Subchapter D: 2nd-8th Grades (1422)
Section 1422: DICTIONARY SKILLS
(a) THE CONTEST.
(1) Summary. Thorough knowledge of the dictionary is a way to increase a student’s ability to find the information that is needed for class work as well as everyday living. The subject matter of all tests is taken from Merriam Webster’s Intermediate Dictionary. Contestants may use other dictionaries in the contest. In preparation for this contest, students will develop skills to communicate effectively.
(2) Contest Format. Each test consists of 40 objective questions. Contestants use dictionaries in the competition. Twenty minutes will be allotted for the testing period exclusive of time required for instructions.
(b) REPRESENTATION.
(1) Contestants. Students in officially prescribed grade levels below 9th grade who are eligible under Sections 1400 and 1405 may enter this contest.
(2) Divisions. Districts shall offer either a separate division for each participating grade level or combined grade level divisions as specified in official contest procedures.
(3) Individual Competition. For each division, each participant school may enter as many as three contestants in the district meet.
(4) Team Competition. If the district has elected to include team competition, the combined scores of the three contestants in each division from a school shall constitute the school’s team score. A team shall have three contestants competing to participate in the team competition.
(c) Contest Administration.
(1) Personnel. All personnel in this contest may be coaches of participating students.
(2) Verification Period. Contestants and coaches shall be given a period not to exceed 15 minutes to examine their test papers with official keys. Unofficial results should be posted. Questions should be directed to the contest director, whose decision shall be final.
(3) Official Results. After the verification period has ended and all test papers have been collected, the contest director shall announce the official results. Official results, once announced, are final.
(4) Points and Ties. Points are awarded as specified in Section 1408 (i). No ties are to be broken in either the individual or the team component of this contest. Tied contestants or teams split the total points equally for the two or more places in which a tie exists. Should there be a tie for first place, there will be no second place. Should there be a tie for second place, there will be no third place, etc.
(5) Returning Materials. No materials from district contests may be returned to contestants prior to official release dates.