Frequently Asked Questions

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Why should I become involved in assessment validation activities?

Participation in validation activities provides educators with an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from across the state and to contribute to the quality of education in Ohio.

How do I get involved in assessment validation activities?

The first step is to complete and submit an application. Pearson will receive completed applications and present those completed applications to the Department of Education which will make final committee appointments.

Where are the face-to-face meetings typically held?

Most meetings will take place at a centrally located conference facility in the Columbus area.

How does my school district get reimbursed for a substitute teacher? How do I get reimbursed for my mileage and travel expenses?

You will receive your substitute reimbursement form at each meeting. Expense forms will be available online.

I have colleagues who would like to attend. May I encourage them to participate?

All interested participants must submit an application, which will be considered by the Ohio State Board of Education. You may also encourage your Superintendent or his/her designee to nominate an educator by completing a nomination form available on this Web site.

If I do not get selected to participate in an assessment validation activity, are there other opportunities to get involved?

Yes, you could be involved in the following assessment activity:

• Job Analysis Survey. As a PK–12 educator or as an educator preparation faculty member, you may be selected to participate in a survey to verify job-relatedness of the assessment objectives.

What are the arrangements for hotel accommodations?

Evaluation Systems will reserve a hotel room for you, if necessary. The cost of the room and tax will be directly billed to Evaluation Systems. You will be asked to provide a credit card number for incidentals. Should you need to cancel your attendance at the meeting, and/or cancel or modify your overnight accommodations reservation, please contact Evaluation Systems as soon as possible (Evaluation Systems does incur charges for no-shows and for sleeping room cancellations that occur later than 3:00 p.m. the day before check-in). If you need to cancel your accommodations after 5:00 p.m., please contact the hotel directly.

Can I bring my cell phone and/or PDA?

As a courtesy to other attendees and facilitators, please refrain from the use of cell phones or PDAs during the meeting. We ask that you kindly turn off your phone/PDA or set it to vibrate and not take calls during the meeting.

What if I have special dietary requests?

Evaluation Systems selects menus that we hope everyone will enjoy. We realize that some individuals have special dietary requests. Attendees who notify us about special dietary requests are provided with a meal based as closely as possible to their specific dietary needs. Due to the large number of attendees and/or the ability of the conference facility to accommodate, substitutions to the standard conference meal may not be possible. Please make alternative meal arrangements if you have very specific dietary restrictions, as our food and beverage options may not meet your needs.

What should I wear?

Business attire is appropriate for all conference activities. We recommend that you dress in layers and bring a sweater or jacket to the meeting in case the room temperature is not comfortable for you.

Are the meeting rooms and hotel accommodations handicap accessible?

Evaluation Systems strives to hold meetings that are accessible to all. If you require special assistance, auxiliary aids, or other reasonable accommodations to fully participate in the meeting, please let us know. Any information regarding your disability will remain confidential.

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