PARAPROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT: INTERNET-BASED TESTING

Read the following for information about registration, testing, and score reporting for GACE Internet-based testing.

Before you test, please review important testing information and policies related to the following:

• What should I bring to the test site? (Reminder: Possession or use of cell phones, pagers, and all other communication devices is strictly prohibited in the testing facility and may result in the voiding of your scores.)
• What are the rules of test participation I need to agree to?
• What are the test fees and payment policies?

What is the Paraprofessional assessment?

The GACE Paraprofessional assessment (test code 177) is designed to enable individuals and school districts to satisfy state and federal No Child Left Behind requirements that call for "highly qualified paraprofessionals." It is a single test that consists of selected-response questions and is offered as an Internet-based test and as a paper-based test. For information about paper-based testing, see the 2012–2013 GACE Registration Bulletin.

Where may I take the Paraprofessional assessment?

The Paraprofessional assessment is offered as an Internet-based test at the following Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESAs):

Chattahoochee-Flint	121 East College St. Ellaville, GA 31806	(229) 937-5341
Central Savannah River Area	4683 Augusta Hwy SE Dearing, GA 30808	(706) 556-6225
First District	201 West Lee St. Brooklet, GA 30415	(912) 842-5000
Heart of Georgia	1141 Cochran Hwy Eastman, GA 31023	(478) 374-2240
North Georgia	4731 Old Highway 5 South Ellijay, GA 30540	(706) 276-1111
Northeast Georgia	375 Winter St. Winterville, GA 30683	(706) 742-8292
Pioneer	1342 Hwy 254 Cleveland, GA 30528-0033	(706) 865-2141
West Georgia	99 Brown School Dr. Grantville, GA 30220	(770) 583-2528

The Paraprofessional assessment is also offered at many school districts and Educational Technology Centers (ETCs). Alternatively, you may register to take the assessment at a regularly scheduled GACE paper-based test administration.

How do I schedule an appointment to test?

Each test site maintains its own test appointment schedule. Contact the site where you would like to take the test to find out when test appointments are available and to schedule an appointment.

What is the test fee and how do I pay?

The test fee for GACE Internet-based testing is $35. You will be required to pay the test fee using a credit card as part of the registration process, or, there may be an option for payment to be made through your local school district or RESA. Be sure to ask how payment should be made when you call to schedule your test.

Test fees paid by credit card must be paid by VISA or MasterCard or a debit or check card that carries the VISA or MasterCard logo and that can be used without the entry of a personal identification number (PIN). Bank cards without a VISA or MasterCard logo cannot be accepted. The merchant name that will appear on your credit card statement is "Eval Systems Test Fee."

What are the payment policies?

If you are required to pay for your test, the following payment policies apply:

Payment policies. If, for any reason, your payment for a test date does not clear (for example, if you dispute a credit card charge), you will have an outstanding balance with Evaluation Systems. In this case

• you will be assessed an additional fee by Evaluation Systems to cover the processing required to clear your account;
• you will not be allowed to register for future test dates until your balance, which includes the additional fee, is paid in full;
• you must make your payment to clear your account by cashier's check or money order only, unless you are making a subsequent credit card payment for additional services, in which case your credit card will be billed for both the outstanding balance and the additional requested services.

If you have any outstanding balance owed by you to Evaluation Systems 20 calendar days after the test date on which you took a GACE Internet-based test, all of your scores for that test date will be permanently voided and will not be reported to you, to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), or to any institution or employing agency. It is your responsibility to ensure that your account with Evaluation Systems is paid in full and all payments have cleared by this deadline. Any payment received later than 20 calendar days after the test date will be used to clear your account but will not alter the permanent voiding of your scores. You may wish to call Evaluation Systems prior to this deadline to confirm that your payment has been received and your account is clear.

The following additional policies apply to you when you have an outstanding balance with Evaluation Systems:

• If you attempt to pay for any further services by credit card, your credit card will be billed for the amount of all services you have requested, as well as the outstanding balance owed. You agree to pay for all such services and outstanding balances in the event your credit card company does not.
• If you attempt to pay for any further services by check or money order, any payments received will be applied first to your outstanding debt, with any excess applied to the requested services.
• Any credits or refunds for which you may be eligible will be applied first to your outstanding debt, with any excess to be returned to you.

What should I bring to the test site?

To be able to take a GACE Internet-based test, you must bring the following personal identification to the test site:

• One piece of current, government-issued identification, in the name in which you are registering, bearing your photograph and signature
• One additional piece of identification (with or without a photograph)

If the name on your identification differs from the name in which you are registering, you must bring official verification of the change (e.g., marriage certificate, court order). Both before and after testing, the test administrator will verify that your identification matches your testing information (i.e., your registration and your printed score report).

You may want to bring a pen or pencil to the test site. Notepaper will be provided for you to use during testing; however, no other notepaper or note-taking devices may be used during the test.

What information will I need to provide at the test site?

You will be asked to provide the following information when you register: your name, your address, your daytime and evening telephone numbers, your social security number, your date of birth, your gender (optional), and your ethnicity (optional). You will also be asked to provide the institution and/or employing agency to receive your test results, your current educational status, and your reason for taking the test.

What are the rules of test participation I need to agree to?

Before registering to take the GACE on the Internet, you must read and agree to comply with all the rules set forth here and in the Rules of Test Participation in GACE Internet-Based Testing. You must also agree to comply with the rules communicated to you, orally, in writing, or electronically, at the test site. Violation of test site rules, including the possession or use of prohibited materials during a test session, may result in the voiding of your scores.

The following are prohibited at the test site:

• Smoking and the use of all tobacco products
• Visitors, including relatives, children, and friends
• Weapons of any kind

DO NOT bring any unauthorized aids or prohibited materials, listed below, with you to the test site. If you do bring any of these materials, you will be required to leave them in a designated area.

• Cell phones (possession or use of)
• Electronic communication devices, visual or audio recording or listening devices, or any device with an on/off option, including, but not limited to, MP3 players, PDAs, pagers, computers, CDs, removable storage devices, calculator watches, clocks or watches with alarms, spellcheckers, etc.
• Calculators and calculator manuals
• Handwritten or printed materials, such as dictionaries, notebooks, scratch paper, textbooks, etc.
• Hats or headwear, except for those being worn for religious or medical purposes
• Packages and bags of any kind, such as backpacks, briefcases, etc.
• Food and drink including chewing gum, except water in approved containers
• Unauthorized aids, such as slide rules, rulers, translation aids, highlighters, etc.
• Unauthorized medical devices, such as inhalers, Epinephrine injections, etc., unless prior approval has been obtained (refer to "Requesting Alternative Testing Arrangements" for more information)

Policy for voiding of test scores. If you violate one of the rules or if doubts are raised about the validity or legitimacy of your registration or your scores, the test administration personnel will notify Evaluation Systems, the GaPSC, and other parties as deemed appropriate by the GaPSC. The GaPSC and Evaluation Systems reserve the right to void your scores if in their sole opinion there is adequate reason to question your scores' validity or legitimacy, due to misconduct (including, but not limited to, a violation of the Rules of Test Participation in GACE Internet-Based Testing, and the rules communicated to you, orally, in writing, or electronically, at the test site) or to circumstances within or beyond your control.

Further action may be taken, including denying, revoking, and/or suspending certification. Other actions, as described in the Rules of Test Participation in GACE Internet-Based Testing, may be taken as deemed appropriate by the GaPSC and/or Evaluation Systems. Violation of the Rules of Test Participation in GACE Internet-Based Testing may be a violation of the Georgia Code of Educator Ethics and may be grounds for denial, revocation, or suspension of Georgia educator certification.

Where can I find materials to help me prepare for the test?

Select "Preparation Materials" on the GACE Web site to view or print test preparation materials.

What do I need to know about taking an Internet-based test?

The following list outlines procedures specific to taking an Internet-based test:

• Be sure to arrive on time at the test site. If you arrive late, your ability to test may be jeopardized, and you may unfairly delay the testing of individuals scheduled after you.
• A test administrator at the test site will guide you in registering for the test and arranging for payment and will be present at all times while you are testing.
• Before you begin the test, you will have time to review the online tutorial that offers a brief introduction to the Internet-based testing software. The tutorial includes guidance on how to take the test online and provides opportunities to answer sample questions.
• When you have finished reviewing the tutorial, you will be prompted to begin the test.
• The test session length for Internet-based testing is designed to allow sufficient time for you to complete all questions for the assessment. You will be allowed three hours to complete the Paraprofessional assessment.
• You may answer the test questions in any order, review the answer sheet at any time throughout the test, and change your answers as needed.
• During testing, you may take restroom breaks. Any time that you take for restroom breaks is considered part of the available testing time. You may not leave the test site or room in which you have been seated for any purpose (other than to use the restroom, as permitted) until you have been officially dismissed by the test administrator. During the test, you may not communicate with other examinees or any unauthorized persons in any way, either in person or by using any communication device.
• You may end the test whenever you are done—you are not required to stay for the full test session. Should you become ill and unable to finish testing, you will have the choice to score or cancel the test.
• When you have completed testing or when the test session ends, you may select the option to either score the test or cancel the test without scoring it. Once you have been dismissed by the test administrator, you may gather your personal belongings and leave the test site.

Score cancellation policy. You may choose to end the test without scoring it at any time. If you choose to cancel your score during the test session, your test performance will not be reported to you, to the GaPSC, or to any institution or employing agency. Your scores will not be entered into any GACE records; therefore, after the cancellation of your test, you will not be able to have your scores reported for any purpose. If your test is scored, you may not cancel the score after the test session. You must wait at least 28 days to retake the test.

How and when do I receive my score report?

When you are finished testing, select the option to have your test scored. Your score report will be printed immediately, along with information about how to read your score report. If you passed the test, a second copy of your score report will be mailed to you within one month of your testing date. In addition, your scores will be reported to the employing agency that you indicated when you registered and to the GaPSC.

If I don't pass the test, may I retake it?

Yes. However, you must wait at least 28 days before retaking the test. Examinees who retake the same test before 28 days have passed are subject to having their scores voided.

How do I request additional copies of my scores?

See "Requesting Additional Copies of Your Test Results" on the GACE Web site for complete information about how to request additional copies of your scores.

How may I cancel or reschedule my test appointment?

Contact your local school district, RESA, or ETC to cancel or reschedule a test appointment.

How do I request alternative testing arrangements for a disability?

If you wish to request alternative testing arrangements for Internet-based testing, you should call (800) 523-7064 or (413) 256-2894 before scheduling an appointment to test.

All requests for alternative testing arrangements must be approved in writing in advance of the testing session.

What if I have questions not answered here?

If you have questions about:

• Georgia certification requirements, visit the GaPSC Web site at www.gapsc.com/Certification/index.asp.
• registration and test administration, contact your local school district or RESA.
• the GACE Paraprofessional assessment, locate the appropriate topic on this Web site or contact Evaluation Systems using the information provided on the "Contact Information" page.

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