Spring 2014
Non-Writing SOL Training
PRESENTED BY:
STEPHANIE E. HASKINS
APRIL 23, 2014
Training Agenda
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Spring 2014 Non-Writing Timeline
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Testing and Curriculum Resources
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Test Security
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Role of Examiners
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Special Test Accommodations
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Reminders for Testing Coordinators
•
Questions
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Testing Timeline
Date
Event
Week of April 12
Non-secure Testing Materials Arrive
May 2
Data Upload File Due to DDOT
Week of May 5
Term Grad Testing
Week of May 12
May 16: Science 8
Week of May 19
May 19: Numeracy, US Hist II
May 20: EOC Reading, Literacy, Civics, Math 4 (1), Science 3
May 21: VA & US Hist, WHII, US Hist I, Math 4 (2), Math 5 (1)
May 22: VA & US Hist (T4), Reading 7, Math 5 (2), Math 3 (1)
May 23: WHI, Reading 8, Math 3 (2), Science 5
Week of May 26
May 26: Make-ups
May 27: AlgII, Geom(HS), Reading 6, History 3, VA Studies 4/5
May 28: AlgI (HS&MS), GeomH, Geom(MS), Math 8, Rdg 3 (1), Rdg 5
May 29: Biology, ChemistryH, Math 6, Rdg 3 (2), Rdg 4
May 30: Earth Science, Chemistry, Math 7
(**Term Grad only; NOT Expedited Retake)
Week of June 2
Expedited Retakes (end-of-course)
June 6
Last day to return materials
Resources
School Test Coordinator Handbook
Student Data Upload File Requirements
Test Implementation Manual
Supplement to Test Implementation Manual
Examiner’s Manual
Pearson Access User’s Guide for the Virginia
Assessment Program
 Virginia Standards of Learning Assessments
Guidelines for Administering the Read-Aloud
Accommodation
 Limited English Proficient Students: Guidelines for
Participating in the Virginia Assessment Program
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Testing Upload
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Group Name: Consider how you want score reports to be organized.
Group code: Will NOT appear on printed reports; allows for data sorts; Max 10 characters
Test code: MUST double-check for high-school retesters.
Ethnicity/ Race: Hispanic; 32 categories
ELL information: Test tier, composite, literacy, SOA-LEP, AYP-D
SOA Transfer: Enrolled after 20th day – Sept 19th or after Feb 24th**
AYP: If a student began school ANY day AFTER the first day AND was NOT in our division last year,
can be coded as AYP. May disregard reference to “September 30”.
 A: within division
 B: outside division/ within Virginia
 C: outside Virginia
Term grad: Scheduled to graduate by Aug 31, 2014; Assigns equated forms first
Project Graduation: High school only – Refer to definition in TIMS
RP-Code: Genesis
Retest: High school only – if retaking test
Recovery: Reading or Math only – May only be coded Recovery 1 time per test – on FIRST test,
following remediation
D-Code: High school only – if pursuing modified standard diploma (needs literacy/ numeracy
requirements)
Online Test: Students NOT marked as online should have documented need
Z-Code-A: Parent refusals (refer to additional information)
Additions in RED and Deletions in RED
Testing Upload
Parent Refusals for Testing
 Refer to supporting documents.
- What does it mean for the student?
- What does it mean for the school?
 MUST involve principal conversation with parents,
face-to-face meeting preferred.
 Include in session to mark test complete (5-refusal).
 Mark Z-Code-A in Student Upload.
HB930: Eliminates following tests beginning 2014-2015:
Grade 3 Science
US History I
Grade 3 History
US History II
Grade 5 Writing
Form Matrices
vs. 2Expedited Retake/Alternate vs. 3Third Attempt
 A maximum of three attempts are available during the fall and summer NonWriting test administrations.
 Students must receive remediation prior to being administered a third or
fourth test attempt.
 Only Term Graduates and Project Graduation students should be tested using
the Term Graduate forms.
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1Main
 Testing Resources
Test Implementation Manual:
 Page iii: What’s New?
 Page xii: Checklist of STC Responsibilities
 Page 9: Applications Available for Test Preparation
 Page 18: Test Manipulatives
 Page 30: Troubleshooting
 Appendix A: Test Security
 Appendix C: Special Testing Accommodations
 Appendix C: Documentation for Need for Paper/Pencil (page 89)
 Appendix D: Table of Testing Accommodations (page 94)*
 Appendix G: Online Tools
 Testing Resources
Examiner’s Manual:
 What’s New?
 Applications for Test Preparation
 Be Familiar with Directions for Administering Test **
 Online Tools, Icons, Descriptions
 Answering Student Questions
 Reporting Test Errors
 Trouble-shooting Online Testing
 Directions for Submitting
 Test security
 Special Test Accommodations
 Checklist of Examiner Responsibilities
 Testing Memos
PearsonAccess™ Enhancements
The Unlock User link has
been added to the login
screen.
Unlock User allows a user to
unlock their account and
reset their password if they
accidently locked it with
three invalid login attempts.
Note: The Unlock User link will not unlock accounts that were manually
locked by another user; expired; or deleted.
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PearsonAccess™ Enhancements
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Table of Testing Accommodations
Code Accommodation
Student
Content
Area
Description
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1
10
26
Flexible
Schedule
SWD
LEP
Read-Aloud
SWD
LEP
Calculator or
Arithmetic
Tables
SWD
H M R S 
H M
M
Testing with breaks requires the test to be completed
within one school day;
Multiple test sessions that involve testing over more
than one school day—require a paper/pencil test.
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Tests are read (in English only) to the student. Must
be recorded or proctored.
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Gr. 3 Mathematics—for use on the entire test.
Gr. 4, 5, 6, 7 Mathematics—for use on the NONcalculator portion of the test.
Grades 3-7 students must meet eligibility criteria.
Grade 8 and EOC Mathematics—not applicable (see
#28).
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Curriculum
Resources ~
READING
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/
 http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs
/english/index.shtml
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Standards, Curriculum Framework, Blueprint
Sample Lesson Plans
Vocabulary Resources
Sample Text-Dependent Questions
Using Statewide SOL Results to Guide Instruction
Frequently Asked Questions
Released Tests (NOTE: These do NOT align with 2010 standards.
New 2010 tests will not be released until 2015.)
 http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/practice_items/
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Reading SOL Practice Items*
Reading VMAST Practice Items
Tabbed Reading Passage Demonstration (gr 8 & EOC)
Reading Passage Scrolling Demonstration
Narrated demonstration of TEI Items
Sample Excerpts in Stand-Alone Items
Sample Resources ~ READING
Suggested Practice for SOL 10.4b, 10.5f, and 11.5d
Students need additional practice drawing inferences using implied
and explicit information in fiction and nonfiction texts.
Before the Arctic surveyors could continue their work, they had to
ensure the safety of the dogs and agree to the terms of exploring
unknown, possibly dangerous areas of the tundra.
Which feelings are conveyed in this excerpt?
consideration
optimism
fright
Source: Using Statewide SOL Results to Guide Instruction
indifference
caution
Sample Resources ~ READING
Source: Sample Excerpts in Stand-Alone Items
Other
READING
Testing
Updates:
Reading Lexile Levels
1200
1090
1000
975
1015
980
900
870
850
800
800
745
700
600
600
500
400
200
0
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Previous Standards
Grade 6
Grade 7
NEW Standards
NOTE: Updated correlations for grades 3-8 from VDOE.
Grade 8
Other
READING
Testing
Updates:
 Number of passages on reading SOL tests may vary due
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to length of passages. There will be at least five
passages on an SOL test.
Tests will continue to have 10 field test items, but
some tests may have one passage with 10 items and other
tests may have two passages with a total of 10 items split
between them.
About 15% TEI - technology-enhanced items. These will
be more open-ended, and may not require a certain
“number” of answers in a response. Example: Which
words . . . ? vs. Which two words . . . ?
One Section Review screen at the end of the test with
all the reading passages and questions.
NOTE: If TEI questions require a “stated” number of
responses and all are not answered, will show as not
answered. If TEI items do NOT state a specific number
of responses, will show as answered.
Tabbed presentation of paired reading passages in
middle school and EOC.
Grade 3 Reading: The grade 3 Reading test has TWO
sections and is administered over TWO days. Be sure to
STOP after Section 1!
Other
READING
Instructional
Reminders:
 Transition from “basic comprehension skills” to
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literary analysis – Use language from text to
answer all questions; Examine the author’s style
of writing and form reading-writing connections
Teach nonfiction – very important, at ALL levels
Pair fiction and non-fiction passages
Teach roots and affixes – these will be tested as
stand-alone AND related to a passage
Study vocabulary
Pull passages from content texts
Ask reading comprehension questions
Research (tested in grade 3 reading; tested in
writing in all other grades).
Curriculum
Resources ~
MATHEMATICS
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/
 http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs
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/mathematics/index.shtml
Standards, Curriculum Framework, Blueprint
Sample Lesson Plans
Instructional Videos
Instructional Resources
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Technical Assistance on Selected SOL
Vocabulary Word Wall Cards
Vertical Articulation
 Using Statewide SOL Results to Guide Instruction
 Strategies for Minimizing Time & Improving Performance
 Released Tests (NOTE: New tests released in March 2014.)
(Plain English sample to be released soon.)
 http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/practice_items/i
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ndex.shtml#math
Math SOL Practice Items
Math VMAST Practice Items
Narrated demonstration of TEI Items
Mathematics Practice Tool
Other
MATHEMATICS
Testing
Updates . . .
 Grades 3-5 Mathematics: The grade 3-5
Mathematics test has TWO sections and is
administered over TWO days. Be sure to STOP
after Section 1! Make sure directions for TWO DAY
TESTING are read.
 Grades 6-7 Mathematics: The grade 6 and 7
Mathematics test has TWO sections. Both sections
must be administered on the SAME day.
 Formula Sheets: Make sure the correct formula
sheet is provided to students. With the exception
of retesters using 2001 standards, all other
students should be using 2009 standards.
Students taking an online Mathematics test ARE
permitted to use a paper formula sheet in addition
to the online version.
 Seal Code: Seal codes have been added as an
option in Pearson Training Center.
Other
MATHEMATICS
Instructional
Reminders . . .
 Quantiles: All math results have related
quantile score.
 Grid Paper: Intended for mathematical
purposes (i.e. plot, etc.), NOT graphic
organizers.
 Commas: Students must place commas in
correct location within a number in order for
answer to be correct.
 Mathematics content should support these
process standards . . .
 Problem-solving
 Communication
 Reasoning
 Connections
 Representation
Curriculum
Resources ~
SCIENCE
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/
 http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standard
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s_docs/science/index.shtml
Standards, Curriculum Framework, Blueprint
Sample Lesson Plans
Science Progression
Instructional Resources
Released Tests (NOTE: These do NOT align with
2010 standards.)
 http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/practice_
items/index.shtml#science
 Science SOL Practice Items*
 Narrated demonstration of TEI Items
Other
SCIENCE
Testing
Updates . . .
 Chemistry: Students taking online Chemistry test
MUST use Periodic Table located on the online
test’s toolbar (NO paper copy). The table used may
be accessed on the VDOE website.
 Instructional focus should include . . .
THIS . . .
NOT . . .
Planning & conducting
experiments
Replicating procedure
Applying to everyday
experiences
Performing skills in isolation
Unifying themes
Missing connections
Developing habits of mind
Giving information without
questions
Discovery of natural world
Overemphasizing seatwork,
terms, test prep
Curriculum
Resources ~
HISTORY
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/
 http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standard
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s_docs/mathematics/index.shtml
Standards, Curriculum Framework, Blueprint
Sample Lesson Plans
SOL Institutes
Instructional Resources
Released Tests (NOTE: Tests from Spring 2012 ARE aligned
with the 2008 standards. An additional “set of test items” will be
released in March 2014.)
Check out the Schedule for Review of NEW History
and Social Science Standards of Learning . . .
- Standards: January 2015
- Curriculum framework: July 2015
Other Testing Updates . . .
 TEI test types: Fill-in-the-blank, Histogram or Bar Graphing, Hot
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Spot, Number Line, Drag and Drop. Refer to Staunton City Schools
website for description.
Cut Scores have now been updated. Refer to Staunton City Schools
website.
Emphasis words such as most, main, and best will no longer be
emphasized by italics or capital letters on any new SOL tests. The only
exceptions will be the words NOT and EXCEPT, which will continue to
be emphasized with capital letters on all SOL tests except for grade 3.
The grade 3 tests will not contain test items with the words NOT and
except.
Continue to maintain focus on rigor of instruction and assessment.
Refer to VDOE website.
Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) coming to middle school
mathematics next year. More information and other CAT timelines will
be coming.
Online SOL Test:
A Student’s Perspective
TestNav Login Screen
Online Tools
 Pointer
 Protractor
 Eliminate Choice
 Dot
 Highlighter
 Straightedge
 Pencil
 Compass
 Eraser
 Exhibit
 Notepad
 Calculator
 Ruler
SOL Practice Items
Pearson Training Center
Test Security Agreement
 READ all of the Test Security Agreement prior to signing
and administering any SOL assessment.
Role of Examiners/ Proctors
 During test administration, Examiners/Proctors must
monitor the testing process by moving as
unobtrusively as possible about the room. They should
ensure that students are working independently and do
not have access to unauthorized materials.
Monitoring the Testing Process
 16 Things You Can Do While Actively Monitoring
During Standardized Testing
All you can do is . . .
 Walk around the room
 Watch students take a test
Or is it? Other options?
Answering Student Questions
 Examiners/ Proctors MAY answer questions regarding
technical issues of the assessment.
 They may NOT answer questions that would provide any
hint or clue with regard to the assessment.
Examples of Technical Questions
 Scrolling: “To view all of the reading passage, use the scroll bar to the
right of the passage to move the page up and down.”
 Navigating the test: “To move to the next question click Next”; “To
go back to the previous question click Previous”; “To go back to a
question from the review screen click on the question’s number”; “To
submit your test click the Submit the test button”; “Go back to the test
item to make sure the Pointer was used to indicate the answer.”
 NOTE: Examiners/ Proctors may NOT use the student’s
mouse or keyboard to navigate any portion of the test for
the student.
FAQs
 When a student has completed testing can the test
examiner scroll down the review screen (look over the
student’s answer section on the answer document) and
make sure the student has an answer for every
question?
 No. The examiner must not touch the student’s mouse
(avoid the appearance of providing assistance). The
Examiner may only tell the student to “read the screen
carefully” (online) or to “review the answer document
carefully” (paper).
FAQs
 We are concerned that our students might select the
wrong button to submit their tests. Can the examiner
submit the test for the student?
 No. The examiner must not touch the student’s mouse
(avoid the appearance of providing assistance).
Directions in the Examiner’s Manual state, when
students are ready to submit their tests for scoring,
they raise their hands. The Examiner gives permission
to the student to submit and may say, “to submit your
test click on the 3rd button which says Submit the test.”
Guidance for Submitting a Test
 GRADES 6-8 & EOC:
If examiner sees that
student has unfinished
items, examiner may
only tell student to
“Read the screen
carefully.”
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Guidance for Submitting a Test
 Grades 3-5: If
examiner sees that
student has unfinished
items, the examiner may
read this screen to the
students. This screen
says: “Stop. You are
trying to exit the test.
You have __
unfinished items.”
(Refer to directions in
Examiner’s Manual.)
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FAQs
 If the student does not remember how to use one of the
tools, can the examiner show the student how to
operate the tool?
 No. The examiner may say, “for help with a tool, click
on the help icon (life preserver) on the tool bar.”
FAQs
 Can staff and students get practice with the various
functions on a test before live testing?
 YES! Students and staff may practice the login process,
using tools, navigation, and submitting tests by taking
a Training Center Test or by using the practice TestNav
items. Students who have the audio accommodation
may practice the audio controls also by taking the
Training Center Test in audio format. Look for
Applications for Test Preparation in the TIM and
Examiner’s Manuals for several other applications to
help students.
FAQs
 Can a student’s parent sit in the testing room with their
child during testing?
 No, only test examiners/proctors and staff that are
essential to testing (all of which have been trained and
have signed the test security agreement) are permitted
in the secure testing environment.
FAQs
 Can a teacher review a new test to get a feel for the type
of questions that are being asked?
 No, this is what released test items and practice items
can be used for.
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Anticipated Released Tests Schedule for the “new” SOL
History (2008 SOL) Spring 2013/ Item Sets Spring 2014
 Mathematics (2009 SOL) Spring 2014
 Reading (2010 SOL) Spring 2015
 Science (2010 SOL) Spring 2015
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FAQs
 While testing: Can I write notes of encouragement and
put them on students’ desks, or can I verbally
encourage students to do their best on the test, or pat
them on the back to show support, etc.?
 No, none of this is permissible during the test session.
These actions can give the appearance of inappropriate
assistance and can result in an investigation and
possible retesting.
Paper vs. Online
Students who meet one or more of following criteria may be assigned a
paper/pencil test:
 Placement: Special situation school, homebound, Governor’s school
 Accommodation requires paper/pencil: large-print, Braille,
flexible schedule (multiple testing sessions requiring more than one day)
 Documented medical condition: Exposure to computer will
aggravate condition (i.e. seizure disorder, etc.)
All other requests must be completed through “Documentation of Need for Paper/Pencil SOL Assessment”
Interpreter Accommodation
Interpreters . . .
 May have access to the SOL or VMAST tests for review
purposes 24 hours prior to the administration, as
authorized by the DDOT
 May interpret test directions, sample items, and
questions regarding the mechanics of the tests. These
questions should be directed to and answered by the test
examiner.
 Must have test sessions proctored or video-taped.
 Must sign an Interpreter’s Affidavit.
STC Reminders . . .
 Proctor Authorization Tickets and Student
Authorization Tickets – These tickets should be printed no
more than 4 days prior to the test window start date and must be
stored in a secure location until needed.
 Start the test session the day of the scheduled session.
 Use the Examiner’s/ Proctor’s Test Booklet/ Test Ticket
Transmittal Form/ Affidavit to distribute and collect test tickets
and materials to examiners. Provide Examiners extra copies of the
formula sheets and the Periodic Table of the Elements, where
applicable.
 Ensure that all examiners/ proctors have allowable test
manipulatives. (Refer to instructions in TIM and Examiner Manual
for clearing calculator memory.)
More Reminders . . .
 Section Breaks– Some tests have two sections, and a seal code
must be used for the next section.
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Grade 3 Reading (2 Days)
Grades 4 – 5 Mathematics (2 Days):
- Section 1 – NON-calculator
- Section 2 – 4-function calculator
Grades 6 – 7 Mathematics (1 Day):
- Section 1 – NON-calculator
- Section 2 – Scientific calculator
More reminders . . .
 View the status of each test session through Session
Details screen (Ready, Active, Exited, Resumed, ResumedUpload, Submitted, Processing, Completed, Marked
Complete).
 Add, move, and remove students from test sessions, as
needed. Students who are absent on the day of testing must
be removed/moved from the session before it can be
stopped.
 Stop all online test sessions at the end of the day. All
students must show a Completed status on the Session
Details screen. Any students with a Not Started, Exited, or
Resume status must be removed/ moved to a make-up or
irregularity session before stopping the test session.
More reminders . . .
 Moving a student: If students are moved to an alternate
testing site to complete their tests, their Student
Authorization tickets must be collected by the Examiner or
Proctor prior to the move and redistributed only after the
students are settled in the new location. While in transit,
students must not be allowed to discuss the test with
anyone or have access to educational materials.
 Their online test must be Exited prior to being moved to the
new location. Before the student can log in (using the same
information on the test ticket) to complete their test, the
student’s test must be Resumed in Test Session
Management.
Testing Irregularities
Report any irregularities within 24 hours.
MOST Common Irregularities:
 #1 - Student unable to complete test
 #2 - Accommodation not provided or inappropriate
accommodation provided
 #3 - Test inappropriately marked complete
 #4 – Wrong test
 #5 - Inappropriate manipulative
Marking Tests Complete
 Mark test complete guidelines: Every student identified for
testing must be accounted for via an online test or a paper document,
including students who were not tested because they:
 Were exempt due to LEP
 Were absent during the entire testing window
 Refused or were disruptive
 Cheated
 Were involved in a medical emergency
 Failed the course but passed the test and are retaking the course
 Took a substitute test for verified credit
 Move these students to a new session and the DDOT will mark these
tests complete at the conclusion of testing.
Other reminders . . .
 Testing Accommodations: Add Test-Specific data in
PearsonAccess to indicate what accommodations were
provided to the student under the Test Details screen of
PearsonAccess. (Temporary Accommodations may be
handled through the upload or under Student
Registration.)
 Student Alerts: Clear all student alerts for the school,
when possible. Ask if there are questions related to alerts.
 Be sure that the RETEST flag is selected on the Test
Assignment screen for every student who is retaking the
test for verified credit.
High School Only:
 Substitute Tests: If a student is enrolled for the
first time in a course that requires an EOC test and
has taken or will take an approved substitute test in
place of the EOC tests, include in upload and select
Testing Status code 10. If a student has failed an EOC
test and takes an approved substitute test as a retest
in an attempt to earn a verified credit, complete
Testing Status code 10 AND set Retest flag to Y.
 Read-aloud/Audio for Reading: Under certain
circumstances an LEP student or a student with a
disability may receive the read-aloud or the audio
accommodation on the EOC Reading test even though
the student has not been determined as eligible based
on criteria for read-aloud tests
Questions?