Fall 2013
Non-Writing SOL Training
PRESENTED BY:
STEPHANIE E. HASKINS
NOVEMBER 13, 2013
Training Agenda
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Fall 2013 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 Nov 4
Non-secure Testing Materials Arrive
November 25
Data Upload File Due to DDOT;
High school secure material delivery (if applicable)
Week of Dec 2
Term Grad Testing
Week of Dec 16
(Lee High/ Genesis)
Dec 16:
Dec 17:
Dec 18:
Dec 19:
Week of Jan 6
Jan 6: VA & US History
Jan 7: World History II, US History I (Genesis only)
Jan 8: World History I, US History II (Genesis only)
Jan 9: Biology, Chemistry, Civics (Genesis only)
Jan 10: Earth Science
Week of Jan 13
Jan 13: Reading Retests, Math Retests, Writing Term Grad Attempt 2**
Jan 14: History Retests, Science Retests, Writing Term Grad Attempt 2**
Jan 15: Make-ups
Jan 16: Make-ups
(**Term Grad only; NOT Expedited Retake)
January 17
Last day to return materials
Literacy and Numeracy
Reading
Geometry & Algebra I
Algebra II
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 at high school. (EOC112-online; EOC002-paper)
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
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: 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
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
Additions in RED and Deletions in RED
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
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
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
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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 Testing Resources
Test Implementation Manual:
 Page iii: What’s New?
 Page xv: Checklist of STC Responsibilities
 Page 8: Applications Available for Test Preparation
 Page 17: Test Manipulatives
 Appendix A: Test Security
 Appendix C: Special Test Accommodations (page 67)
 Appendix C: Documentation for Need for Paper/Pencil (page 87)
 Appendix D: Table of Testing Accommodations (page 94)*
 Appendix H: Online Tools, Icons, Descriptions
Examiner’s Manual:
 What’s New?
 Applications for Test Preparation
 Be Familiar with Directions for Administering Test **
 Online Tools, Icons, Descriptions
 Answering Student Questions
 Online: Examiner “language”
 Paper/pencil: Examiner “language”
 Test security
 Special Test Accommodations
 Checklist of Examiner Responsibilities
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: These do NOT align with 2009 standards. New
tests will be released in March 2014.)
 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
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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.
Grid Paper: Intended for mathematical purposes
(i.e. plot, etc.), NOT graphic organizers.
Quantiles: All math results will have related
quantile score.
Plain English Math: “Sample” should be coming in
March 2014.
Other
MATHEMATICS
Instructional
Reminders . . .
 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.)
Other Testing Updates . . .
 TEI test types: Fill-in-the-blank, Histogram or Bar Graphing, Hot
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.
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
ePAT – Electronic Practice Assessment Tool
 The ePAT tab and all of its contents will be removed
from PearsonAccess on December 6, 2013.
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.
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.
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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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 . . .
 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.
Questions?