Testing Information

February 2021

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Gaston County Schools

943 Osceola Street • P.O. Box 1397 • Gastonia, North Carolina 28054 • 704.866.6100 

New Testing Information and Testing Updates

Gaston County Schools

943 Osceola Street • P.O. Box 1397 • Gastonia, North Carolina 28054 • 704.866.6100 

• CogAT
• 2nd Graders
• 3rd Graders will test in 2020-21 only due to lockdown in spring of 2020
• Three mini sessions (subtests) - approximately 2 hours total
• Reason for Change to Online
• Scoring and reporting are faster
• Screening will now be completed by AIG teachers and scored in the system instead of by hand
• Accessible by more teachers and staff
• Entirely teacher-led administration with support from computer audio
• 3rd Grade CogAT subtests are timed at 10 minutes each
• Accommodations
• Separate Room
• Extended Time
• Read Aloud - Verbal Battery only
• Words may not be defined or sentences paraphrased
• Assistance with Online Test
• E.g., “Dictate to Scribe”
• Repeated Directions
• Other: signing or cuing

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Gaston County Schools

• 2020-2021 Delay in Test Results
• EOC English II - slight delay in returning scoring due to constructed response items which are scored by a person not a program.

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• Reduction in Testing
• NC Final Exams (NCFEs) expired at the end of School Year 2019-2020 and have not been replaced.
• The courses that were assessed by these NCFEs now use teacher-made tests.
• Some NCFEs are now used whenever students request Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) for high school credit
• Spring EOCs and EOGs
• The United States Department of Education has informed all public schools that there will not be any waivers provided for the 2020-21 school year.
• The North Carolina State Board of Education has stated that, under current directive from the Federal government, state testing will continue and tests must be administered in-person.
• The NCDPI has submitted waiver requests to address concerns with participation, proficiency, and growth.

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Gaston County Schools

Resource

Documents

Gaston County Schools

943 Osceola Street • P.O. Box 1397 • Gastonia, North Carolina 28054 • 704.866.6100 

Where to find resource documents

Located at the School - in print

NCDPI: www.ncpublicschools.org

GCS Portal; Department Resources; Testing

Gaston County Schools

943 Osceola Street • P.O. Box 1397 • Gastonia, North Carolina 28054 • 704.866.6100 

ROAs

Review of Accommodations Used During Testing Forms

Why are the important?

Gaston County Schools

943 Osceola Street • P.O. Box 1397 • Gastonia, North Carolina 28054 • 704.866.6100 

ROA

Completed in ECATS (IEP & 504) or ELLevation (EL Plan)

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Uses of the Form

1. Provides Documentation of Accommodations for the test coordinator for planning
2. Provides Documentation of Accommodations to the test administrator during the test
3. Used to Document how accommodations were used/not used during the test
4. Stored with student’s plan documentation following the completion of the test to be used for review of future accommodation decisions.

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Any changes in accommodations will require a new form to be completed for each affected test. A copy of the new form must be provided to the school testing coordinator for planning the school’s testing schedule.

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Gaston County Schools

Homebound Students & Students Attending Facilities

Best scenario is for arrangements to be made for the student to come to school for testing, if appropriate.

Otherwise, arrangements must be made for the student to test at their home, at the facility, or other arranged GCS location.

Gaston County Schools

943 Osceola Street • P.O. Box 1397 • Gastonia, North Carolina 28054 • 704.866.6100 

Read to Achieve

Students may meet Read to Achieve requirements using the following:

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By the End of Grade 3:

• 3^rd Grade Reading EOG* (Achievement Level III, IV, or V) (or NCEXTEND1)
• 3^rd Grade Reading BOG*
• iReady Formative/Diagnostic Assessment in Reading during Grade 3
• Good Cause Exemptions (Includes approved alternates and Student Reading Portfolio*)
• 3^rd Grade Reading EOG Retest/Alternate Assessment*

By the End of Summer Camp:

• Approved Alternates
• Continued Student Reading Portfolio*
• Read to Achieve Assessment*

By the End of Grade 4:

• Approved Alternates
• Read to Achieve Assessment*
• Continued or newly started Student Reading Portfolio*
• 4^th Grade Reading EOG* (Achievement Level III, IV, or V)

By the End of Grade 5:

• 5^th Grade Reading EOG* (Achievement Level III, IV, or V)

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Gaston County Schools

Read to Achieve - Good Cause Exemptions

Good cause exemptions shall be limited to the following:

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1. Limited English Proficient students with less than two school years of instruction in an English as a Second Language program.
2. Students with disabilities, as defined in G.S. 115C-106.3(1), and whose individualized education program indicates (i) the use of the NCEXTEND1 alternate assessment, (ii) at least a two year delay in educational performance, or (iii) receipt of intensive reading interventions for at least two school years.
3. Students who demonstrate reading proficiency appropriate for third grade students on a K-3 formative/diagnostic assessment approved by the State Board of Education.
• iReady Reading Lexile of 725 or better
• This may occur anytime during the school year (benchmark or progress monitoring) and is not limited to the three benchmark windows.
4. Students who demonstrate, through a student reading portfolio, reading proficiency appropriate for third grade students.
5. Students who have (i) received reading intervention and (ii) previously been retained more than once in kindergarten, first, second, or third grades.

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Gaston County Schools

Test Format and Test Times

• Online Assessments
• Reading/ELA EOG Grades 3-8
• Math EOG Grades 3-8
• Science EOG Grades 5 & 8
• EOCs (Biology, NC Math 1, NC Math 3, English II)
• CCRAA Grades 10 & 11
• ACT WorkKeys (except some accommodations)
• ACCESS for ELLs 2.0
• NC Check-ins: Reading/ELA Grades 3-8, Math Grades 3-8, and Science Grades 5 & 8.
• Read to Achieve Assessment

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• Newly Online Assessments
• Reading/ELA NC Check-In for Grade 3 (Check-In #3 only)
• ACT Grade 11
• CogAT for Grade 2 (and Grade 3 for 2020-21)

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COMING SOON!!

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Document outlining testing times, break times and considerations when planning accommodations.

Gaston County Schools

Gaston County Schools

• Best practice is that accommodations should be in place at least 30 calendar days prior to the test date to use accommodations routinely in the classroom.
• Accommodations not on the student’s plan for 30 calendar days prior to the state test may not be used on the test unless there are special circumstances
• Newly identified students may use accommodations specified on their plan on the test.
• Special Test Formats (Braille, Large Print, and One-Item per Page) are ordered specifically for individual students. Special formats are only provided for students with appropriate documentation in the designated authoritative source.
• Remember to review with your students what accommodations they will receive and what day they will be taking the test.
• Remember to let parents know what day their child will be taking the test if it is not the same day scheduled for regular testing.

Basic Accommodation Information

Gaston County Schools

Transitory Impairment

A transitory impairment is an impairment with an actual or expected duration of six months or less.

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On a case-by-case basis where appropriate documentation exists, students who are identified with a transitory impairment (i.e., not Section 504-eligible) may receive testing accommodations. As with all testing accommodations, accommodations that are being considered for use during testing must be used routinely during instruction and similar classroom assessments when possible. Approved accommodations for students identified with transitory impairments include those accommodations that are approved for use by Section 504-eligible students. The need for accommodations must be documented prior to testing.

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**For students who are deemed to have a transitory impairment, schools must complete the Transitory Impairment Plan for State Testing with Accommodations form to request/document the use of accommodations for testing. This process begins with the school test coordinator contacting Michael Foust in the Testing Department to discuss the situation and request the form. Additional requirements for documenting the transitory impairment will be shared at that time. Schools will not use an “Emergency 504 Plan” to document the use of accommodations for transitory impairments.**

Gaston County Schools

Plans should never be written to state that students do not or will not participate in state assessments.

Gaston County Schools

943 Osceola Street • P.O. Box 1397 • Gastonia, North Carolina 28054 • 704.866.6100 

Testing Accommodations

2020-2021

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Gaston County Schools

943 Osceola Street • P.O. Box 1397 • Gastonia, North Carolina 28054 • 704.866.6100 

Classroom Accommodations

• Should include all accommodations used on NC State Tests
• May have additional accommodations- but proceed with caution
• Classroom Accommodations should be determined FIRST -before discussion of Testing Accommodations

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Gaston County Schools

Assessment Accommodations

• Valid accommodations do not change the validity of the test
• Accommodations are used to provide equity, not advantage, and serve to level the playing field
• Must be identified on the student’s IEP, Section 504 Plan, or EL Plan and be routine practice during instruction and similar classroom assessments
• Must be used in instruction
• Not all instructional accommodations are approved assessment accommodations

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Gaston County Schools

Some Accommodations Used for Students with Disabilities

• Assistive Technology
• Braille Edition
• Read Aloud (Non-ELA Tests)/Computer Reads Aloud*
• Multiple Test Sessions
• Separate Room

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• Sign Language Interpreter
• Read Aloud to Self
• Large Print Edition
• Dictate to Scribe
• Extended Time

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* DPI considers using the tutorials and samples supplied for computer tests as routine practice for students along with use of person reading test aloud.

Gaston County Schools

Special NCDPI Approved/Custom Accommodations

• Must be completed for custom/special accommodations that are not already approved by NCDPI
• Completed forms are sent to Michael Foust via email
• The request will be approved either locally or by NCDPI as required.
• The school will be notified, through the STC, if the request is approved or denied.

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Examples: Paper/Pencil assessment instead of online, color clarification for color blindness, etc.

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Gaston County Schools

The following are considered designated features and are approved by the NC Testing program for use by all students. These do not require documentation as an accommodation. However, the use of any of these features should be routine.

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• The use of a single color overlay.
• The use of a highlighter.
• Preferential Seating within the classroom
• Adaptive Seating
• Must be approved by the Director of Testing
• The use of an adapted pencil.
• The use of an adaptive mouse.
• Reading tracker must be blank/clear on both sides.

Gaston County Schools

Documentation of Accommodations

All accommodations must be documented on:

• ECATS in the Testing Section with specificity and implementation
• Documented accommodations must be used on day of test
• School Test Coordinator should be provided a copy of the up to date accommodation review form.
• The decision to use accommodations is on a test-by-test basis and the STC should request ROAs before each test administration.

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Gaston County Schools

Scheduled Extended Time Accommodation

• Specify an estimated amount of time on plan
• Students only receive the breaks specified in the Test Administrator’s Manual unless they also have Multiple Test Sessions.
• Students must be allowed bathroom and lunch breaks as directed by the Test Administrator’s Guide.
• If a student goes to lunch during a test administration, the student must be actively supervised and monitored to ensure that they do not discuss the test with others.
• If the student does not have Testing in a Separate Room as an accommodation, they would test the standard amount of time with the rest of the class.

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Gaston County Schools

• After the standard test administration time is over, the student should be moved to another location to complete the test.
• If the estimated extended time is over, but the student is working diligently, let them continue to work. Student must complete testing in one day if the student does not have Multiple Test Sessions.
• Student must complete testing during the normal school day.
• Documentation may be written in terms of minutes(20 minutes) or as multiple of test time (2X) but NEVER “as needed”

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Scheduled Extended Time Accommodation (cont.)

Gaston County Schools

Testing in a Separate Room

• Can be done as one-on-one administration or small group administration (up to 10 students)
• Must specify on the plan if it is a small group or one-on-one
• Testing in Separate Room MUST be used if student receives one or more of the following accommodations:

--Student Reads Test Aloud to Self (one-on-one)

--Test Read Aloud by administrator or upon request

Gaston County Schools

Test Read Aloud

• May only be used for tests that do not measure reading comprehension
• Must be documented on student’s plan how test is to be read aloud in the specificity. All versions of read aloud are considered “Test Read Aloud”.

Examples:

• Computer Read Aloud
• Upon Student Request
• By Test Administrator
• Everything
• Individual Words Upon Student Request
• Everything but numbers

• Students should be grouped together for testing based on how the test is to be read aloud.

Administrative Procedures

Gaston County Schools

Computer Reads Test Aloud

• Controlled by the student
• Reads all questions and ABCD answer choices
• May not read items in tables or graphs
• Student can select to have a question or answer choice read multiple times
• Students may be grouped with other students if they wear headphones

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Gaston County Schools

Read Aloud Upon Student Request

• Test Administration may be either one-on-one administration or small group depending on routine practice.
• In order to have a small group administration, with this accommodation, students must be placed in a room large enough that there is space to eliminate distractions between students.
• The routine practice has to include practicing the speaking level of the administrator (students should be used to and comfortable with the administrator whispering when the student requests something to be read aloud).

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Gaston County Schools

Read Aloud Upon Student Request

• This accommodation is only appropriate for students who require occasional words or phrases read aloud.
• Students can receive a combination of read aloud by computer and read aloud upon request but these students must also be in separate room with other students also receiving read aloud
• Until the Computer Read Aloud functions on state tests is guaranteed to read everything, it is highly recommended that you specify both Computer Read Aloud and Upon Request for online assessments

Gaston County Schools

Read Aloud Cont.

Numbers such as fractions, greater than less than signs should be read aloud the same way they have been read in the classroom as routine practice

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Numbers can be read normally unless reading them will give the student the answer. For example, place value questions.

Gaston County Schools

Examples of Read Aloud

Example 1

The students count 149 marbles in the jar. What is another way of writing the number of marbles in the jar?

A. fourteen nine

B. one forty-nine

C. one hundred forty-nine

D. one hundred fourteen nine

Gaston County Schools

Best Way to Read Aloud Example 1

The students count one-four-nine marbles in the jar. What is another way to write the number of marbles in the jar?

A. fourteen nine

B. one forty-nine

C. one hundred forty-nine

D. one hundred fourteen nine

Gaston County Schools

Example 2

What is the standard form of 6,000 + 500 + 30 + 4?

A. 6,345

B. 6,534

C. 6,543

D. 6,453

Gaston County Schools

Best Way to Read Aloud Example 2

What is the standard form of six-comma-zero-zero-zero plus five-zero-zero plus three-zero plus four

A. six-comma-three-four-five

B. six-comma-five-three-four

C. six-comma-five-four-three

D. six-comma-four-five-three

Gaston County Schools

Read Aloud without Numbers

What is the standard form of 6,000 + 500 + 30 + 4?

A. 6,345

B. 6,534

C. 6,543

D. 6,453

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Gaston County Schools

Student Reads Test Aloud to Self

• Whisper phone is included in this accommodation and must follow the same guidelines as students not using whisper phones
• Requires a one-on-one test administration
• If the student misreads part of the reading comprehension test, neither the test administrator nor the proctor may correct the student’s error

Gaston County Schools

Student Marks Answers in Test Book

• Student should not be given an answer sheet during the test administration.
• If all students in the group have this accommodation, do not give directions for completing the answer sheet.
• At the conclusion of testing, under secure conditions, a staff member must transfer the student’s responses to the appropriate answer document, a second staff member must verify the transferred responses, and a third member must serve as an impartial observer. All must sign the outside of the test book.
• Should not be listed as an accommodation for online assessments.

Gaston County Schools

Multiple Testing Sessions

• There must be documentation in the student’s plan for how test administration time is to be divided (specificity)
• More frequent breaks (with amount of time for the break)
• Over multiple days (how many days?)
• After completing a certain number of reading selections for ELA
• After completing a certain number of questions

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• Grouping of Students
• Grouping for test administration should be planned based on the frequency and length of breaks
• Only students with the same frequency and length of breaks may be grouped together

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Gaston County Schools

Assistive Technology Devices

• Documented specificity can cover a variety of items including but not limited to:

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• Special Calculators (talking, large key)
• Interactive Whiteboards
• Keyboarding devices/customized keyboards
• Eye Gaze devices or software
• Screen Reading Software
• Glucose Meters & Heart Monitors (cell phone used for monitoring)
• Amplification Devices
• Sensory Techniques (fidgets, comfort items, noise cancelling headphones)
• Low-Tech Devices (clipboard, slant boards, dry erase boards)

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Gaston County Schools