This project is made possible through a grant from the US Department of Education's Enhanced Assessment Instruments program
Practice Tests:
Coming March 1st!
Project Home Page
Project Description
Examining the Feasibility, Effect and Capacity to Provide Universal Access through Computer-Based Testing. New Hampshire Department of Education.
This project seeks to examine the feasibility, effect, and capacity to deliver state achievement tests using a computer-based test delivery system specifically designed to provide universal access to test content for students with disabilities or special needs. The project will use a comprehensive test delivery system (NimbleTools®) that employs principles of universal design to flexibly meet the accessibility and accommodation needs of individual students. The project brings together 12 states to examine the feasibility and effect of using this comprehensive test delivery system to improve test validity for students with disabilities and special needs who are believed to benefit from one or more of the accessibility and accommodation tools built into the system.
Members of this collaborative project include: New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Montana, Iowa, Connecticut, Maryland, and Florida. In addition, the proposed project includes partnerships with the National Center for Educational Outcomes, Nimble Assessment Systems, and the NECAP state contractor (currently Measured Progress). This is a Grant for Enhanced Assessment Instruments funded by the U.S. Department of Education. January 2009 – October 2010
Spring 2010 NECAP Use of NimbleTools
Who is participating?
In the Spring of 2010, selected students from high schools in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island will participate in the project by using NimbleTools in the 4th, 8th, and 11th Grade NECAP Science Assessmenst. Based on the decision of teachers and test coordinators, students will have access to the following tools:
- Read Aloud Standard: reads text aloud
- Read Aloud Low Vision: reads text and describes graphics, tables, & diagrams (Grade 11 only)
- Tactile Overlays: tactile representations of selected diagrams (Grade 11 only)
- Background Music
- Magnification
- Color Overlay
- Reverse Contrast
- Choice of Font and Background Colors
- Masking
Detailed Descriptions of the tools
NimbleTools Orientation movies
How do I know if my school meets the minimum technology requirements?
In order to participate, your school must have Internet connected computers that meet the minimum technology requirements listed below:
- Windows: Intel Pentium 1.0 GHz or faster, 256 MB RAM, Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2, Vista
- Macintosh:
a) PowerPC G3 1.0 GHz or faster, 256 MB RAM, Mac OS X 10.4.10 or 10.5.x
b) Intel Core Duo 1.83 GHz or faster, 256 MB RAM, Mac OS X 10.4.10 or 10.5.
Which students can participate in this project?
Only those students who would be better able to access the science test content by using one or more of the above accessibility tools are allowed to participate. Students must also be listed in Measured Progress's student database to be eligible for participation. See below
Where do I go to download the NECAP Science Practice Test?
Right here! The grades 4, 8, and 11 NECAP Science Practice Test with released items is available from this site. Links will be available beginning March 1, 2010.
How will students know how to use NimbleTools and the accessibility tools?
There is a general NimbleTools orientation and specific accessibility tool orientations posted at http://www.nimbletools.com/necap/orientations.htm. Please have students view these orientations before taking the practice test.
How do I select accessibility tools for students to practice with?
After launching NimbleTools, you will see a screen where you can select accessibility tools. Click on the tools you would like the student to have access to for the practice test. If you would like to change the accessibility tool settings, just exit NimbleTools and restart.
Will the practice test be scored?
No, the purpose of the practice test is to have students become familiar with the accessibility features in NimbleTools. There will be a summary screen at the end of the testing session showing all students answers, you will have the ability to print this screen.
Do computers need Internet connectivity for the practice test?
You will need to have Internet connectivity to download NimbleTools onto school computers.
How many times should a student practice with NimbleTools?
The student should practice as many times as is appropriate for them to understand how to use the accessibility tools. We suggest that each student practices at least two times.
Will students answer all item types through NimbleTools?
No. Multiple choice, short answer, and an inquiry task will be included in the practice CD. For this Spring '10 project, all items will be presented to participating students via NimbleTools, but students will only respond to multiple-choice items online. All constructed response answers will be recorded in standard student answer booklets.
How long will students have to try NimbleTools?
Students will have between March 1st – May 10th to become familiar with the accessibility features included in this project. Teachers or test coordinators must register students to participate in the operational test use of NimbleTools by May 10th before 4:00 PM using the Administrative Tool interface. After May 10th, students can still practice using NimbleTools, but no new students can be registered to participate in the operational test use of NimbleTools.
How do I register students to use NimbleTools?
If your school meets the technology requirements and you have students who would both benefit from using NimbleTools and after practicing, the students want to use NimbleTools, you must register them for participation. By May 1st, teachers or test coordinators must register all participating students using the Administrative Tool. There are specific instructions on how to use the Administrative Tool at the Nimble Administrator Instructions page.
Who may register participating students and assign accommodations?
Access to the School Administrator Tool, which permits student registration and assignment of accommodations to specific students, is controlled by access to the school’s assigned password. Only those staff who are provided password access by the school principal will be able to register students and to use the online School Administrator Access Tools. Each school principal is responsible for securing and assigning the use of this NECAP Test Security password. It is the responsibility of the school principal to ensure that this password is used in a secure manner.
How do we get a login and password for the Administrative Tool?
The password is being mailed via the US Postal Service directly to all high school principals/directors, and will be attached as an additional (last) page to a printed form of this letter. These letters should arrive in schools on or before March 1st.
Which students are listed in the rosters available in the Administrative Tool?
All 4th, 8th, and 11th grade students in NH, VT, and RI that are currently in Measured Progress’s student database are listed in the administrative tool. Each school will only have access to their student names. The list of student names in the Administrator Tool will be updated twice between March 1st and May 10th to reflect changes and additions to student rosters. Only those students who are listed in the Administrative Tool are eligible to participate.
How Can I Get Help or Ask Questions?
If you have questions about NimbleTools or the specific accessibility tools, please go to the Detailed Description of Tools page. If you have further questions, please email Jen Higgins at jen@nimbletools.com.
Please send your comments to uaa@nimbletools.com