crct - spring 2009

CRCT - Spring 2009CRCT - Spring 2009

Elementary School Test Coordinator’s Workshop

What is this?What is this?

• The CRCT is a multiple-choice, criterion-referenced test based on the Georgia Performance Standards

• Assesses students in three to five content areas: Reading, English/ Language Arts, Mathematics, Science (grades 3-8), and Social Studies (grades 3-8)

• The CRCT is a multiple-choice, criterion-referenced test based on the Georgia Performance Standards

• Assesses students in three to five content areas: Reading, English/ Language Arts, Mathematics, Science (grades 3-8), and Social Studies (grades 3-8)

When do we test?When do we test?• April 21 - Reading• April 22 - English/Language Arts• April 23 - Mathematics• April 24- Science• April 27 - Social Studies• April 28-May 1 - Make-Ups (along with

afternoons of regular testing days)

• April 21 - Reading• April 22 - English/Language Arts• April 23 - Mathematics• April 24- Science• April 27 - Social Studies• April 28-May 1 - Make-Ups (along with

afternoons of regular testing days)

Who do we test?Who do we test?• All students in grades 1-5 must be tested• Special education students must be tested unless

they are assessed with GAA instead• Students who enroll during testing must be tested• ELL students must be tested unless they qualify for a

first-year deferment.– First calendar year in US school– Qualifying W-APT scores for ESOL services– Participated in ACCESS for ELLs– Documented in ELL/TPC

• All students in grades 1-5 must be tested• Special education students must be tested unless

they are assessed with GAA instead• Students who enroll during testing must be tested• ELL students must be tested unless they qualify for a

first-year deferment.– First calendar year in US school– Qualifying W-APT scores for ESOL services– Participated in ACCESS for ELLs– Documented in ELL/TPC

ELL DefermentsELL Deferments• ELL students must participate in the Math

and Science content area tests, even if they are deferred from all other content areas

• ELL students must participate in all areas if they enroll after ACCESS for ELLs was administered

• Can have accommodations for the Math and Science tests as specified in ELL/TPC

• ELL students must participate in the Math and Science content area tests, even if they are deferred from all other content areas

• ELL students must participate in all areas if they enroll after ACCESS for ELLs was administered

• Can have accommodations for the Math and Science tests as specified in ELL/TPC

What’s New This Year?What’s New This Year?

GPS and AYP…GPS and AYP…

• All grades will test on GPS in all content areas• All content areas will contain GPS field test

items which are not included in scoring• GPS Social Studies Domains

– History– Geography– Civics/Government– Economics

• All grades will test on GPS in all content areas• All content areas will contain GPS field test

items which are not included in scoring• GPS Social Studies Domains

– History– Geography– Civics/Government– Economics

Changes in Materials…Changes in Materials…

• Second timing track added to covers of grades 1 & 2 test booklets in case edge of cover is torn removing the seal

• Second timing track added to covers of grades 1 & 2 test booklets in case edge of cover is torn removing the seal

Accommodation Changes & Reminders…

Accommodation Changes & Reminders…

• Students who qualify for, but have waived, ESOL services can be allowed accommodations for testing.

• Students in grades 1 & 2 cannot have a read-to accommodation for the reading passages of the Reading test

• A read-to accommodation on the reading passages (grades 3-5) is still a conditional (non-standard) accommodation

• ESOL teachers and special education lead teachers were provided with accommodation spreadsheets to complete and email to me, listing ELL, ELL-M, and special education students & their testing accommodations

• Students who qualify for, but have waived, ESOL services can be allowed accommodations for testing.

• Students in grades 1 & 2 cannot have a read-to accommodation for the reading passages of the Reading test

• A read-to accommodation on the reading passages (grades 3-5) is still a conditional (non-standard) accommodation

• ESOL teachers and special education lead teachers were provided with accommodation spreadsheets to complete and email to me, listing ELL, ELL-M, and special education students & their testing accommodations

Changes in Irregularities…Changes in Irregularities…

• PIV – Participation Invalidation– Student does not receive scores– Counts as “Not Meeting the Standard” for AMO– Does not count for participation for AYP

• Used for an irregularity that alters the test, such as a teacher assisting students with answers

• PIV – Participation Invalidation– Student does not receive scores– Counts as “Not Meeting the Standard” for AMO– Does not count for participation for AYP

• Used for an irregularity that alters the test, such as a teacher assisting students with answers

Planning for TestingPlanning for Testing• Procedure for check-out and return of

materials• Notify parents of testing• Train examiners and proctors

• Procedure for check-out and return of materials

• Notify parents of testing• Train examiners and proctors

Training ExaminersTraining Examiners• Only GA certified teachers can administer test• Must have a proctor if more than 30 students are

testing together• Teachers should review the Grade 3-8 Examiner’s

Manual and the shell version of the Grade 1 & 2 Examiner’s Manual

• Teachers are responsible for test security while materials are in their possession

• Teachers are responsible for correct coding and usage of labels on answer documents and test booklets

• Only GA certified teachers can administer test• Must have a proctor if more than 30 students are

testing together• Teachers should review the Grade 3-8 Examiner’s

Manual and the shell version of the Grade 1 & 2 Examiner’s Manual

• Teachers are responsible for test security while materials are in their possession

• Teachers are responsible for correct coding and usage of labels on answer documents and test booklets

Test MaterialsTest Materials• Test booklets and Grade 1 & 2

Examiner’s Manuals have unique security numbers

• Examiner’s Manuals match the School Security Checklist and have been assigned to individual teachers

• Test booklets and Grade 1 & 2 Examiner’s Manuals have unique security numbers

• Examiner’s Manuals match the School Security Checklist and have been assigned to individual teachers

Test MaterialsTest Materials

• Bar-code labels for students enrolled before February 4, 2009

• Examiner’s Manual is the same for grades 3, 4 & 5

• Bar-code labels for students enrolled before February 4, 2009

• Examiner’s Manual is the same for grades 3, 4 & 5

Test MaterialsTest Materials• Multiple test forms at all grade levels

– Grade 1 & 2 • Each school will receive all one form at these

grades, but different schools in the system will have different forms

– Grade 3 – 5• Schools will receive all forms at these grades,

spiraled within shrink-wrapped packages

• Multiple test forms at all grade levels– Grade 1 & 2

• Each school will receive all one form at these grades, but different schools in the system will have different forms

– Grade 3 – 5• Schools will receive all forms at these grades,

spiraled within shrink-wrapped packages

Test MaterialsTest Materials

• Small Group Test Administration test booklets we will remove from classroom teacher’s tub and place in sp. Ed. tub(same form packaged together) based on enrollment – grades 3-5 only

• Small Group Test Administration test booklets we will remove from classroom teacher’s tub and place in sp. Ed. tub(same form packaged together) based on enrollment – grades 3-5 only

Test SecurityTest Security• Tests must be given in the order

and on the days specified in the schedule

• Materials have to be locked up when not in use

• All materials must be returned to test coordinators after each testing session

• Materials must be counted when returned every day (Test Captains)

• Tests must be given in the order and on the days specified in the schedule

• Materials have to be locked up when not in use

• All materials must be returned to test coordinators after each testing session

• Materials must be counted when returned every day (Test Captains)

Before TestingBefore Testing

• Prepare classrooms –– Remove or cover content related materials– Arrange seating to limit cheating opportunities

• Plan for students who finish tests quickly and need something to do while the rest of the class is working

• Case Managers plan for accommodated students – make sure testing teachers are aware of which accommodations students receive

• Make sure all students in a “read-to” group have the same Form of the test, and the teacher has the same Form test booklet to read from before you begin testing

• Prepare classrooms –– Remove or cover content related materials– Arrange seating to limit cheating opportunities

• Plan for students who finish tests quickly and need something to do while the rest of the class is working

• Case Managers plan for accommodated students – make sure testing teachers are aware of which accommodations students receive

• Make sure all students in a “read-to” group have the same Form of the test, and the teacher has the same Form test booklet to read from before you begin testing

Prepare Test Booklets or Answer Documents


• Information coded on answer documents and test booklets must be accurate and complete. Incorrect coding could have an effect on your school’s AYP!

• There will be 3 labels for each student:– One Master Label without a bar-code – DO NOT USE!– Two bar-coded labels – use ONE

• If a label is incorrect, DO NOT USE!• Don’t try to correct or mark through labels• Don’t try to remove labels

• Information coded on answer documents and test booklets must be accurate and complete. Incorrect coding could have an effect on your school’s AYP!

• There will be 3 labels for each student:– One Master Label without a bar-code – DO NOT USE!– Two bar-coded labels – use ONE

• If a label is incorrect, DO NOT USE!• Don’t try to correct or mark through labels• Don’t try to remove labels



• Bubbling will not override student information on the label

• If a label is applied incorrectly, or for a student who has withdrawn, the answer document or test booklet must be voided and a new one bubbled

• Must bubble ELL Deferred for any test a student was deferred from

• If student does not have a bar-code label, will have to bubble both GTID and FTE

• Bubbling will not override student information on the label

• If a label is applied incorrectly, or for a student who has withdrawn, the answer document or test booklet must be voided and a new one bubbled

• Must bubble ELL Deferred for any test a student was deferred from

• If student does not have a bar-code label, will have to bubble both GTID and FTE

If They Have a Label:

If They Have a Label:

• Section 1: Print name, teacher, school, system

• Section 8: Form number (grades 3-5)

• Section 1: Print name, teacher, school, system

• Section 8: Form number (grades 3-5)

All Students:

All Students:

• Section 9: SRC – Primary Disability Code, ELL, ELL-M, Section 504, Title 1-Targeted Assistance schools only, Certified Migrant

• Section 9: Were accommodations per IEP, IAP, ELL/TPC? Which type of accommodation? Conditional administration?

• Section 10: First year ELL Deferment• Section 11: PTNA • Section 12: Braille/Large Print• Section 13: EIP Served• Section 14: Local Coding – EIP Model,

Middle School Code (5th grade)• Section 15: H.A.V.E.N. students ONLY• Section 16: Leave blank unless

directed to code

• Section 9: SRC – Primary Disability Code, ELL, ELL-M, Section 504, Title 1-Targeted Assistance schools only, Certified Migrant

• Section 9: Were accommodations per IEP, IAP, ELL/TPC? Which type of accommodation? Conditional administration?

• Section 10: First year ELL Deferment• Section 11: PTNA • Section 12: Braille/Large Print• Section 13: EIP Served• Section 14: Local Coding – EIP Model,

Middle School Code (5th grade)• Section 15: H.A.V.E.N. students ONLY• Section 16: Leave blank unless

directed to code

All Students:All Students:

• Back of Answer Document: Print name, teacher, school, system

• Back of Answer Document: Print name, teacher, school, system

If They Don’t Have a Label:If They Don’t Have a Label:

• Do all the same coding as for students with a label, plus…

– Section 2: Student name

– Section 3: Date of Birth– Section 4: Gender– Section 5: Racial/Ethnic

Background– Section 6: GTID number– Section 7: FTE number

• Do all the same coding as for students with a label, plus…

– Section 2: Student name

– Section 3: Date of Birth– Section 4: Gender– Section 5: Racial/Ethnic

Background– Section 6: GTID number– Section 7: FTE number

Students On The Move

Students On The Move

• Don’t transfer test booklets or answer documents

• Student should resume testing at their new school with a new test booklet and answer document

• Each school will submit their answer document for scoring

• Don’t transfer test booklets or answer documents

• Student should resume testing at their new school with a new test booklet and answer document

• Each school will submit their answer document for scoring

During TestingDuring Testing• Teachers must follow all administration

directions• Tests for grades 3, 4 & 5 are strictly timed• Students in grades 3-5 must be allowed 45

minutes per session, and can have up to 70 minutes if needed

• Students in grades 3-5 should have a 5-10 minute stretch break between sections

• Tests for grades 1 & 2 are paced by the teacher

• Teachers must follow all administration directions

• Tests for grades 3, 4 & 5 are strictly timed• Students in grades 3-5 must be allowed 45

minutes per session, and can have up to 70 minutes if needed

• Students in grades 3-5 should have a 5-10 minute stretch break between sections

• Tests for grades 1 & 2 are paced by the teacher

During TestingDuring Testing

• Most of the 1st and 2nd grade test is read by the teacher – test items must be read exactly as written and can only be read twice!

• Be sure that students use the same test booklet each day of testing – write names on the covers of test booklets!

• When students remove the security seal, only remove the blue layer – leave the clear layer on the test booklet

• Be sure that students bubble in the Form of the test they used.

• Teachers and proctors must move around the room during testing

• Most of the 1st and 2nd grade test is read by the teacher – test items must be read exactly as written and can only be read twice!

• Be sure that students use the same test booklet each day of testing – write names on the covers of test booklets!

• When students remove the security seal, only remove the blue layer – leave the clear layer on the test booklet

• Be sure that students bubble in the Form of the test they used.

• Teachers and proctors must move around the room during testing

During TestingDuring Testing

• Directions can be repeated if necessary, but follow the script

• Be sure that special education, Section 504, ELL, and ELL-M students receive their specified accommodations, and only those accommodations

• Students in grades 3-5 may write in test booklets in pencil only

• Highlighters are not allowed• Reading passages may be in the test booklet twice if

there are numerous questions related to that passage• No calculators for any part of the Math test

• Directions can be repeated if necessary, but follow the script

• Be sure that special education, Section 504, ELL, and ELL-M students receive their specified accommodations, and only those accommodations

• Students in grades 3-5 may write in test booklets in pencil only

• Highlighters are not allowed• Reading passages may be in the test booklet twice if

there are numerous questions related to that passage• No calculators for any part of the Math test

During TestingDuring Testing• Students are allowed to use scratch paper during

the Math test only• Scratch paper must be provided by the teacher and

collected after testing• Either plain paper or lined notebook paper can be

used for scratch paper – no graph paper• Students must sign or initial the Student Roster

each day of testing• The Form number each student used must be listed

on the Student Roster

• Students are allowed to use scratch paper during the Math test only

• Scratch paper must be provided by the teacher and collected after testing

• Either plain paper or lined notebook paper can be used for scratch paper – no graph paper

• Students must sign or initial the Student Roster each day of testing

• The Form number each student used must be listed on the Student Roster

IrregularitiesIrregularities

• Immediately report any irregularities to our office

• Teachers and proctors should write up a thorough description of what happened

• Fax this to our office along with a Testing Irregularity Form as soon as possible

• If further action is needed, we will let you know

• Immediately report any irregularities to our office

• Teachers and proctors should write up a thorough description of what happened

• Fax this to our office along with a Testing Irregularity Form as soon as possible

• If further action is needed, we will let you know

Answer Documents/Test Booklets to be Scored

Answer Documents/Test Booklets to be Scored

• Be sure that answers were transferred to answer documents or regular 1st or 2nd grade test booklets for students with a “write in the book”, Complete the Answer Document/Test Booklet Return Forms

• Group Information Sheet will be completed today!

• Be sure that answers were transferred to answer documents or regular 1st or 2nd grade test booklets for students with a “write in the book”, Complete the Answer Document/Test Booklet Return Forms

• Group Information Sheet will be completed today!

Group Information Sheet

Group Information Sheet

• Teacher Last Name• School Name• Number of Answer

Documents or Test Booklets returned for scoring

• Grade (1-5)• School Code should be

precoded• Leave other sections blank

• Teacher Last Name• School Name• Number of Answer

Documents or Test Booklets returned for scoring

• Grade (1-5)• School Code should be

precoded• Leave other sections blank

Test ResultsTest Results• We hope to receive

results in the system around May 18th

• We will receive PL1 Rosters and Class Roster Reports first

• We will receive early results in electronic form

• We hope to receive results in the system around May 18th

• We will receive PL1 Rosters and Class Roster Reports first

• We will receive early results in electronic form

Promotion Requirements

and AYP

Promotion Requirements

and AYP• 3rd graders must pass Reading

for promotion to 4th grade• 5th graders must pass Reading

and Math for promotion to 6th grade

• Reading, ELA, and Math for grades 3-5 will be used for Participation Rates and AMO for AYP

• Science for grades 3-5 will be used for Participation Rates for AYP

• 1st year ELL students will count toward Participation Rate

• 3rd graders must pass Reading for promotion to 4th grade

• 5th graders must pass Reading and Math for promotion to 6th grade

• Reading, ELA, and Math for grades 3-5 will be used for Participation Rates and AMO for AYP

• Science for grades 3-5 will be used for Participation Rates for AYP

• 1st year ELL students will count toward Participation Rate

3rd & 5th Graders Who Don’t Pass

3rd & 5th Graders Who Don’t Pass

• 3rd grade students who score in Performance Level 1 on the Reading test will need to retake the Reading test in June or July

• 5th grade students who score in Performance Level 1 on the Reading or Math tests will need to retake that test in June or July

• 3rd grade students who don’t take the test will need to take the Reading test in June or July

• 5th grade students who don’t take the test will need to take the Reading and Math tests in June or July

• The summer retest will be June 24-25 and July 7-8

• 3rd grade students who score in Performance Level 1 on the Reading test will need to retake the Reading test in June or July

• 5th grade students who score in Performance Level 1 on the Reading or Math tests will need to retake that test in June or July

• 3rd grade students who don’t take the test will need to take the Reading test in June or July

• 5th grade students who don’t take the test will need to take the Reading and Math tests in June or July

• The summer retest will be June 24-25 and July 7-8

3rd & 5th GradersWho Don’t Pass3rd & 5th GradersWho Don’t Pass

• Students who score in Performance Level 1 again will be retained in 3rd or 5th grade

• Parents can appeal – will require a unanimous decision by the principal, teacher(s), and parent(s) to promote

• Students who don’t retake the test will be retained in 3rd or 5th grade

• Students who score in Performance Level 1 again will be retained in 3rd or 5th grade

• Parents can appeal – will require a unanimous decision by the principal, teacher(s), and parent(s) to promote

• Students who don’t retake the test will be retained in 3rd or 5th grade

Things You Think You Don’t Have to Say, But….

Things You Think You Don’t Have to Say, But….

• Our most common irregularities in 2008 were students going ahead or going back to other sections of the test, or working on the wrong section of the test

• The Table of Shame is a real place, not just an urban legend

• Teachers have to follow all administration directions, even the ones they don’t like

• Move around the room during testing. If you are checking e-mails, playing solitaire, reading the paper, knitting, or sleeping, you aren’t moving around the room

• Our most common irregularities in 2008 were students going ahead or going back to other sections of the test, or working on the wrong section of the test

• The Table of Shame is a real place, not just an urban legend

• Teachers have to follow all administration directions, even the ones they don’t like

• Move around the room during testing. If you are checking e-mails, playing solitaire, reading the paper, knitting, or sleeping, you aren’t moving around the room

Continued…Continued…• Teachers shouldn’t talk on their cell phones during

testing• Students can’t use their cell phones during testing,

either• Students also can’t have I-pods during testing• Students shouldn’t stick their chewing gum inside

their answer documents – it’s bad for the scanners• If the directions don’t say to give the students

scratch paper, extra time, whatever – then don’t

• Teachers shouldn’t talk on their cell phones during testing

• Students can’t use their cell phones during testing, either

• Students also can’t have I-pods during testing• Students shouldn’t stick their chewing gum inside

their answer documents – it’s bad for the scanners• If the directions don’t say to give the students

scratch paper, extra time, whatever – then don’t

Not Done Yet….Not Done Yet….• If you are the only class that has finished with

testing, you should definitely find out why. Right away

• If you are the only class that hasn’t finished testing, and it’s not because you have an extended time group, you should look into this, also

• Every test is different. The same procedures, time limits, etc. don’t apply to all tests. Don’t assume you know what to do and don’t need to read directions because you have done this before!

• If you are the only class that has finished with testing, you should definitely find out why. Right away

• If you are the only class that hasn’t finished testing, and it’s not because you have an extended time group, you should look into this, also

• Every test is different. The same procedures, time limits, etc. don’t apply to all tests. Don’t assume you know what to do and don’t need to read directions because you have done this before!

Finishing UpFinishing Up

• When a strange, unforeseen situation arises, don’t guess what to do. Call Pamela!

• It is much easier and takes less time to make sure that students bubbled the Form number on their answer document than it is to dig through boxes to find the test booklet and call the teacher at school. It’s a lot more pleasant when the test coordinator gets back to the school, too.

• When a strange, unforeseen situation arises, don’t guess what to do. Call Pamela!

• It is much easier and takes less time to make sure that students bubbled the Form number on their answer document than it is to dig through boxes to find the test booklet and call the teacher at school. It’s a lot more pleasant when the test coordinator gets back to the school, too.