South Carolina EOCEP Fall/Winter 2013–14 Pretest Workshop for Online and Paper/Pencil Testing

1. South Carolina EOCEP Fall/Winter 2013–14Pretest Workshop forOnline and Paper/Pencil Testing This presentation is available on eDIRECT: under Documents/Presentations, EOCEP Fall/Winter 2013–14.

2. Contacting DRC

3. EOCEP F/W 2013–14Key Dates Alternative Testing Window: February 3 – March 28

4. New for F/W 2013–14 Online Testing • Browser-based system • Secure browser locks down computer • Thin client for students who do not require oral/signed administration • Uninstall application for outdated, Java software • Regular and Oral Administration (HVA) software available via one installer • New accommodations: Large-Print and Large-Print + Oral • Ability to name LCS Manager

5. New for F/W 2013–14 Paper/Pencil Testing • Materials ordered via eDIRECT Online Enrollment • All materials – Including TAMs • Test Administration Manual and Online Test Administration Manual combined • Two materials delivery dates, depending on testing window • November 19 and December 16

6. Precode • Paper materials were ordered via eDIRECT (in September) not via precode. • The Fall Update data collection will be used to populate test sessions. • SCDE will extract data on October 30 at 9 a.m. • All students—paper/pencil and online—will be placed into online test sessions. • Districts should use the PowerSchool precode fields for Customized Test Booklets and Oral/Signed Administration for all testers—paper and online.

7. Precode Update • For some districts/schools, the EOCEP online administration fields defaulted to N instead of Y during precode-initialization. • All students enrolled in EOCEP courses are placed into online testing sessions despite coding of this field. • The only consequence for fall testing is that extra precode labels will be printed and sent to districts.

8. Resources Available The documents listed below will be posted to eDIRECT and/or the SCDE Web site.

9. TAM Revisions and Updates • Page vi—Testing window, • Pages 1-10—Test Security • Page 15—Parent Notification and Testing Hours, Breaks, and Student Activities During Testing • Page 16—Calculator use policy • Page 25—Test Materials • Pages 27-60—STC section & TA sections • Page 54—Common Core classes and codes added to School/Class Header sheets • Appendix B—eDirect Test Set Up for Online Testing • C-12 & C-14—Instructions for HVA (human voice audio) and VSL (video sign language)

10. Online Testing – Technical Training

11. Key Dates for Online Testing

12. System Overview Web Browser Student Workstation SC eDIRECT SC Online Assessments (Student Interface) LCS Manager Page System Readiness Check SC Online Tutorials Link = Used by Student = Used by Technology Coordinator

13. Supported Configurations • Student interface software is primary delivery engine for test content to the students. • Desktop installed client-server application • Supports automatic updates • Configurations: • Standard single-user desktops • Remote desktops/Terminal Servers (Citrix, Microsoft Remote Desktop, NcomputingVspace)* • Virtual machines* *Oral administration functionality not supported on remote workstations or virtual machines

14. Bandwidth • Difficult to determine precisely, but can be estimated • Each test is delivered in its entirety at student login (most bandwidth is used at this time). • Boost capacity by increasing wait time or staggering student logins • Use of an LCS decreases internet bandwidth requirements by approximately 50%.

15. System Requirements— Student Workstations *ClearType should be turned on to ensure fonts look smooth in the test engine. ClearType defaults to on in Windows 7 and Windows Vista. The default is set to off for Windows XP.

16. System Requirements— Oral Administration (HVA) • Same installer as regular administration • Schools are responsible for supplying headphones • HVA requires the use of the LCS • HVA does NOT run on remote or virtual configurations • HVA does NOT run on Windows Vista

17. Helpful Hints—Oral Administration • Prior to testing: • Ensure audio works correctly by completing a System Readiness Check: • Start – Programs – SC Online Assessments – Readiness • Check for green ok status next to Audio Capability • Ensure the appropriate number of working headphones are available for students • Adjust the volume on each machine to a comfortable level for students • Check student accommodations to ensure oral administration has been assigned • During testing: • When a student logs on, the student should see the audio buttons on the “Welcome Student” screen • Students will hear a text-to-speech (synthesized) voice for all directions and help content. They will hear a human voice for the test items. • If a student needs to adjust the volume up or down during testing they should click the ‘Options’ button and select ‘Audio Settings.’

18. Network Requirements—Student Workstations • Network Connectivity • All testing computers should have access to the Internet and be able to access the DRC servers using HTTP/HTTPS protocols on ports 80 and 443 • All firewalls at the testing computer and network level should allow connectivity on ports 80 and 443 • Whitelist the URLs below on your content filtering systems or other proxy/firewall software that is used locally: http://sc-insight-client.drcedirect.com for HTTP https://sc-insight.drcedirect.com for HTTPS (secure HTTP)

19. Uninstall—Java Client • Control Panel • Select Uninstall a Program – select DRC INSIGHT Online Learning System – SC Online Assessments – right-click, select Uninstall Change– click Yes • The Uninstall Wizard will walk user through process • Uninstaller Program • Download program from eDIRECT and place on desktop • Open program and follow steps in the Uninstall Wizard

20. Installation • Easy process; testing engine and LCS installed in minutes • DTCs will be notified via email when installers are available on eDIRECT (Nov. 13) • An eDIRECT account with “Online Testing – Secured Resources” permission is needed to access installation software • Location is under Test Setup/General Information • If using an LCS, it is recommended this is installed prior to installing the client software

21. Installation • eDIRECT Testing Software Downloads • INSIGHT Technology User Guide

22. Installation • Silent/unattended installation for Windows • Windows MSI installer is capable of running in silent mode • Custom attributes can be sent to MSI, such as AUTOUPDATEFLAG=“true" LCSURL="https://NameOrIP:8443/LCSManager" • The software can be installed using tools such as: • Microsoft System Center • Specops Deploy • Symantec Altiris • Apple Remote Desktop • Automatic updates available

23. Installation • Software installs require administrative rights • Similar process for Windows and Macintosh

24. System Requirements— Local Caching Service (LCS) *The amount of disk space required is based on the size and number of forms and audio files stored for each.

25. Local Caching Service (LCS) • Supported browsers for LCS Manager: • Internet Explorer 8 & 9 • Latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, and Safari • The LCS runs on a computer within the local network • The LCS increases reliability by caching student responses when Internet connection fails • Responses will be automatically transmitted by LCS every 15 minutes • Reduces Internet traffic by caching test content

26. Local Caching Service (LCS) • Installed using an installation wizard; requires administrative rights • Populated with test content using the LCS Manager; test content updates are automatically downloaded • Student workstations must be connected to LCS or Internet; otherwise, test will terminate • LCS highly recommended whenever possible • LCS mandatory for the oral administration (HVA) online testing accommodation(s)

27. Local Caching Service (LCS)

28. LCS Installation

29. LCS Manager • Prompt for LCS name upon initial launch: • Naming convention: district + school + location in building • To edit name, click on blue text

30. LCS Manager • Test Versions Tab • Displays all tests available for downloading to LCS • If test content requires updating, Status column will indicate ‘Out of Date’ in red text • All test content must be ‘Up to Date’ before tests can be administered: • LCS will automatically do this at regular intervals • Can be manually updated (button at bottom of page)

31. LCS Manager • Student Responses Tab – Unsent Responses • Displays information about student responses stored in the LCS waiting to be transmitted • Use the Site, Test Session, and Student Name options to filter the data • Check ALL LCSs – check individual workstations to confirm which LCS is connected

32. LCS Manager— Historical Data

33. LCS Client Configuration • Student interface can be configured to use a LCS during software installation • LCS can also be modified through System Readiness Check

34. LCS Student Responses • Student Responses sent to LCS if Internet connection dropped • Responses will automatically be transmitted by LCS every 15 minutes • Responses can be manually transmitted

35. LCS Student Responses • Student Responses must be transmitted before a test can be continued • Be sure to check DAILY that all responses have been transmitted from all LCSs • Also confirm allLCSs are clear at the end of testing

36. System Readiness Check • Runs as part of the installation • Can be run afterwards or on-demand for trouble-shooting purposes

37. Software Updates • Student interface capable of updating automatically with the latest published version of the code • Automatic Update property set during the software installation; can also be modified through the System Readiness Check application

38. Software Updates • If Automatic Updates are ENABLED, the student interface software will check the version each time the application is started • If an update is necessary, it will download and install automatically • Recommended to enable automatic updates

39. Software Updates • If Automatic Updates are DISABLED, student interface software will not check the version when the application is started • When a student tries to log into a test, they will be notified they are not on the latest version and will not be able to test • The software will need to be updated manually by downloading the latest version from eDIRECT and reinstalling • Run the System Readiness Check application at any time to see if you have the latest version

40. Online Testing Nov. 13: Online Tools Training (OTT) Tutorial Software Installers INSIGHT Technology User Guide Nov. 19: Test Setup, including permissions, available

41. Training & Support Tutorial (with audio) • Guides test administrators and students through testing experience including testing tools and navigation • Available via eDIRECT (login not required) • Link also downloads with test engine installer • May be used in a large-group session

42. Training & Support, cont. Online Tools Training (OTT) • Opportunity for test administrators and students to become familiar with online testing tools • Review as many times as desired • Practice test items should not be considered representative of an actual test; correct answers and scores not available • Available via computer desktop (once software installed) • Oral administration (HVA) OTT available for English • When audio is playing (stop/starting points/pause): • When audio is not playing (stop/starting points/play): • Must use an LCS in order to access OTT with HVA

43. Preparing for Online Testing • Download software and prepare workstations • Check audio for Oral Administration (if applicable) • Schedule sessions for students and test administrators to view the Tutorial • Schedule sessions for students to use the Online Tools Training (OTT) • Read the Test Administration Manual and INSIGHT Technology User Guide

44. Preparing for Online Testing • Access Test Setup via eDIRECT • Provide necessary permissions to STCs and TAs • SC Project Team will send list of permissions assigned to DTCs on November 19 • Ensure all students testing online are in a Test Session • Add students as needed • Update student demographics and accommodations as applicable • Print Test Ticket Rosters • Create a seating chart for each test session • Print Student Test Tickets • May wish to print on different colored paper for each subject or test session

45. Online Accommodations NEW!

46. Test Setup • Available via eDIRECT • User accounts must have the appropriate permissions • Used for the following functions: • Manage Test Sessions • Access and modify student demographic data • Print Test Ticket Rosters • Print Student Test Tickets • Monitor Testing • Ensure the correct, valid Reported School SIDN is entered under the Testing Codes tab for each student. • If Tested School and Reported School are the same, no action is needed as long as the Tested School SIDN is valid.

47. Test Setup – Permissions DRC will assign permissions to DTCs on November 13 and 19. DTCs assign permissions to STCs and TAs.

48. Test Setup – Tickets • Student Test Tickets with login information are generated automatically; contains all information needed to begin test • STC or TA prints tickets and roster prior to testing session • TAs verify that each student has their correct ticket (one ticket needed per subject) • Tests activated once a student logs in with username and password provided on ticket • Student Test Tickets are secure; must be distributed, collected and accounted for, and securely destroyed following testing

49. Test Setup – Tickets • Tips for helping with login issues • Stagger logins • User IDs and passwords won’t work if there is insufficient bandwidth to authenticate the test ticket • Case sensitive • Ensure CAPS lock is off. Passwords are case sensitive.

50. Test Setup – Tickets Rosters and Test Tickets can be printed beginning November 19.