ACT Aspire: Wisconsin

Important Dates

For 9th and 10th Grade Students

Testing Window: April 5 - May 19, 2021

 

 

 

Contact Information

ACT General Questions:
855.730.0400
contact form

State Policy Questions:
WI Dept of Public Instruction
Nikki Braconier
608.266.1075
email
Website

Test Administration Process Overview

Select your current phase of the test administration process to see resources related to that section, or simply scroll down the page.

  1. Orientation - Get oriented with the testing program.
  2. Configuration - Configure testing setup and systems.
  3. Verification - Verify needs for accommodations and/or supports.
  4. Preparation - Prepare for testing.
  5. Administration - Administer the test successfully.
  6. Transportation - Transport materials and data to ACT.
  7. Interpretation - Interpret score reports and test data.

Orientation

Get oriented with the testing program.

Activity: Learn About ACT Aspire

ACT Aspire® is the first computer-based longitudinal assessment system for college and career readiness that connects student progress from elementary grades through high school. 

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: The best way to ensure you’re reviewing information that is specific to testing in Wisconsin is by using the links from your state’s website. Links on the Knowledge Hub may not be specific for Wisconsin state testing.
 
Tip: This document describes enhancements to system navigation, testing processes, and reporting for ACT Aspire.
 

Tip: Bookmark the URL for your state’s testing website (this site) and check back frequently for updated information and content.

Tip: Mark important dates from your  Schedule of Events on your calendar and set reminders for deadlines.

Tip: Familiarize yourself with the seven stages of the testing cycle (Orientation, Configuration, Verification, Preparation, Administration, Transportation, and Interpretation) by browsing these sections for ACT Aspire. 

Tip: Watch for emails from ACT with important reminders. Add our email address - @operations.act.org - to your safe sender list.

Activity: Make Staff Arrangements

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: When creating users in PearsonAccessnext, select only the highest role needed for a specific user. If multiple roles are associated to one user account, you may experience permission issues.

Configuration

Configure testing setup and systems.

Activity: Complete Technical Site Readiness

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: Review the Technical Bulletins for the latest news and information about technology.

Tip: Review Features and Demos to learn about TestNav’s wide range of tools and features.

Tip: If you’re having technical difficulties, contact ACT to assist you in troubleshooting.

Tip: Review your Schedule of Events for important technical deadlines.

Tip: Familiarize yourself with the updated technical requirements and manuals.

Tip: Download the newest version of TestNav and run an App Check on each device prior to testing.

Activity: Manage Student Information

1. Verify that all students who will be testing are enrolled.  If needed, upload additional student information

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: Wisconsin DPI will complete the initial student import, but schools will be responsible for adding any new students, if applicable.

2.  Manage student transfers

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: Request student transfers for those students who have transferred into your school or district.

Activity: Manage Groups/Classes

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: Creating groups/classes is frequently done at the same time as creating test sessions.

Tip: Using Groups/Classes helps organize student information as you set up your test sessions and organize your paper testing materials.

Verification

Verify needs for accommodations and/or supports.

Activity: Arrange for Accommodations and/or English Leaner (EL) Supports

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: Enter Personal Needs Profile for all applicable students before adding them to a test session.

Tip: Add students and update their Personal Needs Profile information before the deadline in your Schedule of Events to ensure paper test materials are shipped.

Tip: Paper test materials are only available for Large Print, Braille, and American Sign Language.

Activity: Place an Additional Order

Resources to complete this activity:

Preparation

Prepare for testing.

Activity: Prepare for Testing 

1. Train Your Staff

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: Hold a training session with all testing staff before test day. This is required and is separate from the briefing session that happens on test day. Suggested topics to cover during the training session are in the ACT Aspire Test Coordinator Manual.

Tip: Room Supervisors and testing staff assisting with test administration must read the appropriate administration manual.

2. Prepare Your Examinees

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: Use the Student Sandbox to become familiar not only with ACT Aspire questions but also with navigating TestNav and the tools within it. 

Tip: Use Test Question Booklets for each grade and subject that defines reporting categories, standards, depth-of-knowledge levels, correct responses, and improvement idea statements. 

3. Prepare Your Facility

Resources to complete this activity:

4. Prepare for Online Testing

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: Prior to test day, set up all test sessions and assign students to the appropriate test session. ACT recommends completing this at least 2 weeks before test day.

Tip: Prepare test sessions 1-2 days prior to test day.

Tip: Print student authorization testing tickets 1-2 days prior to test day. Tickets are secure materials, so ensure they are kept in secure storage until test day.

5. Prepare Your Test Materials for Paper Testing

Resources to complete this activity:

Administration 

Administer the test successfully.

Activity: Final Test-Day Preparation Steps

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: Do this step on test day, but before students log in for testing.

Activity: Administer the Test

Resources to complete this activity:

Administration manuals
Supplements

Tip: If you’re having technical difficulties, contact ACT to assist you in troubleshooting.

Transportation

Transport materials and data back to ACT.

Activity: Post-Test Clean up

1. Online Testing Post-Test clean up

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: Enter “Will Not Test” codes for students who didn’t test by the deadline listed in the Schedule of Events.

Tip: Use a Do Not Report code for any test that was started but should not be reported.

Tip: Test Coordinators must ensure that all test sessions are stopped in the administration platform.

Tip: Record all irregularities according to instructions in the administration manual.

Activity: Return Paper Test Materials

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: Return answer documents within 48 hours of all testing being complete at your school.  They must be received by ACT by the deadline listed in the Schedule of Events.

Tip: Pay close attention to the return shipping labels you use for scorable versus non-scoreable materials, to ensure you affix the correct label to the correct box.

Interpretation

Interpret score reports and test data

Activity: Understand Score Reports

Resources to complete this activity:

Reports Guides

Tip: You can access reports and data files from previous testing years within the test administration platform.

File Layouts
Office Hours Presentation and Q&A

Tip: Refer to your Schedule of Events to know when you can access score reports.

Activity: Understand and Use Reporting Groups

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: Reporting Groups allow users with the Full Access Educator or Reports Only Educator roles to see student test results. Students are assigned to Reporting Groups (and can be assigned to multiple Reporting Groups) which are linked to test administration platform users to allow educators to access student data.

Activity: Access Historical Reports

Resources to complete this activity:

Tip: You can access reports and data files from previous testing years within the test administration platform.