Title: 2007-08 Registration Bulletin for the Texas Oral Proficiency Test(TM) (TOPT(TM)) ETS Publication I.D. = 54897 ETS Item Number = 742500 Formats available: The TOPT(TM) Registration Bulletin is currently available in print, large print, Adobe PDF, and in text format. Note: The printed edition contains several forms, which are not included in this electronic publication. These items are available only in print. --2007-08 TOPT Change Request Form --2007-08 Test Cancellation/Refund Request Form --2007-08 Score Report Reprint Request Form --2007-08 TOPT Score Verification Request Form --2007-08 TOPT Expanded Diagnostic Feedback Service Request Form --2007-08 TOPT Registration Form This electronic edition contains the entire text of the print edition except for extraneous header and footer information, graphical elements, and navigational controls for electronic documents. This document consists of the sections listed below. --Contents --TOPT(TM) at a Glance --About the TOPT Program --Contact Information --Registration Information --On the Day of the Test --Test Results and Score Reporting --Preparing for the TOPT --Test Centers --Country Codes --2007-08 TOPT Administration Dates Page numbers in this document are indicated with the word "page" enclosed between the less-than and greater-than symbol: . To locate material on page 1 of the printed edition, use your search or find command to search for " 1" (do not enter the quotation marks into the search window). 1 2007-08 Test Dates October 27, 2007 February 2, 2008 May 3, 2008 2007-08 Registration Bulletin for the Texas Oral Proficiency Test(TM) (TOPT(TM)) For the most up-to-date information, visit the ETS TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org Policies in this Registration Bulletin are in effect from September 2007 through August 2008. 2 Texas Education Agency Privacy Policy Because of laws protecting confidentiality and privacy, only you can register yourself for a test or make inquiries regarding your registration status. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Educational Testing Service (ETS) take precautions to protect the integrity of your personal information provided in connection with the registration process, as well as any information generated internally that is specifically pertinent to you, and to keep this information secure. Your private information will not be made available to anyone but you; ETS and the TEA (including the employees, agents, contractors, or professional advisors of ETS and the TEA); and any institution, entity, or person required or authorized by law to receive this information. Copyright (c) 2007 by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Texas Education Agency. A single copy of this Registration Bulletin may be downloaded for individual use. The Texas Education Agency logo and TEA are registered trademarks of the Texas Education Agency. Texas Examinations of Educator Standards, TEXES, the TEXES logo, Texas Oral Proficiency Test, and TOPT are trademarks of the Texas Education Agency. ETS is the registered trademark of Educational Testing Service. Other products, services, and brand names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. This publication has been produced for the Texas Education Agency (TEA) by ETS. ETS is under contract to the Texas Education Agency to administer the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TEXES) program and the Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (EXCET) program. The TEXES and EXCET programs are administered under the authority of the Texas Education Agency; regulations and standards governing the program are subject to change at the discretion of the Texas Education Agency. The Texas Education Agency and ETS do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in the administration of the testing program or the provision of related services. The policies and procedures explained in this Registration Bulletin are effective only for the 2007-08 testing year and supersede previous policies and procedures. See the ETS TEXES website for the most up-to-date information. 3 CONTENTS TOPT(TM) at a Glance 4 Registration 4 Test Takers with Disabilities 4 Test Preparation Material 4 On the Test Day 4 About the TOPT Program 5 Overview 5 The TOPT Test 5 Who is Required to Take the Test? 5 Approval to Test 5 Testing Requirements Under the TEXES and EXCET Testing Programs 7 Contact Information 8 Registration Information 9 TOPT Tests Offered 9 Choosing Your Test Administration Setting 9 Registration Steps 10 How to Register 10 Creating Your ETS Testing Account 10 Admission Tickets 11 Selecting a Test Session 11 Test Dates and Registration Deadlines 12 Monday Testing 12 Fees for Tests and Related Services 12 Change Requests 13 Canceling a Test 14 Test Fee Refunds 14 Test Retake Policy 14 Correcting or Updating Your SBEC Educator Profile 14 On the Day of the Test 15 What to Bring to the Test Center 15 Admission to the Test 15 Identification (ID) Requirements 15 Test Center Procedures and Regulations 16 Dismissal From a Test Center 17 Cancellation of a Test Session 18 Submitting Comments 18 Test Results and Score Reporting 18 Test Scores and Passing Standards 18 Reporting Your Test Scores 18 Delay of Test Scores 18 Online Score Reports 19 Official Score Reports 19 Score Reporting Dates 19 Scoring Services 19 Cancellation of Test Scores by You 20 Cancellation of Test Scores by ETS and the TEA 20 Confidentiality of Information 21 Preparing for the TOPT 21 Overview 21 Description of the TOPT 22 Scoring the TOPT 28 Preparing for the Test 33 Test Centers 35 Country Codes 36 Forms 37 Change Request Form 37 Test Cancellation/Refund Request Form 39 Score Report Reprint Request Form 41 Score Verification Request Form 43 Registration Form center insert 2007-08 TOPT Administration Dates back cover 4 TOPT(TM) AT A GLANCE REGISTRATION See pages 9-14 for detailed information about test registration. --Test takers can register for TOPT online, by mail, or by phone. For more information on registration, see pages 9-14. TEST TAKERS WITH DISABILITIES --ETS is committed to serving test takers with disabilities by providing services and accommodations that are reasonable and appropriate given the purpose of the test. Nonstandard testing accommodations are available for test takers with disabilities who meet ETS requirements. If you are requesting nonstandard testing accommodations, you must register by mail through ETS and have your accommodations approved prior to testing. --The 2007-08 Bulletin Supplement for Test Takers with Disabilities for TEXES(TM), EXCET, TOPT(TM), TExMaT(TM), TASC(TM), and TASC-ASL(TM) contains contact information, registration procedures, and forms. The Supplement should be used in conjunction with the information and registration form in this Registration Bulletin. To request a copy of the Supplement, contact ETS Disability Services. See "Disability Services" on page 8. The Supplement, the Registration Bulletin, and registration materials can also be downloaded from the "Alternative Testing Arrangements" section of the ETS TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. --To request a large-print copy of this Registration Bulletin and the 2007-08 Bulletin Supplement for Test Takers with Disabilities, contact ETS Disability Services. See "Disability Services" on page 8. TEST PREPARATION MATERIAL --See pages 21-34 in this Registration Bulletin for suggestions about preparing for the test and some practical hints. ON THE TEST DAY --You must report to the test center 30 minutes before the start time listed on your admission ticket. The doors to the testing room will be closed at the start time. If you arrive late, you will not be admitted and your test fee will be forfeited. See "Admission to the Test" on page 15. --The test session lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes. Part of this time is for orientation and completing forms. --Review the ID requirements on pages 15-16 and take the required documents with you. Without the required ID documents, you will not be permitted to test. For other important information regarding the test day, see --Test Center Procedures and Regulations (pages 16-17) --Cancellation of Test Scores by You (page 20) --Cancellation of Test Scores by ETS and the TEA (pages 20-21) 5 ABOUT THE TOPT PROGRAM Overview Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Section 230.5(b) requires every person seeking educator certification in Texas to perform satisfactorily on comprehensive examinations. The purpose of these examinations is to ensure that each educator has the prerequisite content and professional knowledge necessary for an entry-level position in Texas public schools. The Texas Examinations of Educator Standards(TM) (TEXES(TM)) program and the Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (EXCET) program were developed for this purpose. The Texas Oral Proficiency Test(TM) (TOPT(TM)) program is an extension of and an addition to the TEXES and EXCET programs for certification to teach either Spanish or French, or to teach in a Spanish or French bilingual setting. The TOPT Test This test is an extension of the TEXES and EXCET programs for certification in special areas. --The TOPT is required for candidates who plan to teach either Spanish or French or plan to teach in a bilingual setting. --The TOPT assesses your ability to speak Spanish or French. --The TOPT requires candidates to provide a recorded response to specific speaking tasks in order to demonstrate their proficiency in Spanish or French. --During the testing session, you will respond on audiotape to questions that allow you to demonstrate your speaking ability in Spanish or French. The test session lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes. Part of this time is for orientation and completing forms. --Your proficiency in speaking the language will be measured against an established standard of competence. --To pass the TOPT, you must receive a score of 6 or higher based on the combination of scores received from a minimum of two independent scorings of your response. --Preparation strategies and additional information are contained in "Preparing for the TOPT," beginning on page 21. Who Is Required to Take the Test? You must pass the TOPT if you are seeking certification as any one of the following teachers: --a Spanish teacher at the secondary level --a French teacher at the secondary level --a bilingual teacher (teaching students whose first language is Spanish or French) NOTE: In addition to taking the TOPT Spanish (081) and/or French (080) tests, you may need to pass additional content and/or pedagogy tests to meet the testing requirements for certain certificates. See the chart on page 7 for more information. Approval to Test Educators/candidates may take a TOPT test if one of the following criteria is met: Educator Preparation Programs Educators fulfilling the requirements in an SBEC/TEA-approved Texas Educator Preparation Program must receive approval to take a certification examination. After acceptance and approval to test from their Educator Preparation Program, these candidates will acquire a TEA ID number by completing an Educator Profile on the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us. --University Initial -- a program usually delivered as part of a baccalaureate program that includes student teaching --University Post Baccalaureate -- a program that may be offered to an individual who already holds at least a bachelor’s degree and is seeking certification --University Alternative Certification Program -- an Alternative Certification Program offered by a university --Alternative Certification Program -- a nontraditional Educator Preparation Program for teachers and administrators who hold bachelor’s degrees or higher that may involve university coursework or other professional development experiences as well as intense mentoring and supervision during the candidate’s first year in the role of educator 6 ABOUT THE TOPT PROGRAM (continued) Out-of-State/Out-of-Country If you are certified in another state, a United States Territory, or another country, approval to test must be granted from SBEC/TEA after an educator enters an Educator Profile on the SBEC website at www.sbec. state.tx.us (this will generate a TEA ID number). After entering the SBEC Educator Profile information, the educator must complete an online application for review of credentials and submit appropriate documents by mail to the TEA. After the credentials have been reviewed by the TEA, the educator will be sent information regarding the tests that he or she is approved to take. Out-of-state/out-of-country candidates can view their approved examinations in their SBEC Educator Profile under "View Examinations" to confirm eligibility to test. In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature passed legislation stating that individuals holding out-of-state or out-of-country certificates who perform satisfactorily on certain examinations "similar to and at least as rigorous as" the Texas certification exams may be issued a Texas educator certificate without additional testing. If you hold an acceptable teaching credential from another state or country and are seeking to be certified in the equivalent field(s), you must have your credentials reviewed by SBEC/TEA. Please visit the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us for more information. NOTE: The TEA Division of Educator Standards does not approve out-of-state examinees. Out-of-state examinees calling the TEA toll-free number (1-888-863-5880) should select 2 to talk to a credentialing specialist. Certification by Exam An educator who holds an appropriate Texas classroom teaching certificate may add classroom certification areas by successfully completing the appropriate examination for the area(s) sought. You must go to your SBEC Educator Profile at www.sbec.state.tx.us to receive your TEA ID number, which will be used to register for an exam on the ETS TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. 7 ABOUT THE TOPT PROGRAM (continued) Testing Requirements Under the TEXES and EXCET Testing Programs* (*If you already hold a classroom teaching certificate, certain testing requirements may already have been fulfilled. Contact the TEA for more information about required tests. For all Pedagogy tests listed, consult with your Educator Preparation Program as to which pedagogy test you are eligible to take.) Certificate: Spanish 6-12 Oral Proficiency Test: Spanish (081) Content Test: EXCET Spanish 6-12 (047) Pedagogy Test: TEXES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 4-8 (110) OR TEXES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 8-12 (130) OR TEXES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160) Certificate: French 6-12 Oral Proficiency Test: French (080) Content Test: EXCET French 6-12 (048) Pedagogy Test: TEXES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-4 (100) OR TEXES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160) Certificate: Bilingual Generalist Spanish EC-4 Oral Proficiency Test: Spanish (081) Content Test: TEXES Bilingual Generalist EC-4 (103) Pedagogy Test: TEXES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-4 (100) OR TEXES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160) Certificate: Bilingual Generalist French EC-4 Oral Proficiency Test: French (080) Content Test: TEXES Bilingual Generalist EC-4 (103) Pedagogy Test: TEXES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-4 (100) OR TEXES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160) Certificate: Bilingual Generalist Spanish 4-8 Oral Proficiency Test: Spanish (081) Content Test: TEXES Bilingual Generalist 4-8 (119) Pedagogy Test: TEXES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 4-8 (110) OR TEXES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160) Certificate: Bilingual Generalist French 4-8 Oral Proficiency Test: French (080) Content Test: TEXES Bilingual Generalist 4-8 (119) Pedagogy Test: TEXES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 4-8 (110) OR TEXES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160) Certificate: Bilingual Education Supplemental Spanish EC-4 Oral Proficiency Test: Spanish (081) Content Test: TEXES Bilingual Education Supplemental EC-4 (102) Pedagogy Test: N/A Certificate: Bilingual Education Supplemental French EC-4 Oral Proficiency Test: French (080) Content Test: TEXES Bilingual Education Supplemental EC-4 (102) Pedagogy Test: N/A Certificate: Bilingual Education Supplemental Spanish 4-8 Oral Proficiency Test: Spanish (081) Content Test: TEXES Bilingual Education Supplemental 4-8 (112) Pedagogy Test: N/A Certificate: Bilingual Education Supplemental French 4-8 Oral Proficiency Test: French (080) Content Test: TEXES Bilingual Education Supplemental 4-8 (112) Pedagogy Test: N/A 8 CONTACT INFORMATION If you have questions after reading this Registration Bulletin, you may contact the offices listed below for further information. In all written correspondence, please include your full name, mailing address and telephone number, and indicate the test(s) about which you are requesting information. Include your TEA ID number, if available. TESTING INQUIRIES Registration, payment, admission tickets, score reporting U.S. Mail ETS-Texas Educator Certification Program PO Box 6001 Princeton, NJ 08541-6001 Overnight Mail ETS-Texas Educator Certification Program Document Processing 1425 Lower Ferry Road Ewing, NJ 08618-1414 Phone General information and registration 1-800-205-2626 Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Central Time Fax 1-973-735-0156 or 1-866-484-5860 E-mail topt_inquiries@ets.org Web www.texes.ets.org TEST USE/CERTIFICATION If you have questions about which test(s) you need to take or about certification requirements for Educator Preparation Program candidates, contact your advisor, director, or certification officer at your Educator Preparation Program. If you have questions about applying for certification, out-of-state or out-of-country candidates, additional certification by examination only, or charter school teacher testing, contact the Texas Education Agency (TEA) or go to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) website. U.S. Mail Texas Education Agency (TEA) Division of Educator Standards 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701-1494 Phone 1-888-863-5880 Out-of-state candidates calling this toll-free number should select 2 to talk to a credentialing specialist. Fax 1-512-936-8231 Web www.sbec.state.tx.us DISABILITY SERVICES To obtain information and registration materials, contact ETS: U.S. Mail ETS-Disability Services PO Box 6054 Princeton, NJ 08541-6054 Phone 1-866-387-8602 -- U.S., U.S. Territories, and Canada 1-609-771-7780 -- all other locations TTY: 1-609-771-7714 Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Central Time Fax 1-609-771-7165 E-mail stassd@ets.org Web See "Alternative Testing Arrangements" at www.texes.ets.org TEST CENTER COMPLAINTS ETS-Texas Educator Certification Program Test Administration Services Mail Stop 34-Q Princeton, NJ 08541-6051 Fax 1-609-771-7710 E-mail TexasTas@ets.org Test center complaints must be submitted in writing. Complaints sent by mail must be postmarked no later than 7 days after your test date. Complaints submitted via e-mail or fax must be received no later than 7 days after your test date. TEST QUESTION INQUIRIES If you think there is an error in a test question that affects your response, tell the test supervisor as soon as you finish the test or immediately write to: ETS-Texas Educator Certification Program Test Question Inquiries PO Box 6667 Princeton, NJ 08541-6667 In your letter, state the name and address of the center, the test date and name of the test, the number and content of the question, and the section in which it appeared. TEST PREPARATION RESOURCES If you have questions about preparing to take a TOPT test, contact your advisor, director, or certification officer at your Educator Preparation Program. Visit the ETS TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org for the most up-to-date information. 9 TOPT Tests Offered The TOPT program offers two oral proficiency examinations. The following table lists the tests and provides the name and code for each test. Test Name: French Test Code: 080 Test Name: Spanish Test Code: 081 You may register for one or both tests at any scheduled test administration (see page 12 for a listing of the test dates available). Choosing Your Test Administration Setting When you register for a TOPT Spanish or French test, you have the option to select a test administration setting. You may choose between the Standard Administration and the Individual Administration with Examiner. In the Standard Administration option you will hear the entire test, including the test instructions, on an audio recording. The Individual Administration with Examiner option offers you the opportunity of having an examiner read the test instructions and English-language portions of the test to you rather than hearing them on an audio recording. The questions to which you respond are delivered via audio recording. This option is available for an additional fee of 53 dollars at all TOPT test sites for both the Spanish and French tests. NOTE: Requests for the Individual Administration with Examiner option must be received by the late registration deadline. Requests received after that time cannot be accommodated. If you do not select a test administration setting, you will automatically be scheduled for the Standard Administration regardless of the fees you have submitted. The table below provides a comparison of the two test administration settings. Standard Administration: Examinee is assigned to a language laboratory or an individual room, depending on site availability. Individual Administration with Examiner: Examinee is assigned to an individual room only. Standard Administration: Audio recording contains test instructions and English-language stimuli. Individual Administration with Examiner: Examiner reads test instructions and English-language portions of the test. Standard Administration: Audio recording contains test questions in the target language (Spanish or French). Individual Administration with Examiner: Same as "Standard Administration" Standard Administration: Examinee is provided with a test booklet containing a copy of the English-language stimuli. Individual Administration with Examiner: Same as "Standard Administration" Standard Administration: Audio recording provides time for examinee to prepare response. Individual Administration with Examiner: Same as "Standard Administration" Standard Administration: Audio recording provides time for examinee to respond. Individual Administration with Examiner: Same as "Standard Administration" Standard Administration: Test stimuli and questions are stated once (cannot be repeated). Individual Administration with Examiner: Same as "Standard Administration" Standard Administration: Examinee’s responses are recorded. Individual Administration with Examiner: Same as "Standard Administration" Standard Administration: No clarification or comments are provided to the examinee during test administration. Individual Administration with Examiner: Same as "Standard Administration" NOTE: At both test administration settings, the test questions are administered via audio recording. 10 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Registration Steps If you are a first-time testing candidate or if you are registering for a test that you have not previously been approved to take, you must receive approval to test from your Educator Preparation Program (EPP) before you can register. If you are out-of-state or out-of-country, approval to test must be granted from the TEA after you create an SBEC Educator Profile (see 1 and 2 below). Once you have approval, follow the steps below to register for a test. 1. Go to the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us and create an account. Select the link for SBEC Online and follow the screens. If you already have an account, review and confirm your information and complete all required fields. Remember: the name you create this account under must match the ID documents you will present on the day of the test, otherwise you may be prohibited from taking the test or your test scores may be canceled after you take the test. 2. Complete or update your SBEC Educator Profile, especially your phone number, address, and e-mail address. All updates and corrections to your SBEC Educator Profile must be done on the SBEC website. You should check your SBEC Educator Profile on a regular basis to make sure all of your information is current. See "Correcting or Updating Your SBEC Educator Profile" on page 14. 3. After establishing or editing your SBEC Educator Profile, make sure that you write down your assigned TEA ID number. A TEA ID number is used for identification throughout the certification and test registration process. 4. Print your SBEC Educator Profile so that it will be handy when you register to test on the ETS TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. 5. You must create an ETS personal testing account before you can access the ETS online registration system. Go to the ETS TEXES website at www.texes. ets.org and select "Your Account" and follow the guidelines for establishing an account on the ETS TEXES online registration system. You must create a personal account here even if you already have a valid user name and password on the SBEC site. Be sure to write your logins down and keep them in a secure place for future use. Remember that the information entered in the ETS TEXES online registration system must match the information in your SBEC Educator Profile. Step-by-step registration directions are available on the ETS TEXES website under "Register." See "New User Set-up Quick Start Guide" and "Test Registration Quick Start Guide." How to Register Register Online at www.texes.ets.org --Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, during the regular, late, and emergency registration periods. --Online registrations must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time on the registration deadline dates to be eligible for that registration period. See "Creating Your ETS Testing Account" below. Test dates and registration deadlines are on page 12. --There is no extra charge for registering online; however, registration for a TOPT test during the late registration period incurs an additional 30 dollar late registration fee. Registration during the emergency registration period incurs an additional 70 dollar emergency registration fee. See "Test Dates and Registration Deadlines." --If you have questions about registering online, call Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626. Register by U.S. Mail --Available during the regular and late registration periods --Complete the registration form in this Registration Bulletin and mail it to the address listed on the form. The registration form can also be downloaded from the Download Library in the TOPT section of the ETS TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. --Forms received during the late registration period must include the 30 dollar late registration fee. See "Test Dates and Registration Deadlines" on page 12. --Registration by U.S. mail is not available for emergency registration. --If you have questions about registering by mail, call Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626. Register by Telephone --Available only during the emergency registration period. --Call 1-800-205-2626, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Central time, Monday-Friday, excluding holidays. Creating Your ETS Testing Account When you access the ETS TEXES online registration system for the first time, you will be required to establish a personal account by providing your TEA ID number, your last name, and your date of birth. Be sure to establish your account on the ETS TEXES website under the exact same name as your account on the SBEC website. Remember: the name you register under must match the ID documents you will present on the day of the test, otherwise you may be prohibited from taking the test or your test scores may be canceled after you take the test. 11 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) You will be able to return to the site to: --view your registration and make changes if needed --reschedule or cancel your registration --print (or reprint) your admission ticket(s) --place orders for services, such as score report reprints --check the status of previously placed orders --view your online score report You cannot update your SBEC Educator Profile in the ETS TEXES online registration system. You must go to the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us to update your SBEC Educator Profile. See "Correcting or Updating Your SBEC Educator Profile" on page 14 of this Registration Bulletin. Admission Tickets You will need an admission ticket for each test for which you are registered. Your admission ticket will contain information about your reporting time and reporting address. If any of the information on your admission ticket is not accurate or if you have any questions about your test center assignment, call Customer Service immediately at 1-800-205-2626. Admission tickets are mailed about two weeks prior to the test date. Take your admission ticket with you to the test center on the day of the test. Be sure to keep a copy for your records. Online Registration If you register online, you can print your own admission ticket. If you are registering for an oral proficiency test, you will also have the option to have it sent to you in the mail. If you opt to have your admission ticket mailed to you and you have not received it before the scheduled test date or if you lose your admission ticket, you may print a ticket by accessing the online registration system on the ETS TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. If you have not already established an account in the online registration system, you will need to do so in order to print your admission ticket. See "Creating Your ETS Testing Account" for details. You should return to your personal account and view your admission ticket 24 hours before your test to confirm that there have been no changes to your reporting schedule. If there is a test center change (e.g., a different building than originally scheduled), it will be updated in your personal account. If there have been changes, you must print a new admission ticket. Mail or Phone Registration If you register by mail by the regular or late registration deadline, you will receive a paper admission ticket in the mail. If you have not received your admission ticket in the mail before the scheduled test date or if you lose your admission ticket, call Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626 or you may print a ticket by accessing the online registration system at www.texes.ets.org. If you have not already established an account in the online registration system, you will need to do so in order to print your admission ticket. See "Creating Your ETS Testing Account" for details. If you register by phone during the emergency registration period, you must print your own admission ticket through the online registration system. If you do not have Internet access, you should advise the Customer Service representative so other arrangements can be made. Selecting a Test Session When you register for a test, you may request a morning or an afternoon test session. If you register online, you may also be able to select a test session time. You will be asked to make your request after the approved tests are listed. If you register by U.S. mail, complete the section that corresponds to the option you are requesting in the "Test Session" section of the registration form. Session requests are granted on a space-available basis. Every effort is made to grant your request. However, it may not be possible to grant your request due to test center capacity limits. Session requests cannot be granted on the day of the test. Please note the following restrictions: --A session request can only be made when you register. --Some test centers do not offer both morning and afternoon sessions. --A session request received after the late registration deadline may not be honored. --You will not receive a refund if your session request cannot be honored. --If you register with a session request and make subsequent changes to your test and/or test center selection(s), any previously granted session request may no longer be available. At each test administration, you may take up to two tests, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. If you register for more tests than can be accommodated according to these guidelines, processing of your registration will be delayed. 12 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Test Dates and Registration Deadlines The TOPT tests are scheduled to be administered three times during the 2007-08 program year on the test dates listed in the table below. The registration deadlines are strictly enforced; exceptions are not made. The following information pertains to the October 27, 2007 test date for all tests offered: Regular Registration Deadline: September 28, 2007 Late Registration Deadline: October 5, 2007 Emergency Registration Deadline: October 19, 2007 The following information pertains to the February 2, 2008 test date for all tests offered: Regular Registration Deadline: January 4, 2008 Late Registration Deadline: January 11, 2008 Emergency Registration Deadline: January 25, 2008 The following information pertains to the May 3, 2008 test date for all tests offered: Regular Registration Deadline: April 4, 2008 Late Registration Deadline: April 11, 2008 Emergency Registration Deadline: April 25, 2008 Regular Registration Period Online Registration --Registration must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time. Mail-In Registration --Registration forms must be postmarked by the regular registration deadline. Late Registration Period Online Registration --Registration must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time. Mail-In Registration --Registration forms must be received by the late registration deadline. A 30 dollar late fee in addition to the standard test fee is required for registrations submitted within the late registration period. Emergency Registration Period Online Registration --Registration must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time. Telephone Registration --Registration must be completed by 5:00 p.m. Central time. A 70 dollar emergency registration fee in addition to the standard test fee is required for registrations submitted within the emergency registration period. Monday Testing Monday testing will be arranged only for those whose religious convictions prevent them from testing on Saturday or those who are members of the U.S. Armed Forces and have duties which prevent them from testing on Saturday. Monday test administrations are held on the Monday following the regular administration. To register you must submit the following by mail: --A completed registration form --Correct fees --A letter signed by your cleric on letterhead stationery confirming your affiliation with a recognized religious body that observes its Sabbath on Saturday or a copy of your military duties Telephone and online registration is not available for Monday testing. When completing your registration form, leave the test center code number and test center name blank. Fill in the city and state where you wish to test. You will be assigned to the closest available test center. Registration forms must be received by the late registration deadline. Fees for Tests and Related Services Test Fees 82 dollars Test fee (per test) 30 dollars Late registration fee 70 dollars Emergency registration fee 53 dollars Individual Administration with Examiner fee 135 dollars Expanded Diagnostic Feedback Service Additional Services 15 dollars Test, test center, test date, or test session change during regular or late registration period 70 dollars Test, test center, test date, or test session change during emergency registration period 15 dollars Score report reprint (per report) 70 dollars TOPT score verification 20 dollars Fee for returned check 13 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Preferred Forms of Payment --Credit/debit card* (American Express(R), Discover(R), MasterCard(R), and VISA(R)) Note: Any debit/check card branded with one of the above four accepted credit card logos can be processed. (* Test fees and some services for the computer-administered MTT test must be paid by credit/debit card because registration for computer-administered tests and requests for some services can only be done online or by phone.) --Money order --Bank check --U.S. Postal Service money order Other Payment Policies --All fees are stated in U.S. dollars. --All outstanding balances with ETS must be paid in full prior to registering for any ETS-administered tests. --All payments must be for the full amount. --Payments made by check or money order should be made payable to ETS-Texas Educator. --If paying by personal check, please comply with the following: --Bank name and its address should be preprinted on the face of the check. --Check must have a preprinted check number. --Check must include examinee/payee name and address. --Check date CANNOT be over 90 days old. --Checks missing the preprinted name and address and checks with typewritten names are not acceptable. --Checks and money orders must be received within 90 days of the date on the payment and have the correct numeric and written dollar amount written or printed on them. --A check in U.S. dollars must be drawn on a bank in the U.S. or Canada. Checks payable in other currencies must be drawn on banks in the same countries as the currencies. By sending your check, be aware that you are authorizing ETS, at its discretion, to use the information on your check to make a one-time electronic debit from your account for the amount of your check; no additional amount will be added. --If you do not have sufficient funds in your account, your scores will be withheld, you will be unable to register for additional tests, and an additional service fee of 20 dollars will be added to your account. You will receive your scores as soon as the total outstanding balance has been cleared, unless your scores are being withheld for any other reason (see "Cancellation of Test Scores by ETS and the TEA" on page 20). --If you do not include the correct fee, your registration or service request may be returned. --Services may be withheld for nonpayment of fees. --There are no refunds for service fees. For information about test fee refunds, see page 14. --Refunds of test fees will be made in U.S. dollar denominations. See "Test Fee Refunds" on page 14 for additional information. --Cash payments cannot be accepted. Change Requests Requests to change your test, test date, test center, or test session can be made: --Online at www.texes.ets.org. --By calling Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626. You must make the call yourself. No one else will be allowed to make changes for you. --Examinees registered for TOPT tests may also request changes by completing and submitting a Change Request Form. The Change Request Form is provided in the back of this Registration Bulletin or it can be downloaded at www.texes.ets.org. Completion and submission instructions are on the form. --Examinees registered for Monday testing or nonstandard testing accommodations cannot reschedule online; they may only reschedule using the Change Request Form. A test date can only be changed to a date within the current testing year. To change a test, you must be preapproved by your Educator Preparation Program for the new test you are planning to take. The deadline for making changes is the emergency registration deadline listed on the back cover of this Registration Bulletin. Changes in registration will be processed only if seats are available at the requested test center, on the requested date, and at the requested time. If you are requesting testing accommodations, you must mail the Change Request Form to Disability Services. Contact information is on page 8. These requests must be received by the late registration deadline. A 15 dollar processing fee is charged for all registration changes during the regular or late registration period; this is in addition to the 82 dollar test fee. Registration changes made during the emergency registration period incur a 70 dollar processing fee in addition to the 82 dollar test fee. If you submit your request by mail, you must include payment for the change fee along with your request. See "Fees for Tests and Related Services" on page 12 for payment policies. If you submit your request via the ETS TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org, you must pay your change request fee by credit/debit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and VISA). 14 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Canceling a Test You may cancel a test for which you have registered by going to the ETS TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. You may also cancel a TOPT test by completing and submitting the Test Cancellation/Refund Request Form in the back of this Registration Bulletin. Mail or fax the completed form to the address or fax number listed on the form. See "Test Fee Refunds" below for refund request deadlines and refund amounts. TOPT test registrations cannot be canceled during the emergency registration period. Examinees registered for Monday testing (for military or religious reasons), military testing, or nonstandard testing accommodations cannot cancel online; they may only cancel using the Test Cancellation/Refund Request Form. Test Fee Refunds Refunds of test fees for a cancellation will be issued based on the original payment method. If your original payment was made by credit/debit card, a refund will be processed immediately to your credit/debit card. Check with your credit/debit card company regarding its processing time for crediting your account. If the original payment was check or money order, a refund will be processed once the original payment has cleared. If you are absent or arrive too late to take the test at the test administration for which you are registered, you will not be entitled to a refund. --If the refund request is received by the regular registration deadline, the full test fee will be refunded, less a 20 dollar refund fee. --If the refund request is received after the regular registration deadline but before the late registration deadline, the full test fee will be refunded, less a 30 dollar refund fee. --If the Individual Administration with Examiner option has been requested and the refund request is received before the late registration deadline, the Individual Administration with Examiner fee will be refunded, less a 25 dollar refund fee. --Refund requests received after the late registration deadline will not be processed. --Service fees are nonrefundable. Test Retake Policy If you do not pass a TOPT test, you can register to retake it at any subsequent test administration. To retake a test, you must have your Educator Preparation Program’s approval. Please contact them for further information. Once you have your Educator Preparation Program's approval, submit a new registration along with the correct payment. It is recommended that you wait for your scores before reregistering. If you choose to register again for the same test before receiving your scores from a previous administration, you assume responsibility for test fees and any applicable late or emergency registration fees for both test dates. Correcting or Updating Your SBEC Educator Profile It is extremely important to keep the information in your SBEC Educator Profile up-to-date because the information you enter is uploaded into the ETS TEXES registration system. Occasionally, ETS and TEA staff may need to contact you in the event that there is a last-minute change in a test administration reporting address or a reporting time change. Keeping the information current in your SBEC Educator Profile, especially your phone number and e-mail address, enables ETS and TEA staff to contact you quickly if the need arises. If your information is not current, ETS assumes no responsibility if you do not receive updated information and/or your official score report. Your Educator Profile can only be updated or corrected through the SBEC website at www.sbec.state. tx.us. The name you enter must match the primary identification document(s) you will present at the test center. Name changes in the SBEC system must be made in conjunction with your primary ID documents. After updating your Educator Profile, please confirm the changes by logging in to the ETS TEXES online registration system at www.texes.ets.org and clicking on "Edit Your Profile" to confirm that the information retrieved from SBEC is correct. 15 ON THE DAY OF THE TEST What to Bring to the Test Center --Your admission ticket. You should return to your personal account and view your admission ticket 24 hours before your test to confirm that there have been no changes to your reporting schedule. If there is a test center change (e.g., a different building than originally scheduled), it will be updated in your personal account. If there have been changes, you must print a new admission ticket. --Acceptable and valid identification document(s) with a signature and photograph. Your ID will be checked before you are admitted. The name you give when you register must match the name on the identification document(s) you present at the test center. See "Identification (ID) Requirements" below. Admission to the Test The TOPT tests are administered at various times in the morning and in the afternoon. It is your responsibility to allow plenty of time to arrive at the test center 30 minutes prior to the start time listed on your admission ticket, regardless of whether there is traffic congestion, road construction, bad weather, car accidents, poor directions, or any other incident that might delay arrival. If you do not arrive early enough prior to the test start time to allow for check in and pretesting procedures, you will not be permitted to test and your test fees will be forfeited. There will be no exceptions to this policy. The doors to the testing room will be closed at the start time. Review the ID requirements below and make sure you have the required documents with you. Without the required ID documents, you will not be permitted to test. Identification (ID) Requirements The identification information and requirements contained in this section must be read by all test takers. Information for ALL Test Takers --You must have acceptable and valid ID with a signature and photograph to be admitted to a test center. ID requirements are strictly enforced. It is your responsibility to read and understand the instructions and requirements. --If you arrive at the test center without the required identification, the test center staff will not admit you, you cannot test, and you will forfeit your registration and test fees. --When scheduling your test, you must use exactly the same name as shown on the primary identification document that you will present at the test center. If the name shown on your primary identification does not match the name on your registration record, you will not be permitted to test. There is one exception to this requirement. If an examinee has been married or divorced between registering for and taking the exam and the registration has the maiden name and the ID has the married name (or vice versa), this is acceptable if the examinee brings along a RECENT marriage certificate or divorce decree that was issued between the registration date and the actual test date. "Recent" can be interpreted to mean issued within the last six months. --If your ID document contains two last names, enter the names exactly as presented on your ID document. If you register via the telephone, please ensure that the representative makes your registration in the complete name that appears on your ID. --The ID must be current (not expired). There is one exception to this requirement. If your Texas driver's license has expired but you have your Texas Department of Public Safety renewal certificate, these two together are acceptable as long as the name on the driver's license and the name on the renewal certificate are the same. If the test center staff questions the ID you present, you will be required to present additional proof of identity. If positive confirmation cannot be made, you may be refused admission to the test center and you will forfeit your registration and test fees. --Test center personnel will check your identification before assigning you a seat at the test center. The test center supervisor will check to verify that you are the person in your photo identification. The supervisor will repeat this procedure before and after all breaks. --Admittance to the test center does not imply that your form of identification is valid or that your scores will be reported. All reported cases of questionable identification are subject to review and approval by the ETS Office of Testing Integrity either during or after the test administration. ETS reserves the right to withhold and/or cancel scores in the event the ID requirements set forth herein are not met. Acceptable Primary Identification Documents Only one form of primary ID is needed if your primary ID document contains a photograph and a signature. Please see the list of acceptable primary ID documents below. However, if the test center supervisor has any concerns with the primary ID document, you will be required to present a supplemental ID from the list under "Acceptable Supplemental Identification Documents" on page 16. --passport with photo and signature --current driver's license with photo and signature (see exception above) --state ID with photo and signature --national identification with photo and signature --military identification with photo and signature 16 ON THE DAY OF THE TEST (continued) Alternative Primary ID Documents The following alternative documents are acceptable for admission. Examinees do not need advance approval from the ETS Office of Testing Integrity to use these specific alternative documents. A Texas Educator Certification candidate can be admitted with one of the following alternative ID documents. To be acceptable, the alternative document must be accompanied by a second ID from the list of supplemental ID documents below that also contains the candidate's photograph: --Permanent Resident Card/Resident Alien Card (Form I-551 or I-151) --Temporary Resident Card (Form I-688) --Employment Authorization Card (Form I-688A, I-688B, or I-766) --Mexican Border Crosser Card (This form of ID may be accepted only at test centers that are within 25 miles of the Mexican border.) Acceptable Supplemental Identification Documents If your primary identification is missing either a photo or a signature, you must present one of the following supplemental IDs in addition to your primary ID. The supplemental ID must contain a recent, recognizable photo and your signature; it cannot be expired. Supplemental IDs that can be used to meet the photograph and/or signature requirements are as follows: --a government-issued identification document that has not expired (including but not limited to passport, driver's license, state ID card, national identification, or military identification). There are some exceptions; see "Unacceptable Identification Documents." --student ID --confirmation of identity letter from your educational institution. The letter must contain your name and date of birth; a recent, recognizable photo; your signature; and the date issued. It must be typed on the original letterhead of the educational institution you attend(ed), and the signature of the school official and the school seal must overlap your photo. A letter of identity is valid for only one year from the date of issue. Unacceptable Identification Documents --any expired ID (except for expired Texas driver’s license presented together with Texas Department of Public Safety renewal certificate, subject to conditions previously set forth) --draft classification card --credit card of any kind --Social Security card --learner’s permit or any temporary identification document --international driver’s license --international student ID --notary-prepared letter or document --employee identification card If you cannot meet the specified ID requirements or if you have questions about ID, you must contact the ETS Office of Testing Integrity (1-609-406-5430, fax: 1-609-406-9709, or e-mail: TSReturns@ets.org) before you register to test. If you do not contact the ETS Office of Testing Integrity before registering and are not admitted to the test, you will forfeit your registration and test fees. It is your responsibility to ensure that your ID documents are up-to-date and available on the day of the test. Test Center Procedures and Regulations By submitting your registration for a TOPT test, you are agreeing to abide by all procedures and policies contained in this Registration Bulletin and/or communicated to you at the test administration for which you have registered. This Registration Bulletin and all other applicable rules of the State Board for Educator Certification (Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 7) govern your participation in the TOPT program. General Guidelines --Dress so that you can adapt to any room temperature. --Test centers do not have large waiting areas. Friends or relatives who accompany you to the test center will not be permitted to wait in the test center or be in contact with you while you are taking the test. Except for ETS-authorized observers, visitors are not permitted in the testing room while testing is in progress. --ID verification at the test center may include thumbprinting, photographing, videotaping, or some other form of electronic ID confirmation. If you refuse to participate, you will not be permitted to test and you will forfeit your registration and test fees. This is in addition to the requirement that you must present acceptable and valid identification. --Cell phones are not allowed in the test center. Using or having a cell phone in your possession in the test center may be grounds for dismissal. --Personal items other than ID are not allowed in the testing room. This includes, without limitation, PDAs, BlackBerry(R) devices, any other electronic or photographic devices, handbags, and study materials. You will be required to follow the procedures set by the test center for storage of your personal belongings. You may also be asked to empty your pockets. Storage space is limited, so plan accordingly. 17 ON THE DAY OF THE TEST (continued) You will not have access to your personal items during the test. Personal items such as hats, scarves, jackets, and outerwear that are taken into the test room are subject to inspection by the test center staff before you are admitted to the test room. Failure to comply may result in dismissal from the test and/or cancellation of scores. --Neither ETS nor the test centers assume any responsibility whatsoever for personal items or devices that you choose to bring into the test center. --The test center supervisor will assign you a seat. --On occasion, weather conditions or other circumstances beyond the test center or ETS’s control may require a delayed start or the rescheduling of your test. TOPT Tests The following procedures and regulations apply during the entire test session, which begins when you are admitted to the test center, ends when you leave the test center, and includes breaks. --Supervisors will not honor requests for schedule changes. --Take your admission ticket and photo ID to the test center. --No test taker will be admitted after test materials have been distributed. --Paper of any kind is not permitted in the testing room. --You must have the supervisor’s permission to leave the room during the test. Any time lost cannot be made up. --You may wish to pace yourself with your own watch, but the supervisor is the official timekeeper. You will not be permitted to continue the test or any part of it beyond the established time limit. Watch alarms and clocks on cell phones are not permitted. --At the conclusion of the test, you will be required to return your test book to the test supervisor. These materials are the property of ETS. Although tests are administered under strict supervision and security measures, testing irregularities may sometimes occur. Please contact ETS as soon as possible to report any observed behavior that may lead to an invalid score -- for example, getting answers from another test taker, taking a test for someone else, having access to test questions before the exam, or using notes or unauthorized aids. All information will be held in strictest confidence. Phone: 1-800-353-8570 (United States only) Fax: 1-609-406-9709 E-mail: TSReturns@ets.org Dismissal from a Test Center A test center supervisor is authorized to dismiss you from a test session and/or your scores may be withheld and ultimately canceled for any actions which violate the policies and procedures set forth herein and/or communicated at the test center, such as, but not limited to, the following: --attempting to take the test for someone else or having someone else take the test for you --failing to provide acceptable identification --obtaining improper access to the test, a part of the test, or information about the test --using or having a telephone or cell phone or any other prohibited device in your possession in the test center (Cell phones and/or electronic and photographic devices are not permitted in the test center. If you take these devices into the test center, they may be collected by the test center staff and/or reported by test center personnel. You will be required to follow the procedures set by the test center for storage of your cell phone or any electronic/photographic device you bring to the test center. If you fail to follow the directions of the test center, you may be prohibited from taking the test and/or the test center personnel may report your violation to ETS. Any violation of this procedure during the test may result in withholding/cancellation of your scores, dismissal from the test center, and/or banning you from future testing. Neither ETS nor the test centers assume any responsibility whatsoever for personal devices that you choose to bring to the test center.) --using any aids in connection with the test, including without limitation: mechanical pencils, pens, pagers, beepers, books, pamphlets, notes, rulers, highlighter pens, stereos or radios with headphones, telephones, cell phones, watch alarms (including those with flashing lights or alarm sounds), stop watches, dictionaries, translators, and any handheld electronic or photographic devices --creating a disturbance (Disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated. The test center supervisor has sole discretion in determining what constitutes disruptive behavior.) --attempting to give or receive assistance (Discussion or sharing of test content during the test administration, during breaks, or after the test is prohibited. Communication in any form is not permitted during the test administration.) --removing or attempting to remove test content from the test center. (Under no circumstances may test content or any part of the test content be removed, reproduced, and/or disclosed by any means, e.g., hard copy, verbally, electronically, to any person or entity.) 18 ON THE DAY OF THE TEST (continued) --bringing a weapon or firearm into the test center --bringing food, drink, or tobacco into the testing room --leaving the test center during the test session or during breaks --leaving the testing room without permission --leaving the testing room before the test session is dismissed --referring to, looking through, or working on any test or test section, when not authorized to do so, or working after time has been called --failing to follow any of the test administration regulations contained in this Registration Bulletin, given by the test center supervisor, or specified in any test materials ETS and the TEA reserve the right to take any and all actions -- including, but not limited to, barring you from future testing and/or withholding or canceling your scores -- for failure to comply with test administration regulations or the test center supervisor's directions. If your scores are canceled, they will not be reported, and your registration and test fees will not be refunded. Cancellation of a Test Session In the event that it becomes necessary for ETS or the TEA to cancel a test administration for reasons beyond its control including, without limitation, severe weather conditions or a natural disaster (e.g., flood, fire), the cancellation announcement will be posted on the ETS TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. In addition, the cancellation announcement will be available as a recorded telephone message at 1-800-205-2626. You will be advised by e-mail or U.S. mail as soon as the test administration has been rescheduled. It is imperative that you keep the contact information, especially your telephone number and e-mail address, in your SBEC Educator Profile up-to-date so you can be contacted quickly if the need arises. Unless the TEA cancels a test administration at a given test center, the test administration will be conducted as scheduled. If you miss a test administration that has not been officially canceled, you will be considered absent and will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. Submitting Comments The TEA and ETS employ stringent quality-control procedures in preparing test materials. However, if you wish to comment about a test question for any reason, notify the test center supervisor at your test center. If you have comments about the test center or the conditions under which you took a test, please submit your comments in a letter or e-mail and send it to ETS at the address indicated in "Contact Information" on page 8. Comments sent by mail must be postmarked no later than seven days after your test date. Comments sent via e-mail should be received by ETS no later than seven days after your test date. All test center complaints must be sent directly to ETS. Complaints sent to your Educator Preparation Program or to the TEA will not be acted upon. TEST RESULTS AND SCORE REPORTING Test Scores and Passing Standards To pass the TOPT, you must receive a score of 6 or higher, based on the combination of scores received from a minimum of two independent scorings of your response. See "Preparing for the TOPT" on pages 21-34 for information about scoring procedures. Reporting Your Test Scores Your test scores will be reported directly to you. They are also automatically added to your certification file and made available to the TEA and to your Educator Preparation Program (if applicable). Your score report is for your information only; do not submit it with your application for certification. Keep a copy for your permanent records. Please note that application for certification does not proceed automatically based upon receipt of your scores by the TEA. To apply for certification, you must go to the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us and follow the application for certification instructions. Delay of Test Scores Under some circumstances, scores may be delayed. --Scores for newly developed tests may be delayed in order to set passing scores. --Scores may be delayed due to problems with registration, failure to comply with the policies and procedures set forth in this Registration Bulletin, and/or with instructions given by test center personnel. 19 TEST RESULTS AND SCORE REPORTING (continued) --Scores will be delayed if there are problems with your payment. See "Fees for Tests and Related Services" on page 12 for more information. --Your scores may be permanently voided if you are completing certification requirements through an Educator Preparation Program and you have not provided proof that you have approval to test (i.e., a TEA ID number from your Educator Preparation Program). See "Approval to Test" on page 5 for more information. Online Score Reports Your final scores are available to you on the ETS TEXES online registration system as an Unofficial Score Report. Score reports are posted by 5:00 p.m. Central time on the dates listed in "Score Reporting Dates" and are viewable for 90 days. Online scores are available to you regardless of your registration method. To access your scores, log in to your account on the ETS TEXES online registration system at www.texes.ets.org. If you have not already established an account in that system, you will need to do so in order to access your scores. See "Creating Your ETS Testing Account" on page 10 for details. Official Score Reports Your official score report will be mailed to you by U.S. mail on the date indicated in "Score Reporting Dates" on this page. Your score report will be mailed to the address that you provided during the registration process. If you wish to have your official score report sent to a different address, you will need to update the address in your SBEC Educator Profile. See "Correcting or Updating Your SBEC Educator Profile" on page 14. If the information in your SBEC Educator Profile is not current, ETS assumes no responsibility if you do not receive your official score report. Your score report provides information about your passing status and other performance information. With each score report, you will receive an explanation of how to read your score report. See "Test Scores and Passing Standards" for detailed information on the passing requirements for TOPT tests. If you have not received your test results two weeks after the score report date, call Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626. Under no circumstances will ETS or the TEA release your official score information by telephone, fax, e-mail, or in person. Score Reporting Dates Test Date: October 27, 2007 Score Reporting Date: November 23, 2007 Test Date: February 2, 2008 Score Reporting Date: February 29, 2008 Test Date: May 3, 2008 Score Reporting Date: May 30, 2008 Scoring Services Score Report Reprints You may request additional copies of your score report beginning two weeks after the score reporting date. Additional copies may be sent only to you. Additional score reports are available for up to five years after the test administration date. Please allow two to four weeks from the receipt of the request for delivery. Score report reprints can be ordered through the ETS TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org or by completing the Score Report Reprint Request Form in the back of this Registration Bulletin and mailing it to the address on the form with the correct payment. The Score Report Reprint Request Form can also be downloaded from the ETS TEXES website. See "Fees for Tests and Related Services" on page 12 for information about fees and payment policies. Score Verification All responses are scored according to standardized procedures. Scorers with relevant professional backgrounds are oriented to these procedures and are carefully monitored during scoring sessions. As part of the scoring process, responses are scored by multiple scorers. However, if you wish, you may request to have your responses reevaluated. Score verification services can be requested through the ETS TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org or by completing the Score Verification Request Form in the back of this Registration Bulletin and mailing it to the address on the form with the correct payment. Requests are limited to a one-time score verification of any one test. See "Fees for Tests and Related Services" for information about payment. The Score Verification Request Form can also be downloaded from the ETS TEXES website. Your request must be postmarked within six months of the test administration date. The results of the score verification process will be available within four to six weeks after receipt of the request. In the event that the score verification process results in a change in your score, you will be issued a corrected score report, the score verification fee will be refunded, and your records will be updated. 20 TEST RESULTS AND SCORE REPORTING (continued) If the original score is confirmed, you will be sent a letter indicating that the score has been confirmed. In this case, your fee will not be refunded. Expanded Diagnostic Feedback Service The Expanded Diagnostic Feedback Service offers a comprehensive review of examinees' responses by selected scoring leaders in order to provide detailed and customized feedback identifying the specific problem areas that most contributed to their nonpassing scores. This service is available to all examinees with nonpassing scores for TOPT French (080) and TOPT Spanish (081) exams taken during the 2007-08 testing year. To request Expanded Diagnostic Feedback, examinees should complete the request form found in the back of this Registration Bulletin and submit it along with payment. See "Fees for Tests and Related Services" for information about fees and payment policies. Requests must be received within 90 days of the date of the test administration for which the service is being requested. Examinees will receive their Expanded Diagnostic Feedback by mail within one month of receipt of their request and payment. More information about the Expanded Diagnostic Feedback Service will be available in the TOPT section of the ETS TEXES website in advance of the October 2007 administration. Cancellation of Test Scores by You If, after taking a test, you do not want your score reported, you may cancel your test score. The TOPT program will cancel your score upon receipt of a written request (include your name, signature, TEA ID number, customer number, date of birth, administration date, and the test for which you wish to have your score canceled). Your cancellation request must be received within five business days of the date on which you took the test. If you choose to cancel your score, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. If you request that your score be canceled, your score will not be reported to you, to the TEA, or to any Educator Preparation Program. Your score will not be entered into any TOPT records; therefore, after the cancellation of your score, you will not be able to have your score reported for any purpose. Cancellation of Test Scores by ETS and the TEA ETS takes reasonable security precautions in developing and administering TOPT tests and processing test scores with a view to ensuring that no test taker has an unfair advantage over other test takers. Accordingly, the TEA and ETS reserve the right to withhold and ultimately cancel your scores due to misconduct and/or if the TEA deems there is reason to question your scores' validity or legitimacy (including, but not limited to, a violation of the rules set forth in the current Registration Bulletin, including the "Test Center Procedures and Regulations" on pages 16-17, and the procedures communicated to you, orally or in writing, at the test administration). In such cases, ETS will notify relevant parties of the TEA's decision. Further action may be taken, including denying, revoking, and/or suspending a teaching credential or certificate. Other actions, as described in "Test Center Procedures and Regulations" may be taken as deemed appropriate by the TEA and/or ETS. Testing Irregularities "Testing irregularities" refers to test administration problems that may affect an individual or groups of test takers, including without limitation, administrative errors (such as improper timing, improper seating, defective materials, and defective equipment); improper access to test content; and other disruptions of test administrations (such as natural disasters or other emergencies). When testing irregularities occur, ETS may decline to score the test, or cancel the test score at the TEA's discretion. When, in the TEA's sole judgment, it is appropriate to do so, test takers will be given the opportunity to take the test again as soon as reasonably possible without charge. Identification Discrepancies When, in ETS's judgment, or the judgment of test center personnel, there is a discrepancy in a test taker's identification, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center and/or ETS may decline to score that test, or cancel that test score. Misconduct When ETS or test center personnel find that there is misconduct in connection with a test, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center and/or ETS may decline to score the test, or withhold and ultimately cancel the test score. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, noncompliance with the "Test Center Procedures and Regulations" on pages 16-17 of this Registration Bulletin. Invalid Scores ETS may also cancel scores if, in its judgment, there is substantial evidence that they are invalid for any other reason. Evidence of invalid scores may include, without limitation, discrepant handwriting, unusual answer patterns, and inconsistent performance on different parts of the test. 21 TEST RESULTS AND SCORE REPORTING (continued) Before canceling scores pursuant to this paragraph, ETS notifies the test taker in writing about its concerns, gives the test taker an opportunity to submit information that addresses ETS's concerns, considers any such information submitted, and offers the test taker a choice of options. The options include voluntary score cancellation, a free retest, or arbitration in accordance with ETS's standard Arbitration Agreement. In addition, the test taker is sent a copy of a booklet, Why and How Educational Testing Service Questions Test Scores, which explains this process in greater detail. (This booklet is available to any test taker at any time on request from the ETS Office of Testing Integrity. Call 1-800-353-8570 or e-mail TSReturns@ets.org.) Confidentiality of Information The TEA and ETS recognize your right to control the information about you that is stored by the TEA and ETS. Their policies are designed to safeguard that information from unauthorized disclosure. Your score information is intended only for you and your Educator Preparation Program (if applicable). However, background information, as noted on the registration form, is reported to the state of Texas and some institutions. ETS will not release your score information at the request of institutions or agencies except: --for use in research studies, scoring, and statistical analyses approved by the TEA and that preserve your anonymity --when information is required under compulsion of legal processes (Your score record and the documents you completed that are retained at ETS may be released to 3rd parties, e.g., government agencies, parties to a lawsuit, etc., if requested pursuant to a subpoena.) --Under the Higher Education Act Title II section 207 of 1998, the U.S. Department of Education requires all states that require testing for licensure to provide that agency with annual performance data for students completing their state-approved teacher preparation programs. If you complete your preparation program in a given cohort year, your preparing institution will collect and forward your score information to the state for inclusion in the federally mandated educator preparation performance report. The report will contain aggregate data only and will not include any information that identifies examinees. Note that whenever ETS has confirmed that you have submitted a TOPT score directly to an educational institution, agency, or district in satisfaction of one of its requirements, ETS will respond to requests for score confirmation from that recipient. TOPT recorded responses may be used for training scorers and in new test preparation materials. Test taker information, such as names and addresses, is not included when recorded responses are used for these purposes. Scorer training is essential to ensure that tests are scored in a fair and consistent manner. The use of your recorded responses will benefit future test takers by helping to improve the training of scorers, just as the scoring of your test will benefit from the use of prior test takers' recorded responses. Test preparation materials demonstrate how the test is administered and the skills that are necessary to succeed. PREPARING FOR THE TOPT Overview This section of the Registration Bulletin will familiarize you with the nature, structure, format, and content of the TOPT. Familiarization with these aspects of the testing program should be a useful component of your preparation. Education faculty and program administrators at Educator Preparation Programs may also find this information useful. The following sections are designed to help you prepare for taking the TOPT. The discussion is divided into three parts. Description of the TOPT The first part provides background information about the testing program, including the test development process, characteristics of the test, the nature of the speaking tasks on which the tests are based, and what you should expect to do during the session. Scoring the TOPT The second part provides you with information about how the test is scored and about the performance characterized by each score point. Preparing for the Test The third part offers some ideas on preparing for the test and some practical hints on using study time wisely. This study material cannot replace a reasonable background in academic studies and practical experience. Instead, it is intended to provide an overview of the TOPT. 22 PREPARING FOR THE TOPT (continued) Description of the TOPT Test Development Process Texas educators in the areas of Spanish, French, and bilingual education were involved in each stage of the development of the TOPT. Test advisory panels for the Spanish TOPT and the French TOPT, composed of classroom teachers, other language specialists in the public schools, and college faculty, defined 38 speaking tasks of varying degrees of difficulty (e.g., "Introduce Yourself," "Lodge a Complaint," "Explain a Complex Process in Detail"). A sample of 700 randomly selected Spanish, French, and bilingual education teachers throughout the state participated in validation surveys to ensure the job-relatedness of the oral language tasks as they pertain to individual teaching assignments. Only those tasks in each language judged most important by the results of this survey are included on the TOPT. Test questions for the TOPT were written to represent the speaking tasks that the teachers had deemed appropriate. The test advisory panels reviewed and revised the questions as needed for each test. Other panels reviewed the test materials for potential bias. The resulting test questions were field tested in Texas. Characteristics of the Testing Program The TOPT program is composed of two oral proficiency tests, one in Spanish and one in French. The TOPT is designed to assess the oral language proficiency required of teachers seeking a certificate in Spanish, French, or bilingual education. The purpose of these tests is to identify those candidates for certification who have demonstrated the level of oral proficiency required to perform satisfactorily in Texas classrooms. Candidates are asked to respond to specific speaking tasks in order to demonstrate their proficiency in the language. Test Format The TOPT is a criterion-referenced test. This means that the rating that a candidate receives is determined according to a standard set of criteria. Performance is not rated by how one candidate compares to another. There are several forms of the test. Each form of the test consists of a set of warm-up questions, followed by 15 test questions. The 15 questions consist of five questions for each of three types of questions. Each of the questions corresponds to a specific communication task. Although the tasks that make up the test vary for each administration, the three types of questions remain the same. The three question types are described below. --Picture-Based Questions. The candidate looks at a picture or series of pictures in the test booklet and responds to verbal questions about the pictures. The tasks include such things as giving directions, describing activities in a familiar setting, or telling a story. --Topic Questions. The candidate is given a description of a situation and is asked to explain or discuss a topic, such as describing a procedure step by step, presenting advantages and disadvantages, explaining and defending a point of view, or imagining a hypothetical situation and commenting on it. --Situation Questions. The candidate is given a description of a real-life situation (e.g., giving advice to a friend, apologizing for having offended someone, making a formal presentation to a group) and is asked to respond to it. In this type of question, how the candidate responds is especially important since these situations require the tailoring of language to the situation and to the listener. Each question is designed to elicit language that is characteristic of a given level of proficiency. For example, a picture-based question may be designed to test the candidate's ability to narrate using past tenses. Ability to narrate using past tenses is considered an Advanced Level performance characteristic, so the task is considered an Advanced Level question. Information about the task type, associated content, and corresponding assigned proficiency level is summarized on the following pages. SPANISH TOPT Warm-Up -- Intermediate Level Answer personal questions. Task 1: Picture 1 -- Intermediate Level Give Directions: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to give directions on how to get from one place to another. Task 2: Picture 2 -- Intermediate Level Describe a Place/Activities: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to describe a particular place, such as a school, a store, or a park, and the typical activities that take place in these locations. Task 3: Picture 3 -- Advanced Level Narrate in Present Time: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to use and organize language indicating present or habitual time in order to present a cohesive description of recurring events or routines, everyday activities, holidays, etc. Task 4: Picture 4 -- Advanced Level Narrate in Past Time: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to use and organize language indicating past time in order to present a cohesive description of an event or incident that occurred in the recent past. Task 5: Picture 5 -- Advanced Level Narrate in Future Time: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to use and organize language indicating future time in order to present a cohesive description of plans or expected occurrences of a personal nature, such as a planned trip or activity. Task 6: Topic 1 -- Advanced Level Give Instructions: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to give instructions and explain the steps involved in carrying out an activity. 23 PREPARING FOR THE TOPT (continued) Task 7: Topic 2 -- Advanced Level State Advantages/Disadvantages: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to state the advantages and the disadvantages of two sides of a situation (e.g., living in a big city/living in the country), a decision (e.g., going to college/going to work), or an object that has affected society (e.g., using/not using the computer in education). Task 8: Topic 3 -- Advanced Level Give a Brief Factual Summary: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to summarize, in "oral report" fashion, factual information about a topic of a general nature. Task 9: Topic 4 -- Superior Level Support an Opinion: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to state, support, and defend a personally held opinion or belief about an issue. For example, "Do you believe that all students should be encouraged to participate in after-school sports at some point during high school?" Task 10: Topic 5 -- Superior Level Hypothesize on an Impersonal Topic: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to describe what might happen if something were to occur. For example, "What do you think might happen if the school day were shortened by 30 minutes?" Task 11: Situation 1 -- Advanced Level Speak with Tact (e.g., Apologize, Lodge a Complaint): This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to modify the way you speak in situations that have an unusual circumstance, such as giving an apology (i.e., be able to apologize clearly and appropriately to an offended party) or lodging a complaint (i.e., be able to lodge a complaint, giving the reasons for it and asking for a response). Task 12: Situation 2 -- Superior Level Speak to Persuade Someone: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to persuade someone to do something he or she is not inclined to do or to cease doing something that is annoying to you. Task 13: Situation 3 -- Superior Level Propose and Defend a Course of Action: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to propose and defend a course of action, in light of at least two possible choices of action, stating reasons for your point of view. Task 14: Situation 4 -- Superior Level Give a Professional Talk: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to introduce yourself and begin to present a talk on a topic of professional interest to an audience of peers. Task 15: Situation 5 -- Advanced Level Give Advice: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to give advice to a person faced with making a decision between two or more choices and give supporting reasons for the advice given. FRENCH TOPT Warm-Up -- Intermediate Level Answer personal questions. Task 1: Picture 1 -- Intermediate Level Give Directions: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to give directions on how to get from one place to another. Task 2: Picture 2 -- Intermediate Level Describe a Place/Activities: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to describe a particular place, such as a school, a store, or a park, and the typical activities that take place in these locations. Task 3: Picture 3 -- Intermediate Level Narrate in Present Time: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to use and organize language indicating present or habitual time in order to present a cohesive description of recurring events or routines, everyday activities, holidays, etc. Task 4: Picture 4 -- Advanced Level Narrate in Past Time: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to use and organize language indicating past time in order to present a cohesive description of an event or incident that occurred in the recent past. Task 5: Picture 5 -- Advanced Level Narrate in Future Time: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to use and organize language indicating future time in order to present a cohesive description of plans or expected occurrences of a personal nature, such as a planned trip or activity. Task 6: Topic 1 -- Intermediate Level Give a Description of a Personal Nature: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to describe your leisure activities, favorite pastimes, preferred hobbies, places you are familiar with, personal routines, etc. Task 7: Topic 2 -- Advanced Level State Advantages/Disadvantages: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to state the advantages and disadvantages of two sides of a situation (e.g., living in a big city/living in the country), a decision (such as going to college/going to work), or an object that has affected society (e.g., using/not using the computer in education). Task 8: Topic 3 -- Advanced Level Give Instructions: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to give instructions and explain the steps involved in carrying out an activity. Task 9: Topic 4 -- Superior Level Support an Opinion: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to state, support, and defend a personally held opinion or belief about an issue. For example, "Do you think all students should be encouraged to participate in after-school sports at some point during high school?" Task 10: Topic 5 -- Advanced Level Hypothesize on a Personal Topic: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to say what you would do in a hypothetical situation. For example, "If you received a grant to study any subject you want for a year, what courses would you like to take, and where would you study?" 24 PREPARING FOR THE TOPT (continued) Task 11: Situation 1 -- Intermediate Level Make Simple Requests: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to make simple requests such as requesting information from a movie theater about what movies are playing and at what times, requesting information from a clothing store about sizes and prices, requesting information from a hotel about room service. Task 12: Situation 2 -- Advanced Level Give Advice: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to give advice to a person faced with making a decision between two or more choices and give supporting reasons for the advice given. Task 13: Situation 3 -- Advanced Level Speak with Tact (e.g., Apologize, Lodge a Complaint): This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to modify the way you speak in situations that have an unusual circumstance, such as giving an apology (i.e., be able to apologize clearly and appropriately to an offended party) or lodging a complaint (i.e., be able to lodge a complaint, giving the reasons for it and asking for a response). Task 14: Situation 4 -- Superior Level State Personal Point of View: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to state what you believe on a controversial subject and why you hold those beliefs. Task 15: Situation 5 -- Advanced Level Give a Brief Factual Summary: This task allows you to demonstrate your ability to summarize, in "oral report" fashion, factual information about topics of a general informative nature. The 15 questions in the TOPT are contained in the test booklet. The candidates listen to a series of instructions on an audio recording and record their responses. There are no written responses on the TOPT. The response recordings, therefore, contain both the instructions from the master recording and the candidates' responses. Recorders remain playing throughout the test session and cannot be stopped once the test begins. The test session lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes. Part of this time is for orientation and completing forms, and the remainder is for the test administration. Each test question is presented in English and is printed in the test booklet so that you can follow along as the question is read on the master recording. For each test question, you will have a short period of time to think about your response before you answer orally. The amount of time provided for you to prepare your response and to give your response will vary depending on the complexity of the question. Immediately before you are to respond, you will hear a brief prompt spoken in the language being tested. You then will make your response in the tested language. Five seconds before the end of each response time, there is a soft, low-frequency tone to signal you to finish your response. At that time, you should bring your response to an appropriate close. The general directions to the test are printed in your test booklet and are reproduced below. You should read them carefully before you take the TOPT, as they will help you understand what you must do in taking the test. GENERAL DIRECTIONS This is a test of your ability to speak Spanish or French fluently and accurately. There are several parts in the test. Directions for each part will be given in English. Listen carefully to the directions and answer in Spanish or French when you are asked to do so. Your answer will be recorded, so it will be important for you to speak clearly enough and loudly enough for your voice to be properly recorded. Within each part of the test, the speaking tasks you will be asked to perform will range from easy to considerably more challenging. You are not expected to be able to answer all questions with equal facility. However, you should try to speak as much and as well as possible in response to each question. Always use your best Spanish or French and speak only in Spanish or French. The amount of time provided for your response will vary depending on the complexity of the question. Since the amount of time each examinee needs to respond also varies, feel free to stop talking when you feel you have given a complete response. On the other hand, do not worry if you are occasionally interrupted by the next question before completing your answer. Remember that there are no right or wrong answers on this test. In other words, the accuracy of the content of your answers will not be evaluated. The purpose of this test is to allow you to demonstrate your ability to speak Spanish or French. Do try, however, to give comprehensive, complete responses. Always say as much as you can, speak as well as you can, and show what you can do. Before starting the TOPT master recording, the test administrator will confirm that the equipment is functioning properly. The test administrator will then read directions and begin the master recording. The master recording will ask you to identify your response by giving your name, TEA ID number, and your linkage number. Neither recording can be stopped once the test has begun. When taking the TOPT, you will follow the sequence of activities listed below. 1. Silently read the test question, printed in English in the booklet, while it is spoken in English on the master recording. 2. Think about your response during the pause on the recording. If you wish, you may make notes in your test booklet. 3. Listen to the prompt spoken in Spanish or French on the master recording. 4. Respond orally in Spanish or French. Your response should be in your own words and not copied or paraphrased from some other work. center insert 2007-08 TOPT REGISTRATION FORM - not included in this text version 25 PREPARING FOR THE TOPT (continued) Warm-Up Warm-up questions follow the general directions. In these questions, a speaker of Spanish or French will ask you several questions about yourself, your interest in teaching, and your experience with the language. These questions are designed to allow you to speak freely about yourself as you become familiar with the testing situation. Picture-Based Questions Following the warm-up questions are picture-based questions. You will respond to test questions based on drawings that depict a familiar setting. Your responses may involve such tasks as giving directions, describing a typical routine, retelling a story that happened in the past, or describing an event that is planned for the future. A sample picture-based question matched to the speaking task "Describe a Place/Activities" follows. Note that in this sample, the question for the Spanish and French tests is the same except for references to the location and the names. Spanish: Sample Picture-Based Question You read in your test booklet and hear from the master recording: Imagine that you are at a party in Cuernavaca, Mexico. You join a group of people who are describing their homes. One of the group, Marta, asks you to describe a typical American home. You may use the picture or your own experience as a source of ideas. You will have 30 seconds to prepare your answer. After Marta asks her question, you will have one minute and 20 seconds for your response. Remember to wait for Marta's question before you respond. (30-second pause) You hear from the master recording: ¿Cómo son los hogares en los Estados Unidos? (1 minute and 20 seconds for you to speak) Tone (5 seconds for you to complete your response) French: Sample Picture-Based Question You read in your test booklet and hear from the master recording: Imagine that you are at a party in Grenoble, France. You join a group of people who are describing their homes. One of the group, Simone, asks you to describe a typical American home. You may use the picture or your own experience as a source of ideas. You will have 30 seconds to think about your answer. After Simone speaks, you will have one minute and 20 seconds for your response. Remember to wait for Simone's request before you respond. (30-second pause) You hear from the master recording: Décrivez-moi une maison américaine typique. (1 minute and 20 seconds for you to speak) Tone (5 seconds for you to complete your response) You will notice from the examples above that the task you are to perform is printed in bold letters in each question. Be sure to focus on this task. The picture on which you should base your response is on the following page. Topic Questions The next set of questions allows you to demonstrate your ability to speak about a variety of topics. For instance, you may be asked to present advantages and disadvantages of a certain proposition, give someone step-by-step directions for doing something, or support your own opinion on a topic related to society or education. The following are Spanish and French versions of a topic question matched to the speaking task "Give Instructions." Spanish: Sample Topic Question You read in your test booklet and hear from the master recording: An exchange teacher from Venezuela, Mr. Medina, has come to you for advice on the first day of school. He will be teaching American students for the first time, and he would like to know how roll call is conducted in American classrooms. After Mr. Medina asks his question, briefly explain to him the procedure for taking attendance in a typical American classroom. (30-second pause) You hear from the master recording: ¿Cómo se pasa lista en las escuelas norteamericanas? 26 PREPARING FOR THE TOPT (continued) PICTURE STIMULUS FOR SAMPLE QUESTION ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE - not included in this text version 27 PREPARING FOR THE TOPT (continued) (55 seconds for you to speak) Tone (5 seconds for you to complete your response) French: Sample Topic Question You read in your test booklet and hear from the master recording: An exchange teacher from Paris, Monsieur Martin, has come to you for advice on the first day of school. He will be teaching American students for the first time, and he would like to know how roll call is conducted in American classrooms. After Monsieur Martin asks his question, briefly explain to him the procedure for taking attendance in a typical American classroom. (30-second pause) You hear from the master recording: Comment fait-on l'appel aux Etats-Unis? (55 seconds for you to speak) Tone (5 seconds for you to complete your response) Situation Questions The final set of questions allows you to demonstrate your ability to respond to real-life situations in French or Spanish. These may involve tasks such as giving advice to a friend, apologizing to someone, or lodging a complaint. Following is a sample situation question for the speaking task "Speak with Tact (e.g., Apologize, Lodge a Complaint)." Spanish: Sample Situation Question You read in your test booklet and hear from the master recording: You are leading a group of 12 high school students on a tour of Mexico. When you arrive at a hotel in Mexico City, where you had already paid a deposit, the clerk tells you there are no rooms available. You ask to speak with the manager, Mr. Navarro. After he asks you what the problem is, explain the situation to him. Ask him to remedy it, conveying both your feelings about what has happened and your urgent need to find accommodations for the group. (30-second pause) You hear from the master recording: Buenos días. Me dijo el recepcionista que quería hablar conmigo. ¿En qué puedo servirle? (55 seconds for you to speak) Tone (5 seconds for you to complete your response) French: Sample Situation Question You read in your test booklet and hear from the master recording: You are leading a group of 12 high school students on a tour of France. When you arrive at a hotel in Paris, where you had already paid a deposit, the clerk tells you there are no rooms available. You ask to speak with the manager, Madame Boucher. After she asks you what the problem is, explain the situation to her. Ask her to remedy it, conveying both your feelings about what has happened and your urgent need to find accommodations for the group. (30-second pause) You hear from the master recording: Que puis-je faire pour vous aider? (55 seconds for you to speak) Tone (5 seconds for you to complete your response) What You Should Expect to Do During the Session The following information about the test session and about what you should expect to do during the test session may be helpful to you. --Answer the questions in the warm-up section. A set of warm-up questions is provided at the beginning of the test session. Although these are not scored, you are encouraged to answer them. The purpose of these questions is to allow you to become familiar with the test setting and procedures. Answering these questions may help you relax and prepare for the actual test questions. 28 PREPARING FOR THE TOPT (continued) --Follow directions and listen carefully. At the beginning of the test session and throughout the test, follow all directions carefully. This includes the oral directions that will be read by the test administrator and any written directions in the test booklet. The test booklet will contain general directions for the test as a whole and specific directions for individual test questions or groups of test questions. If you do not understand something about the directions, do not hesitate to ask your test administrator before testing begins. Listen carefully to the directions on the master recording. The general instructions and the instructions for each question will be read to you on the recording and are written in your test booklet. Listen carefully to the instructions and read along to ensure that you understand each question before you respond. --Listen carefully for your cue to respond. After each test question is read aloud on the master recording, you will have a short period of time to think about your response before you answer orally. The amount of time provided for you to prepare your response and to give your response will vary depending on the complexity of the question. Immediately before you are to respond, you will hear a brief prompt spoken in the language being tested. This prompt is your cue to begin your response in the tested language. Five seconds before the end of each response time, there will be a soft, low-frequency tone to signal you to finish your response. At that time, you should bring your response to an appropriate close. --Use the pictures as a source of ideas. Pictures are meant to be a source of ideas for your responses. Do not merely describe what you see in a picture, but use the series of pictures as a starting point from which to elaborate. You want to display the full extent of your speaking ability. Use your imagination to give as complete a response as you can if the topic or context of the question is unfamiliar. --Show what you can do. Your goal is to demonstrate as fully as possible how well you speak Spanish or French. For each question, say as much as you can until the time is up or until you think you have given a thorough answer. Always try to speak as well and as clearly as you can. --Speak naturally and appropriately for each question. Speak in a manner appropriate to the context of each question. If, for example, a question tells you to ask a friend to lend you her car, use a persuasive manner in your response. If the question asks you to tell a friend that you have wrecked her car, use an apologetic manner. Different situations will require you to speak differently. --Do not worry about finding the "right" answer. Questions are intended for you to demonstrate your speaking ability. This includes your fluency, your accuracy of grammar, and the extent of your vocabulary. Questions are not intended to test your knowledge of facts, ideas, or events. There are no "right" or "wrong" answers. --Do not worry if you are cut off. Five seconds before the end of each response time, there will be a soft, low-frequency tone to tell you to finish your response. If you have not completed your answer by this time, do not stop speaking at the tone, but bring your response to an appropriate close. If five seconds is not sufficient time and you find yourself cut off at the very end of a question (when the speaker begins the next question), do not worry. It is not the specific facts or opinions that you include in your response or whether you completely finish your response that matters. What matters is how well you express what you say. Scoring the TOPT The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) has developed guidelines (the Proficiency Guidelines Scale) and a system for classifying oral proficiency in a language. The TOPT will be scored based on this system with the major difference that performance at the highest and lowest levels of the ACTFL scale will not be identified (see description on page 29). The TOPT has been designed to elicit a representative sample of a candidate's speech in a short period of time. Scorers listen to and rate each speech sample. Through a global rating process, an overall score is assigned to the set of responses. The score assigned is one of four proficiency ratings, with a "1" being the lower rating and a "4/5"* being the highest. (*For purposes of reporting results, no distinction is made between the individual scores of "4" and "5"; these are collapsed into the category of "4." The TOPT scoring process is also a holistic scoring process. In holistic scoring, scorers evaluate the effectiveness of responses in terms of a set of performance characteristics that has been defined as important. The process is holistic in that the score assigned to a response should reflect the overall effectiveness of all the performance characteristics working in concert. For the TOPT, these performance characteristics have been defined as Function, Content, Vocabulary, Grammar, Comprehensibility, Sociocultural Fit, and Fluency. Thus, for the TOPT, "oral proficiency" is defined as the ability to perform with respect to these characteristics. The TEA established the minimum level of oral proficiency required for an entry-level educator to perform successfully in Texas schools based upon recommendations of committees of Texas educators. At least two independent scorers review each TOPT response tape. 29 PREPARING FOR THE TOPT (continued) To pass the TOPT, a candidate must demonstrate proficiency in Spanish or French at a level "3" (as defined in the table below) as determined by each independent scorer, or a combined score of "6" or higher. (See "Description of the Scoring Process" on page 32.) Definition of the Scoring Scale As previously mentioned, the set of standards used for the TOPT is the Proficiency Guidelines Scale of the ACTFL. The ACTFL scale defines "oral proficiency" as the ability to perform with respect to three areas: communicative tasks, the contexts (or content areas) in which language can be used, and the accuracy with which the tasks are carried out. As previously described, the TOPT consists of 15 tasks. Individual scorers for TOPT assign a global score from "1" to "4/5"* to correspond to the proficiency ratings of the ACTFL scoring scale. (*For purposes of reporting results, no distinction is made between the individual scores of "4" and "5"; these are collapsed into the category of "4.") The following tables provide a summary description of the features of performance for each score point for each performance feature. TOPT SCORING SCALE 1 The level 1 (or Intermediate Mid) speaker is able to handle successfully a variety of uncomplicated, basic, and communicative tasks and social situations. He or she can talk simply about self and family members and can ask and answer questions and participate in simple conversations on topics beyond the most immediate needs (e.g., personal history and leisure time activities). The length of spoken statements is increased over that at lower levels, but speech may be characterized by frequent long pauses, since the smooth incorporation of even basic conversational strategies is often hindered as the speaker struggles to create appropriate language forms. Although misunderstandings arise, the Intermediate Mid speaker can generally be understood by listeners who are accustomed to dealing with speakers at this level. 2 The level 2 (or Intermediate High) speaker is able to handle most uncomplicated communicative tasks and social situations. He or she can initiate, sustain, and close a general conversation with a number of strategies appropriate to a range of circumstances and topics, but errors are evident. Limited vocabulary still necessitates hesitation and may bring about slightly unexpected circumlocution (the use of an unnecessarily large number of words to convey meaning or to express an idea). There is emerging evidence of connected discourse in speech, particularly for simple narration and/or description. The Intermediate High speaker can generally be understood by listeners not accustomed to dealing with speakers at this level, but repetition may be required. 3 The level 3 (or Advanced) speaker is able to satisfy the requirements of everyday situations and routine school and work requirements. He or she can handle with confidence, but not with facility, complicated tasks and social situations, such as elaborating, complaining, and apologizing. The Advanced speaker can narrate and describe with some details, linking sentences together smoothly. He or she can communicate facts and talk casually about topics of current public and personal interest, using general vocabulary. Shortcomings can often be smoothed over by communicative strategies, such as filling pauses, stalling, and using different rates of speech. Circumlocution that arises from vocabulary or syntactic limitations very often is quite successful, although some groping for words may be evident. The Advanced-level speaker can be understood without difficulty by most native speakers of the language. 4/5 The level 4/5 (or Advanced High) speaker is able to satisfy the requirements of a broad variety of everyday, school, and work situations. He or she can discuss concrete topics relating to particular interests and special fields of competence. There is emerging evidence of the ability to support opinions, explain in detail, and hypothesize. The Advanced High speaker often shows a well-developed ability to compensate for an imperfect grasp of some forms with confident use of communicative strategies such as paraphrasing and circumlocution. Appropriate vocabulary and intonation are effectively used to communicate fine shades of meaning. The Advanced High speaker often shows remarkable fluency and ease of speech, but under the demands of higher-level, complex tasks, language may break down or prove inadequate. 30 PREPARING FOR THE TOPT (continued) Description of the Scoring Scale by Features of Performance Proficiency Feature of Performance: Function (communicative Purpose) -- Level 1 --not completed successfully --some naming --some (possibly sporadic) description, questions, statements --formula phrases Feature of Performance: Function (communicative Purpose) -- Level 2 --minimum or partial completion of task --uses description, questions, statements --some narration Feature of Performance: Function (communicative Purpose) -- Level 3 --concrete --completed as stated --clear description, narration, explanation, comparison, advice, advantages/disadvantages, summary, apology Feature of Performance: Function (communicative Purpose) -- Level 4/5 --abstract --embellished --general --professional --supports opinions, hypothesizes, etc. Feature of Performance: Content (adequacy and organization of information) -- Level 1 --few ideas --one-word thoughts or lists --no organization or disorganized --disjointed --unclear --circular or repetitious --incomprehensible --no connectors Feature of Performance: Content (adequacy and organization of information) -- Level 2 --discrete sentences (lists) --minimal information --few connectors --may be partly unclear --may have some repetition --may have some organization Feature of Performance: Content (adequacy and organization of information) -- Level 3 --appropriate --sufficient --complete --clear message --paragraph length --some connectedness --somewhat organized --sustained speech Feature of Performance: Content (adequacy and organization of information) -- Level 4/5 --extensive organization --introduction --logical sequence --closure --extensive detail --exceptional linkage and transition --extensive discourse Feature of Performance: Vocabulary (appropriateness of word choice for the level) -- Level 1 --a few words to basic vocabulary --vague references (something, things like that, etc.) --English --blanks, omissions --misformed words --misuse of words Feature of Performance: Vocabulary (appropriateness of word choice for the level) -- Level 2 --some appropriate vocabulary --vague references (something, things like that, etc.) --some misformed words --some misuse of words Feature of Performance: Vocabulary (appropriateness of word choice for the level) -- Level 3 --adequate --successful circumlocution* (*circumlocution: the ability to substitute a verbal explanation for an unknown word) --some regionalisms possible --most words correctly formed Feature of Performance: Vocabulary (appropriateness of word choice for the level) -- Level 4/5 --varied --not redundant --all in target language --elegant --professional --abstract --some low-frequency items --precise words 31 PREPARING FOR THE TOPT (continued) Description of the Scoring Scale by Features of Performance Proficiency continued Feature of Performance: Grammar (number of errors in syntax, usage, etc.) -- Level 1 --extreme to frequent inaccuracy --reliance on present tense regardless of form needed --some memorized sentences --constant to many agreement errors --weak syntax (if present) Feature of Performance: Grammar (number of errors in syntax, usage, etc.) -- Level 2 --many errors --confusion of preterit and imperfect --mostly present tense regardless of forms needed --many agreement errors --some accurate verbs Feature of Performance: Grammar (number of errors in syntax, usage, etc.) -- Level 3 --some errors --past, present, and future (immediate) verbs handled well --fairly accurate forms appropriate to task --subjunctive errors Feature of Performance: Grammar (number of errors in syntax, usage, etc.) -- Level 4/5 --few errors --no patterned errors --complex sentences --complex verb structures --accurate --has structures necessary for hypothesis and persuasion Feature of Performance: Comprehensibility (how well pronounced, structured, expressed) -- Level 1 --needs a "sympathetic listener*" (*sympathetic listener: a listener who is fluent in the language and is forced to guess at the speaker's meaning because of inaccuracies in pronunciation, intonation, enunciation, etc.) --much (or all) may be incomprehensible --pronunciation errors Feature of Performance: Comprehensibility (how well pronounced, structured, expressed) -- Level 2 --needs a "sympathetic listener*" (*sympathetic listener: a listener who is fluent in the language and is forced to guess at the speaker's meaning because of inaccuracies in pronunciation, intonation, enunciation, etc.) --some comprehension by native speakers --pronunciation errors Feature of Performance: Comprehensibility (how well pronounced, structured, expressed) -- Level 3 --generally appropriate pronunciation, intonation, enunciation --volume can be understood by anyone Feature of Performance: Comprehensibility (how well pronounced, structured, expressed) -- Level 4/5 --elegant pronunciation, intonation, enunciation --always understandable Feature of Performance: Sociocultural Fit (culturally acceptable/unacceptable interactions) -- Level 1 --minimal to no attention to register* (*register: choice of vocabulary or structure fits the speaker's situation (e.g., uses tú and usted [Spanish] or tu and vous [French] appropriately)) --scant to no attempts at politeness --lacks courtesy formulas --often uses tú and usted (Spanish) or tu and vous (French) inappropriately --survival mode, little tact Feature of Performance: Sociocultural Fit (culturally acceptable/unacceptable interactions) -- Level 2 --minimal courtesy formulas --may use tú and usted (Spanish) or tu and vous (French) inappropriately --makes some effort at tact Feature of Performance: Sociocultural Fit (culturally acceptable/unacceptable interactions) -- Level 3 --tact --courtesy --sensitivity --generally appropriate register* (*register: choice of vocabulary or structure fits the speaker's situation (e.g., uses tú and usted [Spanish] or tu and vous [French] appropriately)) Feature of Performance: Sociocultural Fit (culturally acceptable/unacceptable interactions) -- Level 4/5 --elegant courtesy formulas --uses target cultural references 32 PREPARING FOR THE TOPT (continued) Description of the Scoring Scale by Features of Performance Proficiency continued Feature of Performance: Fluency (flow, quantity) -- Level 1 --extreme to frequent hesitation --extreme brevity --long pauses --minimal interaction Feature of Performance: Fluency (flow, quantity) -- Level 2 --hesitates intermittantly --rephrases frequently --very brief --may have long pauses Feature of Performance: Fluency (flow, quantity) -- Level 3 --generally flows --occasional hesitation --occasional rephrasing --moderate quantity of speech for task Feature of Performance: Fluency (flow, quantity) -- Level 4/5 --exceptional flow --exceptional detail --exceptional quantity --rare pauses Description of the Scoring Process Responses to the TOPT are scored according to standardized procedures during scoring sessions held after each administration. Scorers with relevant professional backgrounds are oriented to these procedures before scoring TOPT responses from a test administration so that they may score responses consistently, fairly, and in accordance with the TOPT scoring scale. Scorers are given a review of the program and of the rules and procedures provided to the candidates. Scorers then review and discuss the scoring manual, which includes a description of the tasks, performance levels, score points, and elements typically found in responses at each score point. Recorded performances at each score point are presented. Typically, these recordings will include a variety of responses to represent the geographic and ethnic diversity of Texas. The distinction between performance samples at each score point is emphasized. Scorers are deemed calibrated, and therefore ready to begin the scoring process, when their individual scoring judgments are in accordance with the scoring scale and consistent with the established "marker recordings" for the program. After successfully completing the orientation and calibration activities, scorers will begin scoring. Each recording is reviewed by two independent scorers. Each individual scorer assigns a score on a scale of "1" to "4/5." For purposes of reporting results, no distinction is made between the individual scores of "4" and "5"; these are collapsed into the category of "4." The two sets of scores are combined to yield the candidate's total score. That is, the final score for each recording is converted to a performance level corresponding to the final score achieved on a scale from "2" to "8 plus." An examinee must receive a score of "3" or better from each of the two scorers, or a total score of "6," in order to pass. Response recordings that receive scores on opposite sides of the pass/fail line (i.e., scores that receive a score of "3" from one scorer and a "2" from a second scorer) will undergo further review for resolution. The performance level assigned to each score is provided in the chart below. Performances that result in a total score within the range of NOT PASS ratings are forwarded to analytic scoring (see below) for diagnostic feedback. Final Score: 4/5 plus 4/5 equals 8 plus Performance Level: Pass Final Score: 3 plus 4 equals 7 Performance Level: Pass Final Score: 3 plus 3 equals 6 Performance Level: Pass Final Score: 2 plus 3 equals N/A Performance Level: Referred to Third Scoring Final Score: 2 plus 2 equals 4* (*See "Analytic Scoring and Feedback" on next page.) Performance Level: Not Pass Final Score: 1 plus 2 equals 3* (*See "Analytic Scoring and Feedback" on next page.) Performance Level: Not Pass Final Score: 1 plus 1 equals 2* (*See "Analytic Scoring and Feedback" on next page.) Performance Level: Not Pass 33 PREPARING FOR THE TOPT (continued) Analytic Scoring and Feedback Examination responses that receive an overall rating resulting in a status of NOT PASS receive an additional evaluation to provide the candidate with feedback that he or she can use to improve his or her oral performance. In this additional round of scoring, called analytic scoring, scorers listen to examinee responses to determine the performance characteristics for which improvement is needed in order for the candidate to receive a pass rating. These performance characteristics are reported to the candidate when he or she receives the test results, along with the expanded descriptions of each analytic category. Candidates who do not pass often perform below the passing level on several performance features. In analytic scoring, a scorer identifies those features of the candidate's performance that are most problematic and best distinguish between passing and failing performance. The candidate can then focus efforts on those features. The TOPT analytic scale lists seven performance features. Scorers' attention is directed toward the aspects of proficiency that best distinguish between passing and failing performance. If candidates do not pass the test, their score reports will indicate one or more of the following areas for improvement in their oral response: 1. Function: Failure to address the communicative task 2. Content: Few ideas, insufficient organization 3. Vocabulary: Use of limited, inaccurate, and/or misformed words 4. Grammar: Inappropriate use of tense, mood, agreement, syntax 5. Comprehensibility: Lack of intelligibility at times 6. Sociocultural Fit: Failure to use culturally acceptable speech 7. Fluency: Lack of flow, long pauses, fumbling for words Detailed descriptions of these features are provided below. 1. Function: Failure to address the communicative task. The speaker has difficulty in achieving the communicative purpose of the test question (e.g., story, explanation, instructions, opinion, argument). Significant elements of the oral response requested in the test question are left out or miscommunicated. 2. Content: Few ideas, insufficient organization. The speaker has limited ability to organize the response, such that the response may be disjointed or unclear. Thus, the oral response is reduced to a series of discrete sentences or ideas, which may lack main ideas, conclusions, and transitional phrases. Although theresponse may be linguistically correct, it may lack a sufficient amount of information or the same idea may be repeated several times. 3. Vocabulary: Use of limited, inaccurate, and/or misformed words. The speaker has inadequate vocabulary to express the necessary information. Control of basic, high-frequency vocabulary may be good, but serious gaps may occur when talking about topics of broader interest. The speaker may talk in generalities and avoid details. The speaker may choose incorrect or vague words, may use misformed versions of low-frequency words, and may repeat key details. 4. Grammar: Inappropriate use of tense, mood, agreement, syntax. The speaker uses past tense sporadically or not at all, or the past tenses may be used in the wrong contexts. There may be consistent grammatical errors, either in language forms themselves or in the choice of form or tense for the context. Present tense forms may be inaccurate. 5. Comprehensibility: Lack of intelligibility at times. The speaker fails to get the meaning across in the absence of needed vocabulary or correct forms. The message is seriously flawed or even severely incomprehensible. The speaker's pronunciation may interfere with communication. At times, the response is not easily intelligible. Speech may be so slow or hesitant that it would impede comprehension. The speaker may fail to use circumlocution when he/she cannot produce specific words. 6. Sociocultural Fit: Failure to use culturally acceptable speech. The speaker fails to tailor the language to the audience. There may be little or no attempt to convey the information in the appropriate register. The speaker may fumble for words to express concern and to involve others in the situation. Tú and usted (Spanish) or tu and vous (French) are mixed or otherwise used inappropriately. 7. Fluency: Lack of flow, long pauses, fumbling for words. The speaker's response is characterized by long pauses, struggles for expression, extreme brevity, or even complete linguistic breakdown. The speaker may use English or give up, rather than find another way to express the thought. Preparing for the Test Oral proficiency in a language is acquired over a period of time through continual practice and use of the spoken language. The sole purpose of the test is to allow you to demonstrate your oral proficiency in the language. However, it is to your advantage to know what level of ability you are expected to demonstrate to receive a passing score on the TOPT and to become familiar with the unique testing format of the TOPT before you actually take the test. 34 PREPARING FOR THE TOPT (continued) The information in this section is designed to help you obtain information and practice materials that will assist you in doing your best on the test. General Preparation Notes 1. Determine whether you are ready to take the TOPT. The following is a description of the level of speaking proficiency a person who passes the TOPT is generally expected to demonstrate in his or her speech. --Carry out a conversation in Spanish or French in a clearly participatory manner. --Initiate, sustain, and bring to closure a wide variety of communicative tasks, including requests, explanations, and short explanatory talks, and tasks that require the use of diverse communication strategies due to a complicated or unexpected situation. --Handle the linguistic demands of routine social, school, and work situations, including complaints, apologies, and elaborations. --Narrate in present, past, and future tenses. --Describe people, places, and events. --Link facts, details, and thoughts together smoothly into paragraph-length utterances as opposed to speaking in sentences.These abilities reflect, in general, the level of proficiency required to obtain a passing score of "6" on the TOPT and to exhibit the characteristics of an "Advanced" speaker on the Proficiency Guidelines Scale developed by the ACTFL. 2. Become comfortable with the method of test administration. You may want to practice responding to questions in Spanish or French while speaking into a tape recorder in order to become accustomed to this process. 3. Enhance your speaking ability by practicing. Although you may speak Spanish or French well, you may also be "rusty" if you have not used