Administering the Test
The pressure to meet testing standards has led to some TAKS cheating incidents. Below are some
highlights from the 2008
District & Campus Coordinator Manual that will guide you in proper TAKS administration.
Dictionaries
-
Dictionaries not allowed
Grades 3–6, all subjects
Grade 7 reading and mathematics
Grade 8, all subjects
Grade 9 mathematics
Grade 10 and exit-level mathematics, social studies and science
-
English-language dictionary MUST be
provided*
Grade 7 writing**
Grade 9 reading
Grade 10 English language arts**
Exit-level English language arts**
*There must be at least one dictionary for
every five examinees. Examinees may also use a thesaurus or a combination
dictionary/thesaurus.
**Examinees may not use a dictionary on
the revising and editing portion of either the Grade 7 writing test or the
Grade 10 and exit-level ELA tests.
Calculators
*Districts must provide each examinee with a
graphing calculator for the entire administration. Students may use their
own calculators. Any graphing calculator may be used except one with a
typewriter-style keypad (known as QWERTY) or one that includes a computer
algebra system (CAS). All types of memory, including standard memory, ROM
and Flash ROM, must be cleared to factory default both before and after
testing. In addition, any programs or applications must be removed prior
to the test administration.
**Examinees must have access to
four-function, scientific or graphing calculators. There must be at least
one calculator for every five examinees. Students may use their own
calculators. Guidelines for calculator use in the science portion of the
test are the same as for the math portion. Examinees may share calculators
on the science tests, but the calculator’s memory must be cleared after
each examinee uses it.
Mathematics chart
Each examinee must be provided the state-supplied mathematics chart to use
during the TAKS mathematics tests. The chart is also printed in each test
booklet.
Science chart
Each examinee for the science test at Grades 8, 10 and exit-level must be
provided a state-supplied science chart with ruler.
Rulers
Each examinee for the science test at Grades 5, 8, 10 and exit-level must be provided a state-supplied ruler.
No other rulers may be used during the test.
Scratch paper
TAKS examinees are not allowed to use scratch paper or write on the
separate mathematics chart, science chart or ruler. Examinees may make
notes or work problems in their test booklets.
Highlighters and Colored Pencils
Examinees may be allowed to use highlighters and colored pencils in
nonscorable test booklets to emphasize important information on a
subject-area test.
Allowable
Accommodations
The decision to use a particular accommodation with a student should be
made on an individual basis and should take into consideration both the
needs of the student and whether the student routinely receives the
accommodation in classroom instruction and testing. If a student
receives special education services, all accommodations must be
documented in the student’s individualized education program (IEP).
-
Signing/Translating Oral Instructions
Instructions given orally before or after the test may be either
signed to an examinee who is deaf or hard-of-hearing or translated
into the native language of an examinee with limited English
proficiency.
-
Signing the Writing Prompt
The writing prompt may be signed to an examinee who is deaf or
hard-of-hearing, but no elaboration on the prompt may be provided.
-
Colored Transparency/Place Marker/Magnifying Device
An examinee may place a colored transparency or a magnifying device
over the test or use a blank place marker with the test and the
answer document.
-
Small-Group/Individual Administration
An examinee may be tested in a small group or receive an individual
administration. In an individual administration the examinee may
read aloud while working or read the test into a tape recorder
during testing and play it back while working. A test administrator
must be present in the testing room at all times. All tape
recordings must be returned with the nonscorable materials.
- Large
Print/Braille
An examinee may use a large-print or Braille version of the test.
-
Methods of Response
If an examinee has a temporary or permanent disabling condition that
interferes with his or her ability to record machine-scorable
responses, the examinee may respond orally to test items, mark
responses in the test booklet or type responses. Test responses must
be transcribed by the test administrator to the answer document.
-
Tape-Recorded Written Composition and Responses to Open-Ended Items
An examinee may have a temporary or permanent disabling condition
that interferes with his or her ability to write the composition or
the responses to open-ended test items. In these circumstances the
examinee may tape-record the responses or essay while composing and
then play the tape back for the test administrator to transcribe on
the answer document, noting spelling, capitalization and
punctuation. Afterward, the examinee must be allowed to read over
the responses or essay and indicate where he or she would like to
make corrections. All tape recordings must be turned in with the
nonscorable materials.
- Typed
Written Composition and Responses to Open-Ended Items
An eligible examinee may type the written composition or the
responses to open-ended test items on a typewriter or a computer but
may not use the computer’s spell-check feature or save the document.
The test administrator must transcribe the composition on the answer
document. The typed version of the work must be returned with the
nonscorable materials.
Unallowable Accommodations
-
Reading assistance
Providing reading assistance on TAKS is not allowed, with the
exception of Grade 3 mathematics. (Any student can request the test
administrator to read a question, but assistance cannot be given to
read an answer.)
-
Reference Materials
Using foreign-language reference materials/dictionaries is not
allowed at any grade level.
-
Calculators
Calculators on the mathematics tests at Grades 3–8 and the science
test at Grade 5 is not allowed. (See
Materials for TAKS Testing for acceptable calculator usage.)
-
Translating
Translating any test item into another language is not allowed.
-
Rephrasing or Clarifying Test Questions
You may not rephrase or clarify test questions, answer choices,
selections or writing prompts.
Restroom
breaks
During breaks, examinees must not discuss the contents of the test, and
test booklets must be closed with answer documents inside.
At Grades 5–10 and exit-level, allow only one examinee at a time to take
a break.
At Grades 3 and 4, the entire class may take a break if necessary.
Lunch
Examinees should place their answer document inside their test booklets.
The test administrator must collect all test booklets and place them in
locked storage. Examinees must not discuss the contents of the test.
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