2016
Test
Coordinator’s
Manual
SCIENCE
Connecticut State Board of Education
Assessment Web Sites
CSDE Web site:
www.ct.gov/sde
CSDE Assessment Portal:
http://ct.portal.airast.org
Contact Information
Questions regarding shipping or receiving test materials should be directed to:
Connecticut Help Desk
American Institutes for Research
1-844-202-7583
cthelpdesk@air.org
Questions regarding CAPT Science policies, test accommodations, test irregularities,
reporting, or any other questions related to the CAPT Science administration should be
directed to:
Connecticut State Department of Education
Bureau of Student Assessment
CAPT: 1-860-713-6890
CTStudentAssessment@ct.gov
Copyright © 2016 by the Connecticut State Board of Education
in the name of the Secretary of the State of Connecticut.
Table of Contents
GENERAL INFORMATION .........................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 1
TEST SECURITY ................................................................................................................................................................. 1
SECURITY BREACHES .................................................................................................................................................... 2
CALENDAR OF KEY EVENTS ..................................................................................................................................... 3
OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
THE CONNECTICUT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE TEST THIRD GENERATION ................................. 4
CAPT SCIENCE .............................................................................................................................................................4
TEST ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION .......................................................................................................4
SCIENCE SKILLS CHECKLIST................................................................................................................................5
WHO SHOULD BE TESTED ....................................................................................................................................5
Grade 10 Students .....................................................................................................................................................5
Additional Questions Concerning CAPT Science ...............................................................................................6
Students Who Move to Another Connecticut Public School During Testing ................................................6
Students Who Leave the Connecticut Public School System During Testing .................................................6
Students Who Are Suspended, Expelled, Homebound, Homeschooled, Hospitalized, or
Incarcerated During Testing....................................................................................................................................6
Students Who Receive Special Education Services..............................................................................................6
Students Identified as Disabled Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 .................................7
Students Identified as English Learners (EL) .......................................................................................................7
Students Who Leave a Test Session Blank ............................................................................................................7
Students Who Are Absent .......................................................................................................................................7
Make-Up Testing.......................................................................................................................................................8
TEST MATERIALS ............................................................................................................................................................. 9
COMPLETING STUDENT IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION ON ANSWER BOOKLETS ........ 10
Instructions for Using Pre-ID Labels ................................................................................................................. 10
How to Print Pre-ID Labels ................................................................................................................................. 10
Back Cover of Answer Booklet: Sections Completed by the Test Examiner ............................................... 11
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LARGE PRINT, BRAILLE, AND ONLINE COMPUTER RESPONSES ........ 12
Special Handling Box ............................................................................................................................................ 13
DISTRICT TEST COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES ....................................................................... 14
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................................................................................................. 14
RESPONSIBILITIES PRIOR TO TEST ADMINISTRATION ....................................................................... 15
Receiving Test Materials ....................................................................................................................................... 15
Ordering Braille and Large Print Test Booklets ................................................................................................ 15
Inventorying Test Materials .................................................................................................................................. 15
Inventorying the School Shipment ...................................................................................................................... 16
Testing Schedule..................................................................................................................................................... 16
i
Announcement of Testing .................................................................................................................................... 17
Appointment of Test Examiners ......................................................................................................................... 17
Training Test Examiners ....................................................................................................................................... 18
Administration of the Practice Tests................................................................................................................... 19
(Optional) Student/Parent Brochure .................................................................................................................. 19
Testing Rooms........................................................................................................................................................ 19
RESPONSIBILITIES DURING TEST ADMINISTRATION .......................................................................... 20
Monitoring the Secure Administration of the Test ........................................................................................... 20
Securing Test Materials Between Test Administration Sessions ..................................................................... 20
Test Irregularities ................................................................................................................................................... 20
RESPONSIBILITIES FOLLOWING TEST ADMINISTRATION................................................................. 20
Verifying Information on the Front and Back Covers of the Student Answer Booklets ........................... 20
RETURNING MATERIALS .................................................................................................................................... 21
PACKAGING MATERIALS FOR RETURN ....................................................................................................... 22
Scorable Materials .................................................................................................................................................. 22
Non-Scorable Materials ......................................................................................................................................... 22
SHIPPING TEST MATERIALS .............................................................................................................................. 23
Method 1: Courier Pickup .................................................................................................................................... 23
Instructions for Courier Pickup ........................................................................................................................... 23
Method 2: FedEx Pickup ...................................................................................................................................... 23
Instructions for Fedex Pickup.............................................................................................................................. 23
APPENDIX A .................................................................................................................................................25
Grade 10 Answer Booklet: Front Cover .......................................................................................................................... 25
Grade 10 Answer Booklet: Back Cover ........................................................................................................................... 26
APPENDIX B .................................................................................................................................................27
District Packing List ............................................................................................................................................................ 27
APPENDIX C .................................................................................................................................................28
Secure Material Checklist Form......................................................................................................................................... 28
APPENDIX D.................................................................................................................................................29
Scorable Return Label: Dark Blue ..................................................................................................................................... 29
Non-Scorable Return Label: Dark Pink ........................................................................................................................... 29
APPENDIX E .................................................................................................................................................30
CAPT Science Special Handling Cover Page .................................................................................................................. 30
APPENDIX F ................................................................................................................................................. 31
CAPT Science Special Handling Kit Instructions .......................................................................................................... 31
APPENDIX G .................................................................................................................................................32
Test Irregularities ................................................................................................................................................................. 32
ii
General Information
GENERAL INFORMATION
INTRODUCTION
This manual includes a description of the Test Coordinator’s responsibilities for the receipt, distribution,
administration, collection, and return of the 2016 Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) Science testing
materials. This manual provides general information about the testing program, a description of the test materials,
instructions on the management of secure materials, and activities to be completed before, during, and following
test administration. All secure test materials must be returned to Measurement Incorporated’s processing center in
Durham, North Carolina, when testing is completed. This Test Coordinator’s Manual complements the CAPT
Science Test Examiner’s Manual. The Test Examiner’s Manual provides instructions for test preparation and
administration in the classroom. All test examiners should be thoroughly familiar with the contents of the Test
Examiner’s Manual prior to test administration. Test Coordinators should read the instructions in this Test
Coordinator’s Manual carefully and become familiar with the instructions in the Test Examiner’s Manual prior to
testing.
TEST SECURITY
This manual contains specific instructions that teachers must follow to ensure test security and validity.
Therefore, it is absolutely essential that each test examiner review this entire manual prior to
administering the Connecticut Academic Performance Test in Science.
Violation of test security is a serious matter with far-reaching consequences. Breaches of test security
include, but are not limited to, copying of test materials, failing to return test materials, coaching
students, giving students answers, and/or changing students’ answers. Such acts may lead to the
invalidation of an entire school district’s student test scores, disruption of the test system statewide,
and legal action against the individuals committing the breach. A breach of test security may be dealt
with as a violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility for Teachers, as well as a violation of
other pertinent state and federal law and regulation. The Connecticut State Department of Education
will investigate all such matters and pursue appropriate follow-up action. Any person found to have
intentionally breached the security of the test system may be subject to sanctions including, but not
limited to, disciplinary action by a local board of education, the revocation of Connecticut teaching
certification by the State Board of Education, * and civil liability pursuant to federal copyright law.
*See Section 10-145b(j) (1) of the Connecticut General Statutes, which reads in part as follows: The State
Board of Education shall revoke any certificate, authorization or permit issued pursuant to said
sections if the holder is found to have intentionally disclosed specific questions or answers to students
or otherwise improperly breached the security of any administration of a state-wide examination
pursuant to Section 10-14n.
All CAPT Science materials are SECURE (with the exception of the CAPT Science Practice Tests, CAPT
Science Skills Checklists, Test Examiner’s and Test Coordinator’s manuals, and Science periodic tables).
CAPT science materials must be kept in a locked storage area until they are used with students. After
administration, materials must be kept in a locked storage area until they are returned.
To maintain the integrity and validity of the CAPT Science Tests, security measures must be maintained before,
during, and after testing.
1
General Information
SECURITY BREACHES
The following activities represent breaches in security and must be avoided:
•
•
•
•
Reviewing, examining, or analyzing secure test items or student responses before, during, or after testing.
Providing students with, or access to, secure test items or test content prior to testing.
Providing students with, or access to, answers prior to, during, or after testing.
Keeping, copying, discussing, reproducing, cloning, or using in any manner inconsistent with instructions
specified in the Test Examiner’s and Test Coordinator’s manuals any item or any portion of any test except
those items and tests specifically released by the Connecticut State Department of Education.
• Keeping, copying, discussing, or reproducing any portion of student responses to any live test items.
• Coaching students or altering or interfering with student responses in any way before, during, or after
testing including, but not limited to, providing students with explanations of questions or definitions of testitem vocabulary for any section of the test.
• Failing to follow instructions specified in the Test Examiner’s and the Test Coordinator’s manuals for the
distribution and return of test materials or failing to account for all secure test materials before, during, and
after testing.
• Failing to follow all directions pertaining to the administration of the CAPT Science as specified in the Test
Examiner’s and Test Coordinator’s manuals.
• Allowing, participating in, assisting in, or encouraging any unauthorized access to test materials before,
during, or after testing.
• Except for approved accommodations, allowing students to use portable listening or recording devices, cell
phones, personal digital assistants, or other electronic equipment during any test session.
• Leaving in view of students during test administration (e.g., on bulletin boards, posters, desktop learning
aids) materials that are content or conceptually related to the subject areas being assessed.
If you have questions about test security or whether specific items or tests have been released, call the
Student Assessment Office at the Connecticut State Department of Education, 1-860-713-6890. Test
examiners must immediately report any breaches in test security to the Test Coordinator. The Test
Coordinator must then immediately contact the Student Assessment Office at 1-860-713-6890.
2
Calendar of Key Events
CALENDAR OF KEY EVENTS
EVENT
Districts receive standard grade-level test materials
Districts can order any additional materials or address any discrepancies in
secure material shipments through TIDE. Districts will also receive Braille
and Large Print materials.
Administer Science Practice Tests
Administration of CAPT Science and Submission of the
CAPT Science Skills Checklist
DATES
January 22–February 2, 2016
February 3–23, 2016
Prior to test administration
March 1–29, 2016
FedEx pickup (page 23) by
Wednesday, April 6, 2016 (or as
soon as possible after testing)
Return of Test Materials
Courier pickup: See page 23 for
instructions on how to arrange this
courier pickup. Earlier pickup dates
may be arranged by calling the
Connecticut Help Desk
(1-844-202-7583)
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Overview of the Spring 2016 Connecticut Academic Performance Test
OVERVIEW
THE CONNECTICUT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE TEST
THIRD GENERATION
The Connecticut General Statutes (section 10-14n) mandate a statewide assessment to be administered to all public
school students in Grade 10. The law requires that a record of such performance become part of a student’s
permanent record and official high school transcript.
CAPT SCIENCE
The CAPT Science test assesses students’ understanding of important scientific concepts from five different
content strands, as well as their abilities to apply those concepts to real-world issues. In addition, there is a major
focus on scientific inquiry and using scientific reasoning to solve problems. The CAPT Science test consists of 60
multiple-choice and 5 open-ended items and is administered in two sessions. Open-ended items are scored by
trained readers using a four-point holistic rubric. Multiple-choice items are scored electronically as either correct or
incorrect.
The CAPT Science Test consists of the following test sessions.
Test
Actual Testing Time
Directions Time
Total Time
Session 1
Session 2
50 minutes
50 minutes
15 minutes
5 minutes*
65 minutes
55 minutes
* Allow 15 minutes for directions if administered on separate days.
A maximum of two sessions of testing may be scheduled per day. When administering two sessions on the same
day, a break of at least 15 minutes should be allowed between sessions.
TEST ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
•
•
•
•
•
•
4
Pre-ID labels must be affixed to the front cover of the answer booklets in the proper place before the start
of testing. The cover page takes approximately 15 minutes to complete; directions are in the Test
Examiner’s Manual.
The CAPT Science Practice Test must be given before testing begins (February 3–February 29, 2016). The
administration of each of the practice tests will take approximately 15 minutes. The purpose of each practice
test is to familiarize students with the different item formats they will encounter on the test.
All testing (including regular testing and make-up testing but not including the practice tests) must occur
from March 1–29, 2016, inclusive.
All other testing sessions may be scheduled on any day within the five-week window.
Within a school, each section of the test must be administered to all Grade 10 students and retest students
at the same time on the same day. The test schedule may vary among schools within a district.
Students must be tested in a regular classroom setting. The test may not be administered to a large group of
students that exceeds a normal class size. There is no minimum number of students allowed within a setting.
Overview of the Spring 2016 Connecticut Academic Performance Test
•
•
•
A maximum of two sessions of testing may be scheduled per day.
When administering two test sessions on the same day, a break of between 10 and 30 minutes should be
allowed between sessions.
Science Sessions 1 and 2 do not need to be administered on the same day.
SCIENCE SKILLS CHECKLIST
Students Who Receive Special Education Services: Science Skills Checklist
The CAPT Science Skills Checklist is an alternate assessment designed for students with significant cognitive
disabilities. The student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team must determine that the student meets
ALL the following criteria in order to be assessed with the CAPT Science Skills Checklist:
1. The student has a significant cognitive disability.
2. The student requires intensive individualized instruction to acquire, maintain, or generalize skills that students
without disabilities typically develop outside a school setting.
3. The student requires direct instruction in multiple settings to successfully generalize skills to natural settings,
including home, school, and community.
4. The student’s instructional program includes participation in the general education curriculum to the extent
appropriate and may also include a functional and life-skills component.
School district personnel are required to complete a Learner Characteristics Inventory (LCI) for each
student assessed with the CAPT Science Skills Checklist using the Data Entry Interface (DEI), which can
be accessed through the CSDE Assessment Portal.
A copy of the CAPT Science Skills Checklist is available through the Student Assessment link on the CSDE Web
site. The online CAPT Science Skills Checklist must be submitted during the testing window, March 1–29, 2016,
using the DEI on the CSDE Assessment Portal.
WHO SHOULD BE TESTED
Grade 10 Students
Connecticut General Statutes (Section 10-14n) mandate that all public school students enrolled in Grade 10
participate in the CAPT Science each year.
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Overview of the Spring 2016 Connecticut Academic Performance Test
Additional Questions Concerning CAPT Science
What if a student …
Resolution of the Issue
repeats Grade 9 in his or her
second year of high school and
skips ahead to Grade 11 in the
third year (i.e., the student is
technically not a Grade 10 student
at the time of CAPT Science)?
Each public high school student must be considered a
10th grader at some point in high school and be tested on
CAPT Science. The district must determine when the
student is closest to being a 10th grader and test in that
year. A public high school student may not skip
mandatory CAPT Science testing in Grade 10.
Correct Answer
Booklet to Use
Grade 10 (Blue)
Students Who Move to Another Connecticut Public School During Testing
The District Test Coordinator must be notified immediately if a student moved to another Connecticut public
school during the testing window (March 1–March 29, 2016) and did not complete all required test sessions. The
District Test Coordinator must then contact the Student Assessment Office for further instructions.
Students Who Leave the Connecticut Public School System During Testing
The District Test Coordinator must be notified if a student withdraws from the Connecticut Public School System
(e.g., transfers to a private school, homeschool, moves out of state) during the testing window (March 1–29, 2016).
In this case, the District Test Coordinator is required to call the CSDE Student Assessment Office for further
instructions. All the student’s test booklets must be returned using a Special Handling Box.
Note: If a student completed all testing prior to leaving the Connecticut public school system, the student’s answer
booklet should be returned with all other scorable test materials.
Students Who Are Suspended, Expelled, Homebound, Homeschooled, Hospitalized, or Incarcerated
During Testing
Refer to the Assessment Guidelines for information about students who are suspended, expelled, homebound,
homeschooled, hospitalized, or incarcerated during testing. The Assessment Guidelines is available through the Student
Assessment link on the CSDE Web site.
Students Who Receive Special Education Services
Students who receive special education services must participate in statewide testing. These students must
participate in the standard CAPT Science or the CAPT Science Skills Checklist. The CAPT Science Skills Checklist
must be completed online rather than by submission of a paper form. Students who are assessed with a Skills
Checklist may not be assessed with any other assessment option. See page 5 of this manual for more information on
the CAPT Science Skills Checklist.
See the current version of the Assessment Guidelines for specific information concerning accommodations available
for students receiving special education services. The Assessment Guidelines is available online at the CSDE Web site.
Test accommodation information must be entered in TIDE prior to testing. Please call the Student Assessment
Office at 1-860-713-6890 if you require additional information. Instructions for submitting an online computer
response are found on page 12 of this manual.
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Overview of the Spring 2016 Connecticut Academic Performance Test
Students Identified as Disabled Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Students who are not identified for special education but who are identified as disabled under Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 must be tested on the standard version of the CAPT Science. These students may,
however, receive accommodations for the test administration. These accommodations must be entered in TIDE.
Please see the current version of the Assessment Guidelines for further information.
Students Identified as English Learners (EL)
Students identified as English learners (EL) must take the CAPT Science (with accommodations if necessary). There
are no exemptions from the CAPT Science for students who are EL. Refer to the current version of the Assessment
Guidelines for information about the accommodations available for EL students. The current version of the
Assessment Guidelines is available through the Student Assessment link on the CSDE Web site.
For every student with accommodations, school district personnel are required to enter accommodation
information accurately in TIDE prior to testing.
Students Who Leave a Test Session Blank
If a Grade 10 student is present for a particular test session but does not respond to any questions or provide any
response in that test session (i.e., that session of the answer booklet is completely blank), the “Left Blank” bubble
on the back cover of the answer booklet must be filled in for that test session. Note: Students who are present for
testing but do not respond to any questions should not be administered a make-up test.
Test examiners are instructed in the Test Examiner’s Manual to carefully inspect all Grade 10 answer booklets after
each test session and fill in the “Left Blank” bubble on the back of the answer booklet if a student attended the test
session but did not respond to any questions or provide any response.
Please note that if a student is present for testing but does not provide any response and the test examiner does not
complete the “Left Blank” bubble, the student will be reported as absent.
Students Who Are Absent
It is essential to test all students during the four-week window of March 1–29, 2016. Students who are absent for
any test sessions should be administered a make-up test as soon as possible after they return to school to ensure that
they participate in all CAPT Science test sessions and are counted as participants in CAPT Science reporting. Every
effort must be made to test absent students during the testing window.
For students who are absent from the entire test, be sure that their Pre-ID labels have been properly affixed to the
front of the answer booklets. Students without pre-filled Pre-ID labels will have labels printed for them at the
testing location. These answer booklets must be returned with all other answer booklets.
Students must participate in all test sessions to earn a score. For example, if a student completes one session and is
absent for the second session, the student will be reported as Absent for that session. If a student completes one
Science session and leaves the second session blank, the student will be reported as Left Blank for that session if
the Left Blank bubble is filled in on the back of the answer booklet.
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Overview of the Spring 2016 Connecticut Academic Performance Test
Make-Up Testing
Some students may be present for one session of the test and absent for the other. Accordingly, test examiners must
report the names of absentees for each test session to the Test Coordinator so that appropriate make-up sessions
can be scheduled. It is the responsibility of the Test Coordinator to schedule make-up sessions and to make sure
that students understand which sessions to attend. It is the local school district’s responsibility to ensure that each
absentee participates in the appropriate make-up testing during the March 1–29, 2016, testing period. Make-up
testing must conclude by March 29, 2016, and must follow the same conditions as regular testing.
Students making up a test will complete the same test form as is given in the regular administration. Therefore, it is
important that all make-up tests be given as soon as possible upon the return of the student to school to limit the
opportunity to discuss the test with other students.
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Overview of the Spring 2016 Connecticut Academic Performance Test
TEST MATERIALS
The District Test Coordinator will receive the following materials in sufficient quantities for the number of
students in the district:
•
Standard Science practice tests
•
Standard live Science test booklets (Sessions 1 and 2)
•
Grade 10 Science answer booklets
•
Pre-ID labels
•
Blank Pre-ID labels for printing
•
CAPT Science periodic tables
Note that the same answer booklet is used for the entire test and must be returned to each student for each part of
the test that he or she takes. Be sure to utilize the correct answer booklet to ensure accurate reporting.
The District Test Coordinator will also receive:
•
A Secure Materials Checklist
•
CAPT Science Test Coordinator’s Manuals
•
CAPT Science Test Examiner’s Manuals
•
Material Return Labels
•
A Return Kit
The district is responsible for providing the following materials:
•
Sharpened pencils (Number 2) with erasers.
Students shall not use:
•
Calculators, including those built into cell phones or other electronic communication devices
•
Laptop or portable/handheld computers
•
Personal digital assistants
•
Any device that is capable of connecting to the Internet
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Overview of the Spring 2016 Connecticut Academic Performance Test
COMPLETING STUDENT IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION ON ANSWER BOOKLETS
A Grade 10 answer booklet must be submitted for every student enrolled in Grade 10 who participates in the
standard CAPT Science, including those students who are absent for the entire test. This includes any student
repeating the 10th grade.
Students not in this PSIS data collection (e.g., a student who moved into your district after October 2015) will need
to have labels printed on site. Please see below for instructions on printing labels.
Note: Unused Pre-ID labels do not need to be returned. Please securely destroy any unused Pre-ID labels. In the
event that a student needs more than the four labels provided, the DTC must call the Connecticut Help Desk at
1-844-202-7583.
Instructions for Using Pre-ID Labels
Students receive a set of four Pre-ID labels. One Pre-ID label must be affixed to the front of the student’s answer
booklet. The extra Pre-ID labels are for other uses, such as with replacement forms in the case of a test irregularity
or in case the original Pre-ID label is damaged.
Place the Pre-ID label so that it is inside the student label box on the front cover of the answer booklet. Do not try
to remove and reaffix the label if it appears to be improperly placed. If the label is affixed entirely outside of the
box, please contact the Student Assessment Office.
Do not apply a label to any grade-level test booklet for students who
•
withdrew from the school prior to testing; or
•
are assessed with the CAPT Science Skills Checklist.
All students must complete the Student Name, Teacher/Examiner, School, and District box in the upper left-hand
corner on the front page of the answer booklet.
How to Print Pre-ID Labels
Blank labels can be used in conjunction with the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) to print individual
student Pre-ID labels that were not provided in the original Pre-ID shipment.
To print Pre-ID labels:
1. To retrieve the students in TIDE for which you want to print labels:
•
Click the Student Information tab; then click View/Edit Students.
•
From the drop-down lists and in the text boxes, enter search criteria. (To further refine your search, click Add
Additional Search Criteria .)
•
Click Search. TIDE displays the retrieved students at the bottom of the View/Edit Students page.
2. Click the column headings to sort the retrieved students in the order by which you want them printed.
10
Overview of the Spring 2016 Connecticut Academic Performance Test
3. Do one of the following:
•
Mark the checkboxes for the students you want to print.
•
Mark the checkbox at the top of the table to print labels for all retrieved students.
4. Select Print Pre-ID Labels.
5. A pop-up window will appear to select the print label position. The start position only applies to the first
page of labels and indicates where you would like the first label to be positioned on the page. All subsequent
pages will begin printing labels from the top left corner. Select the position you would like the first label to
appear in, then click Print.
Your browser downloads the generated PDF file.
Back Cover of Answer Booklet: Sections Completed by the Test Examiner
•
Left Blank
If a student is present for testing but leaves a test session completely blank (no items completed), the “Left
Blank” bubble should be filled in for that test session. If this bubble is not filled in, the student will be
reported as absent for that test session.
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Overview of the Spring 2016 Connecticut Academic Performance Test
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LARGE PRINT, BRAILLE, AND ONLINE COMPUTER RESPONSES
All Large Print and Braille versions of the CAPT Science must be kept secure throughout testing. All security
measures listed on pages 1 and 2 of this manual apply to the Large Print and Braille versions of the tests.
The conditions listed below must be met when administering the Large Print or Braille tests.
•
All students using Large Print or Braille test documents must submit a corresponding regular scannable
answer booklet with a Pre-ID label. All open-ended responses must be recorded by the student. Students
are not permitted to dictate a response to any open-ended item.
Large-Print: If students record their responses to multiple-choice items in the Large Print answer booklet, the
District Test Coordinator, the test examiner, or the itinerant teacher must transfer these responses to the
corresponding regular scannable answer booklet. Students should either respond to the open-ended items in the
Large Print or corresponding regular scannable answer booklet or type their responses onto a separate sheet of
paper. See below for more information on submitting computer/word processor responses. Do not transcribe any
responses to open-ended items. Both documents should be returned in the Special Handling Box. For those
open-ended items answered outside the corresponding regular scannable answer booklet, the test examiner should
write “NSR” (Non-Standard Response) in the response area of the corresponding regular scannable answer
booklet to ensure that the hand-scoring staff is aware of the non-standard response method.
Braille: If students Braille their responses to the Braille test, the District Test Coordinator or test examiner/teacher
must transfer the student’s responses to all multiple-choice items into a corresponding regular scannable answer
booklet. The student’s responses to all open-ended items must be transcribed verbatim by the District Test
Coordinator or test examiner. All test and answer booklets for students with a Braille accommodation must be
submitted in a Special Handling Box. The responses may be handwritten into the corresponding regular
scannable answer booklet or typed on separate sheets of paper. (See below for more information on submitting
computer/word processor responses.) For those items answered outside the corresponding regular scannable
answer booklet, the test examiner should write “NSR” (Non-Standard Response) in the response area of the
corresponding regular scannable answer booklet to ensure that the hand-scoring staff are aware of the non-standard
response method.
Please refer to the General Instructions for Testing with Braille and Large Print Forms included in your shipment of Large
Print and Braille test materials for administrative procedures. If you have any questions related to the administration
of the Large Print or Braille versions of the CAPT Science, please contact the Student Assessment Office at
1-860-713-6890.
Submitting Computer Responses: Students who submit computer responses must have this accommodation
entered in TIDE prior to testing.
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Overview of the Spring 2016 Connecticut Academic Performance Test
Special Handling Box
The Special Handling Box must be used for returning all Large Print test booklets and answer booklets and all
corresponding regular answer booklets, all test booklets and answer booklets for students with a Braille
accommodation, and all replacement form test booklets and answer booklets.
Additionally, the Special Handling Box is used for other testing situations:
•
A damaged test or answer booklet.
•
A student moved in from another Connecticut district during testing and therefore has two answer
booklets.
•
Test irregularities: Test irregularities involve a disruption of the test administration due to various
circumstances (e.g., fire drill, students becomes ill, improper test directions given, cheating incident, etc.). If
such an incident occurs, the District Test Coordinator must contact the Student Assessment Office at
1-860-713-6890 immediately to determine the proper course of action. In such cases, a replacement form
may be administered requiring a second answer document. After testing is complete, both answer booklets
along with written documentation should be included in the Special Handling Box.
•
A student responded in the wrong answer booklet: Occasionally, students respond in the wrong answer
booklets. The District Test Coordinator must report these cases to the Student Assessment Office at
1-860-713-6890 immediately. In these cases, students typically complete testing in the original (incorrect)
answer booklet. Once testing is complete, the demographic page of the correct answer booklet should be
filled out. Place the incorrect and the correct answer booklets together and include them in the Special
Handling Box with written documentation of the incident.
•
A student responded in wrong section of the answer booklet: If a student responds to a subject area in
the wrong section of the answer booklet, call the Student Assessment Office at 1-860-713-6890. Since each
situation is unique, you will be instructed how to handle the problem. In many cases, a second answer
booklet will be necessary. When this happens, the student’s two answer booklets will have to be returned in
the Special Handling Box. Along with the answer booklets, please include written documentation of the
affected subject areas.
Please contact the Connecticut Help Desk at 1-844-202-7583 if additional Special Handling Boxes are needed.
13
District Test Coordinator Responsibilities
DISTRICT TEST COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
As District Test Coordinator, your primary responsibilities are to coordinate the administration of the CAPT
Science in your district and to act as a liaison between your district’s test examiners, the Connecticut State
Department of Education, American Institutes for Research, and Measurement Incorporated. Your major
responsibilities, listed below, fall under the following four sections: 1) General Responsibilities, 2) Responsibilities
Prior to Test Administration, 3) Responsibilities During Test Administration, and 4) Responsibilities Following Test
Administration.
14
•
Ensure that all students are appropriately identified who may require accommodations for testing, and
ensure that procedures for testing these students follow those specified by the Connecticut State
Department of Education’s current version of the Assessment Guidelines, which can be found at the CSDE
Web site.
•
Ensure that the information on the Pre-ID label for each student is checked for accuracy.
•
Ensure that the front and back covers of the answer booklet is completed accurately for all students.
•
Check secure test materials shipments to determine whether there are sufficient materials for each test
examiner. The District Test Coordinator should contact the Connecticut Help Desk at 1-844-202-7583
immediately if more materials are needed.
•
Establish a testing schedule according to conditions outlined in this manual. Inform test examiners of the
entire testing schedule (including regular testing and make-up testing), and ensure that the established testing
schedule is followed in your district.
•
Make certain that all test materials are secure before testing, between test sessions, and after testing. Refer to
the Test Security section on pages 1 and 2 of this manual.
•
Read and understand the contents of the Test Examiner’s Manual.
•
Provide a training session for all test examiners including individuals that will be providing support for
students receiving test accommodations. A PowerPoint presentation to assist with the training of test
examiners can be found at the CSDE Web site by following the student assessment link.
•
Distribute test materials to school coordinators/test examiners and make sure that an accurate accounting
of all materials assigned to each test examiner is maintained.
•
Monitor the testing to ensure that tests are being administered properly, test security measures are being
adhered to, and the staff in the district is handling test materials appropriately.
•
Collect, inventory, package, and return all secure test materials according to the instructions on page 21 of
this manual.
•
Package and return completed answer booklets and all other secure materials as described on page 22.
District Test Coordinator Responsibilities
RESPONSIBILITIES PRIOR TO TEST ADMINISTRATION
Receiving Test Materials
By February 2, 2016, each District Test Coordinator will receive a shipment of CAPT Science test materials.
Quantities are based on the October 2015 PSIS data collection. The shipment will include materials necessary for
operational testing for each building. An overage is included with each school’s shipment. An additional overage is
shipped in the district shipment. All materials will be shipped to the attention of the District Test Coordinator.
Materials for each school are contained in a single box or in a set of numbered boxes. In each school’s shipment,
Box 1 includes a copy of the Packing List (see Appendix B). If any school does not receive sufficient testing
materials, the district overage should be used. If the overage is not sufficient to cover shortages, the District Test
Coordinator should order additional materials through TIDE.
A list of items you will receive is provided on page 9.
Ordering Braille and Large Print Test Booklets
District Administrators will receive Braille and Large Print materials for those students designated with that
accommodation in TIDE prior to the test administration window. Please ensure that all students requiring Braille
and Large Print materials have it correctly marked in the student settings.
For any questions regarding the Braille and Large Print materials, please contact the Connecticut Help Desk at
1-844-202-7583. Please allow 5–8 days for the testing materials to arrive once an additional order has been placed.
Inventorying Test Materials
The District Test Coordinator should immediately inventory all materials received using the following steps:
1. Count the total number of boxes received and compare it to the number of boxes indicated as shipped. If
by February 10, 2016, the total number of boxes indicated has not been received, call the Connecticut Help
Desk at 1-844-202-7583.
2. Sort the boxes of materials by school.
3. Inventory the contents of the district boxes by comparing the materials received with the materials indicated
on the packing list. If there are any discrepancies, call the Connecticut Help Desk at
1-844-202-7583.
4. Review the Secure Materials List that was received in the district shipment and verify that all secure test
materials have been received.
15
District Test Coordinator Responsibilities
Inventorying the School Shipment
The District Test Coordinator or the school coordinator must inventory the materials shipped to the schools. The
District Test Coordinator should determine which option best fits his or her district’s needs. In either case, follow
these steps:
1. Compare the materials in each box with the packing list to verify all materials have been received. A sample
of a secure materials checklist form is provided in Appendix C. This form lists all test and answer booklets
that have been packed for your school. All test booklets and answer booklets must be returned to the
District Test Coordinator for return. In the case where the school coordinator is completing the school
inventory, the school coordinator should inform the District Test Coordinator if all materials have not been
received.
2. Check the quantities received against the materials actually necessary for testing in each school, and make an
item-by-item note of any shortages that exist in each school.
3. Determine whether the additional materials received in the district boxes will cover the school shortages. If
this is the case, distribute materials to the schools as necessary from the district overage shipment.
If materials in the district overage shipment do not cover the school shortages, order additional materials
through TIDE. Please note that order adjustments cannot be shipped on an item-by-school basis. Only
districtwide adjustments can be shipped. Order adjustments requested after February 23, 2016, may not be
received in time for testing to begin on March 1, 2016.
4. Districts and schools must retain the boxes in which materials were shipped. These boxes should be used to
return all test materials. Please instruct anyone who receives materials in the original boxes to keep the
boxes and return them with the testing materials upon completion of testing.
If, after reading these instructions, you have any questions about the materials or the instructions for organizing and
returning the materials, please contact the Connecticut Help Desk at 1-844-202-7583.
Testing Schedule
The 2016 CAPT Science is to be administered from March 1–29, 2016.
It is the responsibility of the District Test Coordinator to establish a testing schedule for the entire district and to
ensure that the established schedule is followed throughout the district. The Test Coordinator must inform test
examiners, and all others associated with CAPT Science testing, of the entire testing schedule (including regular
testing and make-up testing, where applicable).
The Test Coordinator should describe in detail the school’s schedule for administering the test. The dates of testing,
the day of the week for each test session, the time of day the test will be administered, and make-up dates are some
of the topics that should be discussed.
16
District Test Coordinator Responsibilities
Announcement of Testing
Testing dates should be made known to parents and students. Students should be encouraged to come to school
well-rested for testing. Excessive emphasis on the importance of the test may cause students to become too
anxious. The distribution of the practice test with an announcement of testing dates and a reminder the day before
testing should be sufficient notice.
Test examiners should know the test dates as soon as they have been set. Advance notice helps teachers adjust their
lesson plans and personal schedules to fit the testing schedule.
Appointment of Test Examiners
Test examiners should be certified teachers. However, if a paraprofessional or substitute teacher is needed to
administer a test, the individual must be fully trained in test administration and test security procedures.
Paraprofessionals should be monitored by a certified teacher to ensure that test administration and security
procedures are followed. A substitute teacher should be monitored by the building principal or another
administrator to ensure that test administration and security procedures are followed.
There should be at least one test examiner for every 30 students. The test examiner is responsible for the
security of the group’s test materials until these materials are returned to the District Test Coordinator.
17
District Test Coordinator Responsibilities
Training Test Examiners
It is the responsibility of the District Test Coordinator to ensure that test examiners understand and follow the
proper administration procedures for the CAPT Science. It is critical that all the directions pertaining to the
administration of the CAPT Science be followed precisely. Any deviation from the procedures set forth in the Test
Coordinator’s Manual and Test Examiner’s Manual can invalidate test results.
It is strongly recommended that a school or districtwide training session be held to familiarize all test examiners
with the administration procedures. Each test examiner should be provided with a copy of the Test Examiner’s
Manual prior to the training session so that he or she may read through the document carefully. The training session
should focus on the following topics:
•
Test security procedures before, during, and after testing
•
Test schedule within the school and/or district
•
Directions for accurately completing the front and back covers of the answer booklets, including affixing
Pre-ID labels
•
Ensuring that students use the correct answer booklet and place their responses in the correct section of the
answer booklet
•
Following the directions and testing times for each test exactly as stated in the Test Examiner’s Manual
•
Ensuring that appropriate test accommodations are provided for eligible students
•
Reporting any absent students
•
Accurately reporting any students who leave a test session blank
•
What constitutes a test irregularity and what to do if such an incident occurs
It is the responsibility of the administrators of each school to assign students to testing classrooms. The test
examiner in each testing classroom must ensure that sufficient test materials have been provided. All test materials
MUST be kept secure in a closed, preferably locked, container, closet, or room.
Test examiners should become familiar with test materials and fully understand testing procedures by reviewing the
directions and answer booklets, noting any test support materials that will be needed. It is the responsibility of each
test examiner to assemble the necessary test support materials provided by the district. These include pencils and
erasers.
The directions need to be read and followed exactly as they appear in the manuals in order to establish
valid testing conditions. Test examiners should not review, analyze, or discuss any test items or student
responses before, during, or after the test administration.
The test examiner may clarify any point by repeating and explaining the directions. Illustrating the procedures,
placing the test’s sample items on the board, and discussing the reasoning leading to the correct response to the
sample items or practice test items are also appropriate practices.
A PowerPoint presentation to assist with the training of test examiners can be found at the CSDE Web site by
following the student assessment link.
18
District Test Coordinator Responsibilities
Administration of the Practice Tests
Included in each school’s shipment of test materials are Science practice tests and a Science Practice Test
Examiner’s Manual. All Grade 10 students must have the opportunity to take the practice tests before testing
begins. The practice test materials are not secure. Students may take the practice test booklets home after
completing them in class.
It is not acceptable to simply distribute the practice tests for students to take home. It is important that the practice
tests be administered in class so students hear the explanations provided in the Test Examiner’s Manual. The
practice tests must be given prior to the beginning of the testing window, so time should be scheduled for this
purpose. The practice test can be completed within a regular class period and takes about 15 minutes to administer.
It is not necessary that all students in a school take the practice tests at the same time.
(Optional) Student/Parent Brochure
A student/parent brochure that provides an overview of the CAPT Science is available to download on the CSDE
Web site. The CAPT Science brochure is available for the standard test. This brochure may be given out to students
any time before the start of the testing window. The standard CAPT Science brochure is available in both English
and Spanish versions.
Testing Rooms
All testing must take place in a classroom setting. The CAPT Science should not be administered to any group of
students that exceeds a normal class size. There is no minimum number of students allowed within a setting.
The testing room should be well lit and properly ventilated. The room must be large enough to comfortably
accommodate the number of students to be tested. Students should be spaced far enough apart that they do not feel
cramped and there is no opportunity for copying. There should be a reliable watch or clock with a second hand in
the room.
All materials that are content related or conceptually related to the subject areas being assessed must be covered or
removed from the view of students during the test administration. This includes information posted on bulletin
boards and classroom walls. Failure to follow this policy is a security breach.
Distractions should be minimized. An effort should be made to eliminate any possible distractions such as bells,
telephones, and outside noises during the test administration.
Rooms designated for a time extension accommodation should be selected prior to testing and be appropriately
staffed with trained personnel.
19
District Test Coordinator Responsibilities
RESPONSIBILITIES DURING TEST ADMINISTRATION
Monitoring the Secure Administration of the Test
District Test Coordinators should be actively involved in test administration through careful supervision and
monitoring of procedures described in this manual to ensure that tests are being administered properly, test security
procedures are being adhered to, and test materials are being handled appropriately. Any breaches in test security
must be reported immediately by the District Test Coordinator to the Student Assessment Office at 1-860-713-6890.
The District Test Coordinator should ensure that test examiners are accurately tracking all Left Blank test sessions
and absent students, and scheduling make-up test sessions as needed.
Securing Test Materials Between Test Administration Sessions
The District Test Coordinator is responsible for monitoring the secure storage of test materials between testing
sessions. All secure materials must be stored in a closed, preferably locked, location in each school when not in use.
The Secure Material Checklist Form (Appendix C) has been provided to assist the District Test Coordinator in
keeping track of secure scannable test materials during the test administration. Any breaches in test security must be
reported immediately by the District Test Coordinator to the Student Assessment Office at 1-860-713-6890.
Test Irregularities
The District Test Coordinator must be notified immediately of all test irregularities. Test irregularities are situations
that might invalidate scores for a student or group of students. Please refer to Appendix G for a more comprehensive
list of potential test irregularities.
There are times when these situations may require the use of a replacement test. The District Test Coordinator is
required to call the CSDE Student Assessment Office to report the test irregularity and to receive instructions for
resolving the issue.
RESPONSIBILITIES FOLLOWING TEST ADMINISTRATION
Verifying Information on the Front and Back Covers of the Student Answer Booklets
The information on the front and back covers of all student answer booklets should be thoroughly checked and
verified. Incorrect information can result in inaccurate CAPT Science reporting. Please refer to pages 10 and 11 of
the Test Examiner’s Manual for instructions and specific information regarding the use of Pre-ID labels and
completion of the information on the front and back covers of the student answer booklets. Sample front and back
answer booklet covers are located in Appendix A.
20
District Test Coordinator Responsibilities
RETURNING MATERIALS
After testing is complete, assemble all used and unused CAPT Science materials.
1. Separate out all SCORABLE materials. These materials contain student answers that need to be scored. They
are:
•
•
•
Used Grade 10 Science answer booklets
Used Science answer booklets that were completed by students due to a test irregularity situation
Any additional Science answer booklets to be returned in the Special Handling Box (including used Large
Print and Braille Science test booklets)
2. Separate out all NON-SCORABLE materials. These materials must be returned, but they do not contain
student answers and do not need to be scored. They are:
•
•
•
Unused Grade 10 Science answer booklets
Unused Large Print and Braille Science answer booklets
All Science test booklets used for the live sessions of the test
3. Separate out the NON-SECURE materials. Non-secure materials are:
•
•
•
•
•
District Test Coordinator’s Manuals
Test Examiner’s Manuals
Practice test booklets
Science periodic tables
Unused Pre-ID labels
Non-secure materials DO NOT need to be returned. They may be discarded according to your district’s policies.
21
District Test Coordinator Responsibilities
PACKAGING MATERIALS FOR RETURN
Scorable Materials
Separate scorable materials (see list on page 21). Put all the used Grade 10 answer booklets together.
Answer booklets corresponding to Large Print and Braille situations must be returned in the Special Handling Box.
Follow the instructions included with the Special Handling Box and package these materials separately.
Answer booklets used with a replacement test in a test irregularity situation must be returned in the Special
Handling Box with written documentation of the incident. Follow the instructions included with the Special
Handling Box and package these materials separately.
Pack all materials by type in the original boxes that your materials were shipped in. The order in which the materials
are packed in the boxes is not important as long as the materials are packed together.
If the documents do not completely fill the box, use crumpled paper to fill the extra space. Do not use Styrofoam
packing peanuts or shredded paper to fill the space as this will interfere with processing.
After you have securely packed the materials, affix a “SCORABLE MATERIALS” label to the top of the box. See
Appendix D for a sample of this label.
FedEx districts need to apply a return label to box 1. See page 23.
Non-Scorable Materials
Group non-scorable materials (see list on page 21) by type. Separate Grade 10 answer booklets. Put all the
unused Grade 10 answer booklets together. Put each type of test booklet together by session. The order in which
the materials are packed in the boxes is not important as long as the materials are grouped together by type. Before
packing and sealing the boxes, make sure there are no used scorable answer booklets or test booklets mixed in with
the unused test materials.
Pack all materials in the original boxes that your materials were shipped in. If the documents do not completely fill
the box, use crumpled paper to fill the extra space. Do not use Styrofoam packing peanuts or shredded paper to fill
the space as this will interfere with processing.
After you have securely packed the materials, affix a “NON-SCORABLE MATERIALS” label to the top of the
box. See Appendix D for a sample of this label.
22
District Test Coordinator Responsibilities
SHIPPING TEST MATERIALS
There are two methods for returning test materials, Courier and FedEx. The method to use to return your test
materials depends upon the method with which the test materials were originally delivered. Specific instructions for
both methods of returning materials are located below. If you have any questions about returning test materials, call
the Connecticut Help Desk at 1-844-202-7583.
Method 1: Courier Pickup
The following districts should return their test materials using Courier pickup. All Courier pickups have been preassigned for each district on this list. The list identifies the date when the Courier pickups will be made in each
district. If you have any questions about returning your test materials via courier, call the Connecticut Help Desk at
1-844-202-7583.
Bridgeport
Hartford
New Haven
Stamford
Waterbury
April 5, 2016
April 5, 2016
April 5, 2016
April 5, 2016
April 5, 2016
Instructions for Courier Pickup
•
•
Prepare boxes for shipping using the directions on page 22.
Ensure that all of your district’s test materials are packed and ready for pickup by the courier as described
on this page and on page 22. If you have any questions regarding this process, call the Connecticut Help
Desk at 1-844-202-7583.
Method 2: FedEx Pickup
All districts and schools that are not listed for Courier pickup on the list above should return test materials using
FedEx. FedEx return kits, including instructions, were provided in the original shipment of test materials. If you do
not have a return kit, call the Connecticut Help Desk at 1-844-202-7583 and an agent will provide you with the
information and the account numbers needed to schedule a FedEx pickup.
Instructions for Fedex Pickup
•
•
•
•
•
•
As soon as possible after testing, prepare boxes for shipping using the directions on this page and on
page 22.
Apply the FedEx airbill on box 1. The FedEx driver will apply barcode labels to subsequent boxes of your
shipment in order to link each box within the shipment to the master airbill.
The airbill has been preprinted with all of the necessary information except for your shipping address and
the total number of boxes. Please fill in this information.
Please call 1-800-463-3339 for your FedEx pick up. You must allow at least two hours from the time you
call until your boxes are picked up.
All test materials must be packaged for return by Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
At the time of pick up, your FedEx driver will provide you with a copy of the airbill for your records.
23
Appendices
A–G
24
Appendix A
APPENDIX A
Grade 10 Answer Booklet: Front Cover
25
Appendix A
Grade 10 Answer Booklet: Back Cover
26
Appendix B
APPENDIX B
District Packing List
27
Appendix C
APPENDIX C
Secure Material Checklist Form
28
Appendix D
APPENDIX D
Scorable Return Label: Dark Blue
CAPT
SCORABLE
TEST MATERIALS
Ship to
Measurement Incorporated
2700 Angier Avenue
Durham, NC 27703
Box _______ of _______
Non-Scorable Return Label: Dark Pink
CAPT
NON-SCORABLE
TEST MATERIALS
Ship to
Measurement Incorporated
2700 Angier Avenue
Durham, NC 27703
Box _______ of _______
29
Appendix E
APPENDIX E
CAPT Science Special Handling Cover Page
Use this Special Handling Cover Page to identify answer booklets that are included in this Special Handling Box.
Instructions for completing all requested information below is located on the back of this sheet.
District Name
District Test Coordinator
Phone Number
Braille (BR), Large Print (LP), Replacement Form (RF): Indicate the reason for special handling by checking
the appropriate box.
Student Name
Grade
Content Area(s)
BR
LP
RF
1
2
3
4
5
Other Special Handling Reasons: Include a written explanation with the answer booklet(s).*
Student Name
Grade
Content Area(s)
1
2
3
4
5
* The District Test Coordinator must contact the Connecticut State Department of Education’s Student
Assessment Office at 1-860-713-6890 before returning answer booklets for special handling for any of these
Other Special Handling Reasons.
30
Appendix F
APPENDIX F
CAPT Science Special Handling Kit Instructions
The Special Handling Cover Page in Appendix E is to be used to identify all test booklets returned in the Special
Handling Box. There are two types of special handling test booklets:
1. Braille, Large Print, Replacement Form: Students who are administered a Braille or Large Print test and/or
are administered a replacement form should have their test booklets returned in the Special Handling Box.
2. Other Special Handling Reasons: These include students who use multiple test booklets in one content area,
students who respond in another student’s test booklet(s), students who respond in the incorrect section of
their test booklet(s), and any other issue that requires special handling. See the Special Handling Box section
of the Test Coordinator’s Manual for more information.
The District Test Coordinator must contact the Connecticut State Department of Education’s Student
Assessment Office at 1-860-713-6890 before returning test booklets for any of these Other Special Handling
Reasons.
All test booklets returned in a Special Handling Box need to be returned using the following procedures:
1. Attach an explanation to each student’s set of test booklets to identify the reason special handling is needed.
Please identify, as clearly and concisely as possible, why special handling is needed. No explanation is needed
for Braille, Large Print, and replacement forms.
2. Place the test booklets in the box(es) provided in the Special Handling Kit. These boxes are marked “CAPT
Special Handling.”
3. Place the CAPT Special Handling Cover Page on top of the test booklets in the Special Handling Box. If
more than one Special Handling Box is needed, place a separate cover page in each box. Each cover page
should only identify the test booklets in that box.
4. Return the Special Handling Box(es) in the same shipment with the rest of the test materials.
Contact the Connecticut Help Desk at 1-844-202-7583 with questions about special handling.
31
Appendix G
APPENDIX G
Test Irregularities
The District Test Coordinator must be notified immediately of all test irregularities.
Test irregularities are situations that may invalidate scores for a student or for a group of students. Test
irregularities may require corrective action including the retesting of students with a CAPT Science
replacement form to ensure valid results. It is, therefore, imperative that the District Test Coordinator call
the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) Student Assessment Office for all test
irregularities. Test irregularities include, but are not limited to:
1. Potential Security Issues
•
Students saw test items/tasks prior to testing.
•
Students were coached or provided answers to test questions prior to or during testing; this includes, but is
not limited to, providing students with explanations of questions or definitions of test-item vocabulary for
any test.
•
Someone reviewed, examined, analyzed, or discussed test items or student responses to test items (including
the standard CAPT Science and replacement forms) before, during, or after testing.
•
Someone changed student responses in an answer booklet.
•
Someone kept, copied, or reproduced any secure test materials (e.g., test booklets, writing prompts, student
responses).
•
Secure test materials are missing from a school or were not returned.
•
Materials that are content related or conceptually related to the content area being assessed were not
covered or removed from view during testing.
•
Interruption of testing due to a fire drill, bomb scare, power failure, or other concern.
2. Issues During Testing
32
•
The proper directions to a test session as written in the Test Examiner’s Manual were not followed (e.g.,
additional instructions given, specific directions not read).
•
Proper time limits were not followed (e.g., too much, too little time given).
•
Students were not provided with CAPT Science periodic tables during the Science test sessions.
•
A student who should have taken one or more test sessions was not given the opportunity to take the test
before the end of the testing window (does not include students who are absent during the entire testing
window or whose absence prevented them from making up test sessions).
•
A student completed the wrong test session (e.g., Science Session 1 instead of Science Session 2).
Appendix G
3. Accommodation Issues
•
Proper test accommodations, as indicated in a student’s Individualize Educational Program (IEP) or 504
Plan, were not provided for the student.
•
Test accommodations were provided for a student who was not identified for those test accommodations.
•
A student refuses to use accommodations as identified in the IEP.
4. Student Issues
•
A student cheated during a test session.
•
A student vomited or bled on an answer booklet.
•
A student became ill during testing and left the testing room.
•
A student withdrew from the school during the testing window and did not complete all required test
sessions.
•
A student starts testing in school but is then expelled or must receive homebound instruction during the rest
of the testing window.
•
A student completed all or part of another test session after completing the scheduled test session.
•
A student is disruptive or upset and is removed from the testing room.
•
A student used an unapproved electronic device during testing (e.g., cell phone).
5. Test Booklet Issues
•
A student responded in another student’s answer booklet.
•
A student entered responses in two different answer booklets.
•
A student recorded all or part of his/her responses on paper and not in the answer booklet.
•
The answer booklet is damaged (e.g., torn pages, spilled water, soiled).
•
A student used something other than a Number 2 pencil to complete his/her responses.
Provide the following information when reporting a test irregularity to the CSDE Student Assessment
Office:
1. School name
2. Grade(s) affected
3. Number of students affected (if multiple students are involved)
4. Teacher’s name (if applicable)
5. Name of test including test session
6. Student information:
• Name
• Grade
• Date of Birth
• State Assigned Student Identification Number (SASID)
7. Description of the irregularity
33
CAPT Science Paper/Pencil Test Coordinator’s Manual