Overview

Tasks to Prepare the Testing Environment

Before administering a test session, verify that the following tasks have been completed:

• Ensure that TEs have completed the training and calibration requirements in the Moodle Training Site. (Refer to the Test Administration Trainings and Tutorials web page for details about required training.)
• Ensure the TE is familiar with the instructions and testing guidelines in the PFA. It is recommended that TEs thoroughly read the entire PFA and DFA prior to the assessment to properly understand and administer the assessment.
• Review How to Start an ELPAC Test Session for detailed instructions on logging on to TOMS and starting a test session.
• Verify student test settings in TOMS are up to date, such as confirming designated supports and accommodations. (Refer to Verifying and Updating Student Information and Test Settings for details.)
• Verify the security of the testing environment prior to beginning a test session. (Refer to the Overview section of the Test Security chapter of this manual.)
  • Student seats are arranged so that students cannot view each other’s answers if a test session is administered to a group.
  • All displayed instructional materials (for example, vocabulary charts, etc.) are covered or taken down.
  • “TESTING—DO NOT DISTURB ” signs are posted outside of the testing room.
  • “Unauthorized Electronic Devices May Not Be Used at Any Time During the Testing Session ” signs are posted.
• Ensure that students do not have access to digital, electronic, or manual devices (such as cell phones, smartwatches) during testing, unless it is an approved medical support.
• If applicable, make sure each testing device or workstation has headphones or headsets (for use during a group administration of the Listening, Reading, and Writing domains). For the Speaking domain, headsets and a splitter for the test examiner and the student can be used during the Summarize an Academic Presentation task.
• Recommended: Launch secure browsers on all testing devices before students sit down to test.

ALERTS:

• Only CALPADS coordinators may add, modify, or delete student demographic information in CALPADS.
  • CALPADS updates may take between 24 and 48 hours to process in TOMS and another 24 hours to process between TOMS and the TDS.
  • If a student tests with incorrect demographic information, an LEA or site coordinator can submit a STAIRS case to have the assessment reset.
• Changes to student test settings in TOMS, once made, may take up to four business hours to appear in the Test Administrator Interface. Failure to correct test settings before testing could result in the student’s not being provided with the needed accommodations, designated supports, or both at the time of testing. This is considered a testing irregularity.

Using the DFAs

There are DFA documents in standard versions and versions for braille and visual impairments. Standard-version DFAs are available for the following grade levels and grade spans:

• For the Initial ELPAC, each DFA is for all four domains.
  • Kindergarten
  • Grade one
  • Grade two
  • Grade span three through five
  • Grade span six through eight
  • Grade span nine through twelve
• For the Summative ELPAC, DFA content depends on the grade level or grade span and domain.
  • Kindergarten (all four domains)
  • Grade one (all four domains)
  • Grade two (all four domains)
  • Grade span three through five
  • Listening, Reading, and Writing domains
  • Speaking domain
  • Grade span six through eight
  • Listening, Reading, and Writing domains
  • Speaking domain
  • Grade span nine and ten
  • Listening, Reading, and Writing domains
  • Speaking domain
  • Grade span eleven and twelve
  • Listening, Reading, and Writing domains
  • Speaking domain

These DFAs will be available to LEA ELPAC coordinators, site ELPAC coordinators, and ELPAC TEs for downloading and printing in the TOMS [Resources] navigation tab.

To ensure that all students are tested under the same conditions, the TE should adhere strictly to the script for administering the assessment unless a student is assigned the non-embedded designated support for Simplified Test Directions. The scripts for administering the assessment can be found in the DFA. When asked, the TE should answer questions raised by students but should never help the class or individual students with specific test items. No test items can be read to any student for any domain unless the student is assigned a read-aloud non-embedded designated support for the Writing domain.

All directions that a TE needs to read to students are indicated by the bolded word “SAY” and are in boxes so that they stand out from the regular text. The directions should be read exactly as they are written, using a natural tone and manner. If the TE makes a mistake in reading a direction, then the TE should stop and say, “I made a mistake. Let me say it correctly.” Then the direction should be reread.

The TE should try to maintain a natural classroom atmosphere during the test administration. Before each assessment begins, the TE should encourage students to do their best. Any time a student logs on to the testing system, the TE should follow the DFA script.