CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION District Test Coordinator

CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION District Test Coordinator Test Administration Workshop Smarter Balanced, CTAA, NGSS Standard and NGSS Alternate Assessment January 18 and 19, 2018 CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 1 EDUCATION

CSDE Assessment Staff Performance Office Abe Krisst, Bureau Chief Student Assessment Abe. Krisst@ct. gov (860) 713 -6894 Special Populations Joe Amenta Joseph. Amenta@ct. gov (860) 713 -6855 Janet Stuck Janet. Stuck@ct. gov (860) 713 -6837 NGSS Standard and NGSS Alternate Assessment Field Test Jeff Greig Jeff. Greig@ct. gov (860) 713 -6854 CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 2 EDUCATION

CSDE Assessment Staff Smarter Balanced Deirdre Ducharme Deirdre. Ducharme@ct. gov (860) 713 -6859 Cristi Alberino, Ph. D. Cristi. Alberino@ct. gov (860) 713 -6862 SAT Michelle Rosado Michelle. Rosado@ct. gov (860) 713 -6748 CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 3 EDUCATION

CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 4 EDUCATION

CSDE Assessment Reporting CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 5 EDUCATION

Who do I contact? Purpose Who Phone E-mail • Test Administration Procedures Questions • Technology Questions Connecticut Help Desk (AIR) 844 -202 -7583 CTHelp. Desk@air. org Smarter Balanced and NGSS Science • State Policy Test Administration Questions • Reporting of Security Breaches Only Note: Irregularities and Improprieties do not need to be reported directly to CSDE via phone or e-mail. CSDE Student Assessment Office 860 -713 -6860 ctstudentassessment@ct. gov • Designated Supports and Accommodations Questions • CTAA and NGSS Alternate Science Assessment Joe Amenta Janet Stuck 860 -713 -6855 860 -713 -6837 Joseph. Amenta@ct. gov Janet. Stuck@ct. gov CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 6 EDUCATION

American Institutes for Research (AIR) Connecticut Help Desk 844 -202 -7583 CTHelp. Desk@air. org The Help Desk is open Monday – Friday 7: 00 a. m. to 7: 00 p. m. during summative testing. AIR Project Team Jen Chou, Program Director Ema Kaminskaya, Program Manager Amy Bowman, Program Coordinator 7

Presentation Overview • Overview of Assessments for Spring 2018 • What’s New in 2018 • Connecticut Summative Assessments School Year 2017 -2018 • NGSS Standard and Alternate Science Assessment • Connecticut SAT School Day • Communication • TIDE/PSIS Data Sync • Test Completion • Test Security • Participation • Improprieties, Irregularities, and Breaches • Smarter Balanced Opportunities • AIR Systems Overview • Special Populations CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 8 EDUCATION

Overview of Assessments for Spring 2018 CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 9 EDUCATION

What’s New in 2018 • NGSS Field Tests Online - Standard & Alternate • New TIDE features • New 2018 browser required • Desmos calculators in math and science • New requirements to enter a Learner Characteristics Inventory (LCI) • Easier appeals process for a Grace Period Extension (GPE) CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 10 EDUCATION

Connecticut Summative Assessments School Year 2017 - 2018 State Assessment Grade(s) Testing Window Delivery Method Smarter Balanced ELA & Math 3– 8 March 26 – May 25 Online Connecticut Alternate Assessment (CTAA) 3 – 8 and 11 March 26 – May 25 Online 5 and 8 April 30 – May 25 Online 5, 8 and 11 April 30 – May 25 Online Upload NGSS Standard Science Assessment Field Test NGSS Alternate Science Assessment Field Test Connecticut SAT School Day 11 March 21 Makeup Dates: CONNECTICUT April. STATE DEPARTMENT Paper OF 11 EDUCATION 24 and 25

NGSS Standard Field Test • The AIR Test Delivery System will be used to deliver these assessments. • There is no time limit, but there is a recommended time of 90 minutes for this single session test. • Test Administration materials will be available in February/March. • Practice tests are available on the Connecticut Comprehensive Portal. • All districts and students will be participating. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 12 EDUCATION

NGSS Alternate Field Test • Correspondence will be sent to superintendents about the Alternate Science Assessment specifics. • Administration materials will be available in February/March. • There will be an online training opportunity for District Administrators for the Alternate Science test administration on February 16. Registration procedures will be provided in the Student Assessment News (SAN). • The assessment results will be entered into the DEI. • All districts and eligible students (who have a submitted an LCI) are required to participate. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 13 EDUCATION

Connecticut SAT School Day • March 21, 2018, administration for all Grade 11 students • February 13 and 14, 2018, Test Center Supervisor Workshops - see SAN to register • Contact Michelle Rosado at michelle. rosado@ct. gov with any questions CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 14 EDUCATION

Communication CSDE Student Assessment Newsletter (SAN) • Sent to the DA identified with the TIDE DA user role, as well as the secondary contact. SAT Test Center Supervisors and English Learner Assessment Coordinators also receive a copy; additionally, anyone can subscribe. • Posted on CSDE Web site and Connecticut Comprehensive Portal CSDE Comprehensive Assessment Program Portal • Sign up for e-mail updates (http: //ct. portal. airast. org) Smarter Balanced Web site • Sign up to stay connected (www. Smarter. Balanced. org) CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 15 EDUCATION

Communication - Connecticut Student Assessment Web Site CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 16 EDUCATION

Communication - Connecticut Comprehensive Assessment Program Portal CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 17 EDUCATION

TIDE/PSIS Data Sync CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 18 EDUCATION

TIDE/PSIS Data Sync • District Test Coordinators will need to work with their District PSIS Coordinators to ensure that accurate student information is being reported in the PSIS Registration Module, and subsequently in TIDE. The PSIS Coordinators should make all changes to student enrollment and demographic information directly in the PSIS Registration Module. • Accurate reporting of individual student status at the time of testing in the PSIS Registration Module is the only way to ensure accurate reporting of the annual statewide test results. • To provide an alternate assessment or indicate designated supports and accommodators in TIDE test settings, students must be appropriately identified in the PSIS registration Module • During the summative test window, Smarter Balanced, the NGSS Field Test and their related alternate assessments, will reflect changes in TIDE the day after those changes are made in the PSIS. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 19 EDUCATION

TIDE/PSIS Data Sync The Connecticut State Department of Education requires seven important data fields. These data fields are: § § § § Special Education (SPED) Status; Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) Status; English Learner (EL) Status; Military Family; Homeless; Recently Arrived EL; and Section 504 Status. These values must show the student’s status at the time of testing. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 20 EDUCATION

Test Completion • All students must complete testing by the end of the test window. • Extensions are generally not granted. • Some districts have not completed testing in years past. • How can districts track completion? By using tools on TIDE. • See TIDE Users Guide. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 21 EDUCATION

Test Completion Below is an example, to monitor test completion using a test participation report: CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 22 EDUCATION

Test Completion - Testing Time • Testing time is a testing recommendation. • Generally, tests are untimed. • Students should be encouraged to use the time efficiently. • Time may be extended for as long as necessary provided the student does not suffer from fatigue. • Active and engaged proctoring is important to use the testing time efficiently. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 23 EDUCATION

Test Security CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 24 EDUCATION

Test Security Breaches of test security include, but are not limited to: • analyzing/copying test items • coaching students • giving students answers, and/or changing students’ answers • allowing students access to digital, electronic, or manual devices (except approved accommodations) • unauthorized log-in to the Test Delivery System Cell phone use by students is prohibited in testing rooms CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 25 EDUCATION

State Policy Regarding Participation CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 26 EDUCATION

Participation - Connecticut General Statues 10 -14 n (b) (1) For the school year commencing July 1, 2015, and each school year thereafter, each student enrolled in grades three to eight, inclusive, and grade eleven in any public school shall, annually, take a mastery examination in reading, writing and mathematics during the regular school day. (2) For the school year commencing July 1, 2013, to July 1, 2017, inclusive, each student enrolled in grades five, eight and ten in any public school shall, annually, in March or April, take a state-wide mastery examination in science during the regular school day. (3) For the school year commencing July 1, 2018, and each school year thereafter, each student enrolled in grades five eight and eleven in any public school shall annually take a state-wide mastery examination in science during the regular school day. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 27 EDUCATION

Participation • Federal law continues to expect full participation of all students on the state summative assessments. The minimum standard for the participation rate is at least 95 percent of all students and all student groups for each subject. For accountability purposes at the district and school level, the CSDE evaluates the participation rate for all students, as well as students in the "high needs" subgroup for all content areas. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 28 EDUCATION

Participation A student is a “Participant” if… For Smarter Balanced • The student logs into both the CAT and PT for Math and just the CAT for ELA. A student is a “Non. Participant” if… For Smarter Balanced • The student does not log into any test session, or the student logs into only one of the two sessions for the Math test. Note: Regardless of amount of time in a U. S. school, English learners must participate in ELA, mathematics, and science assessments. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 29 EDUCATION

Improprieties Irregularities and Breaches CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 30 EDUCATION

CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 31 EDUCATION

Test Security Levels Type Action Impropriety The incident will be corrected and contained at the district/school or entered in the Appeals module of TIDE (if appropriate). Irregularity The incident will be submitted in the Appeals module of TIDE (if appropriate) by the end of the day of the incident. Breach In the case of a breach, the District Test Coordinator must immediately notify the CSDE at 860 -713 -6860. Note: The Test Security Levels are fully described in Appendix F of the Test Coordinator’s Manual. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 32 EDUCATION

Appeal Types Appeal Type Description Reset a Test • • Removes the test, and scores, from the system Enables student to start a new test Re-open a Test • Allows for a test that has already been submitted in error, or has expired to be re-opened Re-open a Test Segment • Reopening a test segment allows a student to access the first segment of a test that was submitted in error Grace Period Extension • • Granted if a test session is unexpectedly interrupted Allows access to all previous responses Restore a Test That Has Been Reset • • • Returns a test from the Reset status to its prior status Only allowed on tests that have been reset A test can be restored if it was reset in error Invalidate a Test • • • Rarely Used Eliminates the test Student does not receive a score Note: The Appeals module can also be used to address incidents that are not security related such as re-opening an assessment for a student who becomes ill and is unable to resume testing because the test expired. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 33 EDUCATION

Smarter Balanced Development Opportunities • Please see information in recent Student Assessment News including link to application • Applications due to Smarter Balanced via online application by February 9, 2018 • Contact Michelle Rosado at michelle. rosado@ct. gov with any questions CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 34 EDUCATION

AIR Systems Overview Copyright © 2014 American Institutes for Research. All rights reserved.

Overview • • • Portal Secure Browser Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) Test Delivery System (TDS) Data Entry Interface (DEI) 36

Connecticut Portal: Home Page 37

CT Portal: Assessment Program Pages 38

CT Portal: Resources 39

Summative Test Administration Resources The 2018 Connecticut Summative Test Administration Resource Crosswalk provides links to documents relevant to the Smarter Balanced, NGSS Assessment Field Test, NGSS Alternate Assessment Field Test, CTAA and Connecticut SAT School Day. (https: //ct. portal. airast. org/core/filepars e. php/51/urlt/Summative_Assessment _Resource_Crosswalk. pdf) 40

What is the Secure Browser? The is designed to ensure test security by prohibiting students from accessing any other programs or websites during testing. 41

Secure Browser Information • Download the latest secure browser from the portal. The browser from 2016– 2017 will no longer work. • Before taking a test, all applications must be closed. • Students will use the secure browser to take the Smarter Balanced assessments, the NGSS Field Test, and the CTAA. 42

Secure Browser Download 43

Chrome Update • AIR currently supports Chrome versions 60 to 63. AIR provides presumptive support for new versions of Chrome as they are released, which means students are not prevented from taking tests on the newest versions. However, although AIR and Google work collaboratively on new versions, with each new stable release, AIR does need to perform internal testing to make sure there are no issues. If issues are discovered at this stage, AIR and Google will resolve them as quickly as possible. It is our recommendation that all devices are locked down before the test administration window begins. This will reduce the risk of any issues occurring during testing should a new version be released with problems that were not anticipated. • AIR can no longer support a device once Google stops supporting it. Please continue to monitor Google’s end-of-life policy (https: //support. google. com/chrome/a/answer/6220366? hl=en) 44

Chrome Update (continued) • Due to recent changes by Google, users with Chromebooks made in 2017 or later who do not have an Enterprise or Education license will not be able to use those machines for assessments. Google no longer allows users without these licenses to set up kiosk mode, which is necessary to run the AIR Secure Browser. • Since most districts and schools have Enterprise or Education licenses, this should not affect most users. This will likely affect districts/schools who have a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. • Until further notice, district test and technology coordinators should ensure that all Chromebooks made in 2017 or later are set as managed devices if they are to be used for testing. 45

Mac OS X 10. 13 Support • Mac OS X 10. 13 (High Sierra) • • If using the current MAC secure browser with OS X 10. 13, the browser will crash if a student uses text-to speech or listens to an audio items on the ELA test. A new browser will be built and released to support OS X 10. 13 before the summative testing window opens. 46

Accessing AIR Systems from TIDE 47

TIDE: User Roles Task DA DC SC Viewing and Editing Student Settings Manage Rosters Adding User Accounts Create Appeals Downloading and Installing Voice Packs SA TE TEA TA 48

TIDE: Manage Users 49

TIDE: Add Users 50

TIDE: Student Information 51

TIDE: Retrieve Students 52

TIDE: View Retrieved Students 53

TIDE: Student Settings 54

TIDE: Upload Student Settings 55

TIDE: New Accommodation View 56

TIDE: Accommodation Eligibility • In order to be eligible for any embedded or nonembedded accommodation, the IDEA Indicator or 504 Plan field must be set to Yes. 57

TIDE: Student Settings and Tools 58

TIDE: Appeals 59

TIDE: Appeals • Filter tests that are not in the correct status for that particular Appeal Type • Combine multiple appeals in a single appeal request • Support for exporting appeals in a single appeal request • Grace Period Extension is automatic with a Reopen Test appeal 60

TIDE: Rosters 61

TIDE: Ordering Paper Materials • Only Braille and Large Print kits for Smarter Balanced and NGSS Field test • Confirm that the student has the non-embedded accommodation set properly in TIDE. • Districts can start to order paper materials starting February 22, 2018. • Districts can track shipments in TIDE. 62

TIDE: Ordering Paper Materials 1. Step 1: From the Orders task menu on the TIDE dashboard, select Paper Orders. 2. Step 2: Search for orders by District or School. 3. Step 3: Enter the quantity needed for each of the materials needed. 63

TIDE: Participation Reports 64

TIDE: Test Status Code Report 65

Online Testing System • Two interfaces: • • • Student Test Administrator Two sites: • Operational Assessments • • • Smarter Balanced Interim Smarter Balanced Summative Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Field Test Connecticut Alternate Assessment (CTAA) Practice/Training Tests • • • Smarter Balanced NGSS Field Test CTAA 66

Test Administration (TA) Interface 67

TA Interface: Overview 68

TA Interface: Test Tree 69

TA Interface: Start a Test Session 70

TA Interface: Approve Students 71

TA Interface: Monitoring a Test Session 72

TA Interface: Settings and Tools • Previous Settings and Tools User Interface on TA Interface and everywhere else Previous status: • List is too long • No organization of list • Inconsistent presentation in different interfaces: TDS TA, TDS Student, TIDE, ITS Web Preview 73

TA Interface: Settings and Tools • New Settings and Tools User Interface on TA Interface and everywhere else Current status: • Organization reflects logical classification • Use of icons • Group symbols • Help • Similar features are grouped together 74

Student Interface 75

Student Test Selection 76

Student Interface 77

End of Segment 78

End of Test 79

Video and Sound Check 80

Chromebook Battery Indicator • Shows the battery life and charging state of a battery on Chromebooks while student is taking the test 81

New Accessibility Features • • English TTS on Smarter Balanced Spanish tests Support for UEB • Available on Smarter Balanced practice tests • Available on Smarter Balanced paper tests. • Will be Available on Smarter Balanced summative assessments in 2019 • More highlighting colors • Additional colors for various use cases. 82

Equation Editor for Math Items • The math equation editor allows for accessible math input and output and full scoring. • Completely accessible/boasts key components of universal design. • Permits a consistent look and feel across all devices. 83

Equation Editor for Math Items 84

DESMOS Calculators • Currently available on the practice and interim assessments. • Will be available when the summative assessments go live. • Calculators are available on the portal for students to practice. 85

Additional TDS Enhancements • Updated the line reader to work more reliably across different types of content. • Line reader is available as a universal tool for Smarter Balanced. • Line reader is available for CTAA. • The system will allow printing along with embossing when the student is testing on Braille in the event they are vision impaired, but not blind and can use large print. 86

Data Entry Interface (DEI) • The Data Entry Interface is used for the following assessments: • • Learner Characteristics Inventory (LCI) Alternate Science Field Test Smarter Balanced paper tests (Large Print and braille) NGSS Field test paper tests (Large Print and braille) 87

Data Entry Interface (DEI) • The DEI can be accessed via the portal under the Smarter Balanced or Alternate Assessment program cards. • Teachers must use the DEI to complete the LCI and Alternate Science. • For students who take the paper Braille and Large Print Smarter Balanced and NGSS Field Test, the teacher must enter the student responses into the DEI. • The DEI does not require the secure browser. Users can access the DEI using most internet browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc. ) 88

DEI: Log In 1. Step 1: Log in to the DEI using your TIDE credentials. 2. Step 2: Enter the student’s first name and SASID in the appropriate fields. Click Sign In. 89

DEI: Navigation 3. Step 3: Confirm the information is correct for the student. 4. Step 4: Select the appropriate task for data entry. 90

DEI: Navigation 5. Step 5: Select the task and click Next button to proceed to the next page. 6. Step 6: Review the instructions as needed and click Begin Task Now to begin entering data. 91

DEI: Navigation 7. Step 7: Respond to the items in the task appropriately for the student. 92

DEI: Navigation 8. Step 8: Once all items are complete, click Finished. 9. Step 9: To review or edit data, select the item that you wish to review. Once you have verified that the data you have entered is accurate, click I am finished with this task. 10. Step 10: Click Yes to submit the task. 93

Thank you! Further Information Connecticut Assessment Program Portal http: //ct. portal. airast. org/ Connecticut Help Desk American Institutes for Research 1. 844. 202. 7583 CTHelp. Desk@air. org 94

Special Populations

Special Populations Web Sites Resources- Website- Links Description CSDE Comprehensive Assessment Program Portal Smarter Balanced Assessments NGSS Field Test for Standard Science Connecticut Alternate Assessments (CTAA) NGSS Field Test for Alternate Science (Button will be added) Unless primary teacher for the student received training in the 2015 -2016 or 2016 -2017 school year, all teachers responsible for administering the alternate assessments (the CTAA and NGSS Alternate Science) must participate in CSDE training. They can register here for the online course to meet this obligation. This online course is available to provide greater understanding regarding the usability tools, designated supports and accommodations for the Smarter Balanced and NGSS Field Test for Standard Science.

Special Populations Resources- Documents-Links Description This document is intended to provide guidance for Connecticut school district personnel who must make decisions about testing special student populations on Smarter Balanced, Connecticut NGSS (Standard) Science, Connecticut Alternate Assessments and Connecticut NGSS (Alternate) Science. Power. Point presentation on the usability features available for students who will be taking the Smarter Balanced Assessments and Science. This includes a deeper understanding of the tools, designated supports and accommodations available to a variety of students. This form is intended for Special Education, 504 and EL students taking the Smarter Balanced Test and Connecticut Alternate Science to indicate designated supports, and accommodations. This information is submitted on TIDE. The Text-to-Speech and Read Aloud Decision Guidelines 2017 -2018 Form must be completed for any student in Grades 3 -8 who will receive the accommodation of Text-to-Speech or Read Aloud of English language arts/literacy (ELA) reading passages on the Smarter Balanced assessments. This completed form should be submitted electronically to the CSDE. The Text-to-Speech and Read Aloud Decision Guidelines 2017 -2018 provides guiding questions about determining if a student qualifies to receive this accommodation.

Universal Tools: Available to ALL students Designated Supports: Embedded • Breaks • Calculator (Math) • Digital Notepad • English Glossary^ • Expanded Passages/Stimuli • Highlighter • Keyboard Navigation • Line Reader- New • Mark for Review • Math Tools • Strikethrough • Writing Tools • Zoom Non-Embedded • Breaks • Scratch Paper/ whiteboard with marker • Time Extension (Science)New ^ NOT available for Science • Color Contrast • Masking • Mouse Pointer- New • Print Size Online • Text-to-Speech- Math & ELA Non-Reading Passages • *Translations-Math (Glossary) • *Translations-Math (Stacked) • *Translation Test Directions(Math, Spanish) • Turn off any universal accessibility tool Non-Embedded • Amplification- New • *Bilingual Dictionary (Science) • Color Contrast • Color Overlay • Magnification Device • *Native Language Reader Directions (Science) • Noise Buffering • Read Aloud • *Read Aloud in Spanish (Math) • Separate Setting • Simplified Test Directions^ • *Translation Glossary (Math) • *Translation Test Directions^ Available to ANY student with a need determined by educators Accommodations: Embedded • American Sign Language (Video)^ • Braille Transcript (ELA Listening)^New • Closed Captioning-(ELA Listening) • Streamline • Text-to-Speech (ELA-reading Passages) Grades 3 -8 Available to students with an IEP or 504 Plan • 100 s number table- Grades 4 -8 • Abacus • Alternate Response Options Non-Embedded • Braille Booklet • Braille supplemental math booklet for online fixed form test • Calculator- Grades 6 -8 • Large Print Booklet • Multiplication Table-grades 4 -8 • # Print on Demand • ~ # Read Aloud- (ELA-reading Passages) grades 3 -8 • ~ # Scribe • Sign Language for Test Items (Science) • Speech-to-Text ^ NOT available for Science ~ Requires Trained Educator # Requires Petition for Approval of Special Documented Accommodations *Intended for English Learners (EL) ^ NOT available for Science CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Special Accommodations Procedure Required for: • *Read Aloud of Reading Passages • Scribe • Print on Demand • Human Signer Accommodation • Human Signer Passages Accommodation • Any accommodation not listed that is unique to the student Special Accommodations Deadline: Grade 11 January 30, 2018 Grade 3 -8 March 16, 2018 Students may not be tested until the district receives the response letter from CSDE. *Read Aloud Grades 3 -8 ONLY also requires the submission of the Text-to-Speech and Read Aloud Decision Guidelines CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 100 EDUCATION

Medical Exemption Procedure Grade 5 & 8 Grade 11 CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 101 EDUCATION

Connecticut Alternate Assessment System Eligible Students Grades Test Subject Areas Test Delivery Method Test Window Security CT Alternate Science Connecticut Alternate Assessment (CTAA) Special Education Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities 3 -8 and 11 English language arts • Reading • Writing Mathematics Special Education Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities 5, 8, 11 Science • Earth • Life • Physical CSDE Trained teacher assesses CSDE Trained teacher administers student with performance tasks individually the grade specific items via based upon CT Alternate the online testing system using the Science Assessment Essence CTAA Directions for Test Administration statements Field test to be administered Administered with required secure upon release with final ratings Directions for Test Administration submitted into the Data Entry (DTAs) during the testing window Interface (DEI) Upload window: March 26 - May 25, 2018 April 30 -May 25, 2018 Non-secure Secure CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 102 EDUCATION

Alternate Assessment System Training Requirements • Passing score for CSDE provided CTAA and Alternate Science online training in 2015 -16, 2016 -17, or 2017 -18 (online training closes on March 12, 2018) or • Passing Score for CSDE provided CTAA and Alternate Science live training in 2015 -16, 2016 -17, or 2017 -18 and • CTAA Assessment System User Guide • CTAA Test Administration Manual CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 103 EDUCATION

Alternate Assessment Trained Teachers List 2 1 3 Only DA accounts have access to this list. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 104 EDUCATION

Eligibility and Learner Characteristics Inventory (LCI) LCI Submission Deadline: Grade 11 January 19, 2018 Grades 3 -8 March 16, 2018 CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 105 EDUCATION

Student Participation Criteria • Students who have been determined eligible by the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) for participation in Connecticut's Alternate Assessment System are eligible to participate in the CTAA and the CT Alternate Science. • The criteria for student participation in the Alternate Assessment reflect the pervasive nature of a significant cognitive disability. All content areas should be considered when determining who should participate in this assessment. Students are considered eligible to participate in the CTAA and the Alternate Science if all 3 criteria requirements can be affirmed based on evidence shared. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 106 EDUCATION

Connecticut Alternate Science • Students in Grades 5, 8 and 11 are expected to participate • CSDE will be field testing the Connecticut Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) assessments for standard science and alternate science this spring. • The Connecticut Alternate Science Assessment Committee is comprised of Connecticut educators with knowledge of NGSS and/or experience with students with disabilities, particularly those with significant cognitive disabilities, collaborated on the design and expectations for the Alternate Science Assessment. • This CT Alternate Science will replace the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT)/ Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) Skills Checklist Science. • Similar to our legacy alternate assessment for Science, CSDE trained teachers rate their student’s performance and upload the results into the Data Entry Interface (DEI) during the Connecticut Alternate Science Assessment upload window April 30, 2018, to May 25, 2018. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 107 EDUCATION

Connecticut Alternate Science Training • A webinar will be conducted for District Administrators on February 16, 2018 to share specifics of the new CT Alternate Science Assessment. • As described in the 2017 -18 Alternate Assessment System Training, an opportunity for updated alternate science test administration information will be communicated to trained teachers. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 108 EDUCATION

Alternate Assessment Websites & Resources Description This web page provides access to communications, documents and resources related to Connecticut’s Alternate Assessment System. This portal provides access to the alternate assessment card which provides testing applications and resources. • Entering the Learner Characteristics Inventory • Uploading the CT Alternate Science ratings into the Data Entry interface. • Accessing the Connecticut Alternate Assessment • Ancillary Testing Documents • Instructional supports • Performance level descriptors Accounts are created for trained teachers as the Teacher Administering the Alternate role. (TEA) This website provides information and resources about the National Center and State Collaborative (NCSC). NCSC is the consortium Connecticut worked with to develop the Connecticut Alternate Assessment for English language arts and math for our students with significant cognitive disabilities. The National Center and State Collaborative (NCSC) shared goal was to ensure that students with the most significant cognitive disabilities achieve increasingly higher academic outcomes and leave high school ready for post-secondary options. This wiki and the materials hosted here help educators meet goals by supporting instruction aligned to the Connecticut Core Standards (CCSS). CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 109 EDUCATION

CTAA Assessment Documents Purpose User CTAA Test Administration Manual (TAM) Provides policies and procedures for TEAs and DCs/SCs to prepare for the administration of the Test. TEAs and DC/SCs Directions for Test Administration (DTA) Each test form has a specific DTA that provides directions and a script to administer each item of the Test. TEAs must follow these directions and script exactly. DTAs include the allowable manipulatives and reference materials for specific items, and scoring rubrics for constructed-response mathematics items and the open-response foundational reading items in Grades 3 and 4. TEAs CTAA System User Guide Provides information to access and navigate the Online Test Delivery System for purposes related to assessing students. TEAs and DCs/SCs CTAA Assessing Students Who Are Blind, Deaf, or Deaf-Blind: Additional Guidance for Test Administration Includes tasks to complete before, during, and after the assessment; strategies to enhance access to the CTAA; and appendices with information for accessing the Open-R esponse (OR) Foundational Reading Items in Grades 3 and 4 and additional resources for TEAs working with students who are Blind, Deaf or Deaf-Blind. TEAs assessing a student who is Blind, Deaf, or Deaf-Blind. Note: The DTAs are secure documents and can be found in TIDE CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 110 EDUCATION

Secure Alternate Assessment Materials CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 111 EDUCATION

CTAA Designed for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities • All items, passages and response options are read to the student • Emphasis on Communicative Competence • Test Design Includes – Attention to text complexity – Embedded supports in each item – Planned use of assistive technology – Supporting documents for Blind, Deaf or Deaf-Blind CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 112 EDUCATION

CTAA Format • Online 1: 1 testing • Mathematics • English language arts – Reading – Writing • Selected Response • Constructed Response in Mathematics selected grades • Open Response grades 3 and 4 only for Foundational Reading items CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 113 EDUCATION

Accommodations for Alternate Assessments Location Description IEP page 8 Accommodations needed for instruction and assessment should be defined CTAA and Alternate Science Eligibility and Learner Characteristics Inventory Specific accommodations questions are collected Technology for Presentation and/or Response Braille Paper Version of Item Sign Language Scribe Read Aloud (assessment feature) CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 114 EDUCATION

Early Stopping Rule Procedures Student Does Not Display Consistent Observable Response During the Student Response Check (SRC) TEA has administered the First 4 items in ELA or Mathematics No observable student response was evident for any of the first 4 items in either ELA or Mathematics The TEA has not continued to administer additional items. Student Interface is Paused. Contact CSDE Janet Stuck 860 -713 6837 or Joseph Amenta 860 -713 -6855 Provide student specific information as requested and the TEA will be provided guidance for next steps in the test administration process. CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 115 EDUCATION

Thank You! CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF 116 EDUCATION