ACT WorkKeys Internet Version
Handbook for System and Building Test Coordinators
2015-2016
Table of Contents
Topic Page Numbers
Alerts 1
Review of ACT WorkKeys Administration Manual for Online Testing 2-8
ALSDE Irregularity Report 9
LEA Report of Training Activities 10-11
Sample Seating Chart 12
ACT WorkKeys Internet Version Testing Dates 13
Test day questions? Call 800-967-5539
ACT WorkKeys Internet Version
Handbook for System and Building Test Coordinators
Alerts
This document, ACT WorkKeys Internet Version: Handbook for System and Building Test Coordinators, provides reminders of unique characteristics of this program and areas that require special attention.
1. Maggie Hicks at the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) is your primary contact for ACT WorkKeys, at 334-242-8038 or .
2. ACT WorkKeys Internet Version (WKIV) will be administered December 1, 2015 – February 29, 2016. The assessments that will be administered are: Applied Mathematics, Locating Information, and Reading for Information. The window for ACT WorkKeys Paper/Pencil with Accommodations is February 11-25, 2016.
3. You may administer all of the tests in one session with breaks between tests, administer each test separately on different days, or administer the tests in a combination of these two options. Be sure to allow examinees the appropriate amount of time to complete each test.
4. The System Test Coordinators (STC), Building Test Coordinators (BTC), Test Accommodations Coordinators (TAC), Backup Building Test Coordinators (BBTC), Principals, Room Supervisors, Proctors, and Monitors must be familiar with the ACT WorkKeys Administration Manual for Online Testing. You will need to download and print this manual from www.act.org/aap/alabama. No hard copies will be mailed. Hereafter, this document will be referred to as the Online Testing Manual.
5. Room Supervisors must administer tests according to standard testing procedures. At no time may the Room Supervisor leave the room unattended.
6. In the event of an irregularity, an online Irregularity Report for WKIV must be completed. The link for this online Irregularity Report is: http://www.act.org/workkeys/forms/cbt.html. In addition, an ALSDE Irregularity Report has also been provided on page 9 of this document for testing staff to report other irregularities and prohibited behaviors that are not reported to ACT. This is the same ALSDE Irregularity Report that is used for the other state assessments.
7. If an emergency on test day (e.g., fire, tornado, snow) forces the termination of testing or the closing of school, you must notify ACT and the ALSDE as soon as possible. Be especially careful if testing has started. Call Student Assessment at 334-242-8038.
8. In cases of unusual circumstances (i.e., bomb threats, weather alerts, suspected cheating), the STC must notify ACT and the ALSDE immediately. In addition, the ALSDE must be notified immediately at 334-242-8038 when incidents involving prohibited behaviors of examinees (or adults) or other circumstances that may affect the scoring of an examinee’s test occur. A copy of the ALSDE Irregularity Report (page 9 of this handbook) should be faxed or emailed to Maggie Hicks at 334-242-7341 or .
Review of ACT WorkKeys Administration Manual for Online Testing
How to Contact ACT (Inside Cover)
· If you have any questions regarding the administration of the ACT WorkKeys assessments or technical issues, call ACT at 800-967-5539.
· A list of links for webinars, materials, and the manual verification form is included for your use.
Table of Contents (Pages 3-4)
· Contents pages have been included for ease in use of the manual.
Introduction (Page 5)
· The ACT WorkKeys Administration Manual – Online Testing (Online Testing Manual) provides information to ensure that ACT WKIV testing is conducted according to ACT standards, policies, and procedures.
· Participation in test administration training is required.
· When testing staff have completed test administration training, each person must complete the Test Site Staff ACT WorkKeys Manual Verification Form at http://www.act.org/workkeys-private/forms/manual.html.
· The Validus® Virtual Test Center (VTC) is the web-based user interface that will be used by testing staff to manage and access the assessments.
WorkKeys Policies and Procedures (Pages 6-8)
· All testing personnel are required to read the materials provided by ACT.
· In cases of suspected or documented irregularities, all testing staff are obligated to cooperate fully with ACT and the ALSDE with investigations and respond to requests from ACT and the ALSDE in a timely manner.
· An observer/monitor with ACT, ALSDE, or district may visit your school on test day. The observer/monitor will arrive before the administration is to begin. Always ask for ACT or ALSDE identification, or an authorization letter. If the observer cannot provide this, deny admission and call ACT immediately. If the observer provides appropriate authorization, you are expected to cooperate fully. If you have any concerns about the observer’s visit, call ACT.
· Under no circumstances are cameras of any type allowed in test rooms.
Test/Retest Policy (Page 8)
· Even though the manual states that it is recommended for an examinee to wait 30 days to retest, ALSDE does not allow an examinee to retest.
· If a student becomes ill during testing and has completed less than one-third of the test, the student can take a second administration anytime within the testing window (an online Irregularity Report and an ALSDE Irregularity Report must be completed).
Testing Facility Requirements (Pages 9-10)
· Lapboards are not allowed under any circumstances.
· Make sure bulletin board materials related to potential test questions (mathematics, reading, etc.), charts, and maps that provide strategies for solving problems or writing essays are removed or covered. Geographical maps and periodic tables need not be covered.
· The BTC must arrange for a phone to be available on test day in case you need to make a toll-free call to ACT. (Room Supervisors will not make the calls.)
· Rooms must be free from distractions and be able to provide an uninterrupted period. Post signs outside the test rooms to warn others that testing is in progress and quiet is required. Bells, intercoms, and public address systems must be turned off during the test session.
· Test rooms must be set up according to ACT requirements. If these requirements are not met, scores may be cancelled.
o Whenever possible, individual testing workstations should be divided by test carrels that provide adequate privacy between examinees.
o Testing workstations do not need to face the same direction. They may face the walls and/or each other as long as there is adequate privacy between examinees.
o There must be sufficient aisle space for staff to get to every seat during testing without disturbing examinees.
o Staff must be able to see every examinee clearly.
Use of Digital Devices by Staff (Not in Manual)
· School personnel involved in administration of state testing may not use digital devices (including but not limited to cell phones, smart watches, MP3 players, cameras, or other telecommunication devices capable of capturing or relaying information) during test administration. Violation(s) may result in disciplinary action/certification revocation. Additional disciplinary action may be taken by the local education agency (LEA).
· All printers that have scanning or copying capability and all copy machines must either be disabled or removed from all rooms being used for a testing section. (The Instant Score Reports will not be printed within the classroom.)
Computer-Based Test Administrations for ACT WorkKeys Online Version (Not in Manual)
· Each online testing room must have a separate computer workstation the Room Supervisor will use to access the platform, begin and close the test session, and monitor testing progress.
· The workstation must pass the System Check and be located in an area where the Room Supervisor can see all examinees in the room.
· Whether a desktop or a laptop is used as the workstation, the computer must remain stationary on a table or a desk throughout the test session.
· The Room Supervisor may not exit the program and enter any other site on the computer during the test session.
· No iPads, cell phones, smart watches, tablets, or other electronic devices may be accessible or used in the test room. These devices MUST NOT be used as timers.
Testing Staff Requirements (Pages 11-14)
· ALSDE requires all Test Administrators/Room Supervisors must be certificated employees. Proctors must be full-time employees involved with the education of examinees. All ALSDE requirements must be met.
· To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest and to protect you and your relatives or wards from allegations of impropriety, you may not serve as Test Coordinators or Back-up Test Coordinators for the administration of any ACT State Test or have access to secure test materials, if any relative or ward will be testing at any school in your state during the administration window. Relatives and wards include children, stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings, in-laws, spouses, and persons under your guardianship.
· Anyone who coaches high school or college athletics may not serve as the Room Supervisor for one-on-one testing of an examinee athlete. An athletic coach may serve as the Room Supervisor if there is more than one examinee in the room.
· Reading (except this manual or supplemental policy information), grading papers, using a computer, cell phone, recording or media device, talking casually with other staff, or engaging in any activity in the test room not directly related to the administration is not allowed.
· Specific responsibilities for staff roles can be located on pages 12-14 of the Online Testing Manual.
· A Proctor may be used to assist a Room Supervisor or the Test Coordinator if fewer than 25 examinees are testing. A Proctor is required (in addition to the Room Supervisor) after the first 25 in the room. Refer to the chart on page 13 of the Online Testing Manual for the number of proctors required.
Staff Training (Page 14)
· For standardized testing to occur successfully, staff members must understand their responsibilities. It is critical that the same procedures are followed at every test site. Test Coordinators are required to ensure their testing staff are trained on how to administer a standardized test at their site.
· Test Coordinators and Back-up Test Coordinators are required to hold a training session before test day for all staff, to prepare them for test-day. This session must be attended by all testing staff, so that everyone has a common understanding of what is to take place on test day.
· Before test day, every testing staff member is required to read the Online Testing Manual.
· Each testing staff member is to be provided with a complete copy of the Online Testing Manual before the training session.
· On test day, the Test Coordinator MUST hold a briefing session to discuss any last-minute issues that arise or concerns staff members may have.
Test Security Requirements (Pages 15-16)
· Test URLs, User IDs, and passwords must be secure at all times.
· Staff access to the administration realm URL, User IDs, and passwords must be limited to only the activities necessary while preparing for test days and the test administration.
· Unauthorized personnel must never have access to the administration realm.
· Prior to test day, access to the administration realm is restricted to the Test Coordinator and Back-up Test Coordinator.
· Prevent and detect prohibited behavior by adhering to seating space requirements, assigning examinees to a specific seat, and actively monitoring examinees throughout the administration. Never allow examinees to choose their own seats.
· Staff and examinees are prohibited from disclosing test questions or response choices to anyone.
· Under no circumstance is a test to be launched by anyone other than the examinee on test day.
Planning Your Test Administration Schedule (Pages 17-19)
· The school is responsible for providing the following items for each test room:
o a supply of soft lead No. 2 pencils with erasers to lend to examinees who do not bring them (examinees must not use mechanical pencils or ink pens) for the Applied Mathematics test only
o scratch paper for the Applied Mathematics test only (collect and shred after testing)
· Examinees are allowed to use a permissible calculator for the Applied Mathematics test. The examinees are responsible for ensuring their calculators meet ACT standards.
· Create one roster for each test room prior to the test date. Write on the roster the name of each examinee scheduled to test.
· Mark the roster to indicate the type of ID accepted for each examinee.
· Do not allow an examinee to enter the room unless the Room Supervisor has verified the examinee’s identification and marked the roster.
· Do NOT admit examinees with ANY electronic devices (other than those permitted calculators) to the test room.
Breaks (Page 18)
· If you are administering several sessions “back-to-back” in a continuous schedule, you should provide breaks between sessions.
· If you are giving only two tests, a 10-minute break is to be given. For longer continuous schedules, a break of 15 minutes after every two sessions or tests is to be given.
Providing Accommodations with Standard-Time Materials (Pages 18-19)
· Test accommodations may be provided using standard-time materials only under the following conditions:
o The examinee must test with standard time.
o The examinee must not receive any additional breaks.
o The accommodations must be consistent with the examinee’s plan on file.
· The accommodations must not disrupt or afford an advantage over other examinees.
· Instructions for testing examinees with hearing impairments are listed on page 19 of the Online Testing Manual.
General Accommodations Information and Requests (Pages 20-24)
· The Test Coordinator is responsible for evaluating and approving requests for ACT WorkKeys accommodations.
· Examinees with documented physical or mental disabilities who cannot complete the WorkKeys assessments under standard conditions or using standard materials may, at the discretion of the Test Coordinator and following his or her review of disability documentation, be tested under special conditions and/or use special testing materials available from ACT.