External Testing – Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment

The Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Plan was created in 1998, with the goal of promoting literacy growth for all students in Idaho.

This plan was revised in 2015, and shortly after, the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy (ICL) Standards for those seeking initial Idaho teaching credentials were also revised.

Boise State does not offer a standalone course that covers all ICL standards. Instead, we offer the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessments (ICLA) remotely.

There are currently four ICL standards (listed below), and there is a corresponding Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment (ICLA) to measure teacher candidates’ knowledge of the content for each standard.

• Standard I: Literacy Foundations (Elementary only)
• Standard II: Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension
• Standard III: Assessment (Elementary only)
• Standard IV: Writing

All of the ICLA were revised in 2020 or 2021, and the Idaho Higher Education Literacy Partnership (IHELP) committee continues to routinely analyze data statewide and revise each exam accordingly.

There are four different assessments for elementary teachers, one for each ICL standard:

• 1. Literacy foundations
• 2. Fluency, vocabulary and comprehension,
• 3. Literacy assessments
• 4. Writing.

There are two different assessments for secondary teachers, one for each ICL standard:

• 2. Fluency, vocabulary and comprehension
• 4. Writing

• The cost is $95 per assessment. For example, if you need to take two different exams, the total cost is $190.
• Payments are made online prior to signing up for a day/time to take the exam.
• The $95 payment is for one attempt. In other words, if you do not pass an exam on the first attempt, you will need to pay each time you take the exam.

No refunds are offered for the exams. If you have questions, please contact Kimberly Parker (kparker@boisestate.edu) before you pay because we will not be able to give refunds if you change your mind about taking the exams.

Assessments are taken using an online proctoring system and can be taken year round. However, the process for taking each exam includes multiple steps, so please plan accordingly.

There are 50 multiple choice questions, worth two (2) points each. Thus, scores are reported as a percentage of 100 points.

Each exam has a 2 hour time limit.

A score of 70% or higher is required to pass each exam. Printable certificates are available online at the conclusion of each assessment and should be saved for your records.

If you need to retake an exam (score below 70%), email kparker@boisestate.edu.

While there are no study guides for the revised assessments, Concepts and Competencies Guides that detail the assessment content are found in the Concepts and Competencies Guides Table in this section:

Concepts and Competencies Guides Table

• Signing up for and taking an ICL exam is a multi-step process. Expect several business days from when you begin this process to when you can access/take your exam. When you finish each exam, you can save your score certificate immediately.
• The instructions below outline how to create a ProctorU Test-Taker Account and then get access to the exam from Boise State. Be sure to follow the steps below in order. Each exam is proctored using ProctorU Live+. When you log in to ProctorU, please review the guidelines for avoiding academic dishonesty that are provided.
• If you are taking more than one exam, you’ll need to register for each exam separately, and you’ll take one exam at a time. This means some of the steps below need to be completed for each exam.

If you need to retake an exam (score below 70%), email kparker@boisestate.edu.

Taking more than one exam?

If you are taking more than one exam, Steps 4-7 will need to be completed for each exam.

1. Create a ProctorU test-taker account

If you don’t already have one, create a ProctorU test-taker account. Then check your inbox for a ProctorU account verification link. Follow the link to finish setting up your account.

2. Install the ProctorU browser extension

After creating an account, install the ProctorU browser extension, which is required to access the exams.

3. Run a compatibility check on the device you’ll use for testing

Start by reviewing the technical requirements needed to use this service to ensure the device you plan to test on is supported. Next, complete the compatibility check. If assistance is needed, there are several ways to contact support:

1. Submit a support ticket.
2. Call the help-line (1-855-772-8678).
3. Use the live-chat tool in the bottom right hand-corner of your ProctorU account screen. This is usually the fastest option, but you may experience a wait due to increased requests.

4. Register and pay for the exam

1. Visit this website – Bronco Learn.
2. Click on the Public Courses tile.
3. The ICLAs have an Idaho logo. Click on the exam(s) that you need to take.
4. Click the blue enroll button.
5. You are considered an “external” user, so you will be asked to use a personal email address to create an account.
6. You will then enter your payment information.
7. Go to the email that you used to register for the course (from Canvas Catalog, titled “Welcome to BroncoLearn”). In the email click the “Complete Registration” button (top of the email); you will be taken to a Canvas Welcome page.
8. Finish the account registration by entering the email address that you used to register for the course, a password, and your time zone.
9. Click the “Register” button to complete the registration. The Bronco Learn page will open that will show you the courses that you have registered for so far.
10. Click on the “Go to Course” button to access the exam sites that you are enrolled in.

Note

If you are taking multiple exams, you’ll need to enroll and pay for each individual exam. Once you have a Bronco Learn account, you should use that account for other exam enrollments. Do not set up a ProctorU appointment until you have access to the exam site(s) that you need.

5. Schedule your ProctorU appointment

After you have enrolled in the exam site, schedule an appointment with ProctorU, which is required to access each exam. If you’re using an existing ProctorU account that you did not create for a Boise State exam, you may not be able to see Boise State-specific exams (such as the ICLA). In that case, click your name in the upper right-hand corner of the dashboard and select Account Settings. At the bottom of the settings page, add Boise State to your list of institutions and click the update button.

1. Log in at ProctorU New Session Login Page
2. Click Schedule Session to schedule an appointment with a proctor.
3. Ensure that Boise State appears as the institution. Set the term to Default, and select ICLA: Non-Boise State Students for the exam.
4. Find a suitable date and time, and complete your appointment registration, following the steps on your screen.

6. Access and take the exam

1. Have a valid State or Government ID ready to present to your proctor by webcam.
2. Close all unrelated tabs and windows on your computer, except for this website and Bronco Learn.
3. Log in at ProctorU New Session Login Page
4. Launch your scheduled appointment session.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the verification process before connecting with your proctor. See this video for a summary of the steps required to start your ProctorU Live+ Exam Session. Keep in mind that some elements of the interface may look slightly different on your screen.

6. Once connected, your proctor will enter your exam password and launch your test for you.

7.  If needed click the “Click Here to Begin Your Exam” button

ProctorU Support

If you need support, there are several ways to contact ProctorU:

• Submit a support ticket.
• Call the help-line (1-855-772-8678). 
• Use the live-chat tool in the bottom right hand-corner of your account screen. This is usually the fastest option, but you may experience a wait due to increased requests.

7. Save your passing certificate

If you pass the exam with 70% or higher, you will receive an email from Bronco Learn that includes your passing certificate. If you do not pass, you will not receive a certificate.

You can also access this certificate by logging into Bronco Learn and clicking your name in the top-right corner.

• Then select “Student Dashboard.”
• Certificates are available for download under the “Completed” tab.
• Beside the name of the exam, “View” or  “Download Certificate.”
• NOTE: The certificate will likely download in the bottom left corner of your screen. If not, open up your “Downloads” folder and check there.

Save the certificate for your records.

Exam Less than 70%

If you do not pass the exam with 70% or higher, and you choose to retake the exam, follow the steps below.

1. Run a compatibility check on the device you’ll use for testing

Start by reviewing the technical requirements needed to use this service to ensure the device you plan to test on is supported. Next, complete the compatibility check. If assistance is needed, there are several ways to contact support:

1. Submit a support ticket.
2. Call the help-line (1-855-772-8678). 
3. Use the live-chat tool in the bottom right hand-corner of your ProctorU account screen. This is usually the fastest option, but you may experience a wait due to increased requests.

2. Pay for the exam

1. Visit this website – Bronco Learn.
2. Click on the Public Courses tile.
3. The ICLAs have an Idaho logo. Click on the exam(s) that you need to retake.
4. Click the Bulk Enroll button.
5. Enter your payment information.
6. Click on the “Go to Course” button to access the exam sites that you are enrolled in.

3. Email to get access for another attempt

Email Kimberly Parker (kparker@boisestate.edu) with the following information. She will update your testing settings to allow for another attempt.

1. First and last name
2. Exam you are retaking
3. Day you took the exam (first attempt)
4. Day you plan to retake the exam
5. Screenshot showing your payment (for the retake, not the first attempt)

4. Schedule your ProctorU appointment

After you have completed steps 1-3, schedule an appointment with ProctorU, which is required to access each exam.

1. Log in at https://go.proctoru.com/session/new.
2. Click Schedule Session to schedule an appointment with a proctor.
3. Ensure that Boise State appears as the institution. Set the term to Default, and select ICLA: Non-Boise State Students for the exam.
4. Find a suitable date and time, and complete your appointment registration, following the steps on your screen.

6. Access and take the exam

1. Have a valid State or Government ID ready to present to your proctor by webcam.
2. Close all unrelated tabs and windows on your computer, except for this website and Bronco Learn.
3. Log in at https://go.proctoru.com/session/new.
4. Launch your scheduled appointment session.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the verification process before connecting with your proctor. See this video for a summary of the steps required to start your ProctorU Live+ Exam Session. Keep in mind that some elements of the interface may look slightly different on your screen.
6. 6. Once connected, your proctor will enter your exam password and launch your test for you.
7. 7. If needed, click on the “Click Here to Begin Your Exam” button.

ProctorU Support

If you need support, there are several ways to contact ProctorU:

• Submit a support ticket.
• Call the help-line (1-855-772-8678). 
• Use the live-chat tool in the bottom right hand-corner of your account screen. This is usually the fastest option, but you may experience a wait due to increased requests.

7. Save your passing certificate

If you pass the exam with 70% or higher, you will receive an email from Bronco Learn that includes your passing certificate. If you do not pass, you will not receive a certificate.

You can also access this certificate by logging into Bronco Learn and clicking your name in the top-right corner.

• Then select “Student Dashboard.”
• Certificates are available for download under the “Completed” tab.
• Beside the name of the exam, “View” or  “Download Certificate.”
• NOTE: The certificate will likely download in the bottom left corner of your screen. If not, open up your “Downloads” folder and check there.

Save the certificate for your records.

If you have questions about the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy requirement or your licensure process (not about taking the ICLA at Boise State), please visit the Idaho State Department of Education website, where you will find contact information. You can also review the Standards for Educator Preparation for more information.

Review the information on the external testing page, and then email Kimberly Parker, kparker@boisestate.edu.

If you need information about programs or program requirements at Boise State, please visit our Teacher Education page.