PowerPoint Presentation

WESTEST 2Online WritingPrincipal/Building Level CoordinatorsResponsibilities

This PowerPoint covers responsibilities of principals/building level coordintors.1

Principal/BLCs ResponsibilitiesTrainingAttend annual principal/building level coordinator training for WESTEST 2 Online Writing provided by CTCSign Principal/Building Level Coordinators Secure Materials and Test Procedures Agreement (Appendix C or D)

Each principal/building level coordinator must attend annual training for WESTEST 2 Online Writing provided by the county test coordinator and must sign the Principals Secure Materials and Test Procedures Agreement (Appendix C) or Building Level Coordinators Secure Materials and Test Procedures Agreement (Appendix D).

2Train examiners and other school personnel on Policy 2340: West Virginia Measures of Academic Performance, which establishes rules governing the administration and operation of assessments that are part of WV-MAP, including WESTEST 2.Policy 2340 can be found by clicking on the following link and scrolling down to find the link for Policy 2340 under the heading Educational Program Development: http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/Policy 2340Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:TrainingAs part of the training process, each principal/building level coordinator must train examiners and other school personnel on Policy 2340: West Virginia Measures of Academic Performance, also known as WV-MAP. This policy establishes rules governing the administration and operation of assessments that are part of WV-MAP, including WESTEST 2.

If you have not been provided with a copy of Policy 2340, you may access the entire policy on the West Virginia Department of Education Web site at the link http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/.

3Read the WESTEST 2 Online Writing Administration Manual

Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:TrainingNext, it is important for each principal/building level coordinator to read the WESTEST 2 Online Writing Administration Manual and to become familiar with its provisions.

This manual serves as a guide through the administration of WESTEST 2 Online Writing. It includes provisions from Policy 2340 as well as additional important information. 4

Read Appendix A: Testing Code of EthicsPrincipal/BLCs Responsibilities:TrainingEach principal/building level coordinator also must read and be familiar with the Testing Code of Ethics, which is Appendix A in both Policy 2340 and the WESTEST 2 Online Writing Administration Manual. 5Read all documents carefully and thoroughly.Read all statements on the forms you sign.Understand the consequences of violating testing administration procedures and test security.CautionRemember: Violations could result in possible suspension/termination and/or revocation of teaching license.Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:TrainingPrincipals/building level coordinators must take their own training and the training they do for examiners seriously. Take time to read all documents carefully and thoroughly and to read all statements on the Principals and Building Level Coordinators Secure Materials and Test Procedures Agreements. Violations of testing administration procedures and test security could result in possible suspension/termination and/or revocation of teaching license.

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Emphasize that the use of cell phones and other electronic devices by students AND examiners during testing and breaks is strictly prohibited.Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices

XEach county test coordinator must instruct principal/building level coordinators to emphasize that the use of cell phones and other electronic devices by students AND examiners during testing and breaks is strictly prohibited. 7Before a principal/blc, examiner, or technology coordinator can use a cell phone (or even a classroom phone) inside the computer lab, he or she should obtain permission from the CTC or WVDE. Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:Using Cell Phones to Address Technology Issues in the Lab

Before a principal/blc, examiner, or technology coordinator can use a cell phone (or even a classroom phone) inside the computer lab, he or she should obtain permission from the CTC or WVDE. 8

Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:MonitoringEmphasize to examiners the importance of proper monitoring during testing.

Each county test coordinator must instruct principals/building level coordinators of the importance of proper monitoring during testing. 9

Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:TrainingSign Verification of Training and document training of examiners (Appendix G)Send a copy of Verification of Training to CTC before receiving secure materialsFinally, each principal/building level coordinator must sign theVerification of Training (Appendix G) and ensure that others also sign Verification of Training (Appendix G). The principal/building level coordinator must send a copy of the signed Verification of Training forms to the county test coordinator before secure materials can be received. The principal/building level coordinator also must ensure that examiners have been trained and have signed the Verification of Training before distributing secure materials to the examiners.

10Arrange for the assessment on the days scheduled by the county test coordinatorWork with county and school technology coordinators to ensure that all computers are in good working order and that security features have been updated on all computers to be used in testing

Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:Preparing for the Assessment

The principal/building level coordinator must arrange for the assessment on the days scheduled by the county test coordinator.

Additionally, each principal/building level coordinator must work with county and school technology coordinators to ensure that all computers are in good working order and that security features have been updated on all computers to be used in testing.

11Inform students of the date and general process of the assessmentProvide testing schedule to examiners to provide to studentsEncourage studentsMaintain a positive attitudeEnsure students are familiar with general procedures for WESTEST 2 Online Writing

Informing StudentsPrincipal/BLCs Responsibilities:Communication

Another important responsibility of the principal/building level coordinator is to communicate important information about the WESTEST 2 Online Writing to students.

Principals must ensure students are informed of the date and general process of the assessment, provide a testing schedule to examiners to provide to students so that they know when and where to report for testing, and encourage students to try their best.

Students need to be motivated to do well to obtain the most accurate results possible. It is imperative that the principal/building level coordinator address the assessment in a positive fashion. The principals/building level coordinators attitude and the attitudes of other staff members contribute significantly to the perceptions and subsequent performances of the students on the assessment. If the principal/building level coordinator conveys to the students that the assessment is important, their efforts will reflect this attitude.

However, the assessment should not be given such importance that students experience high levels of anxiety. It is essential that students understand the purpose for, and implications of, the WESTEST 2 Online Writing before they begin writing.12Distribute copies of WESTEST 2 Online Writing Parent Guide to parents

Informing ParentsPrincipal/BLCs Responsibilities:Communication

In addition to communicating with students, the principal/building level coordinator also must communicate with parents by sending home copies of the WESTEST 2 Online Writing Parent Guide. This guide provides parents with important information regarding WESTEST 2 Online Writing.13Prepare a roster for each examiner listing the examiners name, the date of testing, the grade level, the school name, the county name, student names scheduled for testing and student WVEIS numbers

Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:Providing Rosters

The principal/building level coordinator must prepare a roster for each examiner listing the examiners name, the date of testing, the grade level, the school name, the county name, student names scheduled for testing and student WVEIS numbers.

14Arrange to assess students in groups of approximately 30 or fewerArrange to assess students in a lab/classroom setting with adequate lighting and ventilationMake necessary arrangements for proper seating

Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:Best Administration Practices

To ensure that all students are able to do their best work throughout the WESTEST 2 Online Writing administration, certain conditions are required so that the most accurate information about the students skills is obtained. Student performance will be enhanced by:

assessing students in groups of approximately 30 or fewer assessing students in lab/classroom setting with adequate lighting and ventilation making necessary arrangements for proper seating

15Eliminate distractions such as ringing bells, intercom announcements or telephones ringing during the assessment

Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:Best Administration Practices

Also be sure to eliminate distractions such as ringing bells, intercom announcements or telephones ringing during the assessment.

16Ensure the testing schedule allows students sufficient opportunity to complete the assessment before the end of the school day

DO NOT begin testing late in the day.

Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:Best Administration Practices

Ensure the testing schedule allows students sufficient opportunity to complete the assessment before the end of the school day.

DO NOT begin testing late in the day.

17It is not necessary for students to have signed Acceptable Use of the Internet Forms on file provided that the students will access the computer ONLY for WVDE authorized online assessments, including WESTEST 2 Online Writing.However, principals/BLCs must follow their county policy regarding AUPs. If a student is not allowed to take Online Writing on the computer, he or she would have to hand write his or her paper, and a scribe would have to transcribe the composition onto the secure website.Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:Follow County Policy Regarding AUP Policy

It is not necessary for students to have signed Acceptable Use of the Internet Forms on file provided that the students will access the computer ONLY for WVDE authorized online assessments, including WESTEST 2 Online Writing. Students who do not have these forms on file at the school must be supervised at all times to ensure their computer use is limited only to participation in the online assessments.

However, principals/BLCs must follow county policy regarding AUPs. If a student is not allowed to take Online Writing on the computer, he or she would have to hand write his or her paper, and a scribe would have to transcribe the composition onto the secure website.

18Provide to examiners the WVS.326 Accommodations Provision Monitoring Forms for all students who require accommodationsEnsure that all proper accommodations are given during the test according to the students IEPs, 504 Plans and LEP Assessment Participation FormsArrange for scribes for students requiring that accommodation

Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:Ensuring Students Receive Accommodations

The ultimate responsibility for making sure accommodations are provided to the appropriate students according to their IEPs, 504 Plans and LEP participation documents lies with the principal/building level coordinator, who must provide examiners the WVS.326 Accommodations Provision Monitoring Forms for all students who require accommodations.

The principal/building level coordinator also must arrange for scribes for students who require that accommodation.

19Distribute the 2014 WESTEST 2 Online Writing Administration Manuals, rosters, secure materials, pencils or pens and scratch paper to all examinersEstablish a plan for delivery and security of Passwords of the DayEstablish a plan for shredding secure materials, including scratch paper and student rough drafts

Principal/BLCs Responsibilities:Distribution of Materials and Maintaining Security

The principal/building level coordinator also must arrange for distribution of materials, including the 2014 WESTEST 2 Online Writing Administration Manuals, rosters, secure materials, pencils or pens and scratch paper to all examiners.

Also, the principal/building level coordinator must ensure security procedures are followed by establishing a plan for delivery and security of Passwords of the Day and by establishing a plan for shredding secure materials, including scratch paper and student rough drafts.

20Changes to the Online Writing roster will take place daily using an automated process with data obtained from WVEIS.Changes should take place overnight, but if a change did not occur overnight, wait another day before trying to test.

Daily RosteringPrincipals/BLCs Responsibilities:Understand Daily Rostering

This year changes to the Online Writing roster will take place daily using an automated process with data obtained from WVEIS. This process should prevent county test coordinators from having to submit students to be added to the roster or to make other changes to the roster, such as grade changes and spelling corrections. As long as schools properly enter data into WVEIS, the changes should take place automatically overnight. If a change did not occur overnight, schools should wait another day before trying to test the students. If the change does not take place, then the county test coordinator may use the online form to request additions and changes not picked up in the daily rostering. 21Contact the county test coordinator toadd students to the testing site (if not captured in daily rostering)change students grade levels for proper matching to WESTEST 2 RLA multiple-choice sessions (if not captured in daily rostering)request students login information to be resetrequest spelling or other errors on roster be corrected (if not captured in daily rostering) Inform county test coordinator of any testing irregularities, including students who have difficulty logging on to the testing sitePrincipal/BLCs Responsibilities:Contacting County Test Coordinator

The principal/building level coordinator should contact the county test coordinator to add students to the testing site, change students grade levels for proper matching to WESTEST 2 RLA, and/or request students login information to be reset in case of an invalidation.

Additionally, the principal/building level coordinator must inform the county test coordinator of any testing irregularities, including students who have difficulty logging onto the testing site.

22Maintain Security of Test MaterialsPassword of the DayPassages and PromptsDo not retain, copy, reproduce, paraphrase, distribute or discuss (Testing Code of Ethics)Maintain Security of Student ResponsesRough DraftsDo not retain, copy, reproduce, paraphrase, distribute or discuss (Testing Code of Ethics)Security ReminderPrincipal/BLCs Responsibilities:Maintaining SecurityIt is important that principals/building level coordinators realize the importance of maintaining security with every aspect of the assessment. The principal/building level coordinator must report to the county test coordinator any loss of materials, cheating, security breach, testing administration breach, copyright infringement, or other deviation from acceptable security procedures.

A breach of test security or copyright infringement that occurs as a direct result of any action taken by the principal/building level coordinator and/or an examiner may result in a suspension or revocation of license and/or a suspension or termination of employment.

23For Questions AboutTesting PoliciesAccommodationsTest Security (including Password of the Day)Return of Test MaterialsContactYour county test coordinatorPrincipal/BLCs Responsibilities:WESTEST 2 Online Writing Contact InformationIf you have any questions about testing policies, accommodations, test security (including the Password of the Day) or return of test materials, please first contact your county test coordinator.24For Questions AboutTechnological ProblemsContactYour county test coordinator and county technology coordinatorPrincipal/BLCs Responsibilities:WESTEST 2 Online Writing Contact InformationIf you have any questions about technological problems, please first contact your county test coordinator and your county technology coordinator.25West Virginia Department of EducationOffice of Assessment and Accountability

Dr. Vaughn RhudyReading/Language Arts and Online Writing Assessment Coordinatorvrhudy@access.k12.wv.us

304-558-2546

WVDE Support/ContactIf you have any other questions related to WESTEST 2 Online Writing, please contact Dr. Vaughn Rhudy, WESTEST 2 RLA/Online Writing Coordinator at the West Virginia Department of Education.26CTB/McGraw-HillProduct Support Staff866-282-2250

Last ResortSupport/Contact InformationIf your questions cannot be answered by your county test coordinator or WVDE, the last resort should be to contact CTB/McGraw-Hill Customer Support at 1-866-282-2250.27http://www.ctb.com/wt2West Virginia WESTEST 2 Assessment Program

http://wvde.state.wv.us/West Virginia Department of Education

http://wvde.state.wv.us/oaa/Office of Assessment and Accountability

https://sites.google.com/a/wvde.k12.wv.us/westest-2-online-writing-technical-assistance-website/WESTEST 2 Online Writing Technical Assistance Website

Key Websites28For additional information regarding WESTEST 2 Online Writing, please visit these websites.

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