These training materials are designed to highlight important information regarding test administration policies and procedures. Not all information from the test administration manual is included in this presentation,
2

• These training materials are based on the 2012-
2013 Writing Test Administration Manual.
• Training materials are available at www.FLAassessments.com/Writing .
3

Daily Administration
Schedule
Day 1 – Tuesday, February 26
Grades 4, 8, 10 Writing Test
60 minutes
Day 2 – Wednesday, February 27
Grades 4, 8, 10 Writing Make-Up Test
60 minutes
Any deviation from this schedule requires written approval from the FDOE prior to implementation.
4

SESSION LENGTH AND MAKE-UP TESTS
• The Spring FCAT 2.0 Writing Test is now 60 minutes long. Test administrators are required to use ALL of the allotted time for the Writing test and should not end the test early or collect test materials prior to the end of the allotted time.
• There is now only ONE day for make-up tests. District and school personnel should plan accordingly and make students and parents/guardians aware that there is only one make-up day.
5

ELECTRONIC DEVICES
• School personnel must ensure that students do not have access to their cell phones or other electronic devices during testing, including breaks (restroom breaks, etc.).
• If a student is found to be in possession of ANY electronic devices during testing or during a break, his or her test must be invalidated.
• Students and parents/guardians must be made aware of this policy prior to testing.
6

TEST MATERIALS CHAIN OF CUSTODY FORM
• Schools are required to maintain a Test Materials Chain of Custody Form , posted at www.FLAssessments.com/Writing and located in
Appendix C.
• The second page of this form that contained fields for activities and signatures has been removed. Schools must still record accurate information on the revised form, including the dates activities are completed and information about the locked storage room.
• Schools must retain electronic or hard copies of completed forms and email or return the originals to the district assessment coordinator.
7

TESTING RULES ACKNOWLEDGMENT
• Prior to testing, students must listen to the testing rules read by the test administrator and then sign below a
Testing Rules Acknowledgment.
• The Testing Rules Acknowledgment is located on the back page of the student planning sheet.
8

RETURN LABELS FOR SPECIAL DOCUMENTS
• WHITE return labels should be used for all TO BE
SCORED large print materials.
• PINK return labels should be used for all TO BE
SCORED braille materials.
• YELLOW return labels will be used for all NOT TO BE
SCORED materials, including NOT TO BE SCORED special documents.
9

• Inappropriate actions before, during, or after test administration may result in consequences such as test invalidations and/or loss of teaching certification.
• All personnel involved in test administration must read and sign an FCAT 2.0 Administration and Security
Agreement , provided in Appendix C.
10

• If a student begins the test and leaves campus without finishing (due to an appointment, illness, etc.), he or she will NOT be allowed to complete the test.
• No exceptions will be made once the student leaves the school’s campus, so parents/guardians and students must be made aware of this policy.
11

TEST ADMINISTRATORS
• ALL test administrators must be certified educators.
• In addition to signing a security agreement, test administrators are required to sign a Test Administrator
Prohibited Activities Agreement .
12

Writing Folders
• Writing folders include security numbers to assist in the tracking of these secure documents.
• School assessment coordinators and test administrators must maintain records of required administration information that include the security numbers of Writing folders assigned to them.
• A security number consists of a nine-digit number followed by a check digit (located in upper right corner of Writing folders).
13

Test Group Codes
• Writing folders do not contain a field for a test group code; however, test group codes must still be used to identify groups of students tested together.
• Test group codes must be recorded with required administration information and on seating charts.
14

• Test administrators must NOT administer the FCAT 2.0 to their family members. Students related to their assigned test administrator should be reassigned to an alternate test administrator.
• Under no circumstances may a student’s parent/guardian be present in that student’s testing room.
• Administration manuals must be provided to itinerant teachers in time for them to prepare adequately for the test. These teachers must also be included in test administrator training.
15

SEATING CHARTS
• Test administrators are required to maintain an accurate seating chart for each group of students in their rooms during testing.
• All seating charts must indicate the front and back of the room, as well as the direction the students are facing.
• If the seating configuration changes during testing, a new seating chart must be created.
16

• All Grades 4 , 8 , and 10 students, including retained students, are required to participate in FCAT 2.0 Writing. Special documents
(large print and braille) are available for the Spring FCAT 2.0
Writing Test, and administration accommodations may be provided to eligible students with IEPs, Section 504 plans, or ELL plans.
Special Program Students
• Make arrangements to test special program students (Home
Education, Virtual School, McKay Scholarship, FTC Scholarship, etc.).
• Ensure that grid sheets and Document Count Forms for these students are completed properly, according to the chart on page
6 of the manual.
17

English Language Learners (ELLs)
• Per the Department’s Office of Student Achievement through Language
Acquisition, all ELLs are expected to participate in FCAT 2.0 Writing.
Students With Disabilities
• All students with disabilities participate in the statewide assessment program by taking one of the following:
– FCAT 2.0 without accommodations,
– FCAT 2.0 with accommodations, or
– Florida Alternate Assessment.
• All determinations regarding participation in the statewide assessment program must be documented in the student’s IEP or Section 504 plan.
See Appendix A of the manual for information regarding accommodations.
18

• School personnel must adhere to the following policies as they prepare student materials:
– Test materials may be delivered to schools no earlier than 1 week prior to testing.
– Only the school assessment coordinator and school personnel designated by the building/site administrator may open the shrink-wrapped packages and affix labels.
– Do not use student labels from previous administrations.
– Students are not permitted to assist in preparing secure materials before testing or in organizing and returning materials after testing.
– The Chain of Custody Form must be maintained at all times.
– All secure materials must be returned to locked storage and remain there until testing.
19

• The PreID roster should be verified against the school’s student information database.
• Verify that students with PreID Labels are still enrolled and will be tested.
• FIVE elements MUST be correct on a student PreID label:
– Student name
– Student ID number
– District number
– School number
– Grade level
Destroy labels in a secure manner if ANY of this information is incorrect.
• If any other preidentified information (e.g., date of birth) is incorrect ,
20 use the label.

• Affix the label in the box in the lower left corner of the student grid sheet.
• Do not remove labels once they have been affixed.
• Do not place a label over another label.
21

• If the student name, student ID number, district number, school number, or grade level is
INCORRECT on a USED Writing folder , the student must, under the supervision of the test administrator, transfer his or her exact response into a replacement folder.
• The student grid sheet of the replacement folder MUST be gridded.
• Grid the DNS bubble on the folder with the incorrect label affixed and set it aside to be returned to the school assessment coordinator with all other NOT TO BE
SCORED materials.
22

• As directed by the school coordinator, test administrators may use the pre-populated administration record/security checklist, a blank copy of the checklist, or may make his/her own comprehensive record of security numbers.
• Security number(s) of the folder(s) assigned to and returned by each student should be recorded and verified at the completion of testing.
• Security numbers of writing folders not already listed on the checklist (e.g., materials distributed from district overage) MUST be added to the record with the names of the students to whom the test materials are assigned.
23

Administration Record/
Security Checklist
• School assessment coordinators may use the checklist to record the security numbers of the documents assigned to and returned by each test administrator.
• A blank version of the form can be found in Appendix C.
• Pre-populated lists with security numbers for all secure folders assigned to each school are available for district and school personnel at www.FLAssessments.com/Writing .
•To access the pre-populated checklist in PearsonAccess, go to
Test Setup > Order Additional Materials and Tracking > Reports , and select Security Checklist Detail from the drop-down list
24

• When testing a large group of students, proctors must be assigned to the room. Refer to the table below for the required number of proctors.
• It is strongly recommended that a proctor be assigned to rooms with 30 or fewer students whenever possible.
25

• If secure materials are missing or if a test irregularity or security breach occurs, the school assessment coordinator must contact the district assessment coordinator immediately.
• Within 30 days of the incident, the district assessment coordinator must submit a written report to the FDOE. The report must include:
− The nature of the situation
− The time and place of the occurrence
− The names of the persons involved
− A description of the communication between the district assessment coordinator’s office and school personnel
− How the incident was resolved
− What steps are being implemented to avoid the future loss of materials or to avoid future irregularities or security breaches
• A form to report such incidents can be found at www.FLAssessments.com/Writing .
26

• District assessment coordinators should advise schools of the appropriate course of action if invalidation is being considered. Remember that the purpose of invalidation is to identify when the validity of test results has been compromised.
• When a student’s test is invalidated for any reason listed in the “Test Invalidation” section on pages 17-18 of the manual, return the invalidated test with the DNS bubble gridded with all other TO BE SCORED materials.
• Instructions for defective materials may be found on page 18 of the manual.
27

before testing
TESTING LOCATION
• The test should be administered in a room that has comfortable seating, good lighting, and sufficient workspace.
• There must be at least three feet between students.
• Make sure that students are not facing each other when seated at tables and are not in seating (stadium or staggered) that allows them to easily view other students’ test materials.
• Students must not have access to any unauthorized aids, including visual aids on classroom walls or desktops (e.g., word lists, punctuation charts).
28

Test Administrator before testing
REQUIRED ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
• Test Administrators must record and maintain the following Required Administration Information:
– Students assigned to the room
– Attendance information
– Test group code
– Unique security number of secure documents assigned to each student
– Grade level
– Signatures of test administrator and school assessment coordinator
– Dates for when documents are received and returned
– Accommodations provided
29

before testing
SEATING CHARTS
• An accurate seating chart must be maintained for each testing room for each test session. Seating charts must record the following information:
– the room name/number
– student names and their location in the room during testing
– date
– test start time
– test administrator name
– names of proctors (if applicable)
– test group code
• All seating charts must indicate the front and back of the room, as well as the direction the students are facing.
• If the seating configuration changes during testing, a new seating chart must be created.
30

before testing
• A Security Log must be maintained for each testing room.
• Anyone who enters a room for the purpose of monitoring a test
MUST sign the log for that testing room.
31

Test Administrator before testing
• Assemble Materials
– Test Administration Manual is needed on the day of testing to read scripts to students, to ensure accurate timing for test sessions, and as a reference to avoid testing irregularities.
– Test Group Codes will be provided by your school assessment coordinator; a unique code must be recorded on your required administration information and seating chart.
– Test Administrator Checklist (located in Appendix C)
32

Test Administrator before testing
• Assemble Materials (cont’d)
– Signs (located in Appendix C)
• Do Not Disturb (posted on entrances to the testing room)
• Electronic Devices (displayed for students)
– Security Log (located in Appendix C)
– Seating Chart
– Record of Required Administration Information
– Pencils for students, if needed
– Watch or Clock to keep accurate time during testing
33

Test Administrator before testing
• Sign and return an FCAT 2.0 Test Administration and Security Agreement , which indicates that the test administrator:
– Has received training
– Has read the test security statute and state board rule
(located in Appendix B)
– Understands and agrees to adhere to all test security and administration policies and procedures
• Sign and return a Test Administrator Prohibited
Activities Agreement
34

Test Administrator before testing
Special Documents
• Ensure that the correct procedures are followed for administering tests to students using special documents.
• Student responses must be recorded properly in all special documents before they are submitted for scoring.
• Refer to the Special Document sections of the manual to ensure the proper handling of these materials.
35

Test Administrator before testing
Special Documents
• Test Administrators must familiarize themselves with the information in the Special Documents section, including:
– Test configurations and materials needed for testing
– Scripts/instructions for students who test using special documents
– Student responses
– Providing accommodations
36

Test Administrator before testing
• Communicate Testing Policies to
Parents/Guardians and Students
– Electronic Devices Policy —If students are found with ANY electronic devices during testing OR during breaks, their tests will be invalidated.
The best practice would be for students to leave devices at home or in their lockers on the day of testing.
– Leaving Campus —If students leave campus before completing the test (for an appointment, illness, etc.), they WILL NOT be allowed to complete the test.
– Testing Rules Acknowledgment —Students will sign below a Testing
Rules Acknowledgment on the back of the planning sheet that reads: “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules, my test score may be invalidated.”
37

Test Administrator during testing
• Maintain your Security Log, seating chart, and a record of required administration information for your room during testing.
• Read the administration script VERBATIM to students.
Please read the important information and adhere to the instructions between the SAY boxes.
• FCAT 2.0 Writing is administered in one 60-minute session – failure to provide the correct amount of time will likely result in test invalidation. Keep accurate time and display times for students as instructed in the script.
38

Test Administrator during testing
• Supervise test administration and ensure the following:
– Students are using No. 2 pencils
– Students do not have books, notes, scratch paper, or electronic devices of any kind during testing, even if they do not use them
– Students have signed the Testing Rules Acknowledgment
– Students do not talk or make any disturbance
– Students are working independently
– Students who use their planning sheets allow themselves enough time to write complete responses in their writing folders
– Students are recording their responses in the appropriate area
39

Test Administrator during testing
• It is not appropriate to use cell or classroom phones, grade papers, or work on the computer during testing.
• While you may encourage students to continue working, you may not talk with them about the prompt or help them with their responses.
• If students finish the test before the allotted time for the session has elapsed, you may encourage them to go back and check their work. You may not collect test materials prior to the end of the 60-minute session.
40

Test Administrator after testing
• Make sure that each student returns his or her Writing folder and planning sheet, and indicate on your record of required administration information that each folder is returned. You may not look through writing folders or read student responses.
• Report any missing test materials and/or test security irregularities to your school assessment coordinator immediately.
• Ensure that the box in the top left corner of the student grid sheet has been completed by each student and that the gridded or preidentified information is accurate and complete.
• Return all materials to your school assessment coordinator, as
41 described on pages 43-44 of the manual.

School Coordinator before testing
•
– Box contents are listed on pages 45-46 of the manual.
– Keep materials secure at all times.
– Maintain an accurate Test Materials Chain of Custody Form.
– No more than three individuals may have access to the locked storage area.
– Do not open shrink-wrapped materials or begin preparing materials (e.g., apply student labels) more than one week prior to testing.
– Save the original boxes for returning special document materials.
– If you need additional materials or if you have questions, contact your district assessment coordinator.
42

School Coordinator before testing
• Train Test Administrators and Proctors
– You are responsible for training all test administrators and proctors, including non-school-based instructors (e.g., itinerant teachers) . You must train several employees to act as possible alternates.
– Test Administrators must be certified educators.
– Test administrators who will be administering the test to students using large print or braille materials must be trained in the use of these test materials.
– Make sure that test administrators are aware of and have made provisions for the exact accommodations needed for individual students.
43

School Coordinator before testing
• Train Test Administrators and Proctors
– Distribute Test Administration Manuals and instruct administrators to read all appropriate sections.
– Ensure that all test administrators maintain the following according to the requirements in the manual:
• Records of Required Administration Information
• Seating Charts
• Security Logs
– Review test security policy and procedures and collect the following:
• Signed FCAT 2.0 Test Administration and Security Agreements
• Signed Test Administrator Prohibited Activities Agreements
– Encourage test administrators to use the checklist found in
Appendix C
44

School Coordinator before testing
• Prepare for Testing
– Distribute Test Group Codes to Test Administrators
– Assign Proctors to test sessions
• Proctors are required for rooms where 31 or more students are tested
• It is recommended that proctors be assigned to rooms where fewer than 31 students are tested
– Provide appropriate test settings
• Ensure visual aids are covered or removed
• There must be at least three feet between students
• Test in classrooms whenever possible
– Make arrangements to test special program students not enrolled in your school, if any
45

School Coordinator during testing
• Supervise Test Administration
– Provide test administrators with additional materials during testing, as necessary.
– Monitor each testing room to ensure that test administration and test security policies and procedures are followed.
– Be available during testing to answer questions from test administrators.
– Make sure that security logs, seating charts, and records of required administration information are being maintained in each testing room.
46

School Coordinator during testing
• Maintain Security
– After ANY administration, initial OR make-up, materials must be returned to you immediately.
– Materials must be placed in locked storage until they are packaged for return.
– Secure materials should never remain in classrooms or be taken from the school’s campus overnight.
– Report any testing irregularities or security breaches to your district assessment coordinator immediately .
47

School Coordinator after testing
• Verify that all distributed secure materials have been returned. Notify your district assessment coordinator immediately if any secure materials are missing and complete the necessary investigation.
• Check for and remove any stray planning sheets from the Writing folders.
• Make copies of the records of required administration information collected by test administrators and file the copies.
• Make copies of all security logs and seating charts and file the copies.
• Ensure that the DNS bubble has been gridded on invalidated tests and place the tests with TO BE SCORED materials.
• Verify that the DNS bubble has been gridded on any defective folders and return defective materials with NOT TO BE SCORED materials.
48

School Coordinator after testing
Document Count Forms
• Do not copy blank count forms; however, once the count forms are completed, you may copy them for your records. If you need additional count forms, contact your district assessment coordinator.
• Place each completed form on top of the first stack of corresponding TO BE SCORED answer documents.
• Separate Document Count Forms must be completed for any special program student documents (Home Ed,
Virtual School, etc.).
49

Ensure that the correct district and school numbers are gridded (refer to the chart on page 6 for special program district/school numbers).
Grid the correct grade level/document type, number of documents under the form, and special document type, if applicable.
50

School Coordinator after testing
Paper Bands
• Documents for each grade level and special program must be banded separately . You may use more than one paper band per grade level, if necessary.
• On each paper band, provide the appropriate district/school numbers, school name, number of TO BE SCORED documents contained in the paper band, and number of banded stacks per Document Count Form.
51

School Coordinator after testing
• Under Number of Banded Stacks per Document Count
Form , number the paper bands 1 of n , 2 of n , etc., where n is the total number of banded stacks per Document Count Form.
• Place a paper band around each stack of TO BE SCORED writing folders. The Document Count Form must be under the paper band on top of the stack labeled 1 of n .
• Seal the paper band and be sure that it securely holds the documents. Do not use staples, paper clips, or tape .
52

School Coordinator after testing
• Use this chart on page 6 of the manual when completing Document
Count Forms and Paper Bands.
53

School Coordinator after testing
• Prepare the following types of boxes for return to your district assessment coordinator:
– All TO BE SCORED Writing folders— Red -labeled boxes
– All TO BE SCORED large print materials, if applicable— White -labeled boxes
– All TO BE SCORED braille materials, if applicable— Pink -labeled boxes
– District Assessment Coordinator ONLY box
– All NOT TO BE SCORED materials (including NOT TO BE SCORED special documents) — Yellow -labeled boxes
• It is your responsibility to package all materials correctly. Mispackaged materials will delay reporting of student results.
• See pages 88–91 of the manual for instructions on the packaging and return of large print and braille materials.
54

School Coordinator after testing
• Package Materials for Return
– Place your school’s TO BE SCORED Writing Folders in the boxes according to the diagram on page 57 of the manual.
– You may place materials for more than one grade level in a box.
– Place the appropriate colored label in the square on the top of each box that reads “Apply return shipping label here.”
– Labels may be placed over any existing shipping labels (e.g., vendor or carrier labels). Do not copy labels.
– If you need additional return labels, contact your district assessment coordinator.
55

School Coordinator after testing
District Assessment Coordinator ONLY Box
• Place the following materials in the District Assessment
Coordinator ONLY box:
– Test administration manuals and unused non-secure materials (e.g., paper bands, count forms, labels)
– Unused planning sheets
– Used planning sheets (with signed Testing Rules Acknowledgment)
– Original records of required administration information
– Original Security Logs
– Original seating charts
– Original Chain of Custody forms
• Seal the box.
• Write District Assessment Coordinator ONLY on the side of the box.
56

• Pages 76-91 of the manual contain specific information and instructions regarding Special Documents (large print and braille). Each document type has its own section and set of instructions.
• Appropriate personnel must familiarize themselves with the information in this section, including:
– Test configurations and materials needed for testing
– Special scripts/instructions for students who test using special documents
– Student responses
– Providing accommodations
– Preparing special documents for return
57

• Appendix A of the manual contains detailed information regarding administration accommodations for students with disabilities and English language learners.
• All personnel involved in administering tests to students with allowable accommodations must familiarize themselves with the information in
Appendix A.
58

Appendix B:
Test Security Statute and Rule
• Appendix B of the manual contains the following:
– Florida Test Security Statute (1008.24)
– Florida State Board of Education Test Security Rule
(6A-10.042)
• All personnel involved in testing activities, including handling and maintenance of test materials, must read and understand the information in Appendix B prior to signing a security agreement.
59

• Appendix C contains the following documents to be copied and used prior to, during, or after testing:
– FCAT 2.0 Administration and Security Agreement
– Test Administrator Prohibited Activities Agreement
– Test Materials Chain of Custody Form
– Security Log
– Administration Record/Security Checklist (blank)
– Checklists
• Test Administrator
• School Assessment Coordinator
• District Assessment Coordinator
– Signs
• Electronic Devices
• Do Not Disturb
– Cover Sheets
60

PearsonAccess
Resources
• The following materials may be found on the
PearsonAccess website under the Support tab:
– Test administration manual
– Forms to report missing materials and test irregularities/security breaches
– Training materials
– Comment forms
– Blank Administration Record/Security Checklist
– Security Log
– Materials Return List
– Braille Script
61

• After testing, test administrators, school assessment coordinators, and district assessment coordinators are encouraged to complete a Writing comment form located at
• FDOE and Pearson appreciate valuable feedback from district and school personnel.
62

Thank you for ensuring a secure and successful FCAT 2.0 Writing administration.
Questions?
63