Why does ONPAR exist?
The ONPAR test is an alternative assessment that measures the same content knowledge as traditional tests by using methods and strategies that significantly reduce English language dependency. ONPAR exists as a parallel assessment for students disadvantaged in English, and gathers reliable information about their academic skill levels in math and science.
How is the ONPAR test different from the test our child would normally take?
ONPAR is a computer-based assessment that replaces most of the language of a traditional test with dynamic graphics and provides distinctive response mechanisms that are not dependent on language, so that your child can answer comfortably and confidently. For detailed overviews of the ONPAR tests, please follow the links below:
ONPAR Math
ONPAR Science
ONPAR High School Science
Why not just translate the test in our child's native language?
Translating tests is impractical for many reasons. Students with low English proficiency fall within a group that can speak hundreds of different languages. Finding the resources to reliably translate every test into each of these languages is extremely difficult. Another important consideration is that translated assessments can also be unfair as, for example, when students have not had math or science instruction in their home language or do not even read it at all.
How can the ONPAR test help our child?
The assessments that are currently available to your child are created for native English speakers. Administrators know that your child is disadvantaged on these tests, so they try to offer accommodations that will make your child less disadvantaged. With ONPAR, your child does not need to be proficient in English in order to demonstrate their ability in a subject like math or science. ONPAR utilizes an approach that is completely different giving your child an accessible way to express his or her academic skills.
How is the test administered?
ONPAR is a computer-based test that will be administered by staff members from your child’s educational institution. Students take the test on computers owned and controlled by the school. The test is accessed remotely through a secure internet connection, allowing no one but the testing company to see and store your student’s performance or other personal information.
How will our child be prepared for the test? What skills does he or she need to have? Is special training required?
The ONPAR tests do not require advanced computer skills or even a lot of practice with the computer to use. Everything the students see on the screen is manipulated by one of three simple operations—a press of a keyboard key, a single mouse click, or a drag-and-drop of an object. More complicated mouse events such as double clicks or other rapid movements are not used in the test items. As a result, students with limited computer experience have the same access to the test as a more experienced computer user.
Given the special layout of the test elements, students are prepared for the ONPAR test with a short interactive tutorial. This tutorial offers test takers examples of the tasks they will need to perform in order to complete items, allowing them to trial the different item types with audio feedback and instruction. Like a traditional paper-and-pencil test, students who experience difficulties can ask the instructors or test administrators for help. The tutorial can be completed at the student’s own pace, yet thanks to the ease of use of the ONPAR interface, students are not anticipated to need more than ten minutes of pre-test instruction.
Back to the top
|
1-866-347-6864
or 202-384-1244