXPLORE School Header. • See Figure 3, page 14, for a description of packing

instructions. • If more than one school envelope is needed, the School

Header should be placed in envelope number one.

General Alerts 31 - 32• 31. The School Header for PLAN should be completed as indicated on

page 15 of the Alerts, placed on top of used answer folders, and inserted inside the ACT envelope. – See Figure 4, page 16, for a sample PLAN School Header. – Figure 5, page 17 of Alerts, illustrates packing instructions for PLAN. These

instructions are the same as for EXPLORE. – If more than one school envelope is needed, the School Header should be

placed in envelope number one. • • 32. Envelopes containing used answer folders and headers should be

returned from the Building Test Coordinator to the System Test Coordinator immediately after the test is administered. – The school envelopes containing answer documents should NOT be sealed until

the System Test Coordinator has checked to ensure that materials have been packed correctly.

– Answer folders should NOT be shipped from the local schools.

General Alerts 33 - 37• 33. After checking to make sure headers are complete, System Test Coordinators will

package school envelopes in the polymailers with traceable shipping labels for return to ACT. System Test Coordinator’s directions for returning used answer folders to ACT for scoring are printed on page 18 of Alerts. See Figure 6, page 19 of Alerts, for illustrations of packing polymailers for shipment of both ACT Explore and ACT Plan answer document envelopes. ACT Explore and ACT Plan answer documents may NOT be shipped together;

• 34. See Figure 7, page 20 of the Alerts, for a sample traceable shipping label.• • 35. For documentation of shipment, the System Test Coordinator should record the

tracking number of the traceable shipping label.• • 36. System Test Coordinators will ship polymailers to ACT no later than November 1,

2013. • • 37. ACT will begin shipping individual results to systems within two weeks after the

company receives the answer folders for scoring.

General Alert 38.• 38.Building Test Coordinators should

return test booklets to the students when individual reports are distributed. –Please note that EXPLORE and PLAN are

the ONLY state administered assessments for which schools are allowed to keep test booklets.

EXPLORE and PLAN Training Handbook for

Room Supervisor and Proctor

• Prior to Testing Day• 1. Be familiar with EXPLORE and/or PLAN 2014-2015 Supervisor’s

Manual. Heretofore, this publication will be referred to as the Supervisor’s Manual.

• 2. Make sure that a Proctor is assigned to assist the Room Supervisor in a testing room with 26 or more students. For large testing rooms, additional Proctors should be added for each increment of 25 students. When more than one Proctor is assigned to a room, each Proctor must have a list of the names of students for which he or she is responsible and a seating chart indicating where each student will sit.

• 3. When assigning staff, keep in mind that– No relative of a student who is taking the test may serve as a Room

Supervisor or Proctor for that student. – No student or student teacher may serve as a Room Supervisor or Proctor.



• Options to Be Determined Prior to Administration• 4. Prior to testing, your Building Test Coordinator will determine whether

the EXPLORE program will be administered in one day or two days.– If the entire EXPLORE program is administered in one day, the student

information (non-cognitive) sections must be administered first, followed by the academic tests (English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science).

– If the EXPLORE program is administered over a two-day period, the student information and (non-cognitive) sections must be administered on day 1, and the academic tests must be administered on day 2. In no case should the academic tests of EXPLORE be administered prior to the student information sections.

• 5. A short (five to ten minutes) break will be allowed between Test 2 and Test 3 for students to stretch for a few moments. Students may not leave the room except to use the rest room. If the student information sections are administered in the same session as the academic tests, a short break may also be allowed before Test 1.



• 6. Your Building Test Coordinator will also determine which administration options will be used to present instructions for the student information (non-cognitive) sections.– Option 1: Room Supervisor reads all directions aloud to the students

as they follow along with their copies of Instructions for Completing Your Answer Folder. See pages 25-28 of Supervisor’s Manual.

– Option 2: Students read the directions themselves from their copies of Instructions for Completing Your Answer Folder. See pages 25 and 28-30 of Supervisor’s Manual.

– Option 3: Room Supervisor reads directions for Pre-ID label users aloud to the students as they follow along with their copies of Instructions for Completing Your Answer Folder. See pages 25 and 30-32 of Supervisor’s Manual.



• 7. Pre-ID labels will be provided. These Pre-ID labels will be placed on answer folders prior to the administration of the test. Building Test Coordinators will give directions for placing labels on the answer folders. – The Pre-ID label must be placed in the correct section of the

answer folder. See pages 11 and 14 of this Training Handbook, for correct placement of the Pre-ID label.

• 8. If a student does not have a Pre-ID label, the student’s demographic information on the answer folder should be hand gridded. – See pages 12-13 of this Training Handbook for specific

information.

A Testing Accommodation Code should be marked on the shaded box at the top of the second page of the answer folder for all

students receiving selected accommodations.

Non-Standard Administration• When an

accommodation of extended time is allowed, the test is consider a non-standard administration.

Special Status CodesDO NOT INCLUDE GIFTED

• After testing has been completed, the Room Supervisor (TA) will complete (hand grid) Special Status Codes for students who do not have a Pre-ID label and for whom the codes are applicable.

• The assigned designation of each of these Special Status Codes used in Alabama is as follows:– SE – Special Education– LEP – Limited English Proficient– ME – Migrant Education Program– FL – Free or Reduced Lunch – HB, Y, M, R, X, and Z should be LEFT

BLANK for all students.

Reader’s Scripts• Room Supervisors administering ACT Explore and PLAN to students who

have been granted reading accommodations must read directly from the reader’s script provided by ACT without change or comment. Passages may be repeated, but only as requested by the student. Each time a passage is read, the reader should read the test directions, test passages, and test questions exactly as they are presented, with no explanation and no additional information provided to the student. Times for tests administered with a reader’s script will exceed the expected 30 minutes per subject.

• The reader’s script specifies that a student testing with a reader must test individually; however, the SDE has made the decision that small group testing may be allowed for this administration of ACT Explore and Plan.

Specific Directions for Testing in a Homebound Setting

• Test booklets utilized in homebound testing should be securely bound and marked “Confidential” before they are released from the LEA distribution point to the Room Supervisor and Proctor. The package should be opened only in the testing environment. Test booklets and answer documents should be securely bound again before they are transported back to the LEA distribution point. The Room Supervisor’s Receipt and Return of Testing Materials must be signed by the Building or System Test Coordinator and the Room Supervisor when they are picked up and when they are returned.

• • One Room Supervisor and one Proctor are required to administer an ACT Explore

assessment to a student requiring homebound services. No other person, including family members, may be present in the room utilized for testing.

• • An answer folder for any student tested in a homebound setting is packed with

all other answer folders for the student’s school



• Preparing Test Room• 9. As in the administration of all standardized tests, students must be seated

according to the seating chart. Students should not be allowed to select their own seats. Since the test booklets are not numbered, the Room Supervisor will record only students’ names in the appropriate boxes on the seating chart.

• 10. Whenever possible, left-handed students should be seated in a separate column at the right of the test room (as viewed from the front of the room), or in the last seat of each column of right-handed students.

• 11. Seats must be arranged so that all students face the Room Supervisor . If tables are used, students must be seated on the side of the table facing the test administrator. No students may be seated at ends of table or facing other students. Distance between students must be wide enough to allow Proctors to circulate during the examination without disturbing students. – See page 8 of the Supervisor’s Manual for specific seating arrangements for a

testing room. • A sample seating chart has been provided on page 10 of this Training Handbook.

Seating Chart Required



• Preparing the Test Room• 12. Ensure that the testing room offers adequate writing

surfaces, uncrowded seating, good lighting, comfortable temperatures, a quiet atmosphere, and freedom from distraction. See page 7 of the Supervisor’s Manual for specific details concerning writing surfaces.

• 13. Make sure all instructional materials (bulletin boards) related to potential test questions (English, mathematics, reading, and science), charts, and maps that provide strategies for solving problems are removed or covered prior to the test. (Geographical maps and periodic tables need not be covered.)



• Possession of Prohibited Items by Testing Staff• 14. School personnel involved in administration of state testing may not

use digital devices (including but not limited to telephones, cell phones, MP3 players, cameras, or other telecommunication devices capable of capturing or relaying information) during test administration. Violations may result in disciplinary action/certification revocation. Additional disciplinary action may be taken by the LEA.

• 15. All electronic devices, including computers located in the testing room, must be turned off before testing materials are brought into the room, and they must remain off until testing materials are removed from the room.

• 16. Make sure all copiers, scanners, printers, telephones and other electronic devices have been disabled or removed from the testing room.

• •

Guidelines for Test Security and Confidentiality

• DO NOT VIOLATE DIGITAL DEVICE POLICY – School personnel involved in administration of state testing may not use digital devices (including but not limited to cell

phones, MP3 players, cameras, or other telecommunication devices capable of capturing or relaying information) during test administration or while test materials are in their possession.

– Students are not allowed to have digital devices in their possession in the testing room.• DO NOT VIOLATE POLICIES PERTAINING TO TEST SECURITY

– Testing materials must never be left unattended.– Students must be supervised at all times during testing.– The method for distributing and collecting materials must be orderly so that all materials are accounted for at all times. – All materials distributed prior to testing must be collected and verified before students are dismissed from the testing

room.– All testing materials including scratch paper, rulers, and reference sheets, if used, must be returned to the Building Test

Coordinator/Test Supervisor immediately following test administration each day. The Building Test Coordinator/Test Supervisor must count and verify the quantity of testing materials and sequential numbers that are returned in the presence of the Test Administrator/Room Supervisor. The appropriate building-level distribution and collection form verifying return of materials must be signed.

• DO NOT VIOLATE STANDARDIZED TESTING PROCEDURES– Seat students according to the seating chart, ensuring that all students face the Room Supervisor. (Exceptions may be

granted for computer-based testing.)– Ensure that each student receives his or her own answer document and test booklet.– If calculators are allowed, ensure that each student uses an allowable calculator.– Administer the test exactly as directed in the Test Administrator’s/Room Supervisor’s manuals.– Read instructions verbatim from the Test Administrator’s/Room Supervisor’s manual.– As the test begins, make sure students are marking or responding in the correct place on the answer document; however,

do NOT look at test questions or student responses.– Never put yourself in the position of having to defend any verbal or nonverbal communication that could be perceived as

assisting a student.

School Personnel – Cell Phones, Telephones, Beepers,

Electronic Devices and the EXPLORE and PLAN

Alabama State Department of Education Policy (AL Code)

School personnel involved in administration of state testing may NOT use digital devices (including but not limited to telephones, cell phones, MP3 players, cameras, mobile entertainment, social connections, navigation devices, or other telecommunication devices) during test administration.

Violations may result in disciplinary action/certification revocation.

Additional disciplinary action may be taken by the LEA.



• Security of Test Materials and Test Administration Policies• 17. The Room Supervisor’s Receipt and Return of EXPLORE Testing Materials

form accompanies testing materials which are delivered to Room Supervisors and returned to the Building Test Coordinator at the conclusion of testing each day.

• 18.The Room Supervisor must count and sign for all testing materials when they are issued for administration, and the Building Test Coordinator must count and sign for all testing materials when they are returned immediately following test administration. The use of this form is required in order to ensure the security of the test. See page 8 of this Training Handbook for a copy the form.

• 19. Do not leave test materials unattended at any time.• 20. ACT PLAN and EXPLORE test booklets, answer documents, and alternate

formats are copyrighted and cannot be photocopied, replicated, or used for any other purpose.

• 21. No test booklet should be opened by any person other than the examinee on the test date.

•



• Approved Materials to Be Provided for Testing• 22. Materials needed for testing include the following:

– Supervisor’s Manual– Training Handbook for Room Supervisor and Proctor– Roster of students to be tested– Seating chart– Reliable stopwatch or countdown timer; if countdown timers or stop watches

are not available, a watch with a second hand may be used. – Exact number of test booklets for the number of students present (All test

booklets must be dated 2014-15.)– 2014-15 answer folders with Pre-ID labels attached– A copy of Instructions for Completing Your Answer Folder for each student– Supply of soft-lead #2 pencils (no ink or mechanical pencils) with erasers for

students who do not bring pencils– Plain unused paper for students who need more space to figure problems on the

mathematics test•



• Prohibited Items for Students• The possession of a digital device (including but not limited to cell phones, MP3 players,

cameras, or other telecommunication devices capable of capturing or relaying information) is strictly prohibited during the administration of a secure test. School personnel will collect such devices before students can enter the testing room. If a student is observed in possession of a digital device during the administration of a secure test, the device will be confiscated.

• If a student is observed using a digital device during the administration of a secure test, testing for the student will cease, the device will be confiscated and is subject to search, the student will be dismissed from testing, and the student’s test will be invalidated. Additional disciplinary action may be taken by the LEA.

• Students may bring #2 pencils (not mechanical pencils) with erasers into the testing room.

• No highlighters, pens, mechanical pencils, rulers, or other devices are allowed in the testing room.

• Students will NOT be allowed to bring calculator watches, watches with timers or alarms, unapproved calculators, foreign language or other dictionaries, textbooks, backpacks, or other bags into the room.

•

Student Cell Phones, Telephones, Digital Devices

Alabama State Department of Education Policy (AL Code)

If a student is observed using a digital device during the administration of a secure test, testing for the student will cease, the device will be confiscated and is subject to

search, the student will be dismissed from testing, and the student’s test will be invalidated.

Additional disciplinary action may be taken by the LEA.



• Checking Calculators• Calculators are permitted for the ACT Explore Mathematics Test only.

– Students may not use calculators for any other subject test. – Allowable and prohibited calculators are described on pages 9 and 10 of the Supervisor’s

Manual. – Please note that math problems may be worked without the use of a calculator.

• ACT PLAN and EXPLORE Testing staff will check calculators before testing to verify they are permitted. See pages 9 and 10 of the Supervisor’s Manual for descriptions of permitted and prohibited calculators.

• 29. Testing staff will monitor students’ use of their calculators to ensure that the students– Use a calculator only during the Mathematics Test;– Use a backup calculator only after it has been checked by testing staff;– Do not share a calculator; and– Do not store test materials in the calculators’ memory.



• Admitting Students to Testing Room• Using the roster provided by the Building Test Coordinator,

prepare a seating chart. See page 10 of this Training Handbook for Sample Seating Chart.

• Assign each student a seat. Students should not be allowed to select their own seats. Whenever possible, left-handed students should be seated in a separate column at the right of the test room (as viewed from the front of the room), or in the last seat of each column of right-handed students. Students must be seated according to the seating chart. (For this test, there are no booklet numbers.)

• Record absences on the roster and seating chart.



• Coding Answer Documents• Room Supervisors will distribute copies of Instructions for Completing Your

Answer Folder when distributing individual answer folders. Included in this publication are specific directions for all non-cognitive parts of the assessment. Eighteen questions relate to the student’s background: high school coursework plans, parents’ highest level of education, educational plans after high school, and career plans. Also included in this publication are directions for completing the needs assessment and the interest inventory.

• Room Supervisors must be familiar with Directions for Coding Answer Folders on pages 12 and 13 of this Training Handbook.

• Testing materials should be distributed for the exact number of students being tested in each setting. The directions for completing the demographic information and test do not include the use of a test booklet or answer folder for demonstration purposes.



• During Exam• Follow instructions in the Supervisor’s Manual for distributing

materials. Materials must be handed directly to the student. Room Supervisor and Proctor must ensure that each student receives his or her own test booklet and answer folder.

• Read the directions for each subject test VERBATIM from the Supervisor’s Manual.

• During the testing session, do not answer questions regarding individual test items or questions about how to use a calculator.

• Specific questions about guessing are printed on the back cover of the test booklet. If students ask about guessing, refer them to these instructions. Do not comment on or add in any way to the printed directions.



• During Exam• The ACT Plan test administration policies are described on pages 18-21 of the Supervisor’s

Manual. Please review these pages carefully prior to testing. Observe students throughout the testing sessions to ensure that no prohibited behaviors are allowed. See page 21 of the Supervisor’s Manual for more information.

• Each ACT Plan test is timed. Room Supervisors MUST follow the specified time and instructions that are given in the Supervisor’s Manual. Verbal instructions for the academic tests are printed on pages 36-42 in the Supervisor’s Manual. All instructions must be read verbatim.

• The non-cognitive components must be administered prior to the tests.• A verbal announcement of time remaining will be read five minutes before the end of each

test. Start time, 5 minutes remaining, and stop time must be recorded for each test (pages 38, 40, 41, and 42). Testing times are Test 1 (English)—30 minutes; Test 2 (Math)—40 minutes; Test 3 (Reading)—20 minutes; and Test 4 (Science)—25 minutes.

• Do NOT admit anyone to the testing room once the timed tests have begun. (The Building Test Coordinator will determine how makeup exams will be handled for late arrivals.)

• Students may write in their booklets; however, if a student requests scratch paper for the mathematics test, the Room Supervisor must furnish plain unmarked paper. All scratch paper, both used and unused, must be taken up before students are dismissed.



• Breaks• When the Room Supervisor gives students a short (five to ten minutes)

break between Test 2 and Test 3, students may not leave the room except to use the rest room. Students may stretch at their desks, but they may not be allowed to talk. Test booklets and answer folders must be closed during the break.

• Students may be allowed to go to the restroom during testing, but only one student may leave the testing room at a time without being accompanied by a Proctor or Hall Monitor. Collect the test booklet and answer folder from the student upon leaving, and return the materials when the student returns.

• Students who leave the room during the timed portion of the test may NOT make up lost time. Such absences must be recorded on the Testing Irregularity Report.

• Room Supervisors may not leave a testing room unsupervised at any time.



• During the EXAM• At the beginning of the test, make sure each student is marking in the appropriate section of the answer

folder. • Each EXPLORE test is timed. Room Supervisors MUST follow the specified time and instructions that are

given in the Supervisor’s Manual. Verbal instructions for the academic tests are printed on pages 33-39 in the Supervisor’s Manual. All instructions must be read verbatim. The non-cognitive components must be administered prior to the tests.

• A verbal announcement of time remaining will be read five minutes before the end of each test.

• Do NOT admit anyone to the testing room once the timed tests have begun. (The Building Test Coordinator will determine how makeup exams will be handled for late arrivals.)

• Students may write in their booklets; however, if a student requests scratch paper for the mathematics test, the Room Supervisor must furnish plain unmarked paper. All scratch paper, both used and unused, must be taken up before students are dismissed.

• Supervisor’s Manuals for both PLAN and EXPLORE instruct students to work all problems in their test booklets. The verbal directions for EXPLORE say that the Room Supervisor may give the students scratch paper during the mathematics test only if more space is needed to work problems.

• PLAN does NOT allow the use of scratch paper. Please make sure your Room Supervisors read directions verbatim from the manual.



• Testing Irregularities• Information concerning the reporting of irregularities in test administration is included

on pages 19-21 of the Supervisor’s Manual. Room Supervisors should complete the irregularity form provided by ACT (located on page 65 of the Supervisor’s Manual) only for the following irregularities: defective materials, student challenge of a test item, or mistimings that could not be corrected. A copy of these irregularity forms will be placed with answer folders to be returned to ACT. The original forms should be kept on file in the LEA with other documentation for this administration of EXPLORE. Note: The SDE should be contacted immediately if a mistiming occurs and answer folders need to be voided.

• For test irregularities not included above, Room Supervisors must utilize the standard Irregularity Report (page 9 of this Training Handbook) provided for all other state supported tests. In cases of unusual circumstances (e.g., bomb threats or incidents of cheating), the System Test Coordinator must notify the SDE immediately and also submit a completed Irregularity Report to the SDE.

• Make sure the name of the school which the student currently attends is printed in the school name box.

• Complete an irregularity report for any irregularity that occurs during the test administration. All irregularities must be submitted to the System Test Coordinator



• Checking Test Booklets• Make sure each student has printed his/her

name on the front of the test booklet. • This is imperative when you are accounting for

test materials. • In addition, you must return the student’s

test booklet to him/her when individual score reports are received from ACT.



• Checking Answer Folders of Students with Pre-ID Labels• See pages 12 and 13 of this Training Handbook for specific directions for

coding answer folders.• Check Section A to make sure the school name and address (city and state)

are correct.• Sections B through I should be left blank.• Specific instructions for Section J, Plans and Background, are located on pages

26, 29, and 30 of the Supervisor’s Manual.• Check Section K to make sure the student has gridded 06A for the Test Form.• For Section L, Needs Assessment, the student will use Instructions for

Completing Your Answer Folder. • When applicable, fill in the ovals for Accommodations AFTER all testing is

complete.• The Special Status Codes, Section M (page 2 of answer folder), and Sections

N-S (page 3 of the answer folder) should be left blank.•



• Checking Answer Folders of Students With NO Pre-ID Labels• See pages 12 and 13 of this Training Handbook for specific directions for coding answer

folders.• Sections A, B, D-H, and J should be completed using the information in INOW. Information

should be printed in appropriate boxes, and corresponding ovals should be gridded.– Section A—School Name– Section B—Student’s Name – Section D—Student ID Number (the 10-digit student ID number that has been assigned by the state

in INOW should be recorded in the first 10 blocks)– Section F—Student’s Date of Birth– Section G—Student’s Gender– Section H1—Student’s Hispanic or Latino background– Section H2—Student’s Race– Section I—Participation in ACT’s Educational Opportunity Service– Section J—Student’s Grade (10th Grade)– Section L—Student’s ACT High School Code

• Student should grid 32B for the Test Form on page 4 of the answer folder.• Special Status Codes should be left blank.• When applicable, fill in ovals for Accommodations (page 4 of the answer folder) after all

testing is complete.



• After Testing• At the end of testing, place test booklets and answer sheets in

alphabetical order. • Account for all scratch paper that was distributed to any students during

the Mathematics test.• Inventory and return all materials with the Room Supervisor’s Receipt

and Return of EXPLORE Testing Materials form to the Building Test Coordinator. Materials that must be returned to the Building Test Coordinator include the following:– Supervisor’s Manual– Test Booklets– Answer Folders– Used and Unused Scratch Paper– Attendance Roster– Seating Chart– Irregularity Forms (if applicable)

Huntsville City School Procedures for ALL IEP, 504, or LEP students BEFORE Administration of ALSDE

Mandated Assessments

• Ensures that students of special populations are tested and accommodated according to their IEP, 504 Plan, or LEP Plan.

• Ensures that the special education staff provides proper documentation to the building test coordinator.

• Special Education/504/LEP Departments Duties and Responsibilities

– A copy of IEP/504/LEP accommodation sheets for all mandated ALSDE assessments must be provided for all special education, 504 and LEP students at the beginning of each school year by the HCS Special Education Department to the System Test Coordinator and each individual school Building Test Coordinator.

– A copy of IEP/504/LEP accommodations for all mandated ALSDE assessments must be confirmed by Special Education/504/LEP Departments with the Building Test Coordinator for all special education, 504 and LEP students two weeks before the each mandated assessment window.

• • Building Test Coordinator Duties and Responsibilities

– IEP/504/LEP accommodations sheets must be given by the Building Test Coordinator for the ALSDE mandated assessments to all Test Administrator each day during ALSDE mandated assessments.

• • Test Administrator Duties and Responsibilities

– IEP/504/LEP accommodations sheets must used by the Building Test Coordinator to create seating charts for all mandated ALSDE assessments with all students name in writing on the chart before the day of the assessment.

Reading Accommodations• A Reader's Script

provided by ACT MUST be used by the Room Supervisor (TA) administering reading accommodations on all subject tests (English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science).

New Reader’s Agreement Must be on FILE

New Reader’s Agreement Must be on FILE

Large Print DocumentsThe Room Supervisor must write the student’s name and

student ID number on each large-print answer worksheet.

Two certified employees will transfer answers from the large-print answer worksheet to a standard answer folder.

• The student’s Pre-ID label, if available, should be placed on the standard answer folder.

• The standard answer folder must be shipped with all used answer folders. • The large-print answer worksheet should not be shipped to be scored.

An answer worksheet is not available for students testing with a Braille test booklet.

• The student will answer questions orally, and the Room Supervisor will record the student’s answers directly on the standard answer folder.

• The standard answer folder must be shipped with all used answer folders.

WorkKeys Registration Introduction to WorkKeys

Internet Version Test Administration• To register for the October 8 webinar, go to: student.gototraining.com/r/3493675468743355136. • To register for the October 22 webinar, go to: student.gototraining.com/r/655662234616361216. • • NOTE: The webinar is being presented from a location in the Central time zone. If you want to know what time the

webinar will begin in your time zone, click on the link at the top of the registration page that says "Show in My Time Zone." This will ensure that the emails you receive will include the start time of the webinar based on your location.

• • After you have registered, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the webinar. • • To hear the webinar, you may dial in on a phone line or listen through your computer. Please note that the phone

number is not a toll-free number. • _______________ • Topics covered in the webinar• • Since this webinar is intended for new site administrators and proctors, it will cover the following basic topics:• • Introduction to High-Stakes Testing• Registering an Examinee• Authorizing an Assessment• Launching a New Assessment• Launching an Interrupted Assessment• Generating an Instant Score Report

https://student.gototraining.com/r/3493675468743355136

https://student.gototraining.com/r/655662234616361216

What should you do, if your school is monitored during the SDE mandated assessment?

• Know where your Test Security Plan is located (have a copy ready).

• Know the secure STORAGE location where the testing materials are stored (same location that is listed in the Test Security Plan).

• Know that ONLY the Principal and the Building Test Coordinator have the keys to the testing materials (same two names that are listed in the Test Security Plan).

• NO one else should have keys to the secure storage area within the school where testing materials are stored.

• Keep on file a copy of training activities for all test administrators in the building by the BTC.

Building Test Coordinator Training October 20 – Day 1 October 21 – Day 2 EXPLORE / PLAN Fall 2014 Building Test Coordinator Training October 20 – Day 1.

Documents

plan assessment

plan return

testing room

huntsville high

makeup testing

testing windowoctober

training handbook

lee high