Updated Testing Dates For Alabama

August 25, 2014
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: City and County Superintendents of Education
FROM: Thomas R. Bice
State Superintendent of Education
RE: Testing Updates for 2014-2015
This is an update of information provided in a memorandum dated January 21, 2014, regarding the
statewide testing program. Please note the following changes:
1. The Alabama Science Assessment (ASA) for students in Grades 5 and 7 will be replaced by the
ACT Aspire science test in spring 2015. Please note that although science is required for students
in Grades 5 and 7 only, STEM scores are obtained for students who test in both mathematics and
science at all grade levels. While science scores are reported, they are not used for accountability.
2. With the small number of students taking the Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE),
the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) contract with Data Recognition
Corporation (DRC) will end in September. The Student Assessment Section will handle all
scoring and printing of results. System Test Coordinators (STC) will receive detailed
information at their workshop on September 8-9, 2014.
3. Before the DRC contract expires on September 30, 2014, all districts and schools should ensure
that reports that are currently located in eDirect have been downloaded and saved or printed.
These include the ARMT+ 2011-2012, the ARMT+ 2012-2013, the ASA 2013-2014, and the
AHSGE from spring 2012 through summer 2014.
4. The ALSDE will work with ACT Aspire to make sure districts receive reports early. In order to
maintain secure handling and shipping of test materials, as well as to ensure accurate and timely
reporting of assessment results, ACT Aspire will require that all paper and pencil assessments
be completed within the first three weeks of the test window (April 6-April 24, 2015). Computerbased
testing will be allowed from April 6 through May 15, 2015.
5. Alabama has been invited to participate in the optional computer-based administration of the
ACT this spring. Schools may choose the traditional paper-pencil format or the online format.
More information will be provided to STCs at their workshop in September. For a preview of
what is coming, visit, http://www.act.org/actnext/.
Please review the revised 2014-2015 Testing Dates. If you have questions, please contact
Mrs. Rebecca W. Mims, Student Assessment Section, at (334) 242-8038.
TRB/RWM
Attachment
cc: City and County System Test Coordinators
FY14-2098
Alabama State Department of Education
Revised August 25, 2014
2014 – 2015 TESTING DATES
DAYS NEEDED
TEST TESTING PERIOD FOR TESTING
Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE)* September 15 – 19, 2014 5 days
ACT Explore** October 15 – 22, 2014 1 day**
ACT Plan** October 15 – 22, 2014 1 day**
Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE)* December 1 – 5, 2014 5 days
ACT QualityCore End-of-Course Assessments (block schedule)***December 1 – End of First Term 1–2 days***
ACT WorkKeys Internet Version January 5 – February 27, 2015 1 day
ACT WorkKeys Paper/Pencil Test February 10, 2015 1 day
ACT WorkKeys Paper/Pencil with Accommodations February 10 – 24, 2015 ****
ACT WorkKeys Paper/Pencil Make-Up Test February 24, 2015 1 day
Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE)* March 16 – 20, 2015 5 days
ACCESS for ELLs March 23 – May 1, 2015 2–3 days
Alternate ACCESS for ELLs March 23 – May 1, 2015 2–3 days
ACT Aspire Paper/Pencil April 6 – April 24, 2015 1–5 days
ACT Aspire Computer-Based April 6 – May 15, 2015 1–5 days
Alabama Alternate Assessment (AAA) Online Collection May 1, 2015 *****
ACT Plus Writing Paper/Pencil** April 28, 2015 1 day**
ACT Plus Writing with Accommodations Paper/Pencil** April 28 – May 12, 2015 ****
ACT Plus Writing Computer-Based** April 28 – 30 and May 5 – 7, 2015 1 day**
ACT Plus Writing Paper/Pencil Makeup** May 12, 2015 1 day**
ACT QualityCore End-of-Course Assessments*** Within last 4 weeks of term 1–2 days
Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE)* July 6 – 10, 2015 5 days
*Since the AHSGE will be administered only to exited students and those still enrolled who have the AHSGE as a diploma
requirement, systems may choose to consolidate test sites. (The AHSGE is required for students who entered ninth grade
for the first time in 2009-2010 or earlier.) One day is needed for each subject test.
**The pretest sessions of the ACT Plus Writing must be completed on a SEPARATE day PRIOR to the administration of
the test. Although the pretest sessions of the ACT Explore and ACT Plan must also be completed prior to the administration
of the tests, the sessions may be held on the morning of the tests or on a previous day within the window.
***The required QualityCore End-of-Course Assessments for 2014-2015 are English 10 and Algebra I. Each test is
composed of two 45-minute sessions. These sessions may be completed in one day or on two separate days.
****The number of days allowed for accommodations on the ACT Plus Writing with accommodations is determined by
ACT based on each student’s IEP; the number of days allowed for ACT WorkKeys with accommodations is determined by
the IEP team.
*****All evidence for the AAA, which is collected throughout the school year, must be posted online by 5 p.m. May 1,
2015.