DPI Memos

October 25, 2011

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

FROM: Robert Bauer, Coordinator of North Dakota State Assessment

RE: Test Alert - Grade 7 Mathematics Test Item

The Department of Public Instruction has been alerted to a layout issue that affects one test item on the North Dakota State Assessment Grade 7 mathematics assessment.  I write to alert you to this situation and to advise you on instructions regarding this matter. This alert concerns only the Grade 7 mathematics test. No other grade or subject tests are affected by this limited layout error.

In the Grade 7 test booklet (Mathematics, Part 4, Item 58: Parts 1 and 2 on Page 26), a printing layout error has resulted in an insufficient space to allow for a student's response. After consulting with CTB/McGraw-Hill, the Department of Public Instruction wishes to inform you of this layout error and to provide the following instructions.

During the administration of the Grade 7 mathematics assessment, Part 4, the Department of Public Instruction recommends that proctors inform students that test item 58, including both Parts 1 and 2, on Page 26, should be disregarded and passed over. Proctors may instruct students to strike through the entire page for this test item in advance of taking the test.  Proctors may also monitor students' efforts to ensure that no student encounters uncertainty or frustration from this test item.

The Department of Public Instruction has instructed CTB/McGraw-Hill to ensure that no student or school will be affected adversely by the scoring of this item.

If you have any questions concerning this limited matter, please contact either the CTB North Dakota Service Center (800-282-9988) or me.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Access all State Assessment Memos and other assessment information at http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/testing/assess/index.shtm

Heidi Bergland

Department of Public Instruction

Standards & Achievement Unit

600 E. Blvd. Ave.

Dept. 201

Bismarck, ND 58505-0440

(701) 328-2317 (voice)

(701) 328-0205 (fax)

www.dpi.state.nd.us