Guidelines for Testing Students Identified as Limited English Proficient

Guidelines for Testing Students Identified as Limited English Proficient Grades 3 12 Published September 2005 Public Schools of North Carolina www.ncpublicschools.org State Board of Education Department of Public Instruction Division of Accountability Services/ Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-6314 STOCK NO. 9732

In compliance with federal laws, NC Public Schools administers all state-operated educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination because of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, disability, or gender, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to: Dr. Elsie C. Leak, Associate Superintendent Office of Curriculum and School Reform Services 6307 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-6307 Telephone (919) 807-3761; fax (919) 807-3767

Table of Contents Introduction... 1 School-Based Management and Accountability Program... 1 The Purposes of the... 1 Components of the...2 Student Performance and Achievement... 3 Rules, Guidelines, and Procedures for Implementation of the... 3 Testing Code of Ethics... 3 Students Identified as Limited English Proficient... 4 Federal and State Policy Information for Testing Students Identified as Limited English Proficient... 4 Accountability Standards for Students Identified as Limited English Proficient... 6 Policy Stating the Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives for NCLB Title III... 7 State Policy Setting the Cut Scores for the State-Identified English Language Proficiency Test (IPT)... 7 Establishing a Local Procedure to Ensure Student Participation in the State Testing Program... 7 General Information for Alternate Assessments... 8 General Information for Accommodations... 8 Providing Information and Updates... 9 Policy for Duplicating or Quoting from this Publication... 9 Page A. Responsibilities of the LEA Test Coordinators and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Coordinators... 10 Document Information... 10 Joint Responsibility... 10 Joint Training of Local Staff... 12 B. Procedures for Determining Standard Test Administration, Testing with Accommodations, or Participation in Alternate Assessments... 15 Initial Screening of Students... 15 Transfer Students... 16 Notification of Testing... 16 Parent/Guardian Refusal of State-Identified English Language Proficiency Testing... 16 Accommodations Decision Making Team/Committee for Students Identified as Limited English Proficient... 17 Student Participation in the... 17 State Graduation Requirements as Related to the... 20 North Carolina-Developed Field Tests... 22 Statewide Student Accountability Standards as Related to the... 23 Testing Under Standard Conditions... 23 Procedures for the Discussion of Testing with Accommodations... 23 Accommodations for North Carolina-Developed Tests... 23 More Than One Testing Accommodation... 24 Notifying Students about Testing Accommodations... 24 Documentation of Testing Accommodations... 25 Testing Guidelines for LEP Students Who Participate in the State-Designated Alternate Assessment.. 25 i

Accommodations for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) at Grades 4, 8, and 12... 26 Schedule for the State and National Assessments of Educational Progress... 28 C. Testing Accommodations Descriptions and Procedures... 29 Description... 29 Testing Accommodations... 30 English/Native Language Dictionary or Electronic Translator... 30 Multiple Testing Sessions... 31 Scheduled Extended Time... 32 Student Reads Test Aloud to Self... 33 Test Administrator Reads Test Aloud in English (not for tests of reading comprehension)... 33 Testing in a Separate Room (Separate Setting)... 35 Appendix... 37 A. Home Language Survey... 38 B. English Proficiency Level Descriptions... 39 C. Testing Code of Ethics... 41 D. North Carolina State Board of Education Policies (related to students identified as limited English proficient... 45 ii

Introduction Students whose primary language is not English and who are of limited English proficiency represent a steadily increasing percentage of North Carolina s school population and are enrolled at all grade levels in urban, suburban, and rural communities across the state. Federal statutes require that school systems provide an equal educational opportunity for all students, including those identified as limited English proficient. Most recently, Title III of No Child Left Behind holds State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools accountable for increases in English language proficiency and core academic content knowledge of limited English proficient students. Educators, therefore, must address the testing of limited English proficient students. Since 1995, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has published resources designed to assist school personnel in providing a quality educational program for these students. In 2003, the first English Language Development Standard Course of Study (ELDSCS) was approved by the State Board of Education. To access the ELDSCS and other resources and information regarding students of limited English proficiency, please visit the English as a Second Language Web site at http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/esl/. In 1996, the publication Guidelines for Testing Students with Limited English Proficiency provided further clarification for the participation of students identified as limited English proficient in the statewide testing program and was adopted as State Board of Education policy effective October 1997. This publication represents its second revision. The School-Based Management and Accountability Program The Purposes of the North Carolina Testing Program According to G.S. 115C-105.20, which addresses the school-based management and accountability program: The General Assembly believes that all children can learn. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the mission of the public school community is to challenge with high expectations each child to learn, to achieve, and to fulfill his or her potential. With that mission as its guide, the State Board of Education shall develop a School-Based Management and Accountability Program. The primary goal of the Program shall be to improve student performance. The purposes of the, as described in G.S. 115C- 174.10, are as follows: 1. To assure that all high school graduates possess those minimum skills and that knowledge thought necessary to function as a member of society; 2. To provide a means of identifying strengths and weaknesses in the education process in order to improve instructional delivery; and 3. To establish additional means for making the education system at the State, local, and school levels accountable to the public for results. 1

Components of the North Carolina Testing Program G.S. 115C-174.11, Components of the Testing Program, states: (a) Assessment instruments for First and Second Grades: The State Board of Education shall adopt and provide to the local school administrative units developmentally appropriate individualized assessment instruments consistent with the Basic Education Program for the first and second grades, rather than standardized tests. Local school administrative units may use these assessment instruments provided to them by the State Board for first and second grade students and shall not use standardized tests except as required as a condition of receiving a federal grant under the Reading First Program. (b) Competency Testing Program (1) The State Board of Education shall adopt tests or other measurement devices which may be used to assure that graduates of the public high schools and graduates of non-public schools supervised by the State Board of Education pursuant to the provisions of Part 1 of Article 39 of this Chapter possess the skills and knowledge necessary to function independently and successfully in assuming the responsibilities of citizenship. (2) The tests shall be administered annually to all ninth grade students in the public schools. Students who fail to attain the required minimum standard for graduation in the ninth grade shall be given remedial instruction and additional opportunities to take the test up to and including the last month of the twelfth grade. Students who fail to pass parts of the test shall be retested on only those parts they fail. Students in the ninth grade who are enrolled in special education programs or who have been officially designated as eligible for participation in such programs may be excluded from the testing programs. (3) The State Board of Education may develop and validate alternate means and standards for demonstrating minimum competence. These standards which must be as difficult as the tests adopted pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection. (c) Annual Testing Program (1) The State Board of Education shall adopt a system of annual testing for grades three through twelve. These tests shall be designed to measure progress toward reading, communication skills, and mathematics for grades three through eight, and toward competencies designated by the State Board for grades nine through twelve. Students who do not pass the tests adopted for eighth grade shall be provided remedial instruction in the ninth grade. This assistance shall be calculated to prepare the students to pass the competency test administered under subsection (b) of this section. (2) If the State Board of Education finds that additional testing in grades three 2

through twelve is desirable to allow comparisons with national indicators of student achievement, that testing shall be conducted with the smallest size sample of students necessary to assure valid comparisons with other states. Student Performance and Achievement Rules, Guidelines, and Procedures for Implementation of the North Carolina Testing Program Testing Code of Ethics Students and schools are accountable for student performance and achievement. All students are to be given the opportunity to receive instruction that will allow them to perform successfully on all State-required tests. On July 9, 1998, the North Carolina State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the policy Rules, Guidelines, and Procedures for the Implementation of the North Carolina Testing Program (HSP-A-009). According to this policy: Information contained within Rules, Guidelines, and Procedures for the Implementation of the ; the test administrator s manual for each test; periodic training provided to each LEA (local education agency); any corresponding policies such as Guidelines for Testing Students with Limited English Proficiency and Testing Modifications and Accommodations for Students with Disabilities and any subsequent updates shall apply to all public school personnel who are responsible for the implementation of the North Carolina Testing Program. The information shall set forth the rules and procedures required for a proper test administration and shall be provided to each LEA by the department (NCDPI) through the LEA test coordinator. The LEA superintendent shall assure that each school follows the established testing procedures by informing building-level administrators of their responsibilities. Local boards of education shall cooperate with the State Board of Education in implementing the provisions of this policy. The North Carolina Testing Code of Ethics addresses appropriate professional practices for central office and school administrators, test coordinators, teachers (test administrators), and proctors in the areas of securing tests, administering tests, scoring, reporting, and interpreting test results. Ethical practices for administering North Carolina tests include but are not limited to: (1) informing students about the tests and why the tests are important; (2) informing students and parents as to how the tests and test results will be used; (3) ensuring that all eligible students take the tests; (4) encouraging students to attempt to respond to all test items and do their very best; (5) preparing students to take the test; and (6) sharing the results of the tests along with any available interpretation of the scores with students and parents within the allotted timelines. In addition, the importance of maintaining test security at all times must be stressed. Ethical practices ensure validity of the test results. Each North Carolina test administrator s manual or guide contains a copy of the Testing Code of Ethics for review and must be discussed during the training session for the test administrator and proctor. The Testing Code of Ethics is part of Title 16 of the Administrative Code and must not be removed from the manuals, guides, or this publication. (A copy may be requested from the school system test coordinator for reference.) The sanctions for violations are included in the Testing Code of 3

Ethics and are applicable to the administration of all secure State-mandated tests. Students Identified as Limited English Proficient This publication contains policy guidelines and procedures for testing students identified as limited English proficient in the at grades 3 12. In accordance with North Carolina law SL2002-284 Section 7.15(b), for funding and accountability, only students who score below Superior on the State-mandated English language proficiency test can be identified as limited English proficient. Determining if a student is identified as limited English proficient for funding and accountability purposes is based solely on scores from the State-identified English language proficiency tests. A student remains identified as limited English proficient until he or she scores Superior on all subtests of the State-identified English language proficiency tests within the same test administration. The U.S. Office for Civil Rights as well as North Carolina State Board of Education policy HSP-K-000 (16 NCAC 6D.0106) requires that a home language survey (HLS) be administered to all students upon initial enrollment. The home language survey is used to help determine if the student is a language-minority student. Additional information regarding the home language survey is located in Section B of this publication. Federal and State Policy Information for Testing Students Identified as Limited English Proficient The federal Elementary and Secondary Schools Act of 2001 (No Child Left Behind Act of 2001) requires the states to implement yearly student academic assessments that include, at a minimum, academic assessments in mathematics and reading or language arts. All students, including those identified as limited English proficient, must participate. North Carolina State Board of Education policy reflects the federal mandate to include the following information: students identified as limited English proficient and students with disabilities shall be included in the statewide testing program as follows: standard test administration, standard test administration with accommodations/modification, or the State-designated alternate assessment. Students identified as limited English proficient that have been assessed on the State-identified English language proficiency tests (State Board of Education policy HSP-A-011) as below Intermediate High in reading may participate in the State-designated alternate assessment for up to two years (24 months) in U.S. schools. The State-designated alternate assessment may be used in the areas of reading and mathematics at grades 3 8 and 10, writing at grades 4, 7, and 10, and in high school courses in which an end-of-course test is administered. Limited English proficient students who have been assessed on the State-identified English language proficiency tests (State Board of Education policy HSP-A-011) as below Superior in writing may participate in the State-designated alternate assessment in writing at grades 4, 7, and 10 for up to two years (24 months) in U.S. schools. 4

All students identified as limited English proficient must be assessed using the State-identified English language proficiency tests at initial enrollment and annually thereafter during the window of February 1 to April 30. A student who enrolls after January 1 does not have to be retested during the same school year. On May 5, 2005, effective with the 2005 06 school year, State Board of Education policy states the following with respect to students identified as limited English proficient during their first year in U.S. schools.* *Note: First year of enrollment in U.S. schools refers to the first school year that a student has been enrolled in any U.S. school prior to the current school year, the student, regardless of his or her enrollment period, would be expected to be assessed in reading, mathematics and writing at grades 4, 7, and 10. Schools shall: a) continue to administer State reading, mathematics, EOC assessments, and writing tests for students identified as LEP who score at or above Intermediate High on the State-identified English language proficiency reading test during their first year in U.S. schools.* Results from these assessments will be included in the ABCs and AYP. b) not require students identified as limited English proficient who score below Intermediate High on the State-identified English language proficiency reading test in their first year in U.S. schools to be assessed on the North Carolina reading end-of-grade tests, high school comprehensive test in reading, the writing assessment at grades 4, 7, and 10, the State-designated alternate assessment for reading, or the State-designated alternate assessment for writing. Scores from students who are in their first year in U.S. schools and have scored below Intermediate High on the reading section of the State-identified English language proficiency test shall not be included in either growth, the performance composite, or AYP determinations for reading or mathematics. c) for purposes of determining participation, the State-identified English language proficiency reading test will be used as reading participation for the students who are in their first year in U.S. schools and have scored below Intermediate High on the reading section of the State-identified English language proficiency test and participation in the State-identified English language proficiency writing test will be used as writing participation for these students. d) students previously identified as LEP, who have exited LEP identification during the last two years, be included in the calculations for determining the status of the LEP subgroup for AYP only if that 5

subgroup already met the minimum number of 40 students required for a subgroup. Accountability Standards for Students Identified as Limited English Proficient According to State Board of Education Policy HSP-N-008 (16 NCAC 6D.0507); G.S. 115C-12 (9b); G.S. 115C-81(b)(4); and the North Carolina Constitution, Article IX, Section 5: (effective April 1, 2005) Students of limited English proficiency shall meet the same standards as all students. However, in accordance with federal law, English language proficiency cannot be the factor that determines that a student has not met performance standards at each gateway. Therefore, LEAs shall use the following guidelines: (1) Gateways 1, 2, and 3. (A) If a student scores below advanced in reading or writing on the state English language proficiency assessment, the student may be eligible for a waiver from the test standard for promotion through no more than two consecutive gateways. (B) A local teacher or administrator or the student s parent or legal guardian must request the waiver. The person making the request for a waiver must submit evidence of student work to a local committee of teachers and administrators to determine if: (i) the student s English language proficiency is the cause of the student s inability to perform at grade level on the required tests; and (ii) documentation indicates that the student is making adequate progress in all academic areas to be promoted to the next level. (2) Gateway 4. High School Graduation Requirements. Limited English proficient students shall meet the same standards as all students for high school graduation. (3) School districts shall provide focused intervention for these students until they have met statewide promotion standards and high school graduation requirements (up to age 21). This intervention shall involve extended, supplemental instructional opportunities that include assistance in the development of English language proficiency. These students shall have personalized education plans with the following components: diagnostic evaluation, intervention strategies, and monitoring strategies. 6

Policy Stating the Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives for NCLB Title III State Board of Education policy outlines the Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs). AMAOs have been developed to meet the of No Child Left Behind Title III requirements. By the 2013 2014 academic year, 100 percent of students identified as limited English proficient shall demonstrate progress (improve at least one proficiency level) in at least one of the subtests (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) on the State-identified English language proficiency test. By the 2013 2014 academic year, 100 percent of students identified as limited English proficient and who have been in U.S. schools for at least five years shall score at the Superior level on all subtests of the State-identified English language proficiency test. State Policy Setting the Cut Scores for the State-Identified English Language Proficiency Test: IDEA English Language Proficiency Tests (IPT) State Board of Education policy HSP-A-011 establishes the approved cut scores for the IDEA English Language Proficiency Tests (IPT) to determine identification of limited English proficient students as well as eligibility for an assessment and/or accommodations. Scores from the IPT will also be used to demonstrate progress in acquiring attainment of English language proficiency. The cut score chart for these tests must be used in determining a student s speaking, listening, reading, and writing proficiency levels. These proficiency levels are then used to determine LEP identification, level of services, assessment accommodations, and/or participation in the State-designated alternate assessment. Determining if a student is identified as LEP for funding and accountability purposes is based solely on IPT test scores. A student remains identified as LEP until he or she scores Superior on all subtests of the IPT within the same test administration. Establishing a Local Procedure to Ensure Student Participation in the State Testing Program State and federal laws require that all students participate in the statewide testing program. A local procedure must be established in the LEA to ensure that all students, including those identified as limited English proficient who have the appropriate documentation (1) participate in the standard administration of a North Carolina test; (2) receive appropriate accommodation(s) during the administration of a North Carolina test; and/or (3) participate in a North Carolina alternate assessment. All test administrators and proctors, including those who administer State tests with accommodations or provide a North Carolina alternate assessment, must adhere to the North Carolina Testing Code of Ethics (located at the back of this manual). To ensure that test results are valid, all school personnel must follow the appropriate procedures as located in this publication and other designated State publications for use of the accommodation or alternate assessment for students who qualify. If questions arise regarding procedures for determining or using appropriate accommodations or North Carolina alternate assessments, school staff must contact the LEA test coordinator. 7

General Information for Alternate Assessments General Information for Accommodations In order for a student identified as limited English proficient to participate in the State-designated alternate assessment, the need for this assessment must be documented in the student s appropriate limited English proficiency documentation. Standardized test procedures for students identified as limited English proficient require that test accommodations and administrative procedures be developed and implemented to assure that individual student needs are met and, at the same time, maintain sufficient uniformity of the test administration to maintain test validity, and to fulfill the requirements of testing for accountability. One of the purposes of State tests is to generate information for the purpose of accountability. State tests are not designed to provide comprehensive diagnostic information at the individual student level. A student may require the use of more than one of these accommodations in order to obtain access to a given test. Accommodations designated for the tests should be consistent with the accommodations used routinely during classroom instruction and similar classroom assessments. For any State-mandated test, the accommodation must (1) be documented in the student s appropriate limited English proficiency documentation and (2) the documentation must reflect routine use during instruction and similar classroom assessments that measure the same construct. It is vital for students identified as limited English proficient to receive accommodations that allow them to demonstrate their true abilities on State-mandated tests; however, students must not receive unnecessary or inappropriate accommodations. Recommendations for the use of accommodations during test administrations based solely on the potential to enhance student performance beyond providing equal access and opportunity to perform are not appropriate. Accommodations that alter the content of the test, interfere with the measurement of the construct, or provide inappropriate assistance to the student within the context of the test invalidate the results of the test. Use of accommodations for North Carolina tests that are not specified in this publication may invalidate the results of a given test. Additional information regarding accommodations for State tests is located in this publication. Practices that invalidate the results of the test include: 1. Test administrator reads aloud in English a reading test designed to measure reading comprehension; 2. Use of a calculator on a calculator-inactive portion of a mathematics test; 3. Use of an English/native language dictionary that contains definitions, diagrams, written notes, formulas, or does not meet the approved specifications of the designated school official; 4. Testing prior to the school s scheduled testing date; and 5. Translation of directions into the student s native language. 8

Providing Information and Updates Policy for Duplicating or Quoting from this Publication Parents, limited English proficiency committee members, directors of instruction, teachers, LEA limited English proficient coordinators, LEA test coordinators, principals, and superintendents must review this publication prior to making decisions about students identified as limited English proficient who are participating in the at grades 3 12. The LEA test coordinators are to provide any subsequent updates to this publication or any publication that will provide additional information to inform the decision-making for testing students identified as limited English proficient. North Carolina LEA personnel, school personnel, parents, and students may duplicate or download this publication for instructional and educational purposes only. This publication is located on the NCDPI Division of Accountability Services/North Carolina Web site at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/. Others may not duplicate or quote from this publication without written permission from the NCDPI Division of Accountability Services/. 9

A. Responsibilities of the LEA Test Coordinators and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Coordinators There must be communication and cooperation between LEA (local education agency) test coordinators and LEP coordinators to ensure that appropriate training and support are offered to all test administrators/assessors and related personnel involved in all tests that are part of the North Carolina Testing Program. The LEA test coordinator and LEA LEP coordinator must work collaboratively to provide information to school-based staff regarding procedures for testing students identified as limited English proficient. These procedures shall include how to appropriately document student participation in the statewide testing program under the following conditions: 1. Testing under standard conditions (i.e., without accommodations); 2. Testing with accommodations; and/or 3. Participating in the State-designated alternate assessment. Document Information Joint Responsibility LEA test coordinators and LEP coordinators are to review and distribute copies of this document, which contains State Board of Education policies for testing students identified as limited English proficient, to appropriate school personnel so that these designated individuals can make informed decisions related to testing students identified as limited English proficient. It is recommended that LEAs develop a local plan to designate responsibilities for the LEA test coordinator and LEP coordinator to more clearly define roles in the assessment of students identified as limited English proficient. It is the joint responsibility of LEA test coordinators and LEP coordinators to work collaboratively to ensure that the following occurs within a reasonable time frame. 1. School test coordinators, all school administrators, and all teachers, parent(s), guardian(s), and surrogate parent(s), must be informed about the: a. State testing requirements at each grade level (including the Stateidentified English language proficiency test and NAEP); b. Statewide Student Accountability Standards and Student Accountability Standards for Students Identified as Limited English Proficient; c. Graduation requirements and implications for students who do not participate in administrations of North Carolina tests that have a standard for graduation such as the North Carolina Test of Computer Skills or the North Carolina Competency Tests of Reading and Mathematics; NOTE: Students identified as limited English proficient must pass the computer skills and competency tests as well as meet all State and local graduation requirements in order to receive a North Carolina high school diploma. Students, parents, and/or guardians should be advised of the 10

consequences of not taking these tests, and these students will not receive a high school diploma until the competency and computer skills proficiency standards have been met. The administration of the North Carolina Test of Computer Skills or the North Carolina Competency Tests of Reading and Mathematics should be based on the individual limited English proficient student and his or her comprehension of the English language. If the student scores Superior on all subtests of the State-identified English language proficiency test at any time, the student must participate in all State-mandated tests including the computer skills test as well as the competency tests without accommodations. If the student scores below Superior on the reading portion of the Stateidentified English language proficiency test, the student may receive appropriate accommodations. However, students in their first year of U.S. schools scoring Novice Low/Novice High on reading of the State-identified English language proficiency test should not be forced to participate in the regular administration of the North Carolina Test of Computer Skills and the North Carolina Competency Tests of Reading and Mathematics. These students however, are eligible to receive the Test Administrator Reads Test Aloud accommodation for the administration of the North Carolina Test of Computer Skills Tests and the North Carolina Competency Test of Mathematics. d. Guidelines governing the use of testing accommodations; and e. Guidelines governing the use of the State-designated alternate assessment. 2. A local monitoring system is to be established to ensure that only eligible students identified as limited English proficient with the appropriate documentation: a. Use testing accommodations during the administration of State tests and, in order to ensure valid test results, all State policies are followed; and b. Participate in North Carolina alternate assessment(s) when not participating in a statewide test administration under standard conditions or with accommodations. 3. Appropriate limited English proficiency documentation is on file in the event of State audits or monitoring that may be required as part of the North Carolina Testing Program. 4. Arrange any special scheduling or other provisions that may be required to accommodate the testing of students identified as limited English proficient. 11

5. Each school s implementation of State policies is monitored to ensure that appropriate procedures are followed during the administration of State tests using accommodations. Appropriate accommodations are only provided to eligible students identified as limited English proficient who have a documented need. If a student is tested and the school does not provide the approved accommodation, (a) a Report of Testing Irregularity form is to be completed, (b) the superintendent/lea test coordinator declares a misadministration, and (c) the student is retested with another form of the test with the approved accommodation unless the parent/guardian signs a statement specifying that the parent/guardian waives the right to have the student re-tested with the documented accommodation and the test results from the administration without the accommodation will be used for State and local accountability purposes and student performance/placement. 6. Work collaboratively to devise a local system for (a) notifying parents/guardians and students about the accommodations the student is to use during the actual test administration prior to the actual test administration date and (b) developing procedures to follow in the event that a student declines to use an approved accommodation during an actual test administration. Additional information is located in Section B of this publication. 7. Ensure that all appropriate staff receives training on the State-identified language proficiency test and the State-designated alternate assessment. Joint Training of Local Staff The LEA will conduct training sessions on testing students identified as limited English proficient for test administrators, proctors, ESL teachers, and any other appropriate school personnel involved in administering the test, using accommodations during the administration of a State test (with the exception of the State-identified English language proficiency test), or assisting or completing an alternate assessment for students identified as limited English proficient. In no case shall a test be administered by an individual who has not participated in training on administering State tests (including the State-identified English language proficiency test), the appropriate use of accommodations, or procedures for documenting and completing alternate assessments. All school system personnel are to be aware of the following when administering State tests with or without accommodations: 1. Trained proctors must be provided during administrations of all Statemandated tests regardless of the number of students tested, with the exception of certain State-identified English language proficiency test administrations. Please refer to the State-identified English language proficiency test administrator s manual for specific details. 2. Every attempt should be made to relieve test anxiety. 12

3. The security of the test must be maintained at all times. The training is to include: 1. Information located in the Guidelines for Testing Students Identified as Limited English Proficient document (this publication) and the Testing Code of Ethics (located in the Appendix). The Testing Code of Ethics includes information about maintaining test security and the sanctions for violations. 2. Only the superintendent or the superintendent s designee, usually the LEA test coordinator, is permitted to order secure test materials. 3. Accommodations. Additional information regarding accommodations is located in Sections B and C of this publication. Training is to include the appropriate use of accommodations prior to the administration of each State test to ensure valid test results. Training must include the (a) review of the standard procedures for administering the tests, (b) which accommodation(s) have been approved for the student to use with specific tests, and (c) appropriate use of and procedures for the accommodation(s). It is possible that the accommodation may only apply to one test (for example, reading comprehension or mathematics) or one part of the test (for example, end-of-grade calculator active or end-of-grade calculator inactive). In addition, a student may have approval for more than one accommodation due to his or her individual needs. If appropriate, a small group of students in the same grade at the same school using the same accommodation at one testing site (i.e., classroom) may use the same form of the test (e.g., students using the Test Administrator Reads Test Aloud accommodation for a test that does not measure reading comprehension) if approved and documented for each student prior to the test administration. Procedures for the storage or return of test materials used with accommodations are located in each test administrator s manual. When information regarding the use of procedural accommodations is requested, the test administrator must code all applicable bubbles on the student test document/answer sheet to identify the specific accommodation(s) used during the test administration. Coding must be accurate. This information is used for State and federal reporting purposes and in making determinations about the validity of the scores. When a State test is administered with the use of accommodations, students are to be provided the following information on an individual basis before the test date: 13

a. Identity of the test administrator and/or proctor; b. Date, time, and room location of the test administration; and c. Testing accommodations and information on how the accommodations are provided. It is desirable that students know and have worked with the test administrator or proctor prior to the test administration. 4. The State-designated alternate assessment. While training for the Statedesignated alternate assessment for students identified as limited English proficient is the responsibility of the LEA test coordinator, it should be conducted in collaboration with the LEA LEP coordinator. The collaboration of the LEA test coordinator and LEA LEP coordinator is necessary because the majority of LEP coordinators have specialized training in working with curricula and students identified as limited English proficient. Communication and cooperation among LEA staff members are vital to ensure that all assessors and related personnel involved in the administration of the Statedesignated alternate assessment receive appropriate training, staff development, and support. Additional information regarding the Statedesignated alternate assessment is located in Section B of this publication. 14

B. Procedures for Determining a Standard Test Administration, Testing with Accommodations, or Participation in Alternate Assessments The following procedures are to be used when determining whether students identified as limited English proficient will (1) be administered State tests under standard conditions (without accommodations), (2) be administered State tests with accommodations, or (3) participate in a State-designated alternate assessment. Initial Screening of Students The U.S. Office for Civil Rights as well as North Carolina State Board of Education (SBE) policy HSP-K-000 (16 NCAC 6D.0106) requires that a home language survey (HLS) be administered to all students upon initial enrollment. The home language survey is used to help determine if the student is a language-minority student. If the answer to any question on the home language survey is other than English, the student is considered a language-minority student. However, once the home language survey has been completed by the parent/guardian, the school may consult with the parent/guardian to determine if the survey was completed correctly. If the student is a language-minority student, he or she must be scheduled to be administered all four subtests (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) of the Stateidentified English language test within thirty (30) calendar days of enrollment and the parent must be notified. In limited cases, if a language-minority student is clearly a fluent English-speaker, the LEA test coordinator and LEP coordinator have the discretion to review the student s academic record to determine if the administration of the State-identified English language proficiency test is necessary. For example, if the academic records show continuous enrollment in U.S. schools and on or above grade level academic performance, then the LEA test coordinator and the LEP coordinator may recommend to the parent/guardian that the State-identified English language proficiency test not be administered to the student. The parent/guardian must be informed of the purpose of the assessments and that the assessments are required by SBE policy. The test coordinator and LEP coordinator must ensure that the parent/guardian understands (an interpreter must be provided if needed) that if the English language proficiency test is not administered, the student cannot be identified as limited English proficient, the student is not eligible to receive English as a second language (ESL) services or LEP testing accommodations on statewide assessments, and that the student is not eligible to participate in the State-designated alternate assessment unless the student is identified with a disability and has an IEP with appropriate documentation. If the parent/guardian agrees with the recommendation of the LEA test coordinator and LEP coordinator and does not want the child tested (refuses testing), written documentation of this decision, the rationale for the decision, and the parents /guardians understanding of the consequences of the decision must be placed in the student s records. If the parent/guardian wants the child tested (does not refuse testing) even though the LEA test coordinator and the LEP coordinator do not believe it is necessary, the State-identified English language test must be administered. The purpose of the SBE policy requiring all language-minority students to be tested on 15

the State-identified English language proficiency test is to protect the rights of the language-minority students and to ensure that all students who have limited English proficiency are identified using a valid and reliable assessment instrument. The NCDPI reserves the right to audit school systems to ensure that this and all other NCDPI policies are being implemented appropriately. Transfer Students Notification of Testing Parent/Guardian Refusal of State- Identified English Language Proficiency Testing In the event that a student identified as limited English proficient transfers to another North Carolina school system, transfers out of North Carolina, or transfers within a school system, the student s English language proficiency scores must be transferred with the student s cumulative record to the new school. The school in which the student enrolls has up to thirty (30) calendar days to obtain initial scores on the Stateidentified English language proficiency test for testing decisions. If scores are sent, the receiving school must use those scores to determine the student s limited English proficient status. If scores are not received, the receiving school must administer the State-identified English language proficiency test. The results from the most recent administration of the State-identified English language proficiency test will be used for all decisions related to the student s LEP identification. According to APA 16 NCAC 6D.0302, school systems shall, at the beginning of the school year, provide information to students and parents or guardians advising them of the district-wide and State-mandated tests that students will be required to take during the school year, including the State-identified English language proficiency test, if applicable. In addition, school systems shall provide information to students and parents or guardians to advise them of the dates the tests will be administered and how the results of the tests will be used. Also, information provided to parents about the tests shall include whether the State Board of Education or local board of education requires the test. School systems shall report scores resulting from the administration of district-wide and State-mandated tests to students and parents or guardians along with available score interpretation information within thirty (30) days from the generation of the score at the school system level or receipt of the score and interpretive documentation from the NCDPI. If a student wishes to not participate in the administration of the State-identified English language proficiency test, the parent/guardian must be notified. If a parent/guardian refuses to allow his or her child to be assessed on the State-identified English language proficiency test, the decision not to participate must be documented. In this case the student may not be identified as limited English proficient. The school must ensure that the parent/guardian and student understand (an interpreter must be provided if needed) that the refusal of English language proficiency testing means refusal of English as a second language (ESL) services, testing accommodations, and participation in the State-designated alternate assessment unless the student is identified with a disability and has an IEP with appropriate documentation. 16

Accommodations Decision Making Team/Committee for Students Identified as Limited English Proficient Student Participation in the North Carolina Testing Program A team/committee of individuals consisting of the school principal, ESL teacher, regular education teacher, counselor, and parent/guardian should meet to ensure that appropriate testing decisions are made for the student. Testing decisions for the use of accommodations must be made on a case-by-case basis. Addressing one State test at a time allows the team/committee to focus on deciding which accommodations are best in meeting the student s needs for each assessment. All valid test scores (with the exception of the grade 3 pretest) will remain in the student s permanent record and will be used for student placement decisions into language instruction programs designed for LEP students and school accountability. Non-valid test scores are not to be included in the student s permanent record, Student Information Management System (SIMS/NCWISE), or data files generated for the purpose of school accountability. After the team/committee responsible for making assessment accommodations for a student identified as limited English proficient has updated documentation regarding the Statewide Student Accountability Standards and local and State promotion and graduation requirements, the team/committee is to discuss the student s participation in testing. Results from the State-identified language proficiency test will determine the student s eligibility for testing under one of the following conditions: Testing under standard conditions (without accommodations); Testing with the use of accommodations; or Participating in a State-designated alternate assessment. Information/procedures for each of the above options are described throughout the remainder of this document. The NCDPI Division of Accountability Services/North Carolina Testing Program provides interpretive information regarding student performance only for valid North Carolina test results. NOTE: State Board of Education policy HSP-C-021 (16 NCAC 6G.0312) mandates that all language-minority students be assessed using the Stateidentified language proficiency test. All students identified as LEP (based solely on the State-identified English language proficiency test) must be assessed at initial enrollment and annually during the window of February 1 to April 30. Although the State-identified English language proficiency test is part of the, accommodations for limited English proficient students are not permissible on this test because the test assesses the student s ability to understand and use spoken and written English language and assists in determining which accommodations are appropriate for other State tests. 17

The following provides a list of the State-mandated tests for the 2005 06 North Carolina Testing Program by grade in which State-designated accommodations can be accessed for students identified as limited English proficient. Grade 3 1. North Carolina Pretest Grade 3 (reading comprehension and mathematics 2. North Carolina End-of-Grade Test in reading comprehension 3. North Carolina End-of-Grade Test in mathematics Grade 4 1. North Carolina End-of-Grade Test in reading comprehension 2. North Carolina End-of-Grade Test in mathematics 3. North Carolina Writing Assessment 4. NAEP Grade 5 1. North Carolina End-of-Grade Test in reading comprehension 2. North Carolina End-of-Grade Test in mathematics Grade 6 1. North Carolina End-of-Grade Test in reading comprehension 2. North Carolina End-of-Grade Test in mathematics Grade 7 1. North Carolina End-of-Grade Test in reading comprehension 2. North Carolina End-of-Grade Test in mathematics 3. North Carolina Writing Assessment Grade 8 1. North Carolina On-line Test of Computer Skills (Graduation Requirement) 2. North Carolina End-of-Grade Test in reading comprehension (first opportunity to meet competency graduation standard for reading) 3. North Carolina End-of-Grade Test in mathematics (first opportunity to meet competency graduation standard for mathematics) 4. NAEP NOTE for Students at Grades 9-12: State Board policy mandates that all students who are language-minority students be assessed using the State-identified language proficiency test upon initial enrollment, which could occur at any grade. Students at grade 9 through 12 may have to be administered the following if they have not met the standard for graduation 1 : 1 Students with disabilities may show computer skills proficiency for graduation by meeting the standard for the North Carolina Test of Computer Skills or the Computer Skills Portfolio Assessment Accommodation. Students with disabilities who are following the Occupational Course of Study are to fulfill computer proficiency as specified in the IEP. Students following the Occupational Course of Study are not required to meet the graduation standard for the North Carolina Competency Tests of Reading and Mathematics. 18