RWM6

Text-to-speech technology such as Kurzweil cannot be used for the reading passages and reading questions of Nova Scotia assessments (i.e., in the information texts, visual media texts, literary prose, and poetry/song portions). In the same way that teachers are not permitted to read the reading portions of the assessment to students, any technology that does the same is not permitted. As this section of the assessment is an assessment of reading/viewing -- where "reading" includes the independent decoding, comprehension, and analysis of text -- adaptations that perform the decoding of text for students compromise the validity of the assessment.

However, text-to-speech software may be used in the writing and mathematics portions of the assessment without compromising the validity of the assessment. Text-to-speech software may be used to read the writing instructions, prompts, tips, as well as the mathematics questions to the student since the writing and mathematics portions of the assessment are not assessments of reading, but of writing and mathematics.

Note: If text-to-speech software is mistakenly used during the reading portions of the assessment, or if a teacher mistakenly reads the reading portions of the assessment to the student, the student's assessment report will indicate "insufficient evidence" for the reading component.

The acceptable adaptations are described in the 2012–2013 Elementary Assessment Week: Information Guide, and they are also listed on the back cover of Nova Scotia assessment student booklets. The only acceptable adaptations are those that have been documented in the student’s cumulative record file as of the first day of the assessment and are the usual adaptations in place for that student during his or her regular schoolwork. However, adaptations that would compromise the validity of the assessment are not permitted. For example, using assistive technology or human verbatim reading to read aloud a reading assessment would not be acceptable since the results would not reflect the student's independent reading ability. Please refer to the 2012–2013 Elementary Assessment Week: Information Guide for more detailed information.

Yes. Students are allowed to use a text (not electronic) dictionary or thesaurus at any time during the assessment.

Students who are suspended are expected to participate in the assessment, if at all possible. Whether they are serving an in-school suspension or out-of-school suspension, the student should be offered the opportunity to participate in the assessment. It is best if arrangements can be made for a student who is suspended to participate in the assessment at the same time as the other students.

In the case of an in-school suspension, arrangements would have to be made for that student to write the assessment in an alternate location in the school building, supervised by a teacher.

In the case of an out-of-school suspension, at the discretion of the principal, the student may be invited to the school to write the assessment at the same time as the rest of the students. When appropriate, the principal may require a parent or guardian to accompany the student to and from the school.

Yes. Students who are participating in the Public School Program in an alternate location, such as a health care facility, are eligible to participate in the assessment.

No. Students who have been formally withdrawn from the Public School Program, and are home-schooled are not eligible to participate in the assessment.

Note: Many students considered to be “home-schooled” are, in fact, participating in the Public School Program—even if only for a subject or two. Such students may be registered at their local school, and, as such, should be offered the opportunity to participate in the assessment.

Yes. Students who were retained in the grade participate in the Nova Scotia assessment. Taking the assessment a second time provides "fresh" results for the student and for his or her teachers. This information can be used in combination with classroom assessment information to inform instruction that will support the student’s learning in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics.

Yes. International and exchange students are expected to participate in the assessment.

Yes. Students for whom English is an additional language are expected to participate in the assessment. However, the school principal, in consultation with the parents/guardians, may decide to exempt a student from the assessment if the student has been learning English for one year or less. There may also be other instances when teachers, parents and guardians, and school administrators may decide that the assessment is inappropriate for the student for whom English is an additional language. In such cases the principal should contact the Evaluation Services division for guidance.

Yes. French immersion students will participate in the assessment. No, they will not be at a disadvantage. Research has shown that French immersion students have just as much opportunity to succeed in an English-language assessment as do their counterparts in the English program.