Telepractice and NNAT3
Introduction
A telepractice session takes place with an examiner and a student in two different locations. Using a high-speed internet connection and a secure teleconference platform, an examiner, a student, and a facilitator or proctor in the student location join a web-based meeting via two web-enabled devices with audio and video capability. The examiner and student can see and hear one another throughout the session, and text, pictures, and video can be shared through the teleconference platform.
This telepractice information is intended to support you in making informed, well-reasoned decisions around remote assessment. This information is not intended to be comprehensive regarding all considerations for assessment via telepractice. It should not be interpreted as a requirement or recommendation to conduct assessment via telepractice.
You should remain mindful to:
- Follow professional best practice recommendations and respective ethical codes
- Follow telepractice regulations and legal requirements from federal, state and local authorities, licensing boards, professional liability insurance providers, and payors
- Develop competence with assessment via telepractice through activities such as practicing, studying, consulting with other professionals, and engaging in professional development.
You should use your judgment to determine if assessment via telepractice is appropriate for a particular examinee, referral question, and situation. There are circumstances where assessment via telepractice is not feasible and/or is contraindicated. Documentation of all considerations, procedures, and conclusions remains a professional responsibility.
The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test® Third Edition (NNAT3) provides a nonverbal, culturally neutral assessment of general ability ideal for diverse student populations for students in kindergarten through grade 12.
Guidelines for Remote Testing
Instructions for the Customer/School
This guidance is provided to help you deliver the NNAT3 assessment in a non-traditional manner that yields the most reliable and valid results. Please know that evidence supporting the equivalence of this modified administration on these specific measures is not available. Be sure to bear this in mind when interpreting results from these administrations.
To administer the NNAT3 test in students’ individual homes, Pearson recommends you ask a responsible adult in the student’s home to be present during testing to help monitor the student and keep them on task during testing. This is especially important for younger students.
Instructions for the Remote Facilitator
A facilitator is an adult at the remote location with the person taking the test who will assist the examiner with the testing process. If you are the facilitator, the examiner will let you know how to assist. This document provides some general guidance to help you prepare ahead of time so that the testing session will be as successful as possible for the student.
The purpose of testing is for the student to show what they can do on their own. Please do not help the student answer the questions. For example, if you think that the student could answer better if the question were asked differently, or if they were given a hint, DO NOT try to help in this way. Part of what makes testing valuable is that it is done in the same way for all students.
Summary
NNAT3 can be administered in a telepractice context. This guide serves as a framework to support the administration in this new context. In addition, educators should be sure to adhere to their national/state and local education agency’s recommendations regarding telepractice.
The calibration and norming of the NNAT3 was not done within a telepractice context. As such, the educator administering the NNAT3 should use their professional judgement to determine if the telepractice assessment experience for a given student was comparable to a typical assessment experience at school.