This document provides instructions for administering the TAKS writing test. It outlines procedures such as setting up the testing room, distributing materials, monitoring students, and collecting tests. Key points include wearing a color-coded shirt, clearing hallways and rooms before testing, having students sign an oath sheet, actively monitoring students at all times, and arranging completed tests in sequential order before returning them.

1. TAKS SPECIFIC
WRITING TRAINING

2. *Check the counter beside the sign-in computer to see what
color White Oak shirt to wear. Be sure to wear your School ID
Badge.
* Set up the room in which you will test the day before the
test. Cover or take down any information that might be
useful to students on the test. Uncover door windows and
prop open doors without windows. Mrs. Dickson and I will
make walk-throughs to check rooms around 2:45.
*Post Testing signs outside your door and hang your red/
green card on your door frame.
*EVERYONE will receive a cell phone oath sign in sheet. Have
EVERY student sign the sheet and then sign the sheet YOURSELF.
Hang it out with your paper attendance. This is for all classes –
NOT just classes which are testing.
*There will be NO ENHANCEMENTS for any grade level.
The LIBRARY will be closed as well.
*Absolutely NO cell phones, ipods, ipads, mp3 players,
computers, etc. will be on until ALL tests are returned to the
vault. Attendance will be taken by pencil and paper.

3. *Count and sign out your tests from me at the vault before
7:55. You may not leave them anywhere unattended – even in
your locked classroom.
*Have small groups ready to leave the room with their test
administrators at 8:15. Hand the tests and answer
documents to the adult and not the student. HALLS
SHOULD BE CLEAR AND BEGIN TESTING BY 8:30.
* For the first testing, each student will be furnished with a
pencil pouch containing 2 pencils, a sharpener, and an
eraser. Remember to take them up and store them for the
next test. At that time, only one pencil per student will be
furnished.
*Active Monitoring – Remember Monitor Students at all
times. Active Monitoring is actively engaged in moving
about the room aware of every student's actions. It is not
reading, grading papers, or doing any other
activity other than watching students. You may NOT LOOK
at a student's test for any reason.
*Keep your Red Book of Procedures on your desk during
all testing.

4. *For students who receive “Other Methods of Response”, test
administrator will mark answer document with the student verifying
each answer choice. Test administrator MUST write “Transcribed by
(NAME) because student used an Other Method of Response as an
accommodation.” (page 179) There is no oral administration for
Writing.
*Test administrators may read the writing prompt ONLY if the
student requests and must read it to the individual student.
*NO SHARPIES!
*ALL FIFTH GRADE WILL USE THE BATHROOMS ON THE PRIMARY
LEVEL. Be aware that there will be no monitor assigned to this
hallway.
*ALL FOURTH GRADE WILL USE THE BATHROOMS IN THE 4TH
GRADE HALLWAY.
*During the 9:45 break, Alisha Kimbley will move to the restroom
across from the cafeteria to handle the increased number of
students taking restroom breaks. Mary Underwood will redirect the
overflow to the downstairs bathrooms. At 10:30, we will resume
using the bathrooms upstairs with two bathroom monitors present.

5. *Sausage biscuits will be outside your door when the 9:45 bell
rings. Have students stop, place answer documents inside test
booklet, and close booklet. Move the tests to the front of the desk
or take them up if you wish. Students may NOT talk during the
break. We have a very limited supply of water available for
students who did not bring water.
*Lunch will be served in the cafeteria after 3rd and 5th grades
have finished. Take up testing materials before lunch and return
to me in the vault. Place answer documents inside test booklets.
Arrange test booklets with the greatest number ON TOP so that
when I turn them upside down I can count from least to greatest
on the back sides.
*Students will skip a seat between each other. All test administrators
and monitors will remain on lunch duty to actively monitor the
students. There should be no talking.
*Writing specifics can be found in the Test Administration
Directions Manual on pages 3 - 11.
*Students may NOT read until ALL test booklets in that room have
been returned to me. Students may not read at lunch. This applies
ONLY to the Writing TAKS testing and clarification has been verified
with Region VII.

6. *When your entire class has finished testing, arrange your
test booklets in sequential order with the greatest number
ON TOP. Place the answer documents in alphabetical
order. Return your seating chart along with your tests.
*YOU WILL SIGN THE TOP PORTION OF YOUR SPECIFIC
OATH TODAY AND LEAVE IT WITH ME. Then after testing,
you will need to sign the second portion when you return
your tests.

7. You are great teachers! In fact,
there is no one better. You have
done your best.
Now it is time for our students to
show how great they are by giving it
their best.