NERIC Testing Service - Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the codes that are associated with the 'Reasons Not Tested?'

50 - Taking NYSAA (ELA, Math, Science 4/8, Social Studies 5/8)

51 - First-yr LEP student (ELA only)

91 - Took another assessment (NYSAA only)

93 - Medically Excused (ELA, Math, Science 4/8, NYSAA, NYSESLAT)

95 - Not Enrolled at time of test (ELA, Math, Science 4/8, Social Studies 5/8, NYSAA, NYSESLAT)

96 - Refused to take entire test (ELA, Math, Science 4/8, Social Studies 5/8, NYSESLAT)

97 - Administrative error, No score (ELA, Math, Science 4/8, Social Studies 5/8, NYSAA, NYSESLAT)

99 - Absent (ELA, Math, Science 4/8, Social Studies 5/8, NYSAA, NYSESLAT)

How do I get an answer sheet for a newly enrolled student?

· NERIC provides a quantity of Extra Answer Sheets for each test administration. These Extra Sheets can be found at the end of the package of preprinted answer sheets.

For a newly enrolled student select an Extra Sheet with the location where the student is enrolled.
Print the student Name, Student ID, Date of Birth, Grade, and Home Room on the underlined blank fields on the answer sheet. Click HERE to see a sample of a completed extra answer sheet.
Do not cross out or make any marks in the area at the top of the answer sheet where the District Number, Extra Sheet Number, Check Digit, School Number, Level & Form number are printed.
Fill out an N24-2 Form and record the District Name and School Name at the top of the form. Fill in the Extra Sheet number, Last Name, First Name, Grade, Home Room, and Actual Student ID.
On the Extra Sheet Roster Report record the Student Name and Actual Student ID next to the Extra Sheet Number used to administer the test.
Remember each Extra Sheet has a corresponding set of Booklet Labels that match the Extra Sheet Number. These labels are to be placed on the Test Booklets. Be sure to print the student’s name and student ID on each label.
After the test scoring is completed the Extra Answer Sheets are to be gathered together and placed on top of the rest of the answer sheets before shipment to NERIC for scanning.

I have more newly enrolled students in my school than Extra Answer Sheets and Booklet Labels. How do I get more Extra Sheets and Booklet Labels?

All Extra Answer sheets and Extra Labels from within a district may be used to test newly enrolled students no matter what building is printed on them.
The correct school should be written on the N24-2 form.
There should be only one N24-2 form for each building in a District.
If there are no Extra Answer sheets and Extra Labels left in a District for new students, the District Test Coordinator should contact Edie Alcombright, NERIC Operations Manager at 518-862-5306 or via email at Ealcombr@gw.neric.org to order additional Extra Answer Sheets and Extra Labels. Please cc Testing@gw.neric.org.

I have a student who transferred to another school within my district?

On the preprinted answer sheet bubble “Not enrolled at time of test.”
Use an Extra Answer Sheet for the location the student has transferred to.
Print the student Name, Student ID, Date of Birth, Grade, and Home Room in the underlined blank fields on the answer sheet. Click HERE to see a sample of a completed extra answer sheet.
Do not cross out or make any marks in the area at the top of the answer sheet where the District Number, Extra Sheet Number, Check Digit, School Number, Level & Form number are printed.
Fill out an N24-2 Form and record the District Name and School Name at the top of the form. Fill in the Extra Sheet number, Last Name, First Name, Grade, Home Room, and Actual Student ID.
On the Extra Sheet Roster Report record the Student Name and Actual Student ID next to the Extra Sheet Number used to administer the test.

Remember each Extra Sheet has a corresponding set of Booklet Labels that match the Extra Sheet Number. These labels are to be placed on the back of the Test Booklets. Be sure to print the student’s name and student ID on each label.

What do we do with answer sheet(s) for Students who were never enrolled but data was sent to the DW?

On the answer sheet bubble "Not enrolled at Time of Test.”
Write, "not enrolled" on the roster report.
Return the answer sheet according to the instructions on the return packing slip.
In the Data Warehouse change these students to “Inactive” in Demographics. In Enrollment enter an Exit date and Exit reason.

I am short test booklets or I need a special test booklet such as a Large Print or Braille test booklet, what do I do?

In the School Administrator's Manual (SAM) look in the Table of Contents for, "Emergency Supply of Test Materials." The SAM can be found HERE, click on the assessment, click on the SAM.
Fill out the fax form and fax it to the Office of State Assessment.
Contact the Regional Center for your county.
Make arrangements to pick up the booklet(s) at the Regional Center.

What does the district do with answer sheets for students who were added to the DW but attend non-pub schools?

DO NOT write or bubble anything on the answer sheet.
On the roster report write, "Non-Public Student, Not Tested."
Return the answer sheet according to the instructions on the return packing slip.

What does the district do with answer sheets for students who are home schooled but don't take a test.

DO NOT write or bubble anything on the answer sheet.
On the roster report write, "Home Schooled, Not Tested."
Return the answer sheet according to the instructions on the return packing slip.
DW states to leave these students active in the DW. These Home Schooled students do not count toward participation or accountability.

A student is taking the NYSAA, what do I indicate on the answer sheet and corresponding documents?

· Bubble “Taking NYSAA” on the answer sheet.

· Next to the students name on the Answer Sheet Roster Report write "Taking NYSAA".

· In the Data Warehouse this student:

Ø MUST be ungraded (13=K-6, or 14=7-12) in both Demographics and Enrollment. The SED Ungraded DOB chart (page 36 of the SIRS manual) determines the level of test to be administered to this student.

Ø MUST have a program service code of 0220 : Eligible for Alternate Assessment in Program Services.

I have a disabled student who does not quality for the NYSAA; what level of test is administered to this student?

· If the student is in grade K-12 you test the student at the grade level he/she is enrolled.

· If the student is ungraded (13=K-6, or 14=7-12), test the student at the grade level determined by their DOB. Refer to the chart in the SED Ungraded DOB chart (page 36 of the SIRS manual). The DOB on the chart determines the appropriate assessment to administer.

Who should be tested?

· Refer to the SIRS Manual for 2008-09 (Chapter 4: Testing Rules).

I received an answer sheet for a student who has an Enrollment Code of 5905; what do I do?

In the shaded area on the answer sheet write, "Enrollment Code 5905 - student not tested."
Write the same on the line after the student's name on the roster report.
Return the answer sheet according to the instructions on the return packing slip.
FYI - The Enrollment Code 5905 :: CSE responsibility only - is used for a student with a disability or a student who is referred to the CSE for determination of eligibility for special education services who resides in the district and is placed by a parent/guardian in another public school district. Also use this code for a home-schooled student with disabilities for whom the district has CSE responsibility and must report special education records. This enrollment code is reserved for use by public school districts to report students for whom they have CSE responsibility but for whom they do not provide general instruction and for whom they do not have accountability under the State accountability system.

Do you have to test Foreign Exchange Students?

Foreign Exchange Students do not need to be tested. However, if the school administers the exam- then they have to report it.
In Level 0 the student should have an enrollment code of "0022 : Foreign exchange student enrollment in building or grade."
If a preprinted answer was issued and student was not tested write in the shaded area on the answer sheet, "Foreign Exchange Student - Not Tested." On the line after his/hers name on the roster report write "Foreign Exchange Student - Not Tested."
Return the answer sheet according to the instructions on the return packing slip.

What happens if a student is absent for a portion of an assessment?

If a student is absent for any part of a state exam the student is considered absent-not tested. Refer to the SIRS Manual for 2008-09 (Chapter 5: Reporting Rules, pg 59).
On the report(s) generated by NERIC, the student will be listed with a Performance Level of '99.' Any recorded responses captured by the scanner will be included on the report
On the report(s) generated by nySTART, the student will be listed as NOT TESTED.
These students count against the district in participation for the ELA 3-8, Math 3-8, Science 4 and Science 8 test. It is in the best interest of the district that any students who are absent for part of a test attend a make-up session and sit for the missed part.

Testing and reporting elementary- and middle-level students who transfer to a different school during the testing period.

Refer to the SIRS Policy Manual, pg 41.

What NYS Elementary/Intermediate assessments are the nonpublic schools to administer?

· 2008-2009: (refer to the two (2) memos from Jean Stevens addressed to Principals of Nonpublic Schools

Ø Information on Administering and Reporting Stat Assessments, dated July 2008.

Ø Update on Reporting Elementary/Middle-Level State Assessments in Science and Social Studies in 2008-09, dated July 2008.

· 2007-2008:

Ø refer to the J. Stevens memo dated Nov. 2007, Nonpublic Schools - Administering & Reporting State Assessments

Ø SED will provide nonpublic schools with the following services: ELA and Math grades 3-8 test booklets ONLY; no scannable answer sheets, scanning of answer sheets, and printed score reports will be provided.

Ø In order to receive OFFICIAL scores the nonpublic school MUST make arrangements to obtain the necessary services from a RIC for ELA and Math.

Ø SED will provide nonpublic schools with Science 4/8, Social Studies 5/8, and NYSESLAT test booklets, scannable answer sheets, scanning of answer sheets, and printed score reports.

· 2006-2007:

Ø SED will provide nonpublic schools with the following services; ELA and Math grades 4, 6, and 8, Science 4/8, and Social Studies 5/8 tests: test booklets, scannable answer sheets, scanning of answer sheets, and printed score reports.

· 2005-2006:

Ø Nonpublic schools may transition to full implementation of the Grade 3-8 testing program by administering the Grades 4 and 8 assessments in 2005-06.

Ø SED will provide nonpublic schools with the following services in grades 4 & 8: ELA, Mathematics, Science 4/8, and Social Studies 5/8 tests: test booklets, scannable answer sheets, scanning of answer sheets, and printed score reports.

Ø Nonpublic schools interested in administering the Grades 3, 5, 6 and 7 ELA and Mathematics tests and Science 4/8, Social Studies 5/8 in 2005-06 MUST first make arrangements to obtain the necessary services from a RIC for grades 3-8. (Reference memo dated July 2005 to Principals of nonpublic schools.)

Who is administered the NYSESLAT (New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test)?

An ESL student in a United States school for less then 1 year is administer NYSESLAT test only, he/she is not administered the ELA test.
An ESL student in a United States school 1 or more years takes both the ELA and NYSESLAT until the student has tested proficient on the NYSESLAT in both Reading/Writing and Listening/Speaking.

· In the Data Warehouse this student MUST:

Ø have the LEP duration field populated in Demographics.

Ø have the correct grade in both Demographics and Enrollment for the level of test administered. NOTE: For ungraded students, refer to the SED Ungraded DOB chart (page 36 of the SIRS manual) - this chart is to be used to ascertain the appropriate grade band test to administer to those LEP students with disabilities who are ungraded.

Ø Have a program service code of 0231 : LEP Eligible in Program Services.

Additional Question - What do I do when an ESL student tests proficient in both areas?

Ø In Program Services add an exit date and include an Exit Reason of 849 : Student Achieved English Proficiency.

An ESL student did not get a score for the Listening/Speaking and/or Reading/Writing portion of the NYSESLAT. What would be the reason for that?

The student has to answer at least one (1) question in each modality in order to get a combined score.
Any student who is absent for any part of the assessment and does not make that part up will not receive a valid score for the combined modality Listening/Speaking or Reading/Writing.

Can a 7^th grade student take the Science 8 test?

Yes.

Can an 8^th grade student take the Science Regents test?

Yes.

Can an accelerated 7^th grade student take the Math or ELA grade 8 test?

NO, an accelerated 7^th grade student must take the Math 7 and ELA 7 test.

Can an 8^th grade student take the Math Regents test?

Yes, but the student MUST also take the Math 8 test.

If a student takes a test but is off by one (1) or a couple questions can the student erase and re-bubble or can the teacher give the student an extra answer sheet and have the student transfer the bubbles to the extra answer sheet? The teacher would then write the reason the student used an extra answer sheet on the roster report." If this scenario is noticed by the teacher/proctor can they mention it to the student or is this something ONLY the student can make the teacher/proctor aware of? In the SAM (School Administrators Manual) it states, "Teachers may give students assistance only in the mechanics of taking the tests such as understanding where to record their responses," does this statement refer to this scenario?

If the proctor discovers while the test is underway that a student has skipped bubbling one or more questions, and as a result is bubbling answers on the wrong line(s), it is the proctor's responsibility to point this out to the student. (This falls under the category of helping with the mechanics of taking the test.) Providing this direction may only be done during the test-- as once the student's test is handed in, it is considered final. Obviously, it is important for this to be caught quickly (rather than later) by the proctor as he or she is moving through the classroom so the student will not have misbubbled many answers and will have time to transfer answers. (Students may not be given additional test time to make these transfers.) Although it should be obvious, proctors should not be reviewing students' tests for correctness of answers. That is inappropriate. Lastly, if the student has misbubbled his/her answer sheet beyond a quick fix, the teacher may provide a replacement answer sheet for the student to transfer answers to. Again, students may not be given additional time to make these transfers. Per David K. Moore, Associate In Educational Testing, Office of State Assessment, NYSED; 12/ 2007.
Transferring bubbles from the test booklet to the answer sheet. Refer to the School Administrator's Manual (SAM); section Test Preparation and Other Guidelines, Proctoring.

What is the 3^rd academic indicator?

Science at the elementary/middle level and graduation rate at the secondary level.
Science - For schools/districts to meet the participation criterion for making AYP in science, they must have valid scores for at least 80% of students in the All Students group, as long as it has 40 or more students enrolled during the test administration period. Refer to page 9 of the SIRS Policy Manual.
Graduation Rate - For a school/district to make AYP in graduation rate, the graduation rate of the All Students group (all students in the graduation-rate cohort), as long as it has 30 or more students in the group, must equal the State Standard or the group's Progress Target. Refer to page 12 of the SIRS Policy Manual.
SED is looking into changing the 3^rd academic indicator to Attendance some time in the future.

How long do school districts have to retain the test booklets?

SED requires that schools keep their students' test booklets (Multiple Choice and Constructed Response) and answer sheets on file in the school for one year from the test date. Refer to the School Administrator's Manual (SAM), Test Preparation and Other Guidelines, Recording and Maintaining Test Scores and Test Books and Storing Answer Sheets.

How is the PI (Performance Index) calculated?

Refer to pages 12-17 of the SIRS Policy Manual.