Getting Ready for the ACT ACT Administration Training Arkansas
Katie Wollan Project Coordinator Trainer ACT Operational Contract Fulfillment
Jeremiah Barnhart Project Coordinator ACT Operational Contract Fulfillment
Guiding Question: How do I successfully manage the administration of the ACT? Agenda What s New Important Dates ACT Systems Review Pre-test Activities Test-day Activities Post-test Activities
The ACT Components Test Time (min.) # of Items Components English 45 75 Usage/Mechanics: Punctuation, Grammar and Usage, and Sentence Structure Rhetorical Skills: Strategy, Organization, and Style Mathematics 60 60 Pre-Algebra, Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Plan Geometry, and Trigonometry Reading 35 40 Literary Narrative or Prose Fiction, Humanities, Social Studies, Natural Sciences Science 35 40 Biology, Earth/Space Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics Date Representation, Research Summaries, and Conflicting viewpoints
What s New?
ACT-Approved Accommodation Timing Code 6 New This Cycle Examinees with the ACT-approved accommodation of time and a half in a single session (timing code 6) will have 50% extended time for each subject test of the ACT test, with a hard stop after each test. Test 1 English 70 minutes Test 2 mathematics 90 minutes Break 15 minutes Test 3 reading 55 minutes Test 4 science 55 minutes
Accommodations and Supports Accommodations and Supports Roster New This Cycle Still identifies the examinees and their approved accommodations and/or English learner supports The report is still accessed through PearsonAccess nexttm Pre-Recorded Audio Format USB only
New This Cycle Key for Test Booklet Covers
Calculator Policy Update Examinees are fully responsible for making sure any calculator they bring to the test is an allowed model. New This Cycle Staff will continue to check for use of a prohibited calculator or improper use of the calculator. If your school provides calculators to examinees for testing, the school is responsible for making sure those calculators are acceptable. Link to the calculator policy: https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/act-calculatorpolicy.pdf
Calculator Policy Update
What dates do I need to remember?
Prior to February 20, 2019 February 20, 2019 Students complete the Non-Test Portion of the answer document (paper) Train Supervisors and Proctors ACT Paper Test Day Important Dates February 20-22 and 26-28, 2019 February 20- March 6, 2019 February 22 March 1, 2019 March 12, 2019 ACT Online Test Window ACT Paper Accommodations Window Order materials for Makeup Testing Contact ACT Accommodations for Makeup Accommodated Materials ACT Paper Makeup Test Day March 12-18, 2019 ACT Paper Accommodation Makeup Window
Select Qualified Staff & Complete Mandatory Training Use the guidelines in the Test Coordinator Information Manual Pre-test Activities School Test Coordinator Substitute School Test Coordinator Technical Coordinator (online testing only) Room Supervisor Proctor(s)
What are my Pre-test activities?
Verify Receipt of Test Materials Pre-test Activities Within 24 hours of delivery, the Test Coordinator must open and verify the receipt of all test materials using the packing list Test Coordinator will disperse materials to the Building Test Coordinators. After counting materials, reseal cartons with the tape provided Sign your name across the seal Store in a secure location Retain cartons for return shipment
Verify Receipt of Test Materials Pre-test Activities Order additional test materials if necessary Only the Building Test Coordinator and Substitute Test Coordinator can access secure test materials before test day Call ACT immediately at 800.553.6244 ext. 2800 if there is a security breach at any time
State Use Questions Students testing on Paper: Students complete State Use Questions during Pre-Test Session on the Answer Folder. Must be completed prior to test day. Students testing on Online: Students complete State Use Questions in TestNav before testing on test days. NonTest can be completed up to 3 days after online window closes. 18
Paper
Students Complete Non-Test Portions of the Answer Document (paper testing) Pre-test Activities Must complete before test day One-hour session (approx.) Apply barcode labels to the back, lower right corner of the answer documents
Students Complete Non-Test Portions of the Answer Document (paper testing) Pre-test Activities Complete: Blocks A, B, D, N, O, P, and R Name, DOB, and address fields Score reports can not be mailed if these are incomplete Block K (High School Code) If testing site is correct school, leave blank Find the high school code for examinees home high school at www.actstudent.org/regist/lookuphs Use the high school code 969999 for homeschooled examinees 21
Prepare Testing Rooms Allow 15-30 standard-time examinees to each room Pre-test Activities Arrange seating so there is a minimum of 3 ft. between examinees Plan appropriately for students with local and/or ACT-approved accommodations Cover test-related bulletin boards
Prepare Testing Rooms Use 2 reliable timepieces (not a cell phone!) Pre-test Activities Ensure TC access to a phone (must be kept on silent) Ensure proper lighting, temperature, and ventilation Prepare posters, cards, and admissions materials Schools may provide students with: No. 2 pencils with erasers Pencil sharpener Permitted calculators if you choose
Online
Pretest Activities by Role Who Test Coordinator Before Test Day Activity Create user accounts in PearsonAccess next Assign examinees to test sessions Print student authorization tickets Rerun computer system checks a week before testing in conjunction with Technical Coordinator Conduct sessions for examinees to complete non-test information Prepare and start sessions Ensure site readiness w/assistance of Technical Coordinator
Pretest Activities by Role Who Technical Coordinator Before Test Day Activity Ensure computers and infrastructure meet online testing requirements Read and follow The ACT Test Technical Guide Create the TestNav configuration in PANext Rerun computer system checks a week before testing Ensure site readiness
Pretest Activities by Role Who Room Supervisor Activity Identify and admit examinees to rooms Manage test day materials and documentation Complete test day activities in PearsonAccess Next Distribute student authorization tickets Use PearsonAccess Next to retrieve seal codes
Pretest Activities by Role Who Proctor Activity Assist Room Supervisor Help manage test day materials and documentation Help complete test day activities in PearsonAccess Next Help distribute student authorization tickets and scratch paper Report all irregularities to the Room Supervisor Monitor for prohibited behavior Accompany examinees to the restroom if needed
Technical Coordinator Checklist Ensure Site Readiness Lock down all systems from any updates or auto-launching 48 hours before testing, precache content 29
ProctorCache Reminder Be sure your Test Coordinator downloads and sets up ProctorCache Almost 97% of issues that arose during online testing were at schools that had not proctor cached
Assign Examinees to Test Sessions Assign examinees to test sessions no later than two weeks before the first day of the testing window
Print Student Authorization Tickets Print one ticket for each examinee prior to test day Keep tickets secured
Student Authorization Tickets For examinees testing over multiple days The student authorization ticket must be reused each day Collect the ticket each day and keep it secure until handing it back for the next test Tickets can be used as scratch paper but new student authorization tickets must be issued
If the room has: Then workstations: No dividers between workstations Face the same direction, not the wall or each other Prepare Test Rooms Dividers between workstations Are distanced 3 feet apart side-to-side and 5 feet front-to-back Are set up so examinees cannot see screens in front of them Do not need to face the same direction May face the wall/each other if adequate privacy exists A U-Shaped seating configuration Must face the wall and not each other
What are my Test Day activities?
Test Day Activities Sample Test Day Schedule (standard-time testing) 7:30 a.m. Arrival of testing staff 7:45 a.m. Briefing session with school staff 8:00 a.m. Arrival, identification, and seating of examinees 8:15 a.m. 1) Begin reading verbal instructions 2) Distribute test materials 3) Administer all 4 tests in order: English 45 minutes Mathematics 60 minutes Break 15 minutes Reading 35 minutes Science 35 minutes 4) Collect/verify test materials 1:10 p.m. Dismiss examinees 36
Watch for and Document Irregularities Prohibited Behavior by Students Working or Looking Behind or Ahead in the test booklet Giving or Receiving Assistance Marking Ovals After Time is Called Copying or Removing Test Materials Using Notes or Aids (including prohibited calculators) Accessing electronic devices (including cell phones) Using inappropriate behavior or causing distractions Individual Irregularities Examinees Who Leave Early Test Item Challenges Defective Test Materials Duplicating Test Materials Failure to Follow Directions in Marking Responses Examinees Who Become Ill Irrational Behavior Prohibited Behavior at the Test Site Dismissal for Prohibited Behavior Group Irregularities Interrupting a Test Disturbances and Distractions Emergency Evacuation Rescheduled Examination Missing or Stolen Test Materials Mistiming of tests or breaks Power Failure
Misadministrations Can Cause Scores to be Cancelled Rooms not set up correctly Reasons for Scores to be Cancelled Standard time use of accom. materials Conflict of Interest with staff Unauthorized transferred materials Advanced access to test content Pre-test info completed on test day Tests not given in correct order Test materials are duplicated/attempt Accom use of standard time materials Additional information provided Tests timed incorrectly Tests administered on the wrong day Different timing codes in same room Answers not transferred properly
Paper
Collect Test Room Documents Test Day Activities Document Test Booklets Answer Documents Administration Manual Test Room Report Roster Seating Diagram Timing Report Irregularity Report Action There are no answer documents inside and the test booklets are arranged in sequential serial number order Each answer document has the correct required identifying information on the front and back pages Keep for makeup testing or securely destroy Is completed and signed and initialed by the Test Coordinator and Room Supervisor and all test booklets are accounted for All examinees scheduled to test are listed and if they tested or not, with any ACT Student ID Letters attached All items are complete and test booklet serial numbers are recorded in the squares Each test has the start, 5 minutes remaining, and stop time recorded Is signed with explanation and voided/replaced materials are attached
If You Did Not Test Test Day Activities Complete the outside of the Processing Envelope and mark Did Not Test Discard the unused Site Header Place Processing Envelope in box Prepare materials for return 41
Online
Test Day Activities by Role Who Test Coordinator Tech Coordinator Before Testing Activity Distribute materials to each Room Supervisor Retrieve student authorization tickets Conduct staff briefing session Assist staff with questions/issues Put up signs directing examinees Prepare test sessions in PearsonAccess next Assist with any system issues Room Supervisor Prepare rooms and computers for testing Start test sessions in PearsonAccess next
Test Day Activities by Role Admitting Examinees and Testing Who Activity Room Supervisor Verify examinee s ID Direct examinees to seats and mark roster Complete Seating Diagram Admit examinees to rooms Read verbal instructions Distribute materials to examinees Distribute student authorization tickets Distributes scratch paper Retrieves seal codes Monitor test sessions Handle and document irregularities
Test Day Activities by Role Who Room Supervisor After Testing Activity Ensure that all examinees submit their tests Close test sessions in PearsonAccess next Collect student authorization tickets and scratch paper Dismiss examinees Close TestNav and PearsonAccess next Return all test materials to the Test Coordinator Test Coordinator Account for all test materials Review irregularities Set up makeup testing, as needed Return materials to ACT
Administering the Tests Prepare sessions in PANext Start test session in PANext Retrieve Seal Codes Monitor examinee progress Close the test session Return test materials to the TC
Emergencies Log out of TestNav Log out of PANext Make note of time Collect authorization tickets & scratch paper Lock test room
Examinees Who Leave and Come Back If an examinee becomes ill or asks to go to the bathroom and returns after the next test has already started: Make note of time Collect test materials Stay signed in and running Provide new seal code Continue testing w/ remaining time
Collect Test Room Documents Test Day Activities Document Administration Manual Test Room Report Roster Seating Diagram Timing Report Action Keep for makeup testing or securely destroy Is completed and signed and initialed by the Test Coordinator and Room Supervisor Lists all examinees scheduled to test, shows whether or not they tested, and any ACT Student ID Letters are attached All items are complete and test booklet serial numbers are recorded in the squares Each test has the start, 5 minutes remaining, and stop time recorded
What are my Post-test activities?
Paper
Post-test Activities Packing the Processing Envelope Packing the cartons Reporting Schedule 52
Packing the Processing Envelope Irregularity Reports Test Admin Forms Site Header Answer Documents Staffing List 53
Packing the Cartons 54
Online
Collect materials from Room Supervisor Determine makeup testing eligibility Posttest Activities Schedule examinees for makeup testing Complete State Use Questions within 48 hours if applicable Prepare materials for return after testing
Collect from each Room Supervisor: Completed Roster & Seating Diagram Student Authorization Tickets Used & Unused Scratch Paper Administration Manual
Determine Makeup Testing Eligibility 58
Scheduling Examinees for Makeup Testing In PearsonAccess next you can: Create a new test session and move examinees from their original session to this makeup session New student authorization tickets will need to be printed for any examinees moved to a new session Do not mark them complete. Instead, move examinees to an existing test session prior to closing the session
Packing the Online Processing Envelope Insert the following documents into the online processing envelope: Completed Seating Diagrams Unused Student Authorization Tickets Unused Scratch Paper State and District Testing Staff Lists Unused Online Processing Envelopes Marked Rosters ACT Student Identification Letters Examinee s Student Authorization Ticket w/ Scratch Paper
Packing the Online Processing Envelope In addition to materials for standard time online testing, insert the following documents into the red envelope: The Accommodations and Supports Roster Completed ACT Administration Reports Completed ACT State and District Testing Staff List (ACT-approved accommodations)
Packing and Mailing the Polymailer Place the Online Processing envelope in the polymailer Seal the polymailer and return to secure storage until the scheduled pickup date On the pickup date, place the polymailer in a secure location for the carrier to pick up Mark polymailers 1 of X, 2 of X, and so on
Reporting Schedule Document Recipient Timeline Description Student Score Report Student 3-8 weeks Paper report Student Online Scores Student 1 week after Student Report Online account Post-test Activities High School Checklist Report Building 3-8 weeks List of Examinees High School Report Building 3-8 weeks List of College Reportable Scores Student Score Labels Building 3-8 weeks Record Labels Student College Report College 3-8 weeks College Reportable Scores Aggregate Reporting Building & System No Later than May 24, 2019 Profile Reports and Data Files; available in Pearson Access Next 63
Questions?
ACT Contact Information www.act.org/stateanddistrict/arkansas Department Phone Email Test Administration 800-553-6244 ext 2800 www.act.org/stateanddistrict/contactus Accommodations and Supports 800-553-6244 ext 1788 ACTStateAccoms@act.org 65