[Massachusetts Department of Education Star Logo]

Principal's Administration Manual: 
IDEA Proficiency Test (IPT) 
Spring 2008 

Spring 2008 IPT Calendar of Events 

Date					Event 
February 25-March 19 		Administration dates for MELA-O 
March 3 				Deadline to receive IPT materials 
March 3-19 				Administration dates for IPT, grades K-2 
March 20 				Deadline to schedule UPS pickup of IPT materials 
March 21 				Deadline for UPS pickup of IPT materials 

Important Contact Information 

MCAS Service Center 
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. 
Telephone: 800-737-5103 
Web: www.mcasservicecenter.com 
(Use this Web site to schedule UPS pickup of test materials.) 

Massachusetts Department of Education 
Student Assessment Services 
Web: www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/mepa 
E-mail: mcas@doe.mass.edu 
Telephone: 781-338-3625 

[Massachusetts Department of Education Star Logo]

This document was prepared by the 
Massachusetts Department of Education 

Jeffrey Nellhaus 
Acting Commissioner of Education 

The Massachusetts Department of Education, an affirmative action employer, is committed to ensuring that all of its programs and facilities are accessible to all members of the public. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. 
Inquiries regarding the Department's compliance with Title IX and other civil rights laws may be directed to the Human Resources Director, 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148 781-338-6105. 

2008 Massachusetts Department of Education 
Permission is hereby granted to copy any or all parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes. Please credit the "Massachusetts Department of Education." 

This document printed on recycled paper 

Massachusetts Department of Education 
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5023 
Phone 781-338-3000 TTY: N.E.T. Relay 800-439-2370 
www.doe.mass.edu 

[State Seal of Massachusetts] 
Table of Contents 

Part I: Overview of IPT...................................................................... 2 

Part II: Test Security Requirements...........................................................2 
1. Approved Resource Materials...............................................................2 
2. Unapproved Resource Materials............................................................2 

Part III: Participation of LEP Students in IPT.............................................. 3 
1. LEP Students Required to Participate in IPT..............................................3 
2. LEP Students Who Will Not Participate in IPT............................................ 3
3. LEP Student Participation in IPT, MEPA-R/W, and MELA-O.....................................3
4. LEP Students with Disabilities............................................4
Part IV: IPT Administration Policies and Procedures......................................... 5 
1. Testing Time............................................................................ 6 
2. Sample Test Items.......................................6
3. Designating and Meeting with Test Administrators.......................................6

Part V: Tasks to Complete BEFORE Test Administration......................................6 
1. Receive IPT Materials...................................................................6 
2. Inventory Materials and Complete the Materials Summary............................. 7 
3. Apply Student ID Labels to Test Booklets.......................................... 7
4. Store Materials Securely until Test Administration.....................7

Part VI: Tasks to Complete DURING Test Administration.................................... 7 

Part VII: Tasks to Complete AFTER Test Administration......................................7 
1. Verify All IPT Materials Have Been Returned............................................7 
2. Complete Student Information Booklets.................................8
3. Complete the Materials Summary.................................8
4. Complete the Principal’s Certification of Proper Test Administration (PCPA) ..............9
5. Pack Materials for Return.................................9
6. Schedule UPS Pickup of Test Materials.................................10
7. Retain Copies of Certain Documents.................................10
8. Recycle or Discard Certain Materials.................................10



Part I Overview of IPT 

Title III of the No Child Left Behind law requires that all LEP students in grades K-12 be tested annually on their performance and progress in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. Since 2004, the Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment-Reading and Writing (MEPA-R/W) has been used to assess LEP students in grades 3-12 in reading and writing, and the Massachusetts English Language Assessment-Oral (MELA-O) has been used to assess students in grades K-12 in listening and speaking. 

The Department has been informed by the U.S. Department of Education that the Commonwealth must 
test LEP students in grades K-2 in reading and writing. Accordingly, LEP students in grades K-2 in Title III districts must participate in reading and writing using the IDEA Proficiency Test (IPT). 

The IPT is produced by Ballard & Tighe, a private test company, and was developed specifically for students with limited English proficiency. Massachusetts will use the IPT Early Literacy Reading and Writing tests for LEP students in grades K-1 and the IPT-1 Reading and Writing tests for LEP students in grade 2. 




Part II Test Security Requirements 

IPT test booklets and Test Administrator's Manuals are secure materials that must be kept in a locked storage space when they are not being used and must be returned to the contractor as instructed after testing. Principals, test administrators designated by the principal, and students (during testing) are the only individuals allowed access to IPT materials. Principals and test administrators must follow the same test security policies and procedures described in part I of the MEPA Principal's Administration Manual: Spring 2008. 
If questions arise concerning test security or if any situation occurs that could compromise any part of the test administration process, call the Department of Education immediately at 
781-338-3625. 

1. Approved Resource Materials 
During testing, students may use only the following resource materials: 
*  #2 pencils 
*  erasers 
*  5" x 8" card or blank sheet of paper (used as a place marker by students taking the grades 
K-1 
Reading test and part 1 of the grades K-1 Writing test only) 

2. Unapproved Resource Materials 
Unapproved resource materials include, but are not limited to, the following: 
*  bilingual word-to-word dictionaries 
*  English-language dictionaries 
*  notebooks 
*  textbooks 
*  electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, music players, PDAs, pocket translators) 
*  computers 
*  editing devices (e.g., spelling or grammar checkers) 
*  graphic organizers 
*  thesauruses, encyclopedias 
 


Part III Participation of LEP Students in IPT 

1. LEP Students Required to Participate in IPT 
Only students in grades K-2 who were reported as LEP in the October SIMS and for whom the 
school received a set of Student ID Labels will participate in IPT testing. 
If a student who is required to participate is absent on the date scheduled for IPT and is unable to participate in a make-up session, he or she still must participate in MELA-O. Refer to part VII for information about submitting MELA-O scores for a student who is absent for the IPT. 

2. LEP Students Who Will Not Participate in IPT 
The following groups of students will not participate in IPT: 
*  LEP students in K-2 who were not reported at your school as LEP in the October SIMS 
LEP students not reported as LEP in October SIMS (e.g., new to the school) are not required to 
participate. However, these LEP students must participate in MELA-O, and their MELA-O scores 
must be submitted via the Department's Security Portal. (Information regarding the submission of 
these scores will be provided under separate cover.) 
*  LEP students with disabilities in K-2 who require an alternate assessment 
An alternate assessment is not available. However, LEP students with disabilities who require an 
alternate assessment must participate in MELA-O, and their MELA-O scores must be submitted 
on the Student Information Booklet. 
*  LEP students in grade 3 
Although some IPT materials are identified as grades 2-3 on the cover, grade 3 LEP students do not participate in IPT. Grade 3 LEP students participate in reading and writing tests through MEPA-R/W. 

3. LEP Student Participation in IPT, MEPA-R/W, and MELA-O 
The table below summarizes the participation of LEP students in the IPT, MEPA-R/W, and MELA-O 
tests in spring 2008 (X = required to participate). 

Grade Enrollment Status 				Participation in 		Participation in
								Reading and Writing 	Speaking and
								tests 			Listening test 
								IPT		MEPA-R/W	(MELA-O)*
K 	Student was reported as LEP in October	X 				X
	SIMS 
	Student is LEP but was not reported as 
	LEP in October SIMS 								X 
1 	Student was reported as LEP in October 
	SIMS 							X 				X 
	Student is LEP but was not reported as 
	LEP in October SIMS 								X 
2 	Student was reported as LEP in October 
	SIMS 							X 				X 
	Student is LEP but was not reported as 
	LEP in October SIMS 								X 
3-12 										X 		X 

* MELA-O scores are reported on the Student Information Booklet for students in grades K-2 who were reported as LEP in the October SIMS. For all other K-2 students, MELA-O scores are reported through the DOE Security Portal. 
MELA-O scores are reported on the MEPA-R/W answer booklet for LEP students in grades 3-12. 

4. LEP Students with Disabilities 
LEP students with disabilities are entitled to accommodations on the IPT, as described on the following pages. A test accommodation must be given to an LEP student with a disability who is on an IEP or 504 at the time of testing, if the accommodation is routinely used by the student during reading and writing instruction. Nonstandard accommodations are not available for the IPT. Accommodations may not be used by non-disabled LEP students. 
All LEP students with disabilities requiring test accommodations listed in Section A below are required to participate in IPT. Students requiring test accommodations listed in Section B are not required to participate in IPT, unless they are able to participate using an appropriate alternative accommodation (e.g., reading the Writing test to a student who routinely uses an electronic text reader). 


A. Test Accommodations Available for IPT 
1. Frequent Breaks: The test is administered in short periods with frequent breaks. 
2. Time of Day: The test is administered at a time of day that takes into account the student's medical or learning needs (IEP or 504 plan must specify time of day). 
3. Small Group: The test is administered in small group setting (no more than 10 students). 
4. Separate Setting: The test is administered in a room other than the one used by the rest of the class. 
5. Individual: The test is administered to the student individually. 
6. Specified Area: The test is administered with the student seated at the front or other specified area of the room, in a study carrel, or in another enclosed area (IEP or 504 plan must specify where). 
7. Familiar Test Administrator: The test is administered by a test administrator familiar to the student. 
8. Noise Buffers: The student wears noise buffers, after test administration instructions have been read (head phones with music playing are not allowed). 
9. Magnification or Overlays: The student uses magnifying equipment, enlargement devices, colored visual overlays, or specially tinted lenses (IEP or 504 plan must specify which). 
10. Test Directions: The test administrator clarifies general administration instructions. 
13. Place Marker: The student uses a place marker. 
Because students in grades K-1 receive a place marker during the administration of the Reading test and for certain portions of the Writing test, accommodation 13 is not considered an accommodation for these students. Students in grade 2 may receive this accommodation, if necessary, and the circle for accommodation 13 should be filled in on the Student Information Booklet. 
14. Track Test Items: The test administrator assists the student in tracking test items or by redirecting the student's attention to the test. 
15. Amplification: The student uses sound amplification equipment. 
16. Test Administrator Reads Test Aloud: The test administration reads the Writing test items to the student. (The Reading test may not be read aloud to any student.) 
Accommodation 16 is only available to students in grade 2 for the Writing test only. Students in 
grades K-1 may not receive accommodation 16.
19. Scribe Test (Reading Test only): The student dictates responses to a scribe. 
20. Graphic Organizer or Checklist: The student uses a generic graphic organizer or checklist for written responses. 
21. Student Signs or Reads Test Aloud: The student reads the test aloud to himself or herself. The test must be administered in a separate setting. 
22. Monitor Placement of Responses: The test administrator monitors placement of student responses in the student's booklet. 
24. Answers Recorded in Test Booklet: The student records answers directly in the test booklet. 
Because all students record their answers directly in their test booklets, accommodation 24 is not considered an accommodation for IPT. 
25. Other Standard Accommodation 
Prior to test administration, the principal or designee must notify (and may consult with) the 
Department when a standard accommodation not on the above list is being considered for a student 
with a disability. Please call Student Assessment Services at 781-338-3625. 


B. Test Accommodations NOT Available for IPT 
11. Large-Print 
12. Braille 
17. Test Administrator Signs Test 
18. Electronic Text Reader for Writing Test 
23. Word Processor 
26. Test Administrator Reads Reading Test Aloud 
27. Test Administrator Signs Reading Test for a Student Who Is Deaf or Hard of Hearing 
28. Electronic Text Reader for Reading Test 
29. Scribe Writing Test 
30. Calculation Devices 
31. Spell- or Grammar-Checking Function on Word Processor, Spell-Checking Device, or Word 
Prediction Software for Writing Test 




Part IV IPT Administration Policies and Procedures 

1. Testing Time 
IPT tests are untimed. However, no test may extend beyond the end of the regular school day, and each test must be completed on the same day on which it begins. General time guidelines are shown below for planning purposes. 

Grades K-1 Reading	30-45 minutes (less time is needed for testing kindergarteners because 					they do not take all parts of the test) 
Grades K-1 Writing	10-30 minutes (less time is needed for testing kindergarteners because 					they do not take all parts of the test) 
Grade 2 Reading		45-80 minutes 
Grade 2 Writing 		25-60 minutes 

The Reading and Writing tests must not be given in one sitting, and it is recommended that each test be given on a different day. It is recommended that the K-1 Reading test be given in two separate sessions, with a break between parts 5 and 6. 
More detailed information regarding testing time, including approximate times for each part, is provided in the Test Administrator's Manuals. 

2. Sample Test Items 
Sample test items are available online at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/mepa/?section=admin. Principals may print copies of the sample test items from this Web page for use in their school. 

3. Designating and Meeting with Test Administrators 
It is the responsibility of the principal to designate test administrators. Test administrators must be fluent in English and able to pronounce words clearly in English. To the extent possible, test administrators should be licensed classroom teachers working in the school. When necessary, other education professionals, such as administrators employed by the school or district, may be designated to serve as test administrators. Individuals prohibited from being test administrators include anyone not employed by the district and anyone who is not an education professional. 

The principal should meet with designated test administrators before test administration to explain the test administration procedures that will be followed at the school. Following is a list of essential topics that must be covered at the meeting. 

*  test security requirements 
*  the school's testing schedule 
*  accommodations for students with disabilities 
*  application of Student ID Labels to test materials 
*  student use of a 5" x 8" card or piece of blank paper as a place holder for the grades K-1 Reading test and part 1 of the grades K-1 Writing test 
*  test administrator use of a copy of the test booklet during testing 
*  administration of the K-1 tests in a small-group setting (no more than five students) 
*  administer the grade 2 Writing test in the grade 2 Writing test booklet only (please see Part VI below) 



Part V Tasks to Complete BEFORE Test Administration 

1. Receive IPT Materials 
IPT materials will arrive by March 3, 2008. Depending on the grades to be tested at the school, principals can expect to receive the following materials in their shipment: 

*  Resealable Student Test Materials Bag 
*  IPT 1 Reading Test Booklet, Grade 2 
*  IPT Early Literacy Reading Test Booklet, Grades K-1 
*  IPT 1 Writing Test Booklet, Grade 2 
*  IPT Early Literacy Writing Test Booklet, Grades K-1 
*  IPT Spring 2008 Student Information Booklet 
*  Materials Summary 
*  Principal's Administration Manual: IPT, Spring 2008 
*  Principal's Certification of Proper Test Administration 
*  Return Envelope(s), Grade 2 
*  Return Envelope(s), Grades K-1 
*  Return Shipping Instructions with Pre-Printed UPS Label(s) 
*  Student ID Labels 
*  Test Administrator's Manual: IPT, Spring 2008, Grade 2 
*  Test Administrator's Manual: IPT, Spring 2008, Grades K-1 
*  Void Envelope(s), Grade 2 
*  Void Envelope(s), Grades K-1 
 
2. Inventory Materials and Complete the Materials Summary 
Complete the Materials Summary to indicate the quantity of materials received. If there is a discrepancy between the totals listed as shipped on the Materials Summary and the counts from your inventory of materials, or if you have any other problem with your shipment, immediately call the Service Center at 800-737-5103. 

3. Apply Student ID Labels to Test Booklets 
For each student reported as LEP in the October SIMS, you will receive a set of Student ID Labels. 
Before test administration, apply a Student ID Label to a Reading test booklet and a Writing test booklet for each student who will participate in the test, according to the following instructions: 
*  For the grades K-1 Reading and Writing test booklets and the grade 2 Writing test booklet, apply Student ID Labels directly over the student information requested on the right side of the front cover of the booklet. Do not fill out the student information on the front cover. 
*  For the grade 2 Reading test booklet, apply Student ID Labels centered in the box on the left side of the front cover of the booklet. Do not fill out or bubble in any other information on the front cover. 

NOTE: Do not forward Student ID Labels for students who have moved to another school within your 
district, and do not use any Student ID Labels that were shipped to another school within your district. The district/school code printed on the Student ID Label must correspond with the school in which the student is currently enrolled. 

4. Store Materials Securely until Test Administration 
Retain all original shipping cartons for return of test materials following test administration. 




Part VI Tasks to Complete DURING Test Administration 

Immediately before test administration, distribute the necessary test materials for that day to each test administrator. Refer to the Test Administrator's Manuals for specific list of materials necessary for each test. Each test administrator receives a copy of the test booklet when administering the test. 

Securely store test materials between sessions and at the end of each day of testing. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Part 1 of the IPT-1 Writing test appears in both the IPT-1 Writing test booklet, as well as on the last page (p. 16) of the IPT-1 Reading test booklet. Students should answer the Part 1 Writing questions on page 1 of the Writing test booklet only; please do not allow students to answer the writing questions that appear in the Reading test booklet. 




Part VII Tasks to Complete AFTER Test Administration 

1. Verify All IPT Materials Have Been Returned 

Verify that all IPT materials have been returned by your test administrators. You must be able to account for and return all secure materials according to the instructions in this manual. 

2. Complete Student Information Booklets 

a) For each LEP student required to participate, complete the front cover of a Student Information Booklet, according to the following instructions: 
*  Apply a Student ID Label where indicated. 
*  Print your School Name and District Name in the box at the top of the page. 
*  Print the student's Last Name, First Name, and Middle Initial (MI) in the Student Name Grid. 
(Fill in the corresponding circles ONLY if the Student ID Label is damaged.) 
*  Fill in the Grade circle to indicate the grade the student is enrolled in and as reported to SIMS. 
*  Leave the Birthdate and State-Assigned Student Identifier sections blank. (Complete these 
sections and fill in the corresponding circles ONLY if the Student ID Label is damaged.) 

b) Complete pages 2-3 of the Student Information Booklet according to the following instructions: 
*  Accommodations for Students with Disabilities 
Fill in the circle to indicate the accommodations provided to the student. Note that some 
accommodations are unavailable for IPT, and some accommodations are required for use by 
all students. The circles for these accommodations are pre-filled so that they cannot be filled 
in by schools. 
*  Not Tested Status: IPT 
If a student was not tested on IPT, indicate the reason by filling in the appropriate circle. 
*  MELA-O Student Scores 
Fill in the circles that indicate the student's spring 2008 MELA-O scores for Listening 
(Comprehension) and for each of the four Speaking (Production) areas. 
*  Not Tested Status: MELA-O 
If a student did not participate in MELA-O, indicate the reason by filling in the appropriate circle. 
*  Reason for Being Removed from Enrollment 
Fill in the circle corresponding to the reason the student was removed from your school's 
enrollment during the testing window (February 25-March 19) and did not complete the IPT 
or the MELA-O. 
*  Void Answer Booklet 
Fill in the circle for a booklet that was assigned to a student but should not be scored. 

c) Do not fill in any circles or make any marks on page 4. Page 4 is for contractor use ONLY. 
Test administrators must not attempt to score IPT assessments. 

3. Complete the Materials Summary 
For each grade span tested at your school, account for all materials received and returned by completing the Materials Summary according to the "After Testing" directions on the form. Make a copy of the completed form for your records. 

4. Complete the Principal's Certification of Proper Test Administration (PCPA) 
For each grade span tested at your school, complete the PCPA that was included in your test materials shipment to certify that proper test administration procedures were followed. Read and sign the PCPA(s), then make a copy of the completed form(s) for your records. You will return the signed copy of the PCPA(s) with your return shipment of test materials. 

5. Pack Materials for Return 
a) For each student who participated in IPT, put the following three documents into an individual Resealable Student Test Materials Bag: 
*  IPT Reading Test Booklet 
*  IPT Writing Test Booklet 
*  Student Information Booklet 

NOTE: If all three documents listed above are not returned for a student, the student will 
receive an incomplete score. 

b) For a student who was not tested on IPT due to one of the reasons listed in the Not Tested Status: IPT section of the Student Information Booklet or because he or she was removed from your school's enrollment during the testing window, place only the Student Information Booklet into a Resealable Student Test Materials Bag. Make sure that the appropriate circles in the Not Test Status: IPT or Reason for Being Removed from Enrollment sections are filled in, and that the student's MELA-O scores have been filled in if he or she participated in MELA-O. 
c) Sort the individual Resealable Student Test Materials Bags you packed in steps (a) and (b) above into two groups: one for grade span K-1 and one for grade 2. 
d) Place the individual Resealable Student Test Materials Bags for grade span K-1 and grade 2 into their respective grade-specific Return Envelope(s). 
e) Place all void Student Information Booklets for grades K-1 and grade 2 into their respective 
grade-specific Void Envelope(s). 
f) Pack grade span K-1 and grade 2 materials separately for return in the boxes in which you 
received your test materials. Pack the boxes from bottom to top according to the list below: 

*  Unused Resealable Student Test Materials Bags (on the bottom of the first carton) 
*  Unused Student ID Labels 
*  Unused Student Information Booklets 
*  Unused IPT test booklets 
*  Void IPT test booklets 
*  Void Envelope containing void Student Information Booklets 
*  Return Envelope(s) containing Resealable Student Test Materials Bags 
*  Completed PCPA 
*  Completed Materials Summary (on top of the last carton for that grade or grade span) 
*  Unused UPS return labels 

g) When you finish packing one type of material, pack another directly on top. Do not group 
materials in paper bands. 
h) Fill any empty spaces at the top of the cartons with bubble wrap or crumpled paper to keep items 
from shifting during shipping. Do not use plastic peanuts or shredded paper. 
i) Seal each packed carton using heavy-duty packing tape. 
j) Place a UPS Ground label (included with your test materials shipment) on the top of each return materials carton. 

6. Schedule UPS Pickup of Test Materials 
Schedule UPS pickup of test materials no later than 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 20. 
All test materials must be picked up by UPS no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 21. If your 
materials are ready for return earlier than the deadline, you are encouraged to schedule a UPS pickup as soon as the materials are ready for shipment. 
To schedule your pickup, locate the Return Service tracking number from one of your UPS Ground labels and have that information available when you schedule your UPS pickup through one of the methods listed below. Do not schedule a separate pickup for each box. 

Web 	Go to www.mcasservicecenter.com. Click on "MEPA" and then select "UPS Pickup 
Request" from the menu on the left side of your screen. Follow the on-screen instructions 
to complete your request. 
Note: Be sure to select "Spring 2008 IPT" from the "Administration" dropdown menu 
before entering your Return Service tracking number. 

Telephone Call the MCAS Service Center at 800-737-5103 and staff will place your pickup request 
for you. 

7. Retain Copies of Certain Documents 
Retain copies of the following documents for your school files: 
*  Packing slips from your school's shipment 
*  Materials Summary (one for each grade or grade span tested) 
*  Copy of completed PCPA(s) 
*  Documentation for students not tested because of medically excused absences 
*  Printout of UPS pickup request confirmation 
*  UPS tracking numbers used for return shipment 

8. Recycle or Discard Certain Materials 
You may recycle or discard the following materials: 
*  this Principal's Administration Manual 
*  Unused UPS Ground labels 
*  Unused Return and Void Envelopes 
*  Unused return cartons

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