Ohio's State Tests DIRECTIONS FOR ADMINISTRATION MANUAL
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Ohio’s
State
Tests
DIRECTIONS FOR
ADMINISTRATION
MANUALTesting Support
For assistance with Contact
Ohio’s Computer Based Assessment Portal
Testing resources, manuals, user guides, guidance for the Science and Social Studies Tests
documents, technical specifications and practice
materials oh.portal.airast.org/ocba
Ohio’s Computer Based Assessment Portal
for the Science and Social Studies Tests
Online Testing Checklist and oral script
oh.portal.airast.org/ocba
American Institutes for Research (AIR)
Error messages received during the online test 1-877-231-7809
administrations OHHelpDesk@air.org
All other questions Building Test Coordinator
The Ohio Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.Table of Contents
1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................5
1.1 Science and Social Studies Tests .............................................................................................................5
1.2 Test Mode .....................................................................................................................................................5
1.3 About This Manual ......................................................................................................................................5
2. Schedules .................................................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Key Dates .....................................................................................................................................................7
2.2 Testing Times ................................................................................................................................................7
2.3 Scheduling Administrations .......................................................................................................................7
2.4 Make-Up Testing .........................................................................................................................................9
2.5 Breaks ............................................................................................................................................................9
3. Test Security............................................................................................................................................................10
4. Ethical Use of Tests ................................................................................................................................................12
5. Student Pre-ID and Test Eligibility .......................................................................................................................14
5.1 Pre-ID ...........................................................................................................................................................14
5.1.1 SSIDs for Students Enrolled in Public Districts and Community Schools .....................................14
5.1.2 Student IDs for Students Enrolled in Chartered Nonpublic Schools ...........................................14
5.1.3 Home-Schooled Students ..................................................................................................................15
5.2 Test Eligibility for Elementary- and Middle-School Tests .....................................................................15
5.3 Accelerated Testing .................................................................................................................................16
5.4 Test Eligibility for High-School Tests .........................................................................................................16
6. Accessibility Features, Accommodations and Special Versions .................................................................18
6.1 What Are Accessibility Features? ..........................................................................................................18
6.2 Definition of an Accommodation .........................................................................................................18
6.3 Definition of a Student with Disabilities .................................................................................................18
6.4 Definition of a Student Identified as an English Language Learner ...............................................18
6.5 Criteria for the Use of Accommodations .............................................................................................19
6.6 Accessibility Features, Accommodations and Special Versions Summary ...................................19
6.6.1 Accessibility Features for All Students ..............................................................................................19
6.6.2 Accessibility Features for All Students that Must Be Identified in Advance of Testing ...........21
6.6.3 Presentation Accommodations for Students with Disabilities .....................................................22
6.6.4 Response Accommodations for Students with Disabilities ..........................................................23
6.6.5 Timing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities ................................................................25
6.6.6 Accommodations for English Language Learners ........................................................................25
6.6.7 Other Accommodations ....................................................................................................................27
6.7 Administrative Considerations................................................................................................................28
6.8 Group Oral Administrations ....................................................................................................................28
Page 1
Table of Contents7. After Testing Policy ................................................................................................................................................29
8. Reporting ................................................................................................................................................................29
9. Online Testing ........................................................................................................................................................30
9.1 Test Administrator Responsibilities ..........................................................................................................30
9.2 Before Testing ............................................................................................................................................30
9.2.1 Verify Your User Account ...................................................................................................................30
9.2.2 Student Information Needed for Test Day ......................................................................................31
9.2.3 Marking Accessibility Features and External Accommodations ................................................31
9.2.4 Verifying Technology Preparedness ................................................................................................32
9.2.5 Understanding the Functions of the Online Testing Systems .......................................................32
9.2.6 Voice Packs for Text-to-Speech .......................................................................................................33
9.2.7 Calculators for the Physical Science Test .......................................................................................33
9.2.8 Blank Paper ...........................................................................................................................................34
9.2.9 Testing Room Preparation..................................................................................................................34
9.2.10 Secure Browser and/or Test App ......................................................................................................34
9.3 Online Testing Rules ..................................................................................................................................35
9.3.1 Pausing the Test and the Pause Rule ...............................................................................................35
9.3.2 Online Test Expiration Rule .................................................................................................................35
9.3.3 Test Status Requests ............................................................................................................................35
9.3.3.1 Grace Period Extensions .............................................................................................................36
9.3.3.2 Reopen a Test after Test Expiration ..........................................................................................36
9.3.3.3 Resets and Invalidations .............................................................................................................37
9.4 During Testing ............................................................................................................................................37
9.4.1 Oral Script..............................................................................................................................................37
9.4.2 Establish a Test Session ........................................................................................................................38
9.4.3 Student Sign-In .....................................................................................................................................39
9.4.4 Approve Students for Testing ...........................................................................................................39
9.4.5 Monitoring the Administration ..........................................................................................................39
9.4.6 Test Incidents ........................................................................................................................................40
9.4.7 Enforcing the Testing Time .................................................................................................................40
9.4.8 Ending the Test Session ......................................................................................................................40
10. Paper Testing .........................................................................................................................................................42
10.1 Test Administrator Responsibilities ..........................................................................................................42
10.2 Before Testing ............................................................................................................................................42
10.2.1 Secure Test Materials ..........................................................................................................................42
10.2.2 Pre-ID Labels .........................................................................................................................................43
10.2.3 Generic Labels .....................................................................................................................................44
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Table of Contents10.2.4 Do Not Score Labels ...........................................................................................................................44
10.2.5 Scorable Documents ..........................................................................................................................45
10.2.6 Calculators for the Physical Science Paper Tests ..........................................................................45
10.2.7 Periodic Table and Reference Sheet for the Physical Science Paper Tests ............................45
10.2.8 Blank Paper ...........................................................................................................................................46
10.2.9 Testing Room Preparation..................................................................................................................46
10.2.10 Receiving Materials from the Building Test Coordinator ..............................................................46
10.2.11 Materials Needed for Test Administrations .....................................................................................46
10.2.12 Demographic Fields on Scorable Documents ..............................................................................47
10.3 During Testing ............................................................................................................................................48
10.3.1 Preparing for the Administration .......................................................................................................48
10.3.2 Directions and Script for Getting Started (All Tests) ......................................................................49
10.3.3 Test-Specific Scripts and Directions ..................................................................................................50
10.3.3.1 Grade 4 Part 1—Performance-Based Assessment Test-Specific Script and Directions..51
10.3.3.2 Grades 5, 6 or 8, American Government or American History Part 1—Performance-
Based Assessment Test-Specific Script and Directions.........................................................52
10.3.3.3 Physical Science Part 1—Performance-Based Assessment Test-Specific Script and
Directions ......................................................................................................................................53
10.3.3.4 Grade 4 Part 2—End-of-Year Test Test-Specific Script and Directions ..............................55
10.3.3.5 Grades 5, 6 or 8, American Government or American History Part 2—End-of-Year Test
Test-Specific Script and Directions ...........................................................................................56
10.3.3.6 Physical Science Part 2—End-of-Year Test Test-Specific Script and Directions ...............57
10.3.4 Students Who Become Ill ...................................................................................................................59
10.3.5 Soiled and Defective Documents ....................................................................................................59
10.3.6 Test Incidents ........................................................................................................................................59
10.4 After Testing ...............................................................................................................................................59
Appendix A: Summary of Test Security Provisions from the Ohio Administrative Code ..................................61
Appendix B: Supplemental Instructions for Braille, Large Print, Oral Translations and Read Alouds.............62
Braille Materials ..........................................................................................................................................................62
During Test Administration ...................................................................................................................................62
After the Test Administration ...............................................................................................................................62
Large-Print Materials .................................................................................................................................................64
During Test Administration ...................................................................................................................................64
After the Test Administration ...............................................................................................................................64
Oral Translations ........................................................................................................................................................66
Policies ................................................................................................................................................................66
Student Response Mode .....................................................................................................................................66
Materials Needed for a Paper Administration ................................................................................................67
Page 3
Table of ContentsOnline Administrations .........................................................................................................................................68
Before the Test Administration ............................................................................................................................69
General Procedures for the Language Translation .......................................................................................69
Translating the Science and Social Studies Tests ............................................................................................69
Breaks in the Testing Session ...............................................................................................................................69
Concluding the Testing Session ..........................................................................................................................70
After Test Administration ......................................................................................................................................70
Read Aloud ................................................................................................................................................................71
General Procedures for Read Aloud ................................................................................................................71
Reading the Science and Social Studies Tests Aloud ....................................................................................71
Breaks in the Testing Session ...............................................................................................................................71
After Test Administration ......................................................................................................................................71
Appendix C: What to Do When – Troubleshooting for Online Testing ................................................................73
Appendix D: Summary of Additional Resources .....................................................................................................76
Appendix E: Completing the Demographic Page ................................................................................................77
Students with Pre-ID Labels .....................................................................................................................................77
Students without Pre-ID Labels ...............................................................................................................................77
Directions ....................................................................................................................................................................77
Appendix F: Calculator Policy ....................................................................................................................................80
Allowable Calculators ..............................................................................................................................................80
Calculator Accommodations ................................................................................................................................80
Online Scientific Calculator ....................................................................................................................................81
Appendix G: Non-Disclosure Agreement for Translators .......................................................................................82
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Table of Contents1. Introduction
1.1 Science and Social Studies Tests
Ohio is administering new state tests in science and social studies operationally for the first time
in spring 2015. These tests include:
Grade 4 Social Studies American Government
Grade 5 Science American History
Grade 6 Social Studies Physical Science
Grade 8 Science
Each test has two parts. Districts and schools will administer Part 1, the Performance-Based
Assessment (PBA), Mar. 2-13*. They will administer Part 2, the End-of-Year (EOY) Test, May 4-15*.
All districts and schools with eligible students are required to administer both parts of the
Science and Social Studies Tests. One summative score will be reported. Scores will not be
reported for individual parts of the test. A student who does not take one part of the test will
receive zero points for the questions on that part of the test.
* Approved high schools with block schedules can administer Part 1, the Performance-Based
Assessment (PBA), Mar. 30-Apr. 10. They can administer Part 2, the End-of-Year (EOY) Test,
May 11-22. If a high school on a block schedule elects to administer the tests during these
later test windows, the high school cannot test during the earlier dates and both parts, the
PBA and the EOY, must be administered using the block schedule. Districts will receive
materials for all schools on the same date and are responsible for maintaining test security
until all materials are returned.
Score results will not be immediately available. Upon completion of the test window, the Ohio
Department of Education (the department) will undergo a process for setting performance
standards. Upon completion of this process and approval of the standards, scores will be
calculated and released to districts. The department expects to provide results in fall 2015.
1.2 Test Mode
The state offered districts and schools a choice about test mode for the spring 2015
administration. Districts and schools could elect to administer tests online or using paper test
materials. Regardless of which mode the school is using, each student must complete both
parts of the test in the same mode. If a student takes Part 1, the Performance-Based
Assessment, online, she must take Part 2, the End-of-Year Test, online. If a student takes Part 1,
the Performance-Based Assessment, on paper, he must take Part 2, the End-of-Year Test, on
paper.
1.3 About This Manual
This Directions for Administration Manual covers important policies and procedures for districts
and schools that are testing online and/or on paper. Test administrators must review the
information in this manual prior to the test window. Understanding testing policies and
procedures is essential to a successful administration.
Page 5
IntroductionEach district and school that ordered paper test materials during the on-time order window in
TIDE for the Performance-Based Assessment will receive one printed copy of this manual per 25
student tests ordered (approximately). The test contractor will not ship additional copies with
End-of-Year materials. A PDF copy is available on the Portal. Districts and schools that are
testing online exclusively should download a copy.
This manual does not cover technical specifications, details on how to use online systems or
step-by-step test administration directions for online testing. Technical specifications and the
Test Administrator User Guide are available for download on the Portal.
IMPORTANT: Test administrators who are administering tests online must download the Online
Testing Checklist, which includes step-by-step directions and the oral script, from the Portal for
reference on test day.
Page 6
Introduction2. Schedules
2.1 Key Dates
The following table lists key dates that districts and schools must be aware of for the spring
2015 Science and Social Studies Tests.
Part 1–Performance- Part 2–End-of-Year
Based Assessments Tests
Pre-ID Window (all students who are taking Science and
Social Studies Tests online must be pre-identified in Oct. 27, 2014- Oct. 27, 2014-
advance of testing; all students, regardless of test mode, May 22, 2015 May 22, 2015
must be pre-identified in TIDE by May 22)
Deadline for submitting Pre-ID data in order to receive
Jan. 23, 2015 Jan. 23, 2015
Pre-ID labels for paper testers
Paper test materials due in district Feb. 17, 2015 Apr. 20, 2015
Pre-ID labels, generic labels, Braille test booklets and
Feb. 23, 2015 Apr. 27, 2015
large-print test booklets due in district
Test Window (online testers and paper testers) Mar. 2-13, 2015 May 4-15, 2015
Test Window for approved high schools on a block
Mar. 30-Apr. 10, 2015 May 11-22, 2015
schedule only (online testers and paper testers)
2.2 Testing Times
Testing times are listed below. The testing times reflect the amount of time students have to
complete each test. (See the next section for guidance on additional time needed to prepare
for the administration on test day.) Test administrators are responsible for ensuring students
have the specified amount of time to take the test in one day. Only students with the
extended time accommodation are permitted time in excess of the published testing times;
however, students with an extended time accommodation must complete the test in one
day.
Testing Time for Part 1– Testing Time for Part 2–
Test
Performance-Based Assessment End-of-Year Test
Grade 4 Social Studies 75 minutes 75 minutes
Grade 5 Science 75 minutes 75 minutes
Grade 6 Social Studies 75 minutes 75 minutes
Grade 8 Science 75 minutes 75 minutes
American Government 90 minutes 90 minutes
American History 90 minutes 90 minutes
Physical Science 90 minutes 90 minutes
2.3 Scheduling Administrations
Districts and schools are able to establish their own administration schedules within the
published windows for both parts of the operational administration. However, the department
Page 7
Schedulesexpects students to complete Part 1, the Performance-Based Assessment (PBA), in one sitting
and Part 2, the End-of-Year (EOY) Test, in one sitting. Each part must be administered in the
designated test window; for example, the EOY cannot be administered in the PBA test window
for a student who may be on vacation during the EOY test window.
Students, including those with the extended time accommodation, are required to complete
their tests on the same day that they start their tests, e.g., if a student starts his or her test on
Monday, he or she must complete it that same Monday. The online Student Testing Site
enforces the rule that students must submit their online tests on the same day they start their
tests. Test coordinators and administrators are responsible for ensuring all students complete
their tests on the same day they start their tests, regardless of test mode. Some exceptions may
occur, such as students who become ill and unplanned testing interruptions (e.g., an
unplanned fire drill). Please see the “Make-Up Testing” section for guidance.
Schools may schedule more than one test session per test to accommodate all students who
will be testing. Online test sessions can be set up for more than one test, which allows students
who are taking different tests to test in the same computer lab at the same time. Paper test
sessions can also include test takers for more than one test. For example, a test administrator
can set up a test session for both American Government and American History. Students who
are taking either course can take their respective tests in the same computer lab or classroom
during the same test session. If students are receiving accommodations that may disturb other
students, such as a read aloud, they should be in a separate testing room.
There is no prescribed test order, and districts and schools can choose whether to administer
science first, then social studies, or vice versa. Additionally, districts and schools may elect to
administer both subjects on the same day. If a student is eligible for more than one test, the
department recommends that the student take one test per day. However, the department
will not prohibit the student from taking more than one test on the same day.
The testing times do not include the time required for administration preparations. For all test
administrations, the room should be free of “clues” that would aid the student in taking the test
(e.g., maps and charts). Test administrators should allow at least 20-30 minutes to prepare for
the test administration. For paper testers, the preparation includes the time needed to prepare
the testing room, distribute materials to students and read the scripted directions for starting
the administrations. For online testers, test administrators need to prepare the testing room,
establish test sessions, read scripted directions, assist students with signing into the test and
approve students to test.
The department expects online testing districts and schools to have the necessary online
technology requirements in place well in advance of the test window. Districts and schools
must not wait until the first day of the test window to prepare student devices for testing.
Online testing districts and schools should review the Technical Specifications Manual and
Secure Browser Installation Manual for detailed instructions on preparing for online testing.
The department strongly recommends that districts begin testing the first week of the window
and do not wait until the second week of each testing window to begin administering the
Science and Social Studies Tests. The department has scheduled 10 days for the Part 1–
Performance-Based Assessment window and 10 days for the Part 2–End-of-Year Test window to
Page 8
Schedulesallow flexibility when accommodating testers, especially those testing online and requiring the
use of school computer labs and technology. In-service and professional days may occur
during either 10-day testing window, but these days will reduce the number of test days
available to the school and district. There will be no modified testing schedules or extensions to
the published test windows.
2.4 Make-Up Testing
There are at least two scenarios for conducting make-up testing:
A student is absent on the day he or she was scheduled to take a test.
A student’s test session is interrupted and the student cannot complete the test during
his or her scheduled test session.
There is no formal make-up time. Make-ups are permitted as long as they are within each
respective testing window. Students must complete Part 1–Performance-Based Assessment
make-ups by the last day of the Part 1–Performance-Based Assessment window. Districts and
schools cannot administer Performance-Based Assessment make-ups during the Part 2–End-of-
Year Test window.
A student who is absent, or has a test interruption, is not required to resume his or her test with
other students who are taking the same test.
If a situation, such as a student becoming ill or an unexpected test interruption, results in
students having to resume testing at a later point, the district and school must be sure to
maintain test security.
IMPORTANT: Online testing districts that experience an interruption that prevents their students
from submitting tests on the same day the students start their tests must request that tests be
reopened. See the “Reopen a Test after Test Expiration” information in the Online Testing
section of this manual for guidance.
2.5 Breaks
Although it is permissible for test administrators to give students a brief break, test security must
be maintained throughout the break. Students should not talk during a break.
It is preferable that only one student at a time be allowed out of the testing room. Students
who wish to go to the restroom during the test must turn in all their testing materials to the test
administrator prior to leaving the room. For paper testers, this includes scratch paper, test
booklets, answer documents and special versions. If students are taking the Physical Science
Test, students must turn in handheld calculators before leaving the test room. For online testers,
students must turn in scratch paper and handheld calculators (if applicable). Online testers
must also pause their tests and should be mindful of the pause rule, which is addressed under
“Pausing the Test and the Pause Rule” in the Online Testing section of this manual.
Page 9
Schedules3. Test Security
One of the most important responsibilities of test coordinators, test administrators, monitors,
proctors and teachers is maintaining test security. At all times, the district’s and the state’s
written procedures for protecting secure test information must be followed. It is illegal and
unethical for anyone to reproduce or disclose any of the test content or cause the content to
be reproduced or disclosed in any format. Test security is vital to the successful administration
of the tests. All district and school personnel are responsible for ensuring the security of the
individual test questions. The responsibility to maintain the security of the test questions
continues even after the test concludes.
Under Ohio law, releasing any test questions or other contents of a test to students or helping
students cheat in any other way may result in an invalidation of test scores, termination of
employment, suspension of certificates to teach, and/or prosecution. Violations of test security
provisions in the district’s written procedures may be punishable by penalties specified by the
district.
All electronic devices (cell phone, iPod, iPads not being used for the test administration, etc.)
must be collected from students prior to the test administration. District and school personnel
must tell students that electronic devices (exclusive of those used for testing) are prohibited
during the test administration and will result in the test being invalidated with no opportunity to
retake the test. Having a prohibited electronic device during a test administration is a security
violation and will result in the test being invalidated. Test administrators, teachers, monitors and
proctors must set their cell phones to silent or vibrate mode and refrain from using their cell
phones during the test administration so as not to disturb the students.
Any person administering a test must be an employee of the district and hold a license,
certificate or permit issued by the Ohio Department of Education. During every administration,
a test administrator who meets these criteria must be in the room at all times. This person must
actively monitor students to ensure test security. If the test administrator must leave the room in
which the test is being administered, another test administrator who meets the criteria must be
called to be in the test room.
The ratio for testing purposes is one test administrator to 30 students in any testing room. For
any group of more than 30 students, a proctor or monitor must be in the room with the test
administrator. The proctor or monitor is not required to meet the criteria for administering a
test. A test administrator must be in each testing room, including rooms where small groups are
administered the tests or where accommodations are provided.
If district policy allows students to leave the room while testing is in progress, students must first
get permission from the test administrator. Districts and schools must follow the guidelines set
forth under “Breaks” in the Schedules section of this manual.
The following are security violations, which will need to be discussed with the department as
soon as the alleged violation is known. This is not an exhaustive list.
Page 10
Test SecurityBefore or during a test administration:
Reviewing a test booklet or a student’s answer document to review test content or
student responses;
Using a student’s login information to access an online test in order to review the test
content;
Reviewing the test and creating a study guide or in some way releasing the test
questions to students;
Describing the test questions in an email, or discussing the test questions with anyone;
Standing over a student who is taking the test and indicating in some manner that the
student’s answer is incorrect, blank or deficient;
Coaching a student in any manner to indicate the correct answer or any answer;
Posting any portion of the test content and/or a student response on social media
before, during or after the test administration.
After the administration:
Marking, tampering with or contaminating a student’s responses in any way, unless by a
scribe or test administrator with permission to transcribe the student’s responses with no
changes;
Failing to collect and securely shred any scratch paper that was provided to and used
by students during a test and that contains student writing;
Failing to account for and return any secure paper test materials;
Discussing test questions with colleagues or students after the test has been
administered, which may affect students who are tested on a later day;
Describing the test questions in an email or discussing the test questions with anyone.
At any point, if personnel believe that a violation of test security has occurred, he or she should
contact the building test coordinator about the alleged test security violation. The building test
coordinator should report the alleged security violation to the district test coordinator. The
district test coordinator will contact the department to discuss the situation. Information on
reporting test incidents to the department is available in the Ohio Statewide Assessment Rules
Book. Go to education.ohio.gov and search the following keywords: rules book.
Page 11
Test Security4. Ethical Use of Tests
Pursuant to the requirements of Amended Substitute House Bill 152 (July 1993), the State Board
of Education has adopted Standards for the Ethical Use of Tests (see Ohio Administrative Code
3301-7-01). These Standards guide those who are engaged at any stage of the testing process
in performing their responsibilities with honesty, integrity, due care and fairness to all. The
Standards ensure the integrity of the testing process and the reliability and validity of
inferences made from the test results.
The Standards are designed to govern testing practices related (but not limited) to state graduation
testing, standardized achievement testing and any other grade-level or age-level testing
conducted building-wide or district-wide.
The Standards are grouped according to the following stages of the testing process:
(1) standards associated with communicating the ethical standards to and monitoring the
educational practices of staff members who are assigned testing responsibilities,
(2) standards associated with practices in preparing students for a test, (3) standards associated
with administration and scoring of tests, and (4) standards associated with the interpretation
and/or use of test results.
Examples of ethical and unethical or inappropriate test practices are provided in the Standards
for the Ethical Use of Tests. These examples provide a guide for identifying general categories of
unethical practices that can occur at each stage of the testing process and can be helpful
during staff in-services related to testing. Some of these examples can be found below. These
examples are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible unethical practices. Good
professional judgment must be used when you are determining whether a testing practice not
listed in the Standards may be unethical. If you have any questions, please contact the
department. Please note that an unethical practice may also be a security violation.
Scenarios Related to the Standards for the Ethical Use of Tests
Is this activity or behavior an ethical practice? Yes No
Using the state-provided practice tests as the sole method of preparing students
X
for the tests without teaching the learning standards measured by the tests
Using the state-provided practice tests as an activity after students have
X
received instruction on the learning standards and item formats
Making a copy of the tests and/or preparing a student study guide based on the
X
tests
Preparing students for the tests by incorporating Ohio’s New Learning Standards
X
in the appropriate subject curriculum
Copying the vocabulary words from a secure published test that will be
X
administered and incorporating them into instruction
Changing answers that students have marked, written, typed or gridded in X
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Ethical Use of TestsIs this activity or behavior an ethical practice? Yes No
Using the results of the tests as one of the sources of information on which to
X
evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum
Hinting to a student to reconsider any answers given on a test X
Encouraging students who are under performing to stay home during the
administration of a standardized test and/or coding these lower-performing
X
students out of the district summaries so as to exclude their scores from being
reported to the public
Correcting student responses so as to ensure a student a place in a gifted
X
program
Setting a testing schedule that limits students from receiving the maximum time
X
allowed for the test
Providing teachers and counselors with information they need to interpret test
X
results
Revealing the test scores of one student to another student X
Page 13
Ethical Use of Tests5. Student Pre-ID and Test Eligibility
For the spring 2015 Science and Social Studies Tests, test coordinators must determine which
students are eligible to take each test and whether students will be testing online or on paper.
Test coordinators are responsible for communicating this information to test administrators.
5.1 Pre-ID
Districts must pre-identify all students who are taking Science or Social Studies Tests. When
doing so, districts will mark the student’s test mode: online (O) or paper (P) for each test the
student is eligible to take. Students with an online test mode will have access to the online
Student Testing Site for the Performance-Based Assessments (Part 1) and the End-of-Year Tests
(Part 2). Students with a paper test mode will receive Pre-ID labels for the Performance-Based
Assessments (Part 1) and the End-of-Year Tests (Part 2) if their records were successfully
submitted by the deadline listed in the Key Dates table in this manual.
If a student who is testing on paper does not receive a Pre-ID label because the student’s
record was not submitted by the deadline for receiving Pre-ID labels, during the test window
the test administrator must:
make sure that a generic label is applied to the student’s scorable document, and
verify that the student’s SSID, or Student ID (for chartered nonpublic and home-
schooled students only), is accurately bubbled on the demographic page.
NOTE: Student reporting is based on the demographic information in TIDE for online
administrations. AIR will use the student’s SSID, or Student ID for nonpublic and home-schooled
students, to link the student’s score data from the Part 1–Performance-Based Assessment and
the Part 2–End-of-Year Test with his or her demographics in TIDE. Failure to accurately Pre-ID
students will prevent the successful merge of student data for reporting.
5.1.1 SSIDs for Students Enrolled in Public Districts and Community Schools
Use of the SSID is required for all of Ohio’s statewide tests in public schools.
The use of SSID also applies to students who are not enrolled in public schools but who attend
chartered nonpublic schools and are on a scholarship program; see the next section for
students enrolled in chartered nonpublic schools.
5.1.2 Student IDs for Students Enrolled in Chartered Nonpublic Schools
Chartered nonpublic schools must contact the department for the four-letter school code that
they will use when creating and assigning Student IDs at the school. Test coordinators must use
the guidelines provided by the department to establish Student IDs for charted nonpublic
school student pre-identification and testing, and test coordinators will provide the IDs to test
administrators, as needed.
Chartered nonpublic schools with assigned student identifiers will enter those IDs in the SSID
field of the student’s Pre-ID record in TIDE. Paper testing students who are not pre-identified by
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Student Pre-ID and Test Eligibilitythe deadline listed in the Key Dates table and do not receive a Pre-ID label must bubble the
Student ID on the demographic page of their scorable documents and be pre-identified in
TIDE by the date listed in the Key Dates table in this manual.
Please note that chartered nonpublic students who are participating in an EdChoice,
Cleveland Voucher or Jon Peterson Scholarship already have an assigned SSID that they will
use for the statewide tests.
5.1.3 Home-Schooled Students
A home-schooled student who is receiving most of his or her education in a home-schooled
program but who is also enrolled in a public school in a course for which there is a
corresponding test is required to take that test. The home-schooled student who is enrolled in
a public school and taking a state test based on the enrolled course will be included in the
district’s aggregate. A home-schooled student who is enrolled only in a course in which there
is no statewide test (e.g., art) is not required to take any statewide tests but may do so if the
district permits it.
Home-schooled students who participate in the Science and Social Studies Tests must be pre-
identified by the district at the school where the student will physically take the test. Districts
that will be testing home-schooled students must contact the department to obtain Student
IDs for home-schooled students. A request form is available on the department’s website. Test
coordinators will provide the IDs to test administrators, as needed.
5.2 Test Eligibility for Elementary- and Middle-School Tests
Student eligibility for the elementary- and middle-school tests is based on the student’s
enrolled grade, as noted in the table below, as well as the test mode indicated when the
student is pre-identified.
Test Enrolled Grade
Grade 4 Social Studies Grade 4
Grade 5 Science Grade 5
Grade 6 Social Studies Grade 6
Grade 8 Science Grade 8
Except for accelerated testers, the online test(s) available in the Student Testing Site for a
student designated with an online test mode correspond with the student’s enrolled grade, as
listed in TIDE for online administrations (e.g., a fourth grader with an online test mode will only
see the Grade 4 Social Studies Test during the student sign-in process).
Students who are pre-identified as paper testers by the deadline listed in the Key Dates table
of this manual will receive a Pre-ID label for each test for which eligibility was marked. For
students who are testing on paper, district test coordinators must order test materials in TIDE for
the paper administrations that will be given at each grade level in each school building.
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Student Pre-ID and Test Eligibility5.3 Accelerated Testing
Students who are receiving accelerated instruction may be administered Science and Social
Studies Tests in corresponding subject(s). Ohio Revised Code states that all districts must have
a student acceleration policy. Testing rules for students subject to district student acceleration
policies may be found at education.ohio.gov; search the following keywords: Testing Policy for
Subject-Accelerated Students.
Student records can be marked for accelerated testing in the Science and Social Studies Pre-
ID layout, or using the View/Edit Students feature in TIDE for online administrations. Test
coordinators must also indicate the test mode (paper or online) in TIDE. If a student’s record is
marked for accelerated testing, the student’s test eligibility is based on the accelerated test
grade/subject and not the student’s enrolled grade.
For whole-grade accelerated students, the student’s enrolled grade should reflect the grade
to which the student is accelerated. Test coordinators do not need to flag a whole-grade
accelerated student’s record in TIDE for accelerated testing. For additional information, please
contact the department’s Office for Exceptional Children.
5.4 Test Eligibility for High-School Tests
First-time grade 9 students in school year 2014-15 are required to take the American History,
American Government and/or Physical Science Test if they are enrolled in a corresponding
course during the administration.
Grades 10, 11 and 12 students in school year 2014-15 are subject to the Ohio Graduation Tests
(OGT) for graduation. However, sophomores, juniors and seniors who are enrolled in a public
school and who are taking an American History or American Government course during the
spring semester must take the corresponding state tests due to the mandates in Amended
Substitute Senate Bill 165. This bill requires the instruction and testing of the historic documents
in American History and American Government.
The table below identifies which EMIS course codes correspond with each high-school test. If a
student is not enrolled in a course that has the same title as the test, the student should take
the test after the district determines that the student received instruction on the material
covered by the test.
Test Corresponding EMIS Course Code(s)
150300 Government (American)
American Government 150308 Government/Economics (American)
159950 Government & Politics (United States)
150810 History (American)
American History
152300 History (Integrated)
Physical Science 132220 Physical Sciences
In the online Student Testing Site, student access to each high-school end-of-course test for
science and social studies is based on the student’s corresponding “Test eligibility & mode”
fields from his or her Pre-ID record. Students may be eligible for more than one test as
appropriate.
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Student Pre-ID and Test EligibilityStudents who are pre-identified as paper testers by the deadline listed in the Key Dates table
of this manual will receive a Pre-ID label for each test for which eligibility was marked. For
students who are testing on paper, district test coordinators must order test materials in TIDE for
the paper administrations that will be given for each course in each school building.
Districts that operate on block schedules may only administer spring tests to students enrolled
in the specified course(s) during the spring test window. Students who completed a
corresponding EMIS course during the fall 2014 semester may not participate in the spring 2015
test administration. For additional guidance on high-school student participation in end-of-
course exams, consult the department’s website.
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Student Pre-ID and Test Eligibility6. Accessibility Features, Accommodations and Special Versions
6.1 What Are Accessibility Features?
Accessibility features are not accommodations. Accessibility features are tools or preferences,
available to any student, built into the test system or provided externally by test administrators
that help to ensure the inclusive, accessible and fair testing of the diversity of students being
tested.
6.2 Definition of an Accommodation
An accommodation is defined as a change in the testing environment, procedures or
presentation that does not alter what the test measures or the comparability of scores. The
purpose of accommodations is to enable students to participate in a test in a way that allows
knowledge and skills to be tested rather than disabilities. Refer to the section on
accommodations in the Ohio Statewide Assessment Program Rules Book. Go to
education.ohio.gov and search the following keywords: rules book.
6.3 Definition of a Student with Disabilities
A student with a documented disability is one who has been evaluated and found to meet
the eligibility criteria for enrollment in special education as defined by the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA ’04) or one who has a disability covered under Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
6.4 Definition of a Student Identified as an English Language Learner
The district or school must administer a two-step process to determine whether a student is an
English Language Learner. The two-step process includes the Home Language Survey and a
formal test. Note that the Ohio Test of English Language Acquisition (OTELA) is not the
appropriate test for determining whether a student is an English Language Learner.
Detailed procedures for the initial identification and testing of English Language Learners are
available on the department’s website under the following heading: Guidelines for the
Identification and Assessment of English Language Learners. An English Language Learner
generally:
is between the ages of 3 and 21;
is enrolled in an elementary or secondary school;
has a language other than English as the native/home language, whether born in the
U.S. or another country; and
has such difficulty speaking, reading, writing or understanding English that the student
may be unable to perform well enough in class or on state tests to meet expected state
standards for achievement.
Only students identified as English Language Learners through a formal test may receive
accommodations designated for English Language Learners.
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Accessibility Features, Accommodations and Special Versions6.5 Criteria for the Use of Accommodations
A student may require accommodations in test administration procedures if these
accommodations are consistent with what is regularly provided to the student for testing in the
classroom and are specified in the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan. If
the person providing the accommodation is also administering the statewide test, then that
person must be an employee of the school or district who holds a current permit, license or
certificate issued by the department.
Accommodations should facilitate participation by students with disabilities and/or English
Language Learners. However, any accommodation that gives a student an advantage is not
allowable because it does not allow valid assumptions to be made from the results.
The Ohio Administrative Code defines four criteria for allowable accommodations:
The accommodation must be typically afforded the student in the classroom for
classroom and district-wide tests and must be documented in the student’s IEP or 504
Plan.
The accommodation cannot change the content or structure of the test.
The accommodation cannot change what the test is intended to measure.
The accommodation cannot change or enhance the student’s response.
6.6 Accessibility Features, Accommodations and Special Versions Summary
A number of accessibility features, accommodations and special versions are available for
students taking the Science and Social Studies Tests. The tables that follow outline accessibility
features and special versions that are available to all students, including those that must be
identified in advance of testing, accommodations for students with disabilities and English
Language Learners and other accommodations. Note that the availability of features and
their implementation may depend on the student’s test mode, as listed below. When deciding
whether to offer features and accommodations during testing, consider the student’s prior use
of and experience with them.
6.6.1 Accessibility Features for All Students
The Student Testing Site offers a number of universal accessibility features, which are listed in
the “Online Testers” column. These features are available to all students who prefer to use
them. For paper testers, optional allowable equivalents are suggested in the “Paper Testers”
column.
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Accessibility Features, Accommodations and Special VersionsYou can also read
