Frequently Asked Questions
WESTEST 2 Field Test—Frequently Asked Questions
When will WESTEST 2 take place in 2009?
In 2009, WESTEST 2 will be administered May 18-29.
Who will participate in testing?
All public school students enrolled in Grades 3-11 are to be assessed by WESTEST 2, unless they meet the criteria for participation in the West Virginia Alternate Performance Task Assessment (APTA). Home school and Nonpublic students have the option to participate if prior arrangements have been made with the County Test Coordinator.
What kinds of test items will be used?
Test items will be multiple-choice with two gridded response items at each grade level in the Mathematics and Science tests.
What is a gridded response?
A gridded response question requires the student to solve a problem without having answer choices. Once the answer is calculated the student must write the answer in the gridded boxes and then bubble in the corresponding answer in the circles below the box(es). Examples of how to record answers can be found on the sites below:
Grades 3-5
http://wvde.state.wv.us/oaa/pdf/DirectionsForCompletingGriddedResponseGrades3-5.pdf
Grades 6-11
http://wvde.state.wv.us/oaa/pdf/DirectionsForCompletingGriddedResponseGrades6-11.pdf
Will students record answers directly into the test booklets?
Students in all grades may write in the test booklets to work problems, complete graphic organizers or to highlight information. In Grade 3, students will bubble their answers in the test booklets. Teachers should remind students not to make any marks near the edge labeled “Do Not Write Here”. In Grades 4-11, students will bubble their answers in a separate answer document.
Will the test be aligned to the West Virginia 21st Century CSOs?
Yes.
What security procedures will apply to WESTEST 2?
All security procedures outlined in WV Board of Education, Policy 2340, will be followed.
Do County Test Coordinators still schedule the pickup of testing materials for return shipment to CTB/McGraw-Hill?
No. Pickup schedules will be pre-determined by CTB and the County Test Coordinator will be notified of the date and time. For 2009, pickups will be scheduled on June 4-5.
Can County Test Coordinators change a pre-scheduled pickup date?
No. The pickup date scheduled by CTB is not an adjustable date. To ensure reports are prepared in a timely manner, all materials must be returned to CTB on the scheduled date. CTB will notify you of your county’s pickup date.
Do secure materials have to be distributed to all schools within a county 5 days (in 2009, May 11) before the first day of the testing window (in 2009, May 18-29)?
No, but secure materials cannot be distributed to schools no sooner than 5 days before the first day of the testing window.
What is a Document Based Question (DBQ)?
One Document Based Question (DBQ) will be used at each grade level in the WESTEST 2 Social Studies tests. Each DBQ will consist of 3 to 8 documents with 4 to 9 accompanying multiple-choice questions. The final item of the set will require students to synthesize information from all the documents and reach a valid conclusion based on the information contained in the documents.
Which content areas does the federal government require monitoring of accommodations? How many copies of the WVS.326 report are needed?
Accommodations must be monitored in Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. Three copies of the WVS.326 report are needed for each student with accommodations; one for each Examiner in the three content areas.
How will the WESTEST 2 address the changes in the science curriculum in grades 9-11?
Assessment Schedule for Science |
2008-09 |
Grade Level |
Assessment |
9 |
Physical Science |
10 |
Physical Science |
11 |
Physical Science |
|
2009-10 |
Grade Level |
Assessment |
9 |
Physical Science |
10 |
Biology |
11 |
Biology |
|
2010-11 |
Grade Level |
Assessment |
9 |
Physical Science |
10 |
Biology |
11 |
Chemistry |
How will the WESTEST 2 address the changes in the social studies curriculum in grades 9-10?
Assessment Schedule for Social Studies |
2008-09 |
Grade Level |
Assessment |
9 |
World to 1900 |
10 |
World to 1900 |
11 |
20th/21st C Studies |
|
2009-10 |
Grade Level |
Assessment |
9 |
World to 1900 |
10 |
US to 1900 |
11 |
20th/21st C Studies |
Accommodations in Testing
Are students with disabilities given accommodations on the test?
Students will follow the accommodations as outlined on their individual IEPs, 504 Plans and/or LEP documents.
May ESL students use bilingual dictionaries?
This will vary from student to student. Using an electronic translator/bilingual dictionary is an accommodation. A student’s LEP Committee will determine if using a bilingual dictionary is appropriate and document the decision using the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Assessment Participation Form. If an electronic/bilingual dictionary is allowed it may be used ONLY to present directions, stimulus material, questions, and/or answer choices verbatim for the Mathematics, Science and Social Studies Tests. An electronic translator/bilingual dictionary is used to present the DIRECTIONS ONLY on the Reading/ Language Arts Test.
For the WESTEST 2, must students be tested on grade level?
Yes, students must be tested at the grade level at which they are enrolled. The use of WESTEST 2 for off-level testing is not permitted for any student.
May students use highlighters on WESTEST 2?
Only a pencil should be used to record answers. Students may write in their test booklets to work problems, complete graphic organizers or to highlight information, but it is recommended that students do so with a pencil. In grade 3, marks must not interfere with answer choices or the gray lines on the side of the page.
If an accommodation is requested other than those on the approved list for students with disabilities or limited English proficiency and the request is granted, will a student’s score automatically be assigned to the novice group or will his/her actual level of achievement be counted?
A student’s score will reflect his/her actual level of achievement.
If WESTEST 2 is to be read to a student as part of his/her IEP/504 accommodations, will a WESTEST 2 booklet be provided for the reader?
Yes, a booklet must be provided for the reader. That booklet must be indicated and signed for on the Security Checklist each day, following the same procedures used for all other WESTEST 2 booklets. All WESTEST 2 booklets used by readers must be returned to the secure locked location(s) each day.
Administration – County Test Coordinator
Since the test is untimed, how can breaks be scheduled consistently?
The WESTEST 2 Examiner's Manual offers suggested test schedules for school systems. Most schools, large and small, schedule breaks between the sessions in a content area.
May schools begin testing on Monday?
Yes, if Monday is the best day to begin testing. It is highly recommended that all schools in the same county begin testing on the same day because of security issues concerning the sharing of answers between friends/relatives at different schools.
Who determines our county’s testing schedule?
The superintendent and the county test coordinator determines the testing schedule for the county.
May we test one 4th grade class in Math on Tuesday and test another 4th grade class on Wednesday?
It is highly recommended that within a county, all classes within a grade level test in the same content area on the same day.
Can the test be administered in the afternoon?
The recommended time for testing is in the morning. However, you may test in the afternoon. For example, if a student misses the morning but comes to school in the afternoon and you feel that he/she may be absent the next day, go ahead and test that student in the afternoon. (Please note that your school participation rate in Reading/Language Arts and Math assessments must be at 95% to obtain AYP for your school.)
Is there a certain order in which WESTEST 2 needs to be administered?
WVDE recommends that the tests be administered in the order that they are found in the WESTEST 2 booklet (Mathematics, Reading/Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science). If a school does alter the suggested schedule, the school must obtain permission from the county test coordinator and should administer the same grade and same content test on the same day. It is highly recommended that within a county, all schools administer the same grade and same content test on the same day.
What are the options for home instructed students?
The parent(s)/guardian(s) of a home instructed students(s) must notify the County Test Coordinator of their intent to participate at least two months prior to the testing window or by a date determined by the County Test Coordinator. Home instructed students who are taking WESTEST 2 must test in the county in which they reside at a location indicated by the County Test Coordinator. Booklets and answer documents of home instructed students must be kept separate from those of the public school students. All educators and non-public school students participating in the assessment of the West Virginia Measures of Academic Progress shall be required to follow all testing guidelines and procedures set forth (see West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2340, §4.10).
How will students who are receiving services in an alternative facility (HCA Riverpark, Cammack Children's Center, Presley Ridge, etc.) be tested if the teachers at these facilities are not county employees? Can these students be tested in the afternoon?
Students must be tested by a trained Examiner (See West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2340, §3.16), who has signed an Examiner’s/Scribe’s Secure Materials and Test Procedures Agreement. The County Test Coordinator is responsible for ensuring trained Examiners from his/her respective county are available to test students in alternative facilities. If the student is too medically fragile to be tested, you may send an appeal to Dr. Kenna Seal, Executive Director of Office of Education Performance Audits. Appeal forms are on the OEPA web site http://oepa.state.wv.us/. Students may be tested in the afternoon; however, the recommended time is in the morning.
After each year of testing, what documentation can be destroyed?
Documentation should be kept for at least three (3) years by the County Test Coordinator.
Administration – Principal/Building Level Coordinator
What security procedures will apply to WESTEST 2?
All security procedures outlined in WV Board of Education, Policy 2340, will be followed.
Who may administer WESTEST 2?
WESTEST 2 must be administered by a trained Examiner. An examiner must be a currently employed educator and/or an approved employee of the state, county or RESA, or a currently employed educator of a nonpublic school who holds a valid West Virginia teaching license or certification granted by the Office of Professional Preparation. The examiner may also include substitute teachers or aides serving as an examiner for special needs students when they are instructionally assigned. All aides and nonpublic school educators must be approved by WVDE. Student teachers may not serve as examiners. The examiner must have been trained and must have on file a signed Examiner’s/Scribe’s Secure Materials and Test Procedures Agreement for the purpose of administering or assisting with the administration of an assessment included in the WV-MAP. Examiners may not administer WV-MAP assessments to his/her child.
How much time will students spend taking the WESTEST 2 content area tests?
The tests are untimed. It is suggested that administrators plan one morning for each content test.
What is a Breach form and when is the form used?
A breach form is used when a student’s operational test has been invalidated. Only the Principal/Building Level Coordinator can invalidate a test. The CTC should request a Breach form from the WVDE, Office of Assessment, Accountability and Research.
When students with disabilities are receiving accommodations at a separate testing site, do you pack the test booklets (Grade 3)/ answer documents(Grades 4-11) separately under that teacher's GIS or do you place them back into the "homeroom" bundles?
You should bundle these student test booklets/ answer documents according to how you want the students’ results to be aggregated and returned to the school.
I want to have my school's test results sorted by teacher. May I bundle the test booklets (Grade 3)/ answer documents (Grades 4-11) from some students, who need accommodations tested by a special education teacher, together with their classroom teacher's test booklets/answer documents so the results will be reported with those of their classmates?
Yes. If some students from Teacher A and Teacher B are administered WESTEST 2 by Special Education Teacher C, the students would record Teacher C's name on the front cover of the test booklet. However, the test booklets/ answer documents would be bundled and counted as a part of Teacher A's or Teacher B's classes.
How can absent students' booklets and answer documents be collected without interrupting the testing in progress?
An Examiner/Principal/Building Level Coordinator who has been trained and has signed the appropriate Secure Materials and Test Procedures Agreement, must collect absent student booklets and answer documents to be delivered to the Principal/Building Level Coordinator or a secure location prior to the end of the testing session. Booklets should be placed for pickup in an easily accessible location, inside the testing room, and within view of the Examiner.
If the test booklets and answer documents of absent students are collected and stored, how do we re-issue booklets and answer documents to students who sign in late?
If a late student would interrupt testing, you should schedule the student for make-up testing. The Principal/Building Level Coordinator may create a Late Arrival Assessment Site and assign an Examiner to administer WESTEST 2 to students arriving late.
If assistance in the collection of absent students’ booklets and answer documents is necessary, who may be allowed to assist?
Any employee of the state, county or RESA, or an educator of a private or parochial school with a valid West Virginia teaching license who has been trained and has signed an Examiner’s/Scribe’s Secure Materials and Test Procedures Agreement may administer an assessment included in the WV-MAP. Aides who are assigned to work with special needs students and who meet the criteria for Examiner as defined in West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2340, §3.16, may assist in the assessment process of the students to whom they are assigned if they are approved by WVDE, have been trained, signed the appropriate security agreement, and meet all other Policy 2340 requirements.
May a student who comes in late on the day of testing enter the classroom at the break, begin the testing, and then complete the part he/she missed during a make-up session?
No. A student should not enter the classroom once testing has begun. If trained Examiners are available to test the late student, testing can begin when the child arrives.
Are student teachers permitted to administer the WESTEST 2?
No, student teachers do not meet the requirements described in the WV-MAP (West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2340, §3.16)
Does the Principal/Building Level Coordinator initial the School Security Checklist for every student daily?
Yes, the Principal/Building Level Coordinator is responsible for every test booklet and answer document on a daily basis; therefore, they are to initial the security checklist for each test booklet and answer document daily when the booklets/answer documents are returned by the Examiner.
What does a school do when using a school security checklist as the class roster and there are more student groups than roster pages?
Schools may create class rosters at their own discretion using the Excel file of the Security Checklist. This roster is not to take the place of the official checklist document. An "unofficial" version of the Security Checklist should NOT be returned to CTB/McGraw-Hill. The Security Checklist is the official tracking document for WESTEST 2. The Principal/Building Level Coordinator maintains the "official" Security Checklist in its entirety and returns it to the County Test Coordinator. PLEASE NOTE: The completed official Security Checklist must be maintained by the Principal/Building Level Coordinator and returned to the County Test Coordinator. The school keeps a copy of the "official" Security Checklist for its records. The original and one copy of the form should be returned to the County Test Coordinator.
Should the School Security Checklist be in the teacher packet?
No, the Principal/Building Level Coordinator is responsible for maintaining the Security Checklist.
If a student moves into my school during the testing window, am I obligated to test him?
Yes. If the student came from an in-county school or another West Virginia county school, find out what tests he/she has taken and administer the remaining tests. If the student is from another state, private school, or was home instructed you should try to administer all of WESTEST 2 to him/her, especially RLA and Math. You will need to complete the Bio-Grid for this student. Remember, students may only take the test given to the other students on the same day. Although this student's scores will not count toward your school for AYP since he/she came after the fifth instructional day, the student will count in the participation rate for AYP if he/she enrolled on/before May 19. If the student has been in other in-county schools continuously since the fifth instructional day, his/her scores will count for that county's AYP.
If a student moves from one school to another school within the county during the testing week, does the student's test booklet/answer document go with him/her?
No. The student will have two test booklets/answer documents. One booklet/answer document would remain at the first school. The second school would complete the Bio-Grid on a new test booklet/answer document, and the student would complete the remainder of the tests in the new booklet/answer document. Both test booklets (Grade 3)/ answer documents (Grades 4-11) would be sent to CTB/McGraw-Hill for scoring. Because the ID number is the same, WVDE will be able to combine the results. Refer to the County Test Coordinator concerning the use of invalidation bubbles. [Note: The student would have two reports. Each report would reflect the scores for the part of the exam completed at the respective school. There would also be invalidated scores reflecting the part of the exam that was not taken.]
If the classroom doors are locked while teachers accompany students to the restrooms, who should supervise those students in the hallways, waiting for the doors to be unlocked?
Most schools, large and small, schedule breaks between the sessions in a content area. Additional school personnel should be positioned to monitor students in hallways and/or break areas. However, if a student needs to be excused to go to the restroom during testing, he/she must be allowed to do so. A student may be accompanied by an aide if one is available. If an aide is unavailable, a student may go to the restroom alone.
May aides who are classified to directly supervise students administer WESTEST 2?
Any educator whom the Principal/Building Level Coordinator assigns to be an Examiner in a building must meet all West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2340 Examiner requirements. (See the Examiner definition in West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2340, §3.16.) Aides must be approved on an annual basis by the Office of Assessment, Accountability and Research.
Who administers a test if a substitute must be called at the last minute?
Some county school systems choose to train all teachers and some substitutes to administer WESTEST 2 in case of Examiner absences. Regularly employed substitutes who hold a Professional Teaching Certificate, have been trained as an Examiner, and signed the appropriate security agreement, may administer the test.
What about having classroom doors open during testing?
When possible, all doors should be shut during testing. Doors include both classrooms where testing is taking place and classrooms where students are not testing. The Principal/Building Level Coordinator should monitor testing conditions during testing.
If a test booklet (Grade 3) or answer document (Grades 4-11) is contaminated during the test, do we transfer the responses already recorded to a new one and who does the transcribing?
If a test booklet (Grade 3) or answer document (Grades 4-11) becomes damaged, immediately notify the Principal/Building Level Coordinator. Next, a trained Examiner should transfer student responses to a new booklet/answer document and then, complete a Scribe Verification Form (Appendix I). This form and guidelines for transcribing are found in the WESTEST 2 Test Coordinator's and Examiner’s manuals.
What is to be done with a WESTEST 2 booklet/answer document that becomes contaminated during testing?
DO NOT DESTROY the test booklet. Notify your Principal/Building Level Coordinator who will assign another booklet on the Security Checklist to the student and then transfer the student's information to the new test booklet. Complete a Scribe Verification Form (Appendix I) at the conclusion of the transcription. The contaminated booklet must be sent to the County Test Coordinator. He/She may destroy the contaminated test booklet after notifying the Office of Assessment, Accountability and Research by telephone, CTB/McGraw-Hill by letter, and the West Virginia Department of Education, Office of Assessment, Accountability and Research by letter. Any destroyed booklet/ answer document must be identified on the Security Checklist. Additional information on contaminated test booklets/answer documents can be found in the WESTEST 2 Test Coordinator's Manual.
What constitutes a testing irregularity?
A testing irregularity is any testing disruption that may have influenced the testing performance of two or more students.
May schools begin testing on Monday?
Yes, if Monday is the best day to begin testing. It is highly recommended that all schools in the same county begin testing on the same day because of security issues concerning the sharing of answers between friends/relatives at different schools.
Who determines our county’s testing schedule?
The superintendent and the county test coordinator determines the testing schedule for the county.
May we test one 4th grade class in Math on Tuesday and test another 4th grade class on Wednesday?
It is highly recommended that within a county, all classes within a grade level test in the same content area on the same day.
If a student needs extra time, may the student be moved to another location to finish?
Yes, as long as the student does not have the opportunity to ask other students or teachers how to respond to the test questions or to look up answers, and the student is monitored by a trained Examiner who maintains the security of WESTEST 2, he/she may move to another location and finish the test. Students who typically take longer to complete tests may be grouped together.
If the time a student needs to complete a test extends during and beyond the lunch period, does the student remain in the room until the test is finished or resume testing after lunch?
One way to handle this is to move the student to another work area monitored by a trained Examiner and allow the students who have finished testing to go to lunch. All students who need more time should have a monitored (by a trained Examiner) lunch break together and resume testing after lunch. Security procedures could be violated if students were given an opportunity to converse with other students who had already completed the test.
How will students who are receiving services in an alternative facility (HCA Riverpark, Cammack Children's Center, Presley Ridge, etc.) be tested if the teachers at these facilities are not county employees? Can these students be tested in the afternoon?
Students must be tested by a trained Examiner (See West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2340, §3.16), who has signed an Examiner’s/Scribe’s Secure Materials and Test Procedures Agreement. The County Test Coordinator is responsible for ensuring trained Examiners from his/her respective county are available to test students in alternative facilities. If the student is too medically fragile to be tested, you may send an appeal to Dr. Kenna Seal, Executive Director of Office of Education Performance Audits. Appeal forms are on the OEPA web site http://oepa.state.wv.us/. Students may be tested in the afternoon; however, the recommended time is in the morning.
If time runs out in the morning to complete the testing, can the same test be resumed the next morning?
No. Each content test must be completed on the day the administration of that specific exam begins.
Can the test be administered in the afternoon?
The recommended time for testing is in the morning. However, you may test in the afternoon. For example, if a student misses the morning but comes to school in the afternoon and you feel that he/she may be absent the next day, go ahead and test that student in the afternoon. (Please note that your school participation rate in Reading/Language Arts and Math assessments must be at 95% to obtain AYP for your school.)
May alphabet charts be left up in the room during testing?
Yes. However, no information pertinent to the test being administered should be displayed in the room. This includes (but is not limited to) word walls, number lines, punctuation rules, maps, and multiplication tables.
If a school is testing Mathematics on Wednesday, can a teacher review Math before the Wednesday administration?
The teacher should not review the content area to be tested on the day it is tested. A teacher may review a content area prior to the day it is tested. However, a review of the contents of WESTEST 2 booklets, creation of study guides, or preparation of instructional activities around specific WESTEST 2 test items would be a violation of test security (WVBE Policy 2340, §126-14-7 and Appendix A, Ethical Testing Practices).
When the county sends the "pre-slug" data to the state, what types of problems should we be concerned with in regard to students with disabilities and any accommodations?
The first WESTEST 2 testing pre-slug will be sent to CTB/McGraw-Hill in March. This file relies on correct student information in WVEIS. This pre-slug will determine the number of Braille and large print test booklets that must be ordered for each county. A second pull will be made May 19, for determination of full academic year and enrollment for participation rate. (Contact Nancy Walker, Executive Director of Office of Technology Information, for more information.)
What are the options for home instructed students?
The parent(s)/guardian(s) of a home instructed students(s) must notify the County Test Coordinator of their intent to participate at least two months prior to the testing window or by a date determined by the County Test Coordinator. Home instructed students who are taking WESTEST 2 must test in the county in which they reside at a location indicated by the County Test Coordinator. Booklets and answer documents of home instructed students must be kept separate from those of the public school students. All educators and non-public school students participating in the assessment of the West Virginia Measures of Academic Progress shall be required to follow all testing guidelines and procedures set forth (see West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2340, §4.10).
May larger schools secure WESTEST 2 materials in more than one secured central location?
The Principal/Building Level Coordinator will determine the location(s) to secure the WESTEST 2 materials. The WESTEST 2 Test Coordinator's Manual states that materials must be locked in a secured central location(s) and the signed security agreements also state that materials must be locked in a secured central location(s).
How will students record their answers?
On WESTEST 2, students in Grade 3 will bubble answers in the test booklet. Students in Grades 4-11 will bubble answers in a separate answer document.
How long is the WESTEST 2?
It is suggested that WESTEST 2 be given over a four-day period. WESTEST 2 is an "untimed" test with suggested time frames in the Examiner's and Test Coordinator's Manuals.
If a potential Examiner has been trained, but refuses to sign the Test Procedures Agreement for Examiner, may that person administer the test?
No.
May teachers and administrators write in the administration manuals during training?
Yes, each year new manuals will be provided.
After each year of testing, what documentation can be destroyed?
Documentation should be kept for at least three (3) years by the County Test Coordinator.
Administration – Examiners
What security procedures will apply to WESTEST 2?
All security procedures outlined in WV Board of Education, Policy 2340, will be followed.
What about having classroom doors open during testing?
When possible, all doors should be shut during testing. Doors include both classrooms where testing is taking place and classrooms where students are not testing. The Principal/Building Level Coordinator should monitor testing conditions during testing.
What constitutes a testing irregularity?
A testing irregularity is any testing disruption that may have influenced the testing performance of two or more students.
May alphabet charts be left up in the room during testing?
Yes. However, no information pertinent to the test being administered should be displayed in the room. This includes (but is not limited to) word walls, number lines, punctuation rules, maps, and multiplication tables.
If a school is testing Mathematics on Wednesday, can a teacher review Math before the Wednesday administration?
The teacher should not review the content area to be tested on the day it is tested. A teacher may review a content area prior to the day it is tested. However, a review of the contents of WESTEST 2 booklets, creation of study guides, or preparation of instructional activities around specific WESTEST 2 test items would be a violation of test security (WVBE Policy 2340, §126-14-7 and Appendix A, Ethical Testing Practices).
How are the WESTEST 2 Mathematics Formula Sheet and the Science Reference Sheet to be used?
Students in grades 9-11 will receive the formula sheet for Mathematics on the day of the mathematics test. The formula sheet is available prior to the test on the WESTEST 2 Web site (http://wvde.state.wv.us/oaa/pdf/WESTEST2MathReferenceSheet2009.pdf). These are the same formula sheets that will be distributed during testing. The formula sheet used during testing should be collected and shredded at the end of testing for security purposes.
Students will receive a Science Formula Sheets in grades 7-11and the Periodic
Table grades 5-11 on the day of the test. The formula sheet used during testing should be collected and shredded at the end of testing for security purposes. An identical formula sheet and periodic table may be downloaded from the departments Web site, http://wvde.state.wv.us/oaa/pdf/WESTEST2ScienceReferenceSheet2009.pdf
and used during the school year. However, only the sheets distributed on test day can be used during testing.
Are Mathematics formula sheets provided for grades 3-8?
No, test questions were written to align to the mastery level of the CSOs, therefore formulas are not provided.
What if a student creates his/her own "arithmetic table" on scratch paper?
A student may not bring an “arithmetic or multiplication table” into the secured testing room. However, a student may create his/her "arithmetic or multiplication table" after testing begins on blank scratch paper. The student may use this during the test, but it must be collected and destroyed with all other scratch paper at the end of the testing session.
How will students record their answers?
On WESTEST 2, students in Grade 3 will bubble answers in the test booklet. Students in Grades 4-11 will bubble answers in a separate answer document.
How long is the WESTEST 2?
It is suggested that WESTEST 2 be given over a four-day period. WESTEST 2 is an "untimed" test with suggested time frames in the Examiner's and Test Coordinator's Manuals.
May calculators be used on the Science assessment?
Yes, calculators may be used on the Science assessment at all grade levels and for all questions. Any kind of graphing calculator may be used except one with a typewriter-style keypad (known as QWERTY) or one that includes a computer algebra system (CAS). Handheld minicomputers, personal digital assistants, and laptop computers may not be used. All types of memory, including standard memory, ROM, and flash ROM, must be cleared to a factory default both before and after testing. In addition, any programs or applications must be removed prior to testing. Additional information on calculator use may be found in the Test Coordinator’s and Examiner’s Manuals.
Is the use of a calculator required?
No.
May scratch paper be used for the Science assessment?
Yes, but it must be collected at the end of the exam and treated as secure material, the same as the Mathematics scratch paper.
May calculators be used in all parts of the Mathematics assessment?
Yes, calculators may be used on the Mathematics assessment at all grade levels and for all questions. Any kind of graphing calculator may be used except one with a typewriter-style keypad (known as QWERTY) or one that includes a computer algebra system (CAS). Handheld minicomputers, personal digital assistants, and laptop computers may not be used. All types of memory, including standard memory, ROM, and flash ROM, must be cleared to a factory default both before and after testing. In addition, any programs or applications must be removed prior to testing. Additional information on calculator use may be found in the Test Coordinator’s and Examiner’s Manuals.
May teachers and administrators write in the administration manuals during training?
Yes, each year new manuals will be provided.
Development
How was WESTEST 2 developed?
West Virginia Department of Education in association with CTB/McGraw-Hill and West Virginia teachers developed a criterion-referenced assessment to evaluate West Virginia students on the West Virginia 21st Century Content Standards and Objectives.
Will the test be aligned to the West Virginia 21st Century CSOs?
Yes.
Were West Virginia teachers involved in the development?
Yes, the West Virginia Department of Education is committed to ensuring state classroom teachers are involved in every possible level of development for WESTEST 2. Over the course of development, approximately 700 general education content teachers, along with county administrators, special education teachers, business leaders and parents were involved in all areas of test design/development and standard setting.
What is the nature of test items?
The items are rigorous yet reasonable. All test items align to the West Virginia 21st Century CSOs. The items range in difficulty and in thinking levels. There are multiple choice and gridded response items. Student responses will provide teachers with a clear view of student understanding and mastery of skills.
NCLB Accountability
Do the scores count in AYP calculations?
Scores in Mathematics and Reading/Language Arts will be used in AYP determination.
How will WESTEST 2 be used for accountability for schools/counties/state?
WESTEST 2 Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics test scores will be used to determine the school, county, and state mastery of the West Virginia 21st Century Content Standards and Objectives for Annual Yearly Progress (AYP). WESTEST 2 Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics participation rates will be used to determine the school, county and state participation rate status for AYP. Please refer all accountability questions/issues/concerns to the Office of Education Performance Audits. This office writes and revises the policy that outlines how assessments, participation rates, attendance rate, and graduation rate will impact school/county/state AYP determinations and status. Contact Dr. Kenna Seal, Executive Director of Office of Education Performance Audits, kseal@access.k12.wv.us.
NCLB Reporting
How will WESTEST 2 be reported on the West Virginia Report Card?
Assessment results will be reported on the school, county, and state report cards by class, subgroup, and proficiency levels. Results for groups with less than 10 students will not be reported in the public reports. For additional information, contact the Office of Technology and Information Systems or contact Nancy Walker, Executive Director of Office of Technology and Information, nwalker@access.k12.wv.us.
Reports
When will the paper WESTEST 2 reports be available to schools?
Paper reports will be sent to the County Test Coordinator approximately eight weeks after the county returns the test booklets and answer documents to the CTB/McGraw-Hill scoring center. Please see the Reports Delivery Schedule on the WESTEST 2 web site.
When will WESTEST 2 reports be available in electronic form?
The Office of Assessment, Accountability and Research will provide electronic reports and the TestMate Clarity data to counties and schools beginning in August. Please see the Reports Delivery Schedule on the WESTEST 2 web site. Additionally, Nancy Walker and the Office of Technology Information will maintain a data on demand system.
Will test item analysis be provided for all content areas?
Yes, a test item analysis report will be provided by grade and content area for each school, county, and state.
Will we also get West Virginia reports, e.g. Confidential Item Analysis Summary, for each GIS?
No, the paper reports, which include the Confidential Item Analysis Summary, will be aggregated by school, county and state. WVDE provides teacher level reports in TestMate Clarity. Please note: The TestMate Clarity reports organize students by the teacher listed on the GIS.
Return of Materials
Should there be a Student/Group List (SGL) completed for each grade in a school?
No, usually only one SGL should be completed per building for public school students; larger schools may require two SGLs. A separate SGL is needed for home instructed students who are tested at the school with the public school students.
When bundling test booklets, must the bands be used that are provided by CTB?
Yes, you must use the bands provided. These bands were specifically selected for their size, strength and durability. Rubber bands, paper clips or other types of fasteners should not be used; fasteners other than the supplied bands may cause damage and make the booklets/answer documents difficult to scan.
If grouping answer documents by grade, what “last name, space, first initial” goes on the GIS?
List the grade level. For example, in the Teacher Name Field, list “Grade Four.”
Can more than one school’s test booklets be placed the same box?
You may put more than one school’s test booklets in one box; however, it is better to keep all of one school’s test booklets together.
Can more than one school’s answer documents be placed in a “For Answer Sheets” envelope?
Envelopes labeled “For Answer Sheets” should only contain answer documents and GIS forms that match the GIS for that particular group of students.
Our middle school has three teams at each grade level and would like results by team. Can answer documents be grouped by team?
Yes. For reports by team, list the name of the team in the Teacher Name Field.
If we want data by grade level, do we put in the principal’s name or third grade or at random choose a teacher name as it applies to the SGL?
Data reported by grade level would be filled out as “Grade Three” in the Teacher Name Field. If you want reports by class in TestMate Clarity, the teacher for that class would be listed in the Teacher Name Field.
Test Preparation
What if the wrong label is placed on the Grade 3 student booklet or the Grade 4-11 answer document?
Three sticker labels have been sent from CTB/McGraw-Hill: 1) two blank labels, and 2) a barcode label. If the barcode label is place incorrectly on the booklet/answer document, place one of the white labels over the barcode label and then the Principle/Building Level Coordinator should complete the bio-grid information. If the barcode label is missing or destroyed, the Principle/Building Level Coordinator should complete the bio-grid information.
Are the numbers for the booklets on the Security Checklist when it arrives from CTB/McGraw-Hill?
Yes, but the Principal/Building Level Coordinator is responsible for entering the student name (Grade 3) or Teacher Name (Grades 4-11) for each corresponding booklet on the School Security Checklist and for placing the correct student barcode label on the test booklet.
Who trains the Scribe? Is it a separate training from the Examiner’s Training?
The Principal/Building Level Coordinator is responsible for training Scribes. The training does not need to be separate from the Examiner’s Training. A scribe must be a trained Examiner. (See West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2340, §§3.16 and 3.40)
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