[Bestplus] Getting started with Practice Tests

[Carey Reid]

Hi gang,

Here are answers to questions that have been coming in, either through
or outside the listserv.  Hopefully this information will get you
started on your practice testing.  Feel free to respond with questions,
suggestions, or corrections.

1.  Attached is a consent form.  I've designed it to cover both simple
testing and testing with video.  We'll be using the students' real names
(I don't recall any suggestion to the contrary in the TOT training), so
I want to get their permission even for non-videoed assessments. 

2.  After a few chats with CAL folks, I've got a better feel about how
data is managed and saved throughout the assessing process.  I recommend
the following steps (you can get fancier up the road, but this is the
KISS approach):

-  Call in your key code to CAL and get your release number for the 20
tests.

-  Use ONE computer for your 20 tests.  When you activate the 20
administrations with your red CD, the program interacts with THAT
computer.  To go to another computer, you would have to get ANOTHER
release number for another 20 tests (the minimum)r--not worth it.  The
data from your 20 tests is saved TO THAT COMPUTER, and NOT TO THE DISK. 


- When you have completed your 20 tests, you'll use the Score
Management Software to save the scores, and those will be saved to that
computer.  You save by highlighting the list of 20 students and
exporting them to either an Excel or Access file.    Send the score file
as an email attachment to best-plus at cal.org.  Include a bit of
information about you to orient the recipients.
 
- I recommend a two-save process:  As a cautious step, I would create a
temporary file folder somewhere on the computer, perhaps the desktop,
and save the scores to that file.  Second, I would copy to a floppy.  If
your computer is attached to the NET, the floppy won't be necessary
because you can email the file to CAL directly; if not, you'll have to
carry the floppy to a computer that does.

3.  Given all of the above, here's what I'm planning to do; you can
alter to suit your own situation and preferences:

- Use a laptop with both a CD and a floppy drawer (again, a computer
with a floppy drawer and/or Net access will do as well.)
- Create a temporary folder on the desktop.
- Have all students sign a consent form.
- Borrow a video camera and set it up myself for two of the tests, back
to back, and after I've gotten confident with the process and have two
learners lined up with different skill levels. 
- Save all scores to the temporary file after each session.
- When all done, save the scores in the temporary file to a floppy
disk.
- Send the scores by email attachment to CAL [the Action Steps Table
says CD is sent; that was an error, sorry.]
- Mail the video to CAL.

4.  Paying learners for testing.

If you plan to pay or reward learners for participating in your
practice tests, please contact your CAC (see directory).  Each regional
office is handling this differently (whether check, gift, or gift
certificate), though some might not have quite figured this out yet.

5.  Video help.

For those folks who still need video help, please contact me at
creid at worlded.org and I'll start teaming you up with someone who can
help you.  

My best,

Carey Reid
  
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