2018–19 CAASPP Online Test Administration Manual - Chapter 8 - Scripts for Administering Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments and the California Science Test to Students

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by Kurz

Chapter 8 provides scripted test administration directions for administering Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (ELA and mathematics) and the California Science Test (CAST) to students, emphasizing exact script compliance. It outlines pre-session tasks such as securing the testing environment, arranging seating, removing instructional materials, controlling student access to devices, providing headphones, and ensuring required resources are available. The guidance explains how to manage embedded versus non-embedded supports, respond to student questions without helping with test items, and maintain standardized administration using “SAY” directions and the “I made a mistake. Listen again.” correction procedure.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time1 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

Test Directions Overview

Tasks

Administer an Online Test Session

Online Assessments and Practice/Training Tests

2018–19 CAASPP Online Test Administration Manual Chapter 8. Scripts for Administering Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments and the California Science Test to Students Test Directions Overview Notes: • These instructions on how to begin a test session apply to administration of the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics, the California Science Test (CAST) . • The scripts that are read to students are in English for the Smarter Balanced and CAST. You must read the correct script for the test you are administering. • The Directions for Administration of the California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for ELA and Mathematics and the embedded performance tasks (PTs) for the CAA for Science, which include directions, can be downloaded from the password-protected Test Operations Management System (TOMS) . Tasks RECOMMENDATION: Consider printing this section to be used on the day of testing for both the computer adaptive test (CAT) and PT portions of each content area test. Remember that the CAT and PT portions are considered two unique tests and, as such, adherence to the process that follows is needed when initiating both tests. Before you administer a test session, verify that the following tasks have been completed: 􀂅 Verify the security of the testing environment prior to beginning a test session. ( Refer to the subsection Security of the Test Environment.) − Student seats are arranged in a way so they cannot see each other’s answers. − All displayed instructional materials (e.g., vocabulary charts, periodic tables, etc.) are covered or taken down. − Post “TESTING IN PROGRESS—DO NOT DISTURB” signs outside of the testing room. 􀂅 Ensure that students do not have access to digital, electronic, or manual devices (e.g. , cellphones, smart watches) during testing. 􀂅 Make sure each testing device or workstation has headphones. 􀂅 Verify that students have access to and use of the additional required resources specific to each assessment and content area (e.g. , scratch paper for all tests, headphones for ELA, graph paper for mathematics grades six and above) . Refer to the subsection Additional Required Resources for a complete list. 􀂅 Recommended: Launch secure browsers on all testing devices before students sit down to test. Note: With the exception of students in grades six and above with a documented accommodation in an IEP or Section 504 plan to use a non-embedded calculator on a mathematics assessment or students in grades five and eight and highschool taking a science assessment, students are expected to use the embedded calculator for calculator-allowed questions on the mathematics and science tests. To ensure that all students are tested under the same conditions, the test administrator should adhere strictly to the script for administering the test unless a student is assigned thenon-embedded designated support for Simplified Test Directions. The script can be found in the shaded boxes on pages in chapter 8. When asked, the test administrator should answer questions raised by students but should never help the class or individual students with specific test items. No test items can be read to any student for any content area, unless the student is assigned a Read-Aloud non-embedded designated support or accommodation as listed in the Smarter Balanced Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines. Please remember that the script must be followed exactly and used each time a test is administered, except for students who are assigned the Simplified Test Directions non-embedded designated support as described in the Smarter Balanced Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines. If the class is resuming a test and the test administrator is sure that all students are able to log on without hearing the logon directions again, the test administrator may skip the italicized portions of the directions. All directions

FAQs

What must a test administrator complete before starting an online test session?

Verify test-environment security, arrange seating so students can’t view each other’s answers, cover/remove displayed instructional materials, post “TESTING IN PROGRESS—DO NOT DISTURB” signs, limit student access to devices, provide headphones, and confirm access to additional required resources for each assessment and content area.

How should the test administrator handle the scripted directions when administering the test?

Read only the correct script for the administered test, follow the “SAY” directions exactly as written using a natural tone, answer student-raised questions without helping with specific test items, and if a mistake occurs in reading a direction, stop and say, “I made a mistake. Listen again,” then reread the direction.

What device and calculator requirements affect students during mathematics and science assessments?

Students are expected to use the embedded calculator for calculator-allowed questions on mathematics and science tests, except for specified accommodations that allow use of a non-embedded calculator or other non-embedded supports for certain grade levels and documented plans.

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by Kurz