RICAS Assessments

Test Coordinator Handbook

RISAP Test Coordinator Handbook (PDF) contains information and testing policies for all assessments included in the Rhode Island State Assessment Program.

Parent Flyer

The Parent Flyer (PDF) (updated 2.7.2019) provides parents with an overview and links to helpful resources about Rhode Island's Statewide Assessment Program.

RICAS 2019 Manuals

• Test Coordinator's Manual for Computer- and Paper-Based Testing (PDF)
• Test Security Requirements (PDF)

Computer-Based Testing:

• Test Administrator Manual for Computer-Based Testing (PDF)
• Test Administration Scripts for Computer-Based Testing:
  • Mathematics Script in English (PDF)
  • Mathematics Script in Spanish (PDF)
  • English Language Arts (PDF)

Paper-Based Testing:

• Test Administrator Manual for Paper-Based Testing (PDF)
• Test Administration Scripts for Paper-Based Testing:
  • Mathematics Script in English (PDF)
  • Mathematics Script in Spanish (PDF)
  • English Language Arts (PDF)

RICAS Resource Center

The RICAS Resource Center (ricas.pearsonsupport.com) includes access to student practice tests, technology requirements, test administration manuals, online training modules, and released test items.

Reporting Testing Irregularities

Use the RICAS Test Irregularity Form to document and report any testing irregularities in your school or district.

RICAS Service Center

Access iServices through the RICAS Service Center to accomplish the tasks below. You must have your login and password. Please contact the RICAS Help Desk if you do not have a login or password.

• Order Additional Materials
• Principal's Certification
• UPS Pickup Request
• Reporting

Medical Exemptions

Please use the guidance and information found on the Medical Exemptions web page to submit medical exemptions.

Test Coordinator Workshop Presentation:

• In-person test coordinator presentation (PPT)
• Recorded Presentation: Schools and districts can use this recording for training teachers.

Online Training Modules can be found at the Pearson support site. Presentation slides are posted below.

• Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (PPT)
• Infrastructure Trial for Technology Coordinators (PPT)
• Infrastructure Trial for Test Coordinators and Test Administrators (PPT)
• Creating Sessions (PPT)
• Sessions Management (PPT)

The 2019 Student Registration and Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP) (pdf) instructions and file layout document will show schools how to update student information and accommodations. Information on Accommodations for RICAS can be found in the Accommodations for Students with Disabilities and English Learners tab on this web page.

RICAS Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP) process now open

RIDE loaded the initial student registration data for RICAS grades 3-8 based on student enrollment as of Friday, January 25, 2019. This opens the Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP) process for districts and schools. Districts and schools must update the PNP for any students requiring paper materials (accommodations only) by February 8, 2019 for shipping purposes. The SR/PNP window extends through March 15, 2019 for uploading computer-based testing accommodations. An SR/PNP training module is available on the RICAS Resource Center along with the Guide to the Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP) Process. Approximately 200 students across the state could not be loaded because their SASID did not match name or date of birth entered into PAN in 2018; please double check expected PAN enrollment for your school or district.

As in 2018, districts and schools continue to update student registration based on student enrollment changes. NEW this year, PAN is set up for enrollment transfer requests. When an enrollment transfer is initiated, an email request will be sent to the Test Coordinator listed in PAN. The Test Coordinator email field is editable in PAN by state, district, or Service Center roles. The RICAS Service Center may be reached at 855-222-8936 or ricasservicecenter@measuredprogress.org.

The English Language Arts Test Design (pdf) document and PowerPoint (ppt) describe the design of the RICAS ELA tests. Test design documents were updated 1.30.19 to reflect new testing times.

• RICAS Parent Flyer (pdf)

RICAS ELA Resources:

Calibrating Expectations:

• Presentation (ppt)
• Webinar Recording
• Facilitator Directions (pdf)
• Handouts
• Released Items and Navigating Student Work Samples (ppt)
• Understanding the Student Score Report & Item Analysis/Subscore Resource (ppt)

The RICAS assessments are based on the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework which is strongly aligned with Rhode Island's English Language Arts/Literacy standards: the Common Core State Standards. You can access the Massachusetts' Curriculum Frameworks documents here: www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks.

• RICAS Student Tutorial and Practice Tests can be accessed here: ricas.pearsonsupport.com

• RICAS Released ELA Items can be accessed here: ricas.pearsonsupport.com/released-items

ELA Rubrics: The rubrics below will be used to assess the various types of students writing for the RICAS assessment (2018 to present).

The RICAS Achievement Level Descriptors (pdf) document contains all of the achievement level descriptions for all grade levels.

ELA Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks

RICAS ELA Assessment Tables articulate the alignment between the CCSS standards and the RICAS assessment. This document supports educators as they deepen their understanding of the standards and implications for instruction. Clarifications and differences are noted within the 2017 RICAS column.  Students are expected to meet each year’s grade-specific standards while retaining and further developing skills and understandings mastered in preceding grades; therefore, the assessment tables are provided for grades K-8. 

• RICAS ELA Assessment Tables (docx)
• RICAS ELA Assessment Tables (pdf)

RICAS Sample Student Work can be found here: www.doe.mass/edu/mcas/student/2018

Writing Standards in Action Project provides samples of student work that demonstrates grade-level expectations. The samples are annotated by educators to support student instruction in writing by showing how student writing meets or exceeds the standard. These writing samples are another source of student writing to help calibrate student expectations by grade level. The Massachusetts' Curriculum Frameworks documents refer to the Writing Standards in Action Project samples.

• Grades 3-4: Short Response Rubric (pdf)
• Grades 3-5: Essay Rubric (pdf)
• Grades 6-8: Essay Rubric (pdf)

The Mathematics Test Design (pdf) document and PowerPoint describe the design of the RICAS mathematics tests.

• RICAS Parent Flyer (updated 4.2018) (pdf)

RICAS Mathematics Resources: 

• Understanding the Released Items and Student Work Samples (PPT)
• Understanding the Student Score Report (PPT) - Webinar Recording
• Calibrating Expectations Using Student Work Samples
  • Presentation (PPT)
  • Webinar Recording  
  • Facilitator Directions 
  • Task, Standard, and Scoring Guide
  • Student Work Samples 
  • Master Scoring Sheet   
• Organizing the RICAS Math Data for Display (PPT)  

The RICAS Mathematics Informational Session webinar reviewed test design information including item types; the percentage of points allotted to reporting categories for each grade; the calculator policy; and RICAS achievement levels. Also highlighted are released items and other resources available through the RICAS Resource Center. 

Mathematics Test Design and Fact Sheets by Grade: The documents below describe the RICAS test designs for Mathematics grades 3 – 8. They also include information on item types, calculator use, and links to RICAS resources.

• Grade 3 Fact Sheet (pdf)
• Grade 4 Fact Sheet (pdf)
• Grade 5 Fact Sheet (pdf)
• Grade 6 Fact Sheet (pdf)
• Grade 7 Fact Sheet (pdf)
• Grade 8 Fact Sheet (pdf)

Mathematics Reference Sheets by Grade: The reference sheets below are for all students to use during the RICAS mathematics tests. Mathematics Reference Sheets for students who are eligible for the Supplemental Reference Sheet accommodation A9 can be found on the Accommodations for Students with Disabilities and English Learners tab on this web page.

• Grade 5 Mathematics Reference Sheet (pdf)
• Grade 6 Mathematics Reference Sheet (pdf)
• Grade 7 Mathematics Reference Sheet (pdf)
• Grade 8 Mathematics Reference Sheet (pdf)

RICAS Assessment Tables and Achievement Level Descriptors: Supplemental assessment tables provide information for specific standards in terms of assessment. Achievement level descriptors are summaries of the knowledge and skills students demonstrate for the different levels of proficiency on RICAS.

• Grade 3 RICAS Assessment Table and Achievement Level Descriptors (pdf)
• Grade 4 RICAS Assessment Table and Achievement Level Descriptors (pdf)
• Grade 5 RICAS Assessment Table and Achievement Level Descriptors (pdf)
• Grade 6 RICAS Assessment Table and Achievement Level Descriptors (pdf)
• Grade 7 RICAS Assessment Table and Achievement Level Descriptors (pdf)
• Grade 8 RICAS Assessment Table and Achievement Level Descriptors (pdf)

RICAS Calculator Policy (pdf)

Below is a chart, by grade level, of the calculator types available to students on session 2 only of the RICAS mathematics tests for the computer- and paper-based tests. Please keep in mind that:

• Any 7th or 8th grade student may use one of the handheld calculators listed below instead of the calculator embedded in TestNav (no accommodation is necessary). However, at a minimum, 7th and 8th grade students should have sole access to a 5-function calculator.
• Non-calculator sessions of any RICAS mathematics tests: unless a student has the accommodation SA4: Calculation device or other mathematics tool for the non-calculator session of the mathematics test*, no calculators are provided in TestNav and no handheld calculators should be made available.

*This accommodation is a Special Access accommodation. The student must meet specific criteria in order to receive this accommodation. See page 17 in the RICAS Accessibility and Accommodations Manual for more information (click on the Accommodations tab on this web page).

Technical Skills for Students (pdf) outlines the skills students should be familiar with in order to navigate and use TestNav confidently. Please ensure that students have time to use these skills on the practice tests before testing begins.

RICAS Service Center: Contact the RICAS Service Center with questions on the RICAS Resource Center website, PearsonAccess^Next, passwords, and questions about the SR/PNP:

Telephone: 855-222-8936 (Monday - Friday; 7:00am - 5:00pm)

Email: ricasservicecenter@measuredprogress.org

Fax: 603-749-5108

RICAS Resource Center: ricas.pearsonsupport.com Use this site to access PearsonAccess^Next in order to submit the SR/PNP. Training modules, manuals, practice tests, and other materials to support test administration can be found here also.

RICAS Technical Manuals

The manuals below describe the technical details of the RICAS assessments.

2018-19:

• Coming soon

2017-18:

• RICAS English language arts and Mathematics (PDF)
• MCAS English language arts and Mathematics