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FAQs
. . . Frequently Asked Questions
Although you may want to read all of the questions for pertinent information, the most recent questions are listed first:
- What are the instructions for transfer students and/or putting students into the "Holding School"?
Answer: In the second year of the CognitiveGenesis Project it was determined that we will need to move students from one school to another as they move within the system. Here's the instructions for doing that:- sign into the North American Division Education website;
- sign into the student ID site (you must have a username and password to enter -- contact your local conference or union education office if you do not have one);
- in the global search window type in the students’ name
- when you see the list of students, click on the student whose information needs to be changed. You will then see the student information for that particular student. At the bottom of the list you will see a drop down box, with the current school listed;
- open the drop down box and then select the school that the student is now enrolled in. You have now moved that student to the new school.
- if the student is not enrolled in an Adventist school or has graduated from the academy, move the student to the "Holding School" in the drop down box. This will preserve the students ID number yet clean out the students from the current listing.
- Where is the information on Student, Teacher, Administrator, and School ID Numbers?
Answer: Please go to the North American Division education website for directions on identification numbers for students, teachers, schools, and administrators...North American Division Education Website Instructions on Identification Numbers
- What are the instructions for New School Identification Numbers?
Answer: Schools have new identification numbers for the 2007-2008 school year. Please go to the North American Division Education website for information...North American Division Education Website Information on identification numbers
- Should all K-12 students have ID numbers, or is it only for those students who are being tested?
Answer: The NAD Office of Education will want all students from Kindergarten to the 12th grade to have ID numbers. These ID numbers generated by the NAD will follow a child for the rest of his/her educational life in the Adventist system. Therefore, the IDs should be assigned to ALL students and not just to those who are being tested. Please note that CognitiveGenesis is using these numbers for the testing program but it did not generate them. Establishing a ID number for every student is a NAD Office of Education project.
It is also important to note that once generated for a student the number must be kept in a safe place (on a cum folder or transcript). Schools should send that number with the cum folder or transcript to the new Adventist school. If a student who registers comes from another Adventist school but does not have an ID number, the new school should check on the NAD website to determine if the child already has an ID number. If not, then (and only then) should a student ID number be created. If you have questions, please check with your superintendent for additional information.
- How can teacher and student survey confidentiality be protected?
Answer: Please click on this link to obtain directions: Teacher & Student Survey Confidentiality Instructions
- Are the same grades going to be tested next year (versus the same students each year)?
Answer: CognitiveGenesis will be testing the same grades each year (grades 3 to 9 and 11). (In other words, the testing next year will NOT be grades 4 to 10 and 12 just because students have moved up -- the same GRADES of 3 to 9 and 11 will be tested next year and every year.)
- Why are students' names and IDs required on the student questionnaire sheets?
Answer: This is to help the designated researchers (who have been cleared to handle these questionnaires and enter them into the data base) compile and double check the accuracy of the student questionnaires. It is fairly easy and common to find mistakes that students can make in bubbling in their student ID number and this will allow researchers to check, if needed, that the right information has been credited to the correct student. Please be assured that the research data will NOT have student names attached and confidentiality will be strictly maintained.
- What teachers should fill out questionnaires?
Answer: All teachers who teach any subjects or classes that are being tested on the ITBS/ITED tests in grades 3 to 9 and 11 should fill out questionnaires. In other words, a teacher who does not teach any subject in those grade levels or teaches a class not on the ITBS/ITED tests should not fill out a questionnaire.
- How do we stack the CogAT Tests with the ITED Tests when sending in our orders to Riverside?
- Stack all CogAT Tests for one grade level alphabetically with "Code 9" students on top with the sticky note. Place ITED tests on top (again alphabetically with "Code 9" with sticky notes). See Manual for more information. Be sure to mark the Class Identification sheet with the TOTAL number of testing documents for that grade level (ITED + CogAT). In other words, if a ninth grade class has 31 students and all of them took both tests, then the total number marked on the Class Identification sheet would be 62.
- Do each student individually by placing the ITED test on top of the CogAT test for each student. Then alphabetize students with both tests together -- and again with "Code 9" students on top with sticky notes. Be sure to mark the Class Identification sheet with the TOTAL number of testing documents for that grade level (ITED + CogAT). In other words, if a ninth grade class has 31 students and all of them took both tests, then the total number marked on the Class Identification sheet would be 62.
Answer: It can be done one of two ways:
- What if we have students take the standardized tests in Grades K-2, and/or grades 10 and 12, should schools have them fill out the surveys?
Answer: NO. CogntiveGenesis research is limited to grades 3-9 and 11 at this time. (Note: It is perfectly okay for a school to test students in grades 10 and 12 if they so desire. However, it would be a local decision and would not be part of the CognitiveGenesis study.)
- Are there Spanish versions of the Parent Questionnaire?
Answer: YES. Contact the conference office to obtain copies. They are also available in other languages as well.
- Are there provisions for special testing for students?
Answer: YES. If a student requires a special testing situation (i.e. special education student), the school must notify their local conference office of education prior to offering the special testing situation. This must be done before the testing week. There may be an application form for approval.
- Do students in 11th grade take the ITED test?
Answer: YES. Students in grades 3 to 8 will take the ITBS. Students in 9 and 11 take the ITED. All grades in 3 to 9 and 11 take the CogAT test. (Note: It is perfectly okay for a school to test students in grades 10 and 12 if they so desire. However, it would be a local decision and would not be part of the CognitiveGenesis study.)
- Do all teachers take the survey -- even in the academy?
Answer: YES. All teachers fill out surveys who teach grades 3 to 9 and 11.
- If the principal also teaches or the school has one teacher, should the principal or head teacher fill out both the teacher and the administrator surveys?
Answer: YES. Both the administrator and teacher surveys should be filled out even if the same person will be doing it.
- What CogAT level should students be tested?
Answer: At the Average Level. Students should be tested at the CogAT "Average" level for their particular grade level. In other words, Level A is for 3rd graders, Level B is for 4th graders, Level C is for 5th graders, and so on. Teachers should receive permission from their superintendents for any changes to a lower or higher levels -- just as they would if they were to use the "Code 9" for special education students for ITBS/ITED. The level guide is posted in the CogAT section on this website (under "Links"). However, please feel free to also go to the Riverside Publishing website for more information. Check the CogAT section for details about this test.
- ALERT! When filling in the student identification number on student answer sheets for ITBS, ITED, and CogAT, please start on the left hand side for the six-digit student ID number. Be sure to write in the numbers AND bubble in those same numbers. Do NOT fill in bubbles or spaces for the last 4 spaces on the right-hand side.
- Should ID numbers be filled in (when asked for) on all testing identification sheets, student answer folders (for grades 3 to 9 and 11), and all surveys in both United States and Canada?
Answer: YES. If it is part of the CognitiveGenesis study, the ID numbers are vitally important in both United States and Canada.
- Are schools to use the ITBS student answer folders that have the CogAT as a part of it? Can we use the ones that do not have the CogAT included and/or as a separate sheet?
Answer: Make sure the ITBS student answer folders that are used include the CogAT as part of the student answer folder. Do not use other ITBS student answer folders that do not have the CogAT.
- What city name should be used on the class identification sheets and student answer folders?
Answer: Use the same name as used by Riverside on the Building Identification Sheet.
- What does the school do regarding make-up tests whether or not students are absent during testing time?
Answer: If at all possible, try to schedule a make-up time. However, when students are not at school because their parents have taken them out for a day because it is his/her birthday (or other similar type of absence), use your good judgment as to whether, or not, you should devote time and money to reschedule that section of the test. The scoring service will score what has been turned in.
- Can we use calculators? See “Calculator Use” info sheet in your packet.
Answer: YES. Calculators can be used with certain stipulations and on certain tests. If they are used, the answer sheet must have proper coding. See “Calculator Use” information sheet in your packet.
- Is computation “optional” for my Conference?
Answer: NO.
- Is it appropriate for a teacher, volunteer, or reader to take tests home to work on them there?
Answer: NO. Answer sheets and test booklets must never leave your campus.
- Do students take the “Optional” (questionnaire) section of the test?
Answer: NO.
- Do students take the social studies and science section of the test?
Answer: YES.
- Please explain the selection of norm groups in the study.
