Oklahoma School Testing Program (OSTP) Frequently Asked Questions
2012-2013
Web site Address
Oklahoma State Department of Education Student Assessment <http://www.ok.gov/sde>.
Contents by section:
- Requirements of the OSTP
- Test Administration—Grades 3-8
- Test Administration—End-of-Instruction (EOI)
- Special Education Testing
- Online Testing
- General Questions
- Demographics
- Test Security and Confidentiality
- Contact Information
Section I. Requirements
What types of assessments are included in the Oklahoma School Testing Program (OSTP)?
In an attempt to meet the needs of the students of the state of Oklahoma, the OSTP encompasses three different assessment types.
The first is the Oklahoma Core Curriculum Test (OCCT), which is intended for the majority of the students. This assessment is given to regular education students, students who are on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan, and English Language Learners (ELL). It may be given either with or without approved accommodations.
The second is the Oklahoma Modified Alternate Assessment Program (OMAAP), which is also referred to as the Modified test. This assessment is only given to students who are on an IEP and who meet the specified criteria on the Updated Criteria Checklist, which is available on the state Web site. This assessment may be given either with or without approved accommodations.
The third is the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP), which is also referred to as the portfolio assessment. This assessment is intended for students with the most severe cognitive disabilities. It may be given only to students who are on an IEP and who meet the specified criteria on the Updated Criteria Checklist, which is available on the state Web site. The Special Education Department oversees the implementation of this assessment.
What are the requirements of the Oklahoma School Testing Program (OSTP)?
Oklahoma state tests are used to assess student achievement; target student, classroom, and program improvement; and inform parents of student progress. The administration of the OCCT, OMAAP, and OAAP tests fulfills No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and state mandates for testing, and math and reading are used for federal accountability. The scope and general administration of the OSTP is outlined in state law, 70 O.S. § 1210.505. Rules that govern the specifics of test administration and other details are available under Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 210:10-13.
Oklahoma public schools administer the Oklahoma Core Curriculum Tests (OCCT) and the Oklahoma Modified Alternate Assessment Program (OMAAP) in Grades 3 through 8 and after completion of specific high school courses. All state tests are aligned to the Oklahoma C3 Standards.
For the OCCT, Reading and Math tests are administered in Grades 3-8; Science, Social Studies, and Writing are given in Grade 5; Geography is given in Grade 7; and Science, U.S. History and Writing are given in Grade 8. ACE English II, ACE English III, ACE Algebra I, ACE Algebra II, ACE Geometry, ACE Biology I, and ACE U.S. History are given as End-of-Instruction (EOI) tests in high school.
For the OMAAP, Reading and Math tests are available in Grades 3-8 and Science is available in Grades 5 and 8. English II, Algebra I, Biology I, and U.S. History are available as End-of-Instruction (EOI) tests in high school. All students must take the OCCT for content areas in which a Modified assessment is not available.
The Department of Special Education oversees the implementation of the OAAP, or Portfolio assessment, which includes all of the Grades 3-8 content areas and End-of-Instruction for English II, Algebra I, Biology I, U.S. History, Algebra II, Geometry, and English III based on the grade level of the student in question.
Though schools and teachers should be remediating students who are not mastering grade level skills as part of their routine duties, the ACE legislation formally began requiring remediation for students not scoring Proficient/Satisfactory in Grade 7 Reading and Math beginning with 2006-2007 results, and in Grade 8 Reading and Math beginning with 2007-2008 results. ACE legislation further requires students, beginning with the incoming freshman class of 2008-2009, to score Proficient or better on the ACE Algebra I and ACE English II and two of the other five EOI tests (or alternate tests approved by the State Board of Education) as part of their graduation requirements. ACE law further stipulates that students who do not score at least at the Proficient/Satisfactory level on the EOI tests, shall be offered remediation and the opportunity to retake each test three times each calendar year.
Section II. Test Administration— OCCT Grades 3-8
Who is the testing company for the general assessment in the Grades 3-8 program?
CTB/McGraw-Hill is the vendor for the OCCT Grades 3-8 testing.
Do Grade 3 students use separate answer documents for recording their answers?
No, the third grade Reading and Mathematics tests are consumable booklets; students mark answers in their test booklets, and the entire booklets are scanned during scoring. Students may mark or highlight passages and test questions in the consumable booklets but must be careful that no stray marks appear around the item response bubbles within the test item boxes. Stray marks around the response bubbles may interfere with scoring.
Do the multiple-choice tests in Grades 3-8 include or allow section breaks?
Tests in Grades 3-5 include a section break that allows the test to be given on one day (with lunch or other break between sections) or on two consecutive days during the testing window. The tests in Grades 6-8 do not include a section break, and each test must be administered in a single testing session.
Which tests are schools required to administer online?
Grade 6 Mathematics and Reading will move online this year. Grade 7 Reading, Mathematics, and Geography and Grade 8 Reading and Mathematics tests are also online assessments. A paper/pencil version of these tests may be given only as an accommodation.
How many writing prompts are administered in Grades 5 and 8?
In Spring 2013, the Writing tests for Grades 5 and 8 include two writing prompts to which the students must respond. One is the operational prompt that will be scored, and the other is a field test prompt. Both prompts are aligned to the Oklahoma C3 Standards and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Writing. Students will first read a selected passage and will then respond to a question that relates to the selection. Students may be asked to write a narrative text, an informative/explanatory text, or an opinion/argument basing their writing on text-based evidence, details, events, and/or experiences. A standard setting will be conducted in summer for the operational Writing test, and students will receive scores and a performance levels for the operational test.
What is the date for administering the Grades 5 and 8 Writing tests?
For Spring 2013, the statewide Writing dates are Wednesday and Thursday, April 3 and 4th. This year students will be responding to two prompts, and operational and a field test prompt. All students should be administered Prompt 1 on April 3 with Prompt 2 administered on the same day or on April 4th. For students absent on these days, make-up tests may be given between April 5 - 30, which is the end of the paper/pencil, multiple-choice window.
What is the testing window for Grades 3-8 testing for Spring 2012?
The Grades 3-8 testing window is Wednesday, April 10 through a revised date of Tuesday, April 30, for paper/pencil tests. The online testing window is extended to Friday, May 3, for flexibility in scheduling computer time for the Grade 6 Reading and Mathematics, Grade 7 Reading, Mathematics, and Geography, and Grade 8 Reading and Mathematics tests.
How many times may a student retest in Grades 3 – 8?
Retests are not allowed for the Grades 3-8 assessments.
Can a student retake the Grade 8 Reading test in order to get a driver’s license?
No, a student may not retake the Grade 8 Reading test to meet this requirement. A list of alternate assessments for this requirement is
available on the SDE Web site.
How does the change to the social studies standards affect testing this year?
Because of the new C3 Standards for the social studies content areas, students will participate in field tests in Spring 2013 for Grade 5 U.S. History, Grade 7 Geography, and Grade 8 U.S. History. Students will not receive any scores this year.
How is the Grade 5 and 8 Science test affected by the change to the Science academic standards?
The Spring 2013 Grades 5 and 8 Science tests will assess the Oklahoma C3 Standards (revision 2011). This revision reflects content changes; therefore, Grades 5 and 8 students will receive individual scores on these tests following the early June standard setting.
Section III. Test Administration—OCCT End-of-Instruction (EOI)
Who is the testing company for the OCCT EOI testing program?
The testing vendor for the OCCT EOI program is CTB/McGraw-Hill.
What are the EOI testing windows for 2012-2013?
The window for the Winter/Trimester OCCT online Optional Retest Window is Monday, November 19, 2012 – Friday, November 30, 2012. The testing window for Winter 2012/2013 is Monday, December 3, 2012 - Friday, December 21, 2012, with the Writing test on Tuesday, December 11 and Wednesday, December 12, 2012. Winter EOI online testing is extended to Friday, January 11, 2013. The testing window for Trimester 2013 is Monday, January 21, 2012 - Friday, February 8, 2012, with the online testing extended to Friday, February 15. The Writing test for the Trimester window is Tuesday, January 29 and Wednesday, January 30, 2013. The window for the Spring OCCT Optional Retest Window is Monday, April 1 - Friday, April 12. The Spring window for paper/pencil tests is Monday, April 15 - Friday, May 3, 2013. EOI OCCT online testing is extended to Friday, May 10. The statewide ACE English II and ACE English III Writing dates are Tuesday and Wednesday, April 23 and 24, 2013.The testing window for Summer 2013 is Monday, June 3, 2013 - Friday, August 2, 2013, with no set date for the Writing test.
Which content areas are tested for EOI?
Seven EOI tests are administered: ACE Algebra I, ACE Algebra II, ACE Geometry, ACE English II, ACE English III, ACE Biology I, and ACE U.S. History. These tests are administered online, with the exception of the Writing portions of ACE English II and ACE English III, which are administered only in a paper/pencil format.
How many prompts will be administered this year?
All EOI testing administrations have one Writing prompt for 2012-2013.
If a student is absent during the statewide Writing days of the ACE English II and ACE English III Writing prompts, will he/she be allowed to make up the test?
If students are absent on the designated Writing test dates, they must take the Writing portion of the test within the testing window upon their return to school. There is no set statewide Writing date for the Summer administration, as summer school schedules vary across the state.
How is the Writing portion of the ACE English II and ACE English III test scored?
The Writing test is one portion of the ACE English II and ACE English III test. Each writing response receives two types of scores. First, a series of analytic scores focus on specific writing traits. These traits receive scores of 1-4. Next, a composite score is derived by providing a differential weight or percentage to the score in each of the analytic traits and applying a formula to obtain the final Writing score, which ranges from 1 to 6 for ACE English II and from 1 to 10 for ACE English III. Condition codes are used if the student’s writing response is unscorable. Students do not receive separate ACE English II and ACE English III Writing reports; the results are reported with the multiple-choice results.
How many days is the complete ACE English II and ACE English III test administration?
ACE English II and ACE English III should be administered over two or three days. The ACE English II and ACE English III tests include one prompt in Winter 2012/2013, Trimester 2013, Spring 2013, and Summer 2013. This section must be administered on one of the designated days unless a student is absent. Then, that student will need to take the Writing test upon return to school within the testing window. Multiple-choice sections may be administered any day (both on the same day or each on consecutive days) within the testing window. The Writing portion of ACE English II and ACE English III does not have to be given before the multiple-choice portions.
What is included in sections of the ACE English II and the ACE English III test?
The ACE English II and ACE English III tests contain one writing prompt for Winter 2012/2013, Trimester 2013, Spring 2013, and Summer 2013 and two sections of multiple-choice items.
If a student takes summer school on an EOI tested subject, does he/she take the test in the next testing window?
Summer administrations are available for students who complete courses during summer school or who need retests. If the student does not finish the coursework in time to take the summer administration, he/she will take the test in the next available testing window. Even if a school does not offer summer school, the school will need to utilize the summer testing window for students who require retests.
If a student takes the Proficiency exam (CLEP) for an EOI subject, does he/she take the test?
Yes, per state law, even if a student passes a CLEP test and receives credit for the course from the school, the student must take the appropriate state test(s).
If a student transfers into an Oklahoma public school from a private school or from out of state, and has already taken certain EOI courses, is the student required to take the EOI exams for those courses?
Beginning with the entering freshman class of the 2008-2009 school year, students may demonstrate mastery in required subjects in the following ways:
- Submit documentation of proficiency on an equivalent state end-of-instruction test in the state in which instruction was received.
- Attain at least a Satisfactory or Proficient score on an Oklahoma EOI test.
- Meet the approved level of proficiency on an alternate test.
- Demonstrate mastery through an end of course project.
If an Oklahoma student does not receive a Proficient or above, what are the options for retesting?
- Step One: Students will be provided remediation opportunities and will either:
- Retake the EOI test; or
- Score Satisfactory or Proficient on a State Board of Education approved alternate test which can be taken prior to or subsequent to the EOI test.
- Step Two: Students who do not achieve a Satisfactory or Proficient score through Step One will continue to receive remediation opportunities and will either:
- Retake EOI test; or
- Score Satisfactory or Proficient on a State Board of Education approved alternate test; or
- Demonstrate mastery of the subject matter through an end of course project designed by the State Department of Education (SDE) and approved by the State Board of Education using rubrics approved by the State Board of Education.
- Students who do not meet the graduation requirements through Step Two may repeat Step Two as necessary.
What is the new ELL testing accommodation that allows a read-aloud on the English II EOI?
ELL students who have lived in the United States less than three (3) years prior to their proposed graduation date are allowed to retake the English II EOI with all regularly available accommodations and the additional accommodation of the passages and test items being read aloud in English contingent on the following conditions: (1) The student has already taken the English II EOI and scored Limited Knowledge or Unsatisfactory. (2) The student has participated in remediation as provided or approved by the local school district. (3) The student has a passing grade in the English II course. (4) The read-aloud accommodation is normally employed as part of classroom instruction on a regular basis.
What constitutes Full Academic Year (FAY) with regard to EOI testing?
A student is considered FAY for EOI testing if he/she has been continuously enrolled beginning within the first 10 days of the school year and has not experienced an enrollment lapse of ten or more consecutive school days.
In order to graduate from high school, do students have to take all seven EOI tests?
Students must take all EOI exams for which they have completed coursework. Beginning with the incoming freshman of 2008-2009, students are required to pass four of seven tests in order to graduate. Two of the four tests required are the ACE Algebra I and ACE English II tests.
Is the district required to track students’ mastery of the ACE EOI tests?
Yes, districts will track all EOI performance levels on students’ transcripts and maintain an ACE Demonstration of Mastery Cumulative Record for students who meet the testing requirements using alternate tests and methods. All school districts shall use this cumulative record uniform document or all information required on this document must be contained within the district’s student information system. The cumulative record will accompany students when transferring to new districts. For each student who meets the graduation requirements, the student’s transcript will read: ―This student has met the graduation requirement of demonstrating mastery in the state academic content standards.
Where can I find a version of the cumulative record tracking form?
An electronic version of this cumulative record is provided on the SDE Web site under Accountability and Assessments and then accessing the Assessment Administrators' Resources link.
Section IV. Special Education Testing Requirements
Who is the testing vendor for special education alternate assessments?
The testing vendor for the Oklahoma Modified Alternate Assessment Program (OMAAP) EOI and Grades 3-8 assessments is CTB/McGraw-Hill and is maintained by the Office of Accountability and Assessments at the State Department of Education. The testing vendor for the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP) is Pearson and is maintained by the Office of Special Education Services.
Are special education students required to take state tests?
Yes, all special education students are required to participate in state testing according to No Child Left Behind.
What testing options are available for special education students?
Though all students with disabilities must be tested in the OSTP, Oklahoma offers options to assess individual students most appropriately. Students with significant cognitive disabilities may qualify for the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP) Portfolio assessment, an alternate way to assess progress according to alternate grade-level standards, as provided in the Curriculum Access Resource Guide-Alternate (CARG-A). Students who do not qualify for the OAAP, but for whom the general assessment would not be appropriate, even with accommodations, may qualify for the OMAAP Modified assessment. The Modified assessment is based upon the Oklahoma C3 Standards. Modified assessments are available in Grades 3-8 Reading and Mathematics; Grades 5 and 8 Science; and in the following EOI subjects: Algebra I, English II, Biology I, and U.S. History. If these options are not applicable, special education students must participate in the regular state test. Whichever assessment option is chosen for a particular student, it must be documented in his/her Individualized Education Program (IEP) prior to being administered an assessment.
How should IEP teams decide whether the OCCT, the OMAAP, or the OAAP, is the appropriate assessment for a student with a disability?
IEP teams are required to use the Oklahoma Criteria Checklist for Assessing Students with Disabilities to determine the assessment that is most appropriate for an individual student. IEP teams must make assessment decisions annually and for each tested subject separately.
Are accommodations available to students who take the OMAAP?
Yes, Modified assessments may be given with or without accommodations. A paper-pencil format is used allowing the students to mark directly in a consumable book which is later scanned and scored. Students may mark or highlight passages and test questions in the consumable booklet but must be careful that no stray marks appear around the item response bubbles within the test item boxes. Stray marks around the response bubbles may interfere with scoring.
Are accommodations available to students who take the OAAP?
No. The OAAP or Portfolio assessment is an individualized assessment comprised of student work accumulated throughout the school year, so no assessment accommodations are necessary.
How should an IEP team determine a modified proficiency score on the state End-of-Instruction assessment(s)?
Students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) may demonstrate mastery in required subject areas through a Modified Proficiency Score on the state assessment(s) as established by the IEP team. In order to apply a Modified Proficiency Score, all of the following must be considered: (1) The student has a passing grade in the end of instruction course for which the IEP team is considering a modified score. (2) The student has met the district's attendance requirements. (3) The student has displayed progress in the end of instruction exam from the previous attempt at the same exam. (4) The IEP team recommends the student for graduation. Progress is defined as an increase in performance score on the same type of assessment. There is no specified amount of progress that must be demonstrated. The IEP team should determine the appropriate amount of progress for the individual child in order to state that the child has demonstrated mastery in the required subject areas.
How should testing deviations from the standard conditions, accommodations, or proficiency score on the state assessments be established for a student on an IEP?
Any deviation from the standard condition must be established on the student’s IEP and recorded on the student’s cumulative record. Beginning with the 2011 – 2012 school year, districts will report to the SDE, by school site, the number of students issued standard diplomas based on a Modified Proficiency Score.
Are Modified assessments available in versions to accommodate visually impaired students?
One of the modifications for the Modified assessment is the use of a slightly larger font size than that on the regular assessment; however, the Modified assessments are available in both large-print and Braille, as well.
Are OAAP or Portfolio assessments available in versions to accommodate visually impaired students?
Yes. Because the OAAP or Portfolio assessment is an individualized assessment comprised of student work accumulated throughout the school year, a student with a visual impairment would complete the components utilizing large-print or Braille materials as needed.
Are certain Modified assessments required to be given online?
No, Modified assessments are available in paper/pencil only.
Are OAAP or Portfolio assessments required to be given online?
No. Because the OAAP or Portfolio assessment is an individualized assessment comprised of student work accumulated throughout the school year, there is no online testing requirement.
When is the testing window for Modified assessments?
The testing windows for Modified assessments for Grades 3-8, as well as for EOI courses, will mirror the paper and pencil test windows for the general assessments.
- Grades 3-8 Spring testing window is Wednesday, April 10 - Wednesday, April 24, 2013.
For EOI Algebra I, English II, Biology I, and U.S. History, the windows are as follows:
- The Winter testing window is Monday, December 3 - Friday, December 21, 2012 with the Writing test on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 11-12, 2012
- The Trimester testing window is Monday, January 21 - Friday, February 8, 2013 with the Writing test on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 29-30, 2013.
- The Spring testing window is Monday, April 15 - Friday, May 3, 2013. The statewide English II Writing dates are Tuesday and Wednesday, April 23 and 24, 2013.
- The testing window for Summer is Monday, June 3 - Friday, August 2, 2013, with no set date for the Writing test.
When is the submission window for OAAP or Portfolio assessments?
Please check submission dates with the Office of Special Education.
How does a school make the decision of which test is most appropriate for a special education student?
Eligibility criteria checklists are available on the State Department of Education Web site to guide the IEP team’s decisions. Decisions must be made for each student on an IEP. The decision must be made for each subject area in which the student is required to test.
Are alternate Writing tests available for special education students?
For students who participate in the OAAP, Writing is assessed within the Portfolio test content. Students being administered Modified assessments must take the regular Writing for Grades 5 and 8 with or without accommodations; no alternates are available at these grade levels at this time. For students participating in Modified assessments for English II, the Writing portion has been modified. The scoring rubric for the Writing portion of the English II Modified assessment has also been modified for these students.
How do the 1% and 2% caps, with regard to special education testing, affect our schools and districts?
Districts and IEP teams are advised to appropriately assess each special education student in their program, regardless of any ―caps. The federal caps are applied by district and state, with 1% reserved for use of the OAAP, and 2% for the Modified assessment, and refer to the percents of students who can be counted as Proficient (or Satisfactory) in the state accountability system. The caps do NOT refer to the number or percentage of students who can participate in these options. (The caps reflect percentages of the entire tested student population, not just of the special education student population.) More information regarding the federal caps and details on how the caps affect accountability are available on the Office of Accountability and Assessments Web site.
The State Department of Education is excited to offer districts these much-needed special education testing options; however, please be judicious in their use. Use the eligibility Criteria Checklist to review individual student needs and abilities in choosing the appropriate assessment.
Section V. Online Testing
What assessments are required to be administered online?
Students are required to take the following assessments online: OCCT Grade 6 Reading and Mathematics, Grade 7 Reading, Mathematics, and Geography, Grade 8 Reading and Mathematics, and all OCCT End-of-Instruction assessments.
Are there any exceptions?
The Writing portions of the ACE English II and ACE English III assessments are given only in a pencil/paper format. Only students with an IEP, 504 Plan, or an ELL student requiring an accommodation that an online test cannot access are allowed to take the OCCT Grade 6 Reading and Mathematics, Grade 7 Reading, Mathematics, and Geography, Grade 8 Reading and Mathematics, or OCCT EOI assessments in a paper/pencil format.
What are the systems requirements for online testing for CTB/McGraw-Hill?
The systems requirements for online testing will be available on the SDE and CTB Web sites.
Will technical trainings be available for setting up computer labs for online testing?
Yes, CTB will conduct these trainings through Web Ex teleconferences and regional site trainings.
Will online administration trainings be available before testing?
Yes, CTB will conduct these trainings through Web Ex teleconferences and regional site trainings.
What if something, such as a power outage or tornado warning, occurs during online testing?
Test administrators may continue the test if the interruption lasts for less than 20 minutes and if the students are kept in a secure testing environment (e.g., no talking allowed). If a testing interruption lasts for more than 20 minutes or if a secure testing environment is not maintained during the interruption, the tests must be invalidated and Equivalent tests ordered and administered. Call the SDE, (405) 521-3341, for further directions as needed.
Can a student who needs a read-aloud accommodation test online?
Yes, a student who needs a read-aloud accommodation may test online using headphones or if the computer is in an isolated place, a test administrator with a test monitor present can read the test over the student’s shoulder. An audio function is available for the OCCT Grade 6 Mathematics, OCCT Grade 7 Mathematics and Geography, and Grade 8 Mathematics assessments as well as for OCCT ACE Algebra I, ACE Algebra II, ACE Geometry, ACE Biology I, and ACE U.S. History assessments.
Is the Writing assessment given online?
No, Writing assessments are given only in a paper/pencil format.
Can students taking online assessments use scratch paper?
Yes, students are allowed to have scratch paper available for all online assessments. The scratch paper must be collected by the test administrator as soon as the student completes the test and returned to the Building Test Coordinator. The Building Test Coordinator is responsible for destroying all scratch paper. This should be done without looking at what the student has written on the scratch paper.
Can students taking math and science assessments use a calculator?
The approved calculator policies are available on the SDE Web site and in the back of the testing manuals. For Grades 3-8 Mathematics, a basic four function calculator may only be used as an accommodation as well as Grade 8 Science. For the EOI Mathematics and Biology I assessments, approved calculators may be used by all students on all sections of the tests. Additionally, calculators are available as online tools during the EOI tests. For the ACE Biology I, ACE Algebra I, and ACE Geometry, a scientific calculator is available; for ACE Algebra II, both a scientific calculator and a graphing calculator are available.
What tools are available for the online assessments?
Several tools are available for the online assessments. Online assessments have these tools available: help feature, mark for review, chooser/cursor, highlighter, eraser, eliminate choice/striker, and click to enlarge. The OCCT EOI Biology I and EOI
Mathematics assessments have online calculators available (scientific calculator for ACE Biology I, ACE Algebra I, and ACE Geometry; scientific calculator and graphing calculator for ACE Algebra II).
Are there online practice tests available?
Online practice tests are available for each online assessment. Practice tests for the EOI assessments are available throughout all test administrations; practice tests for Grades 6, 7, and 8 will be available in the near future. Directions for accessing the online practice tests are on the SDE and CTB Web sites.
Will students receive an immediate score?
Yes, students testing online receive an immediate raw score.
Section VI. General Questions
Are students in their first year of entering the United States required to take state tests?
Students entering the United States and going to public schools for the first year are required to take the English Proficiency exam and any applicable state tests in subjects other than Reading/Writing. Students may be exempt from the Grades 3-8 Reading test, Grades 5 and 8 Writing test, as well as the EOI English II and ACE English III test.
Are the Oklahoma Core Curriculum Tests (OCCT), including the Writing tests, timed?
No. These criterion-referenced tests are not strictly timed. Approximate times are included in the manuals for scheduling and planning purposes; however, students must be given the opportunity to complete the assessments, even if actual testing times are greater than those given for scheduling purposes.
Do schools have to go in the order of the Test Administration Manual as far as test sequence and time schedule?
Test sections (e.g., Sections 1, 2, and 3) within a single subject area test MUST be administered in sequential order. The one exception, however, is Section 1, Writing, for English II and ACE English III, which must be administered on the set Writing dates. Sections 2 and 3 of English II and ACE English III must be administered in order, but may be given before or after Section 1, Writing. Following the advised order for administration of each separate subject is not required, but HIGHLY recommended.
Is there a separate testing window for junior high schools on block schedules?
For Grades 3-8 testing, test administrations must occur during the regular Grades 3-8 testing window. However, block schedule junior high schools testing EOI subjects should administer EOI tests in the Winter/Block testing window.
Does a student make up a test if he/she is absent?
A student can make up a test during the testing window only if he/she is absent. The school should administer the regular test received for that student following all the necessary procedures for administration and test security.
Can a student make-up the Grades 5, 8, ACE English II, and ACE English III Writing if he/she is absent?
There are no make-ups for Grades 5 and 8 Writing tests. The ACE English II and ACE English III tests are required for graduation. The Writing portion of these assessments is included as part of the overall score, so students must take the Section 1 Writing portion upon their return to school as long as it is within the testing window.
Can students who finish the test early leave the room?
Students who finish the test may leave the room when they finish if it does not cause a disruption to other students taking the test.
What are condition codes, with regard to Writing tests?
A condition code is assigned if the writing response is illegible, incomprehensible, off-topic, written in a language other than English, or there is no response at all. For grades 5 and 8, student responses receiving an unscorable condition code will count in the Unsatisfactory performance level.
When should a student’s test be invalidated?
Tests can be invalidated for a number of reasons, including cheating, not completing a test a student has begun because of illness or other reason, test security or administration procedures not followed, etc. Reasons for testing invalidations are provided in the Test Preparation Manual. Schools must obtain permission from the Office of Accountability and Assessments before any invalidations can occur.
What is the procedure for invalidating tests?
Schools must contact the Office of Accountability and Assessments immediately and explain the situation. Requests for invalidations must be submitted through the Testing Status Application located on the District Reporting Site. Depending on the reason for invalidations, schools must document and submit reasons for the invalidation requests, evidence (if applicable), and any measures for preventing the error in the future (if applicable). After the invalidation has been approved, the testing company will then rush any approved Equivalent test forms to the school for administration. Equivalent tests must be administered in the testing window.
Can students use a pen on state tests?
The student must fill out the demographic sheet and answer document with a #2 pencil as required. If a pen is used, the scanner will not pick it up, and it will be scored as Unsatisfactory.
Can students use highlighters in their testing books during the tests?
Yes, students can use highlighters in all Oklahoma Core Curriculum Tests and Oklahoma Modified Alternate Assessment Program tests. Special care should be taken when marking in the OCCT Grade 3 or all OMAAP booklets. Students may mark or highlight passages and test questions in the consumable booklets but must be careful that no stray marks appear around the item response bubbles within the test item boxes. Stray marks around the response bubbles may interfere with scoring.
What Performance Levels are considered passing?
Each assessment has four Performance Levels. A Performance Level of Proficient/Satisfactory or Advanced is considered passing.
What if a student refuses to test?
Oklahoma law state that tests shall be administered to every student enrolled in a tested grade in the public schools of Oklahoma. If a student is in school when the test is given or is in attendance during any part of the testing window, the school is required to attempt to test the student. If a student refuses to complete a test or take part in testing, the school must still send in the student's answer document for scoring.
Are there sample items to help students prepare for the state tests?
Multiple-choice sample items can be found on the state Web site under Accountability and Assessments and clicking on the Test Support link.
Section VII. Demographics
How is coding ethnicity/race different this year?
States and districts will be required to follow new standards in collecting individual-level ethnicity and race data and in reporting aggregated data to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) for the 2010 – 2011 school year. The new standards separate ethnicity and race into two categories. A two-part question is mandatory, with the ethnicity part asked first.
- Ethnicity (Choose one):
- Hispanic/Latino
- Not Hispanic/Latino
- Race (Choose one or more, regardless of ethnicity):
- American Indian or Alaskan Native
- Asian
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
- Black or African American
- White
Can all three bubbles be marked on the ―Non-Full Academic Year section of the demographic page?
Only one bubble needs to be marked to reflect the NFAY level of the student.
What is the definition of Full Academic Year (FAY)?
A full academic year for both Grades 3-8 and End-of-Instruction is a student who has been continuously enrolled beginning within the first 10 days of the school year and has not experienced an enrollment lapse of 10 or more days. An updated FAY/NFAY Flowchart is available on the SDE Web site.
Is regular foster care or therapeutic foster care considered ―Other Placement?
No.
What is the definition of ―Other Placement?
This applies if a student from outside of your district has been placed by state or court order in a facility within your district. These students will receive an individual Parent/Student Report of their scores and will appear on class/school lists. However, their scores will not be summarized and reported with the class, school, or district. Instead, they will be placed within a ―virtual district at the state level, and the state will be accountable.
How are students moving from one school to another in the grade progression (i.e., ―feeder schools or transitional grades) viewed with regard to Full Academic Year (FAY) status?
Transitional grades are logical grade level progressions that move a student from one school to the next within the same district. FAY for these transitional grade levels is measured from the first day of school.
When is it necessary to notify the Office of Accountability and Assessments to request permission for special programs or not tested codes?
It is necessary to request permission for Other Placement, Emergency Exempt, ELL 1st Year in U.S. Exempt, and Invalidations through the Testing Status Application located on the District Reporting Site. If permission is not received, the tests will be scored.
Does the "Free and Reduced" box on the demographic sheet have to be filled out on every student in a Title I school?
Yes, all districts and all schools will must mark the box on every applicable student, regardless of school Title I status.
Will precode be available from the testing company?
Precode is required for all assessments. Precode information for Grades 3-8 will be collected from the WAVE. For EOI, a Student Data Upload (SDU) file will be submitted by the district to CTB.
Can districts make corrections to student demographic information online?
Yes, corrections to the demographic information can be accessed online through the CTB Web site.
When do you mark a student ―2nd time test opportunity for an EOI test?
Students who were previously enrolled in an assessed subject and did not take the state test at that time because of absence or for any other reason are considered as students who have had their first opportunity to take the test. When those students do take the test to fulfill graduation requirements, they would be marked as ―2nd time test opportunity.
Also, students who are retaking an assessed subject and students opting to retake an EOI test in any subject would be considered ―2nd time testers. If the student is taking a required test for the third time or beyond as a graduation requirement, the student should be marked as ―2nd time test opportunity.
I have a student who transferred in from another district. The student’s transcript shows completion of an EOI course, but there is no indication that the student took the EOI assessment for that subject. Does the student have to be tested for graduation requirements?
Yes, the student must take the assessment or pass an alternate test to meet the appropriate graduation requirements.
Section VIII. Test Security and Confidentiality
What is a Test Preparation In-service?
Test Preparation In-services are provided by State Department of Education personnel in October and November for Winter/Trimester and Spring test administrations. All aspects of state testing are discussed, including ordering tests, administration, shipping and receiving, confidentiality and security, scoring, and reporting. In-services are provided at many locations in the state, and by videoconference as well, giving school and district faculty several options for convenient attendance. It is mandatory for District and Building Test Coordinators (DTCs and BTCs) to attend a Test Preparation In-service every school year.
Who should be present during test administration?
One certified test administrator and one adult proctor approved by the principal are required to be in the classroom during testing. The proctor must be 18 years or older and have graduated from high school. The State Department of Education recommends one monitor for every 25 - 35 students. Violation of this test security requirement is very serious and would automatically result in invalidation of all students’ tests. Do not administer any portion of any state test without the appropriate personnel present.
Can a small group of students be moved to another room to finish their tests?
Yes, they can be moved to another room in order to finish their tests as long as there is a test administrator and monitor present, and all other security measures are taken.
Section IX. Contact Information: Office of Accountability and Assessments (405) 521-3341
- Maridyth McBee, Assistant State Superintendent
- Joyce DeFehr, Executive Director State Testing
- Kurt Bernhardt, Executive Director of Research
- Michael Tamborski, Executive Director of Accountability
- Matt Morgan, Data Analyst
- Sonya Fitzgerald, PARCC Director/Math Assessment Director
- Gaile Loving, Director of Monitoring/Science Assessment Specialist
- Judy Godwin, ELA and History Assessment Specialist
- Rebecca Logan, NAEP Coordinator
- Christy Hanshew, Administrative Coordinator
- Molly Brown, Administrative Assistant
- Samantha Sheppard, Administrative Assistant
- Elise Kauffman, Administrative Assistant
