Frequently Asked Questions about the eCTP (CTP 4 Online)
What are the benefits of taking the online eCTP?
- Instant scores and reports for teachers to use immediately
- No need to order materials, store them, or ship tests for scoring
- Same achievement and reasoning tests, plus Science for grades 4 – 11 (Levels 3 – 10)
- All students eligible for testing, including non-standard
- Data files available for downloading for use with TestWiz or other software programs
- Incentive payment for Grades 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11
What tests do my students in grades 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11 have to take for my school to receive free testing and the $35 per student incentive for the online study?
Students must take all of the eCTP tests at the appropriate grade level (including Science where applicable) in order for your school to receive free testing and the $35 per student incentive in those grade levels.
What tests do my students in grades 8 and 9 have to take for my school to receive free testing and the $5 per student incentive for the online study?
Just the Science test is required. If additional tests are administered there will be no charge for testing or scoring any of the tests. The Science test must be taken in order for schools to receive free testing and the $5 per student incentive.
How do the incentives work?
Schools must purchase the eCTP through the eCTP system. Once testing is complete, ERB will adjust the invoice to provide free testing for the number of students who meet the incentive criteria. In addition, ERB will send to schools the incentive check in the amount due based on the completed tests.
How much time will it take to administer the eCTP?
- Refer to the Testing Time Chart for number of minutes per test.
- For grades 5 – 9 the testing time is the same as the CTP 4 paper tests.
- For grades 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11 there is an additional 30 minutes for each content area for linking items.
Note about length of testing time: After the spring 2008 pilot, ETS conducted a study of schools participating in the online study. Those schools reported that length of testing time was not a problem for their students due to the flexibility of the testing schedule.
When will my school get CTP 4 results for students who take the test online?
For your students who take eCTP, your school can access the online student roster and student labels with the following information as soon as your testing sessions are completed:
- Student Scale Scores
- Percentiles
- Stanines
- National Norms
- Independent Norms
- Suburban Norms
Reports are being rolled out this fall. Parent reports are available the first week in November and all other reports will be available online by December 1.
Can we get our data electronically?
Yes. The data will be available for downloading for use with TestWiz or other software programs.
If we are a current CTP 4 user, can our school use the results as we have in the past?
- Yes. Scores at the student level can be used for diagnostic purposes to identify students' instructional needs as you have done in the past.
- You will be able to make school grade comparisons to previous CTP 4 data for Grade Levels 5 – 11
- You should be cautious of making comparisons for individual students or classes.
- Until the comparability study for Grade Levels 2 – 4 is completed, the data for these levels is provisional.
Can we see a sample of the eCTP online test?
- Yes. There is a demonstration site at http://erbdemotests.programworkshop.com where you may preview samples of the online test items.
- There is also an online tutorial that students can access prior to the first testing session or in a separate session. This tutorial takes approximately 20 minutes.
- The Users' Guide provides information about the testing sessions and how to use the tutorial.
Can our school administer the eCTP tests to nonstandard students?
- Yes. For students with documented disabilities, there is an untimed option available for the eCTP.
- Schools may provide a reader and/or scribe.
Are there constructed-response questions with the eCTP?
No. Test items are all multiple-choice.
What reports will I receive from the Science Pilot?
- You can access an instant online roster with student responses mapped to the science content strands.
- Normative data will be available after the pilot study and scaling have been completed.
What are the technical requirements to test online?
Students will need to test on computers that support the following:
- Microsoft Windows 98, NT, 2000, 2003, XP and Vista
- Internet Explorer 6 and higher, Mac OS X 10.4/Safari 2 or higher, or Internet Explorer (Mac)
For additional technical information, please see http://erbfaqs.programworkshop.com.
How much does the eCTP cost?
There are three scoring package options.
- The Value Package costs $16 per student and includes all norms and reports. (Best Value!)
- The Basic Package costs $12.50 per student and limits you to all norms, Student Roster and Label Reports, Administrator Summary Report, Item Analysis Report, and Individual and Group Instructional Summary Reports.
- There is an option to Upgrade to a Value Package later for an additional $6 per student over the Basic Package price.
Schools qualifying for the Vertical Scaling Study Incentive for Grades 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11 or for the Science Only Incentive for Grades 8 and 9 are eligible for free testing. Once testing is complete, invoices will be adjusted for the number of students who meet the incentive criteria and schools will receive the incentive payment.
How do I register for the incentive program and order tests?
- Please register to take advantage of either of the ERB incentive programs.
- If you wish to order the eCTP, but do not wish to participate in either incentive offer, please register the purchasing coordinator for your school or district. Once the purchasing coordinator has registered, he or she will receive a welcome e-mail with a login password for the ordering system.
If I have additional questions, whom can I contact?
You can contact the ERB eCTP Operations Office by calling 1-866-881-2802.