ARI :: Online Resources :: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Algebra Readiness Initiative?
The purpose of the initiative is to provide mathematics intervention services to students (grades 6-9) who may be at risk of failing the Algebra I end-of-course test. The Algebra Readiness Initiative consists of a diagnostic pre-test (to identify student’s mathematical strengths and weaknesses), an intervention service (that addresses the weaknesses through 2 ½ hours of additional weekly instruction), and a post-test.

	students in Grade 6-9 at risk of failing the Algebra I end-of-course test;
	students not successful in their previous intervention programs;
	students who performed below average in their previous year’s mathematics program; or
	students who did not pass the end-of-course mathematics test.

3. What is the Algebra Readiness Diagnostic Test (ARDT)?
The ARDT is designed to assess and diagnose student’s mathematical strengths and weaknesses in relation to the Virginia Mathematics Standards Of Learning (SOL). The ARDT is administered as a pre- and post- test measure to determine student skill areas requiring further development and to determine growth in student skills over time. The ARDT is delivered over the Internet and is an adaptive test.

4. What does the pre- and post- diagnostic test do?
The diagnostic test provides information about a student’s overall mathematical skill as well as information about specific areas of strengths and weaknesses in relation to the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL).
The pre- and post- diagnostic test can be:
the online Algebra Readiness Diagnostic Test (http://vardt.starttest.com); or
an alternative test which must align with specified criteria and, must be approved by VDOE.

	assess the students’ knowledge and skills of the Mathematics Standards of Learning for grades 6, 7, 8, and 9;
	address the five reporting categories of the Standards of Learning assessment test, including: Number and Number Sense, Computation and Estimation, Measurement and Geometry, Probability and Statistics, Patterns, Functions, and Algebra; and
	indicate the level of acceptable performance on each reporting category where intervention may be necessary to be successful; and
	meet industry standards for validity and reliability of the items and tests proposed. Such standards should include field testing and proper test form construction.
	support the five goals for students found in the Standards of Learning.

The five goals are:
Becoming Mathematical Problem Solvers;
Communicating Mathematically;
Reasoning Mathematically;
Making Mathematical Connections; and
Making Mathematical Representations.

6. Must school divisions use the ARDT? Will an alternative test be allowed?
The school division must identify the diagnostic test and certify that it meets the criteria specified by DOE. (See www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Forms/. Click on Algebra Readiness Initiative – Superintendent’s Certification Request to Use Locally Developed or Selected Diagnostic Test(s).) School divisions must also submit documentation showing that locally developed or selected tests are aligned with the criteria.

	School divisions must certify that an intervention service will be provided.
	Pre- and post-assessment must be administered.
	The intervention service must provide 2½ hours of additional instruction per week.
	The intervention service must be provided on a student/teacher ratio of 10 to 1.
	Local school divisions determine the intervention model.
	Students targeted to participate in the intervention program will include those who did not pass the appropriate diagnostic test.

8. Who determines the intervention service model?
The school division determines the intervention service model and indicates through the year-end report that the identified students participated in this intervention service. The intervention model used might be after school or on Saturdays, additional time during the school day, a summer program or some other model.

9. How can my division purchase additional test units?
Additional testing units may be purchased directly by using the ARDT Online Testing Units Order Form. After logging in to http://vardt.starttest.com, please go to the Help component and you will see a button to download the form.

10. What funds are available to school divisions for the Algebra Readiness Initiative (ARI)?
Local school divisions receive incentive funding from the state to provide intervention services
based upon the state’s share of the cost. Local school divisions are required to match these funds based upon the composite index of local ability to pay.

11. May I use the ARI funds to purchase materials for the intervention service?
No, school divisions receive incentive payments to provide mathematics intervention services to students in the targeted grades. Local match funds may be used to purchase materials for the intervention program.

12. Who completes ARI annual reports to the Department of Education?
Any school division participating in the Algebra Readiness Initiative and using the ARDT online does not need to complete an annual report to DOE.

School divisions participating in the Algebra Readiness Initiative and using locally developed or selected diagnostic tests must provide pre- and post-test information on students who participated in the Algebra Readiness Intervention Initiative by June 30.

	Division name and number;
	Name of School;
	Division's ARI contact name, phone number, and e-mail;
	Name and publisher of locally developed or selected diagnostic test;
	Number of identified students pre-tested;
	Number of identified students receiving the intervention service;
	Number of students post-tested; and
	Number of students showing improvement on the post-test results.

Please include the name of the division and school OR the state identification numbers in the file name.

14. Where do I send the ARDT annual report?
E-mail the report file to Lois.Williams@doe.virginia.gov by June 30.

15. When will test units for the school divisions be reset for the school year?
Test units are reset on August 16th of each year.

16. When can I start testing for the school year?
Testing may begin as soon as test units have been reset, usually the beginning of the school year. There is no test window. Testing may occur at any time during the school year. School division administrators will need to distribute test units to the schools.

17. If ARI funds are not completely used, can funding be carried over to the following year?
Carry over is not guaranteed.

18. Can a school division participate one year if they did not participate the previous year?
Yes. Contact Dr. Lois Williams at the Virginia Departmnt of Education at lois.williams@doe.virginia.gov for specific information on how to begin.

19. Do school divisions need to re-register each year?
No, but divisions need to file the superintendent's certification form each year. This can be downloaded at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/Math/ARI/ari-or.shtml.

20. What if I have a concern about a test item?
Concerns about test items on the ARDT should be emailed to Dr. Lois WIlliams at lois.williams@doe.virginia.gov.

21. What do students need to know prior to taking the test?

	Each student will take a 30-question computer-adaptive (CAT) assessment based on the student’s current grade level in school. The option for students to return to a previous question that they skipped will no longer be available with the CAT.
	Students should practice using the online tools (ruler, protractor, calculator, and formula sheet) prior to taking the test. Student grade level is the student’s current grade level. For example, any student who is currently in a sixth grade homeroom would be reported as a sixth grader.
	Testing conditions should be the same as those for other standardized tests such as the SOL assessments.
	Students with disabilities should take this assessment according to the specifications in their current Individualized Education Plan or Section 504 plan.
	Students are encouraged to use paper and pencil during the assessment. Each child should have a state approved scientific calculaltor available for use during the ARDT.

23. Can ARDT results be used to determine placement in Algebra 1 classes?
No, this test was designed for diagnostic purposes. Any use of test scores outside their intended purpose makes them not valid. Additional research would need to be done to determine the value of the test for placement purposes.

24. Whom do I contact if I have additional questions?

Michael Bolling
Phone: 804-786-6418
Fax: 804-786-5466