Frequently Asked Questions
- Why should I become involved in test development activities?
- Participation in test development activities provides educators with an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from across the state and to assist in the preparation and development of test materials for the WEST program.
- How do I become involved in test development activities?
- The first step is to complete and submit an application. Once an application is received, an educator’s qualifications will be reviewed in regard to open committee spaces. The PESB will review applications and approve educators for participation. Selected educators will then be sent an invitation.
- Where are conferences typically held?
- Test development conferences will be held remotely via WebEx or as face-to-face meetings at a location in Washington.
- How does my school district get reimbursed for a substitute
teacher?
How do I get reimbursed for my mileage and travel expenses? -
For conferences conducted remotely via WebEx, substitute
reimbursement forms will be sent by email to panelists.
For face-to-face conferences, the substitute reimbursement
form will be provided at the meeting.
Expense forms for mileage and travel expenses will be available online.
- I have colleagues who would like to attend. May I encourage them to participate?
- Please refer your colleague(s) to this website where they can submit an application. You may also nominate colleague(s) by completing a nomination form available on this website.
- If I do not get selected to participate in a test development conference, are there other ways to be involved?
-
Yes, you could be involved in the following types of test development activities:
- Passing Score Review Meeting. As a Washington public school educator or teacher educator, you may be selected to participate in a conference to recommend the passing score for a test.
- Content Validation Survey. As a current Washington public school educator or teacher educator you can respond to the Content Validation Survey, ranking the importance of test objectives and descriptive statements within a test framework.
- What are the arrangements for hotel accommodations?
- If you are a panelist in a face-to-face meeting, Evaluation Systems will reserve a hotel room for you, if needed. The cost of the room and tax will be directly billed to Evaluation Systems. You will be asked to provide a credit card number for incidentals. Should you need to cancel your attendance at the meeting, and/or cancel or modify your overnight accommodations reservation, please contact Evaluation Systems as soon as possible (Evaluation Systems does incur charges for no-shows and for sleeping room cancellations that occur later than 3:00 p.m. the day before check-in). If you need to cancel your accommodations after 5:00 p.m., please contact the hotel directly.
- Can I bring my cell phone and/or PDA?
- As a courtesy to other attendees and facilitators, please refrain from the use of cell phones or PDAs during the meeting. We ask that you kindly turn off your phone/PDA or set it to vibrate and not text or take calls while in the conference.
- What if I have special dietary requests?
- For face-to-face meetings, Evaluation Systems selects menus that we hope everyone will enjoy. We realize that some individuals have special dietary requests. Attendees who notify us about special dietary requests are provided with a meal based as closely as possible on their specific dietary needs. Due to the large number of attendees and/or the ability of the conference facility to accommodate, substitutions to the standard conference meal may not be possible. Please make alternative meal arrangements if you have very specific dietary restrictions, as our food and beverage options may not meet your needs.
- What should I wear?
- Business attire is appropriate for all face-to-face conference activities, but dress comfortably. We recommend that you dress in layers and bring a sweater or jacket to the meeting in case the room temperature is not comfortable for you.
- Are the meeting rooms and hotel accommodations handicap accessible?
- Evaluation Systems strives to hold meetings that are accessible to all. If you require special assistance, auxiliary aids, or other reasonable accommodations to participate fully in the meeting, please let us know. Any information regarding your disability will remain confidential.
