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NERIC recommended preparation for districts to administer PARCC field testing. Technical requirements. The Test –
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NERIC recommended preparation for districts to administer PARCC field testing
Technical requirements The Test – • TestNAV8 – As soon as the number of students and particular devices are known, these devices should be tested against TestNAV8. If you are planning to use iPads, keyboards should be purchased and the particular students who will be field testing should begin to use on a consistent basis. Full technology guidelines are here: http://www.parcconline.org/sites/parcc/files/FullTechnologySpecificationsforPARCCFieldTestV12November2013.docx • Example of timeframe testing is March 24 – April 11 – online testing location(s) must be identified early so they can be “test ready” and ready no later than one week prior and then will need to be to be set back to original state once all students are tested. So when choosing a spot expect this amount of time as a minimum.
System check and end point management System check should be done at the same time of the day that the assessment will be given – suggesting two weeks prior in order to assure internal network throughput especially for wireless. iPads – Need a free App - must be iOS 6 or 7 and run in single app mode Chromebooks - TestNAV 8 Chrome App (free) to ensure in Kiosk mode Needs for PC or a MAC - • Java plugin 1.5 or higher • Pop-ups for Pearson site need to be allowed • The other items on PC and MAC computers should not be allowed to launch automatically during the test - • Anti virus software, browsers or OS updates • power management software on laptops for low battery • screen savers • email with automatic message notification • energy saving features Lock Down of devices should occur after end are points configured correctly
Device saving options Rationale: Student Responses Files (SRF) - saved locations become very important for backup of student answers (encrypted) during the test . This is not mandatory but recommended highly - See table of device and conditions:
Proctor caching: • A computer can be configured at the district to act as a caching server to improve the TestNAV experience. When students take exams, the Proctor Caching server will provide the questions, instead of requiring the students’ computers to download the next question from Pearson’s servers via the district’s internet connection. • This has multiple benefits in TestNAV, including decreased question loading times as students progress through their exams, greatly increased number of simultaneous users per district, and it ensures TestNAV will continue to function properly even if the district loses internet connectivity during test administration. • http://www.parcconline.org/sites/parcc/files/ProctorCachingtoBetterManageNetworkTraffic_08022013.pdf
Resources - PARCC/Pearson: • PARCC: http://PARCCOnline.org • PARCC Field Test: http://PARCCOnline.org/field-test • Support Center 1-888-493-9888 • Email: PARCC@support.pearson.com • System check: http://PARCC.Pearson.com/SystemCheck • Support: http://PARCC.Pearson.com/Support • Pearson Access: www.PARCC.Pearson.com • TestNav 8 Requirements and Caching info: http://PARCC.Pearson.com/TN8Requirements