DPI Memos

NDDPI State Assessment Memo 2011-12 #5

September 14, 2011

TO: School District Superintendents, Public School Principals, Private School Administrators, Special Education Directors, School District Testing Coordinators

FROM: Rob Bauer, State Assessment Coordinator; Laurie Matzke, State Title I Director

RE: Testing Reminders for Title I Students

As we near the dates for our annual North Dakota State Assessment (NDSA), we thought it would be an opportune time to provide school personnel with some reminders regarding the testing circumstances for all students, with special emphasis on Title I students.

The Test Coordinator’s Manual provides those practices that should be followed throughout the administration of the NDSA. Please thoroughly review these instructions to ensure that all students, including Title 1 students, are offered the most appropriate setting and supports for a beneficial test experience. The Test Coordinator’s Manual is posted at http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/testing/assess/index.shtm As you prepare for your test administration, please note the the following.

1. Accommodations – Accommodations are specific, privileged practices currently allowed for students on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), those students who have a Section 504 Accommodation Plan, and those students with Limited English Proficiency, as prescribed in the Test Coordinator’s Manual. Most students, including Title I students, are not entitled to accommodations, unless they hold a documented accommodation plan previously specified.

2. Some students, including some Title I students have a better understanding of the written word if the student reads the material aloud. The North Dakota State Assessment may be administered individually to any student, including a Title I student, in a private room where the student may read the assessment passages aloud. Only one student is allowed in each testing room at one time. The supervisor in the room may NOT communicate with the student outside of the standard directions provided to all students.

3. In addition, if any student, including a Title I student, displays behavior that may be distracting to others in a testing situation, that student may also be assigned a private room for testing, if staffing and rooms are available.

Questions concerning the NDSA should be addressed to Rob Bauer at rbauer@nd.gov or 701-328-2224.
Questions specific to Title I should be addressed to Laurie Matzke at lmatzke@nd.gov or 701-328-2284.