Algebra Exit Exam April 2009 1
Outline Background 2007-08 Data Review General Information Prior to Testing During Testing After Testing Contact Information 2
Background As a result of June 2006 Board policy, need for common Algebra exit exam for elementary students This policy was revised in August 2008 2007-08 exam based on existing High School Transformation work plus pilot work conducted by Office of Math and Science 2008-09 exam improves upon this process 3
2007-08 Data Scores for 2055 students from 81 schools This number nearly doubled from 2006-07 By grade: Grade 8 (92.7 percent) Grade 7 (7.3 percent) 4
2007-08 Data Number of Students: 2055 total Pass: 602 High Pass: 145 Percent of Students Overall Pass: ~ 29% High Pass: ~ 7% 5
General Information Key Dates May 9 New this year Test for incoming non-cps or Charter School students Week of May 11: Materials arrive at your school via UPS please notify receptionist/clerk. May 18 22: Testing Window May 22: Test materials must be picked up by UPS on or before May 22. Materials not picked up by this date will not be scored. The window for pick up is 8 a.m. to 5p.m. Materials can also be dropped off early at a UPS location. July 25: New this year Make-up exam for student who did not pass first exam 6
General Information Testing Overview The Algebra Exit Exam covers algebra concepts based on the Algebra Course Framework developed by the Office of High School Programs, the Illinois Learning Standards, and the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE) standards. The exam consists of 37 questions and 53 possible points. 27 multiple-choice questions (1 point each) 7 short-constructed response (2 points each) 3 extended-constructed response (4 points each) Multiple choice questions interspersed with constructed response. Students are permitted to use scientific or graphing calculators (model TI-84 or below, no CAS N Spire). All tests are professionally scored. 7
General Information Testing Times Test Name Time Allotted for Test Taking* Time Allotted for Administration Algebra Exit Exam 90 minutes 105 minutes *Testing should be completed in one session 8
General Information Responsibilities of School Test Coordinator (STC) Establishing a testing schedule Training test administrators (TAs)/teachers Receiving, checking in, and securely storing test materials Maintaining the security of test materials while they are in school Ensuring that all materials are retrieved and securely stored after test administration Packaging and returning materials using UPS Completing and returning forms 9
Prior to Testing Receiving Test Materials Open boxes carefully, as they will be needed for returning materials Do not open the shrink-wrapped bundle prior to administration Upon arrival, inventory your material against the Packing List included in STC Kit Keep materials in locked storage before and after administration 10
Prior to Testing STC Kit Contents The STC Kit is packed in the first box of the shipment and contains: UPS Next Day Air Shipping Labels UPS Ground Shipping Labels Box Count Labels (YELLOW) NonScorable Labels (RED) Scorable Labels (GREEN) Help Desk Flyer Paper Bands Materials Return Forms: Scorable and Nonscorable Additional Materials Request Form 11
Prior to Testing Test Booklets & Answer Documents Test booklets and answer documents are organized alphabetically in collated shrink-wrapped packages by class, accompanied by a TA Security Checklist Do not open these packages prior to the administration 10% overage included Demographic information is pre-printed If only partial demographic information is preprinted on the answer document, you may enter the additional information using a #2 pencil. If students have changed classes, teachers, or other demographic information has changed, TAs must use a blank test booklet and answer document from overage. Students should write name on test booklet and answer document. 12
Prior to Testing Test Materials Test materials include: Test booklets and answer documents shrink-wrapped Test Administrator Security Checklists Test Administration Manual Call American Institutes for Research (AIR) immediately if any materials are missing (1-800-634-0562). Use the Additional Materials Request Form included with the School Test Coordinator Kit if you need more test materials. Additional materials take 2 3 days to arrive. The materials will not be pre-printed. 13
Prior to Testing Ordering Additional Materials Additional Material Request Form to be completed if schools need additional materials. Last page of Test Administration Manual Additional Form also included in STC Kit Fax completed form to AIR at (877) 231-7813 Attn: Kristen Reynolds 14
Prior to Testing School Packing List This identifies all the boxes and packets of materials. Use this sheet to inventory test materials received Check off and record receipt of each packet on the Receipt Verification column Report any discrepancies to AIR immediately 15
Prior to Testing Test Administrator Security Checklist Included on top of each shrink-wrapped package. Used to indicate which materials were used or unused during test administration 16
During Testing Administering the Tests Test Administration Manual contains: Information on administering the test and script to direct the administration Information on test security Test preparation Accommodations Accommodations Guide can be found in Appendix A of the Test Adminsitration Manual (pages 21-27). 17
During Testing Materials supplied by the school Two timepieces A supply of sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers to lend to students who do not bring them (remind students the day before) A pencil sharpener Calculators to lend to students who are taking the math test, but do not have a calculator with them. A list of allowable calculators can be found on page 10 of the Test Administrators Manual. 18
During Testing Use of Blank Booklets from Overage If a student in your class does not have an assigned test booklet and answer document, use a blank test booklet and answer document from overage. Students should write name on test booklet and answer document. An assigned test booklet or answer document may not be used by anyone other than the student whose name is printed on the test booklet or answer document. 19
After Testing Returning Materials Materials to be returned on or before May 22. Returned to AIR (secure materials): Scorable Materials: Answer documents, in which students have recorded their responses (GREEN label) Nonscorable Materials: Test booklets and unused answer documents (RED label) If only one box of materials is being returned, place the scorable (GREEN) label on the box. Place scorable materials on top of all other materials being returned (page 18). 20
After Testing Returning Test Materials Use the same boxes in which materials arrived. Packaging instructions are found on pages16-18 of the Test Administrators Manual. Separately pack scorable and nonscorable materials. The packet with scorable materials includes the following: School header sheet Test Administrator Security Checklists Answer Documents The packet with nonscorable materials includes the following: Nonscorable materials return form Unused answer documents All test booklets DO NOT RETURN: Test Administration MANUALS 21
After Testing Blank Answer Documents The following MUST be bubbled in with a No. 2 pencil: Section B-LAST NAME, FIRST NAME Section D-FIRST 5 LETTERS OF THE TEACHER S LAST NAME Section G-GENDER Section H-DATE OF BIRTH Section I- STUDENT ID Section J-SCHOOL UNIT NO. Section K-ROOM If the information is not bubbled in, then the student may not receive a score 22
After Testing Inventory of materials A Scorable Materials return form should be completed for each box of scorable secure materials Enter school contact information and number of Scorable answer documents 23
After Testing Returning Test Materials UPS labels for next-day air delivery are provided Material must be picked up on or before May 22. UPS is scheduled to automatically pick up test materials in your school on May 22 between 8 am and 5 pm. If you need to change or reschedule the pick up, do one of the following: Call UPS at (800) 742-5877 to modify the scheduled pickup at least 2 business days in advance. Drop off at UPS Store ( www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_us) If you need to leave it at the school for pick up, please verify that it was actually picked up at the end of the day. Materials that do not leave your school on May 22 will not be scored. 24
After Testing Results Results Scaled Score Pass ~ 300 High Pass ~325 25
After Testing Results Audience Type of report Distribution Date Students Individual student report with performance level Mailed to student s home address* Posted to REA Principal login site for elementary school where student tested Mid-late June 2009 Mid-late June 2009 *Note that student contact addresses should be updated in IMPACT SIM to the greatest extent possible 26
After Testing Results Audience Type of report Distribution Date Elem Teachers Elem Principals Elem Principals Class rosters with performance level School summary School roster with performance level Posted to REA Principal login site Posted to REA Principal login site Posted to IMPACT District Reporting Portal ( Inbound Students Taking Algebra ) Mid-late June 2009 Mid-late June 2009 Mid-July 2009 27
After Testing Results Audience HS Programmers/ Principals Type of report Student rosters Transcript entry Distribution Posted to IMPACT District Reporting Portal ( Inbound Students Taking Algebra ) Posted to transcript files (see next slide) Date Mid-July (after yearend processing) Late August 28
After Testing Results Meets all criteria (Current policy criteria: grade C or above in each semester; pass exit exam; meets district attendance rate) Transcript Taking course in high school setting (academic centers) Taking course in elementary setting Letter grade appears with credit on transcript GPA Affects GPA No effect on GPA No credit pass appears on transcript Placement Geometry or above Does not meet all criteria Student placed into algebra; nothing appears on transcript 29
Contact Information Important Contact Information Chicago Public Schools Assessment Hotline: (800) 634-0562. Representatives are available from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Central Daylight Time) beginning May 4. Chicago Public Schools, Department of Student Assessment: (773) 553-2430 To modify a pickup of test materials call UPS: (800) 742-5877 30
Contact Information Additional Contact Information Department of Student Assessment: Julie Robbins at 773-553-3849 or jarobbins@cps.k12.il.us Mariann Lemke at 773-553-2441 or mlemke@cps.k12.il.us American Institutes for Research: 800-634-0562 or CPSHelpdesk@air.org 31
Contact Information Additional Contact Information Office of Math and Science: Jesch Reyes at 773-553-6239 jareyesl@cps.k12.il.us High School Teaching and Learning: Rachel Kestenbaum at 773-553-6385 or rkestenbaum@cps.k12.il.us 32