[senco-forum] KS3 online ICT tests

Hi,
 We trialed this for the first time last summer, we administered the test to
SEN pupils separately and used the access arrangements available. Each of
the pupils had a grown up placed with them and they read the instructions to
them. and because they are all on the Inclusion register they got 100% extra
time. the head of ICT had to be there to control the test as he had to
release the tests etc.
There are two tests like the rest of the SATs to be done on different days.
The tests formats were clear but the pupils were unfamiliar with the
software they were using but i think that this year they will get to see it
a bit more and use the programmes before the tests.

After discussing the practicalities with the head of ICT we have decided
that it would be best for the staff who are facilitating the tests for the
pupils are going to have training and perhaps have a run through the test
before hand. As they can all have readers you need a fairly big room because
of the buzz of the grown ups talking could prove to be a distraction (no
matter how quiet your staff are) We found that its best to have one to one
readers so that the pupils can all work at their own speed. There isn't the
facility to pause the test for rest breaks ... but double the time should be
enough for pupils to take their rests and come back to it and still complete
the test in time .... we had a number of pupils last summer who used the
rest breaks during the test and still completed it in the time allowed. Once
the tests were completed we compared the results of the pupils who took the
tests with access arrangements and those on the Inclusion register who
didn't have any  access arrangements in place, and found that there was a
benefit and worth doing and the results were in line with their mainstream
peers and were in line with their abilities in ICT.

Lesley