Administration of the Aspire™ Test

Office of Catholic Schools Webinar

October 31, 2014

Pre-test Preparation for

Testing Materials

• Verify shipment contents match packing list. Contact ACT immediately at 1-888-802-7502 to report discrepancies with test materials.

• Each student should have a test with his/her name and ID information printed on it for the following tests: Math, Reading, English, Science and Writing.

• # 2 pencils, scratch paper, and timers for each classroom.

Pre-test Preparation for

Desirable Testing Conditions

• Adequate writing surfaces

• Place students 3ft apart for testing.

• Cover any posted instructional materials related to

subjects being tested.

Pre-test Preparation for

Room Supervisors–Must be proficient in English and not be a relative/guardian of a current 8th grade student. –May not be a private consultant or individual tutor. –Must be experienced in testing and classroom management

• The Aspire room supervisor manual must be read prior to the test date. The manual is available online (link) and a hard copy is included in test materials shipment•A short training session should be conducted by the principal or Test Coordinator for room supervisors prior to administration of the exam. •Create a schedule that provides room supervisors with appropriate breaks during testing.

Pre-test Preparation for

Testing Accommodations

•Please refer to the 2014 Accessibility Users Guide (pgs. 37-45) for information about Accommodation-level supports for students: http://actaaspire.avocet.pearson.com/aspire/home.

•These accommodations have been requested through the ACT Aspire Portal.

•Some testing accommodations may require testing over more than one day.

Document Accessibility Code(s)

• After testing is completed, Room Supervisors document which accessibility features were actually used

• Each subject area answer document has a location to record these choices

Accessibility Features Key

• The key identifies the accessibility data codes

Pre-test Preparation for

Communication • With parents

– Send the OCS parent letter and communicate the test date.

• With students– Discuss preparation for test. Good night’s sleep and bring

calculator to school on test day. Take time to encourage students to do their best on test day!

• With school Staff – Post test date and schedule for administration of Aspire.

• With OCS – Enter test date using the following link:

AoC Test Day Schedule

Transitions between test sections to collect test materials and allow for breaks:

o Test 1 → Test 2: 5-10 minutes

o Test 2 → Test 3: 15 minute break

o Test 3→ Lunch : 5-10 minutes

o Lunch: 30 minutes

o Test 4→ Test 5 : 5-10 minutes

o Test 5 → End of testing: 5-10 minutes

Test 1: Reading

Test 2: Math

Test 3: English

Test 4: Writing

Test 5: Science

60 minutes 65 minutes 35 minutes 30 minutes 55 minutes

Pre-test Preparation for

Test Security

•Test materials must be stored in a secure location at all times and cannot be left unattended.

•Test materials:

–Cannot be accessed in advance of the test to review or study it or to allow students to study it.

–Cannot be photocopied for any reason.

Test Day Administration of

Distribution of Test Materials•Each student will be given one test booklet and one answer document and will fill in the date in Block “C” on the test booklet. •Each student’s name should be printed on the front cover of the answer document for that student. •Each test booklet includes one subject test. •Test booklets will be collected after each subject test. Time is allocated for this task.

Test Day Administration of

Classroom Administration Guidelines• Each subject test must be administered in one

session. • Bathroom breaks are allowed. • Electronic devices: Students may not have cell

phones, tablets, or any communication devices during testing.

• Attendance: – Students cannot be admitted to the testing room once

the test has started. Determine how late arrivals will be handled in advance.

Test Day Administration of

Classroom Administration Guidelines

•Students may use but not share calculators.

•Only permitted calculators can be used: www.actstudent.org/faq/calculator.html

•Calculators are allowed but not required. All math questions can be solved without a calculator.

•Students must bring their own calculators to the test. The school is not responsible for providing calculators.

•Calculators may only be used on the math subject test.

Test Day Administration of

Test Directions/Timing of Test Sections

• Verbal instructions for the test must be read verbatim.

• Accurate timing of each test is critical.

• Record the following:

– Test start time

– Five minute warning

– Test stop time.

Test Day Administration of

Active Supervision of the testing room

• Students may not be unsupervised in a testing room at any time!

• Ongoing monitoring of student behavior.

• Room supervisors may not read, grade, or use the computer during testing.

• May not help with test in any way.

Test Day Administration of

Prohibited Student Behaviors

• Looking at another student’s work

• Disturbing other students

• Giving or receiving assistance

• Using notes

• Sharing a calculator

• Attempting to remove test materials

• Filling in circles after time has been called even with the test booklet closed.

Test Day Administration of

Test Irregularities

•Room supervisors are to document the following irregularities:

–Prohibited student behavior.

–Student illness during the test.

–Staff problems with test administration such as mistiming, etc.

–A general disturbance during testing.

–See actaspire.avocet.pearson.com for updates on irregularities and reporting codes.

After Administering

• All test materials, used and unused must be returned at the end of testing.

• All test booklets and materials provided by ACT Aspire must be shipped back within two daysafter all testing is completed (this includes regular, make-up testing, and extended time testing).

• Test materials must be securely stored before they are shipped.

• Make copies of all Irregularity reports before shipping these documents back to ACT Aspire.

After Administering

Return of Test Materials

• Shipping Used Answer Documents

– Tyvek envelopes

• Shipping Nonscorable Test Materials

– Box

• Call UPS to schedule a Pickup

– Call 800-823-7459 to schedule all pickups 24-48 hours in advance!

Resources

• Test Coordinator Manualo http://actaspire.avocet.pearson.com/actaspire/home#559

2

• Room Supervisor Manual

o http://actaspire.avocet.pearson.com/actaspire/home#4090

• Aspire Training Videos

o actaspire.tms.pearson.com

Help on Test Day

• OCS Assistance

– Dr. Jorge Pena: 312-534-5289

– Billy Joyce: 312-534-5218

• Aspire Hotline: 888-802-7502

• Sandy at ACT: 319-358-4540