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Smarter Balanced Field Test Technology Requirements 9:00 a.m. January 22, 2014

Smarter Balanced Field Test Technology Requirements 9:00 a.m. January 22, 2014. Source Material. Throughout the presentation, we will be referring to the Technical Specifications Manual (TSM) , available at

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Smarter Balanced Field Test Technology Requirements 9:00 a.m. January 22, 2014

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  1. Smarter Balanced Field Test Technology Requirements 9:00 a.m. January 22, 2014

  2. Source Material Throughout the presentation, we will be referring to the Technical Specifications Manual(TSM),available at http://sbac.portal.airast.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/SmarterBalanced_TechnicalSpecificationsManual.pdf.

  3. Student Participation Expectations • 5% of students will take Field Test items from one content area (i.e., ELA or math) and 95% of students will take Field Test items from both content areas. • Participation expectations: • Grades 3–8: All students are expected to participate. • Grades 9 and 10: Only students selected for the scientific sample are expected to participate. • Grade 11: Students selected for the scientific sample are expected to participate; all others are encouraged to participate.

  4. Student Participation Expectations The only students exempt from participating in the Smarter Balanced Field Test are: • Students who participate in the CAPA • For the ELA test only, English learners (ELs) who have been attending school in the United States for less than 12 months

  5. When are we testing? • The statewide testing window starts March 18 and ends June 6. • Each school will have an assigned six-week testing window during which all testing must be completed.

  6. Technology and System Requirements

  7. Internet/Network Requirements • A constant, stable, high-speed Internet connection is required for the test. • The average response time for each assessment depends on the reliability and speed of your school’s Internet connection. • Content filters, firewalls, and proxy servers must be configured to allow testing. • Recommend a minimum of 20 kbps for each student testing, but this will likely spike at startup time.

  8. Internet/Network Requirements • Make sure that you have enough Wireless Access Points to support the number of students testing at any given time. • Wireless traffic must use encryption. WPA2 and AES standards are strongly recommended. • Try out the Network Diagnostic Tool, available at • https://air.tds.airast.org/student/Pages/LoginShell.aspx?section=sectionDiagnostics&c=SBAC_PT.

  9. Technology Requirements • For more specific information about technology requirements, see TSM 5–16. • For more background on overall technology readiness, watch the Technology Readiness Webinar recorded on November 4 at www.cde.ca.gov/sbac/.

  10. System Requirements Desktops and Laptops TSM 13

  11. System Requirements Mobile Operating Systems and Browsers • If you plan to use Android-based tablets, be aware of the Smarter Balanced device certification process outlined at http://certification.airast.org/. TSM 14

  12. Hardware Requirements • Headphones are required for each test station (needed for all students for the ELA test) • Microphones not required • External keyboards required for tablets • 10″ diagonal display or larger (iPads with 9.5” screens are OK) • 1024 x 768 display resolution • On-site printers are required for students with the Print on Demand accommodations • See TSM 15 for important information about printer placement and security requirements.

  13. Software Requirements • Disable pop-up blockers (TSM 17). • Install Verdana font on Linux machines used for testing (TSM 17). • Disable Windows Fast User Switching (TSM 18). • Disable Spaces in Mission Control for Macs (TSM 34). • Enabled Guided Access on iPads (TSM 53; TSM 55-57). • For Android tablets, change the keyboard to the AIRSecureTest (TSM 49).

  14. Accommodations • Text-to-Speech Accommodation information can be found in TSM 58-70. • Braille hardware and software information can be found in TSM 22-25. • Print On Demand hardware information can be found in TSM 15. • Additional information about accommodations can be found in the A&A guidelines document on the Smarter Balanced portal.

  15. What is the Secure Browser?

  16. What is the Secure Browser? • The secure browser is a type of software that must be installed on each computer for the 2014 Smarter Balanced Field Test. • There are different versions of the secure browser for different device types and operating systems.

  17. What is the Secure Browser? • All Field Test secure browsers (Windows, Mac, Android, Chromebook, iOS and Linux) are available on the Smarter Balanced Portal Web page (http://sbac.portal.airast.org/browsers/). • Need to uninstall Pilot Test version of browser, if previously installed. • If you have a secure browser for your state testing, no need to uninstall it.

  18. When Should the Secure Browser Be Installed? • Install the Secure Browser as soon as possible. • This gives stakeholders time to become familiar with the software, testing interface, etc. • The practice test can be accessed by anyone without installing any special software at https://sbacpt.tds.airast.org/student/. • The practice test can also be accessed via the secure browser. • Gives students a preview of the locked-down testing experience. • Helps determine if network resources are sufficient for testing.

  19. Installing the Secure Browser

  20. Smarter Balanced Portal Secure Browser Web Page URL: http://sbac.portal.airast.org/browsers/

  21. Secure Browser Installation on Desktops and Laptops • One-by-One manual installation: • Download and install on each computer either directly or by transferring the installer via flash drive or network drive. • Additional information on one-by-one manual installation, refer to TSM 27–36. (Note: Instructions vary by system!)

  22. Secure Browser Installation on Desktops and Laptops • Network installation: • Install on a shared drive and install the Secure Browser shortcut to each users profile. • Have the users login script install or copy the Secure Browser installation. • There is an option for non-administrator installation. • Support available for Terminal Server/thin client and NComputing virtual desktops. • Third-party options such as Apple Remote Desktop, MS System Center Configuration Manager, LANDesk, etc. • For additional information on network installation, refer to TSM 37–41.

  23. Secure Browser Installation on Mobile Devices • Install on iPads via the Apple App Store. • Install on Androids via the Google Play Store. • For managing large-scale iPad deployments, see the Apple iOS Education Deployment Guide: http://images.apple.com/nz/education/docs/ios_6_education_deployment_guide.pdf • For additional information on network installation, refer to TSM 48 and 52.

  24. Proxy Configuration • The following proxy values are supported: • 0: Direct connection, no proxy • 1: Manual proxy configuration • 2: Proxy auto-configuration (PAC) • 4: Auto-detect proxy settings • 5: System proxy settings (this is the default) • For additional information on proxy configuration, refer to TSM 42–46.

  25. Secure Browser Notes • The Secure Browser checks for “prohibited” applications while it is running. This includes Instant Messaging, Screen Capture, etc. • Ctrl-Alt-Del is disabled, so use Ctrl-Alt-Shift-F10 to exit the software for Windows and Mac. Use Ctrl-Alt-Shift-Esc to exit in Linux.

  26. What Next?

  27. I’ve Installed the Browser, Now What? • Run the Practice Test. • Open the browser and select “Training Test.” • Refer to the Practice Test User Guide: http://sbac.portal.airast.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/PracticeTest_UserGuide_Updated080513.pdf • Run the Network Diagnostics Tool. • Open the browser and select “Network Diagnostics Tool.” • Run at various times of the day, with varying numbers of students indicated. • Establish points of contact within your district to respond to technical issues during testing. • Review checklists for other tasks.

  28. Technology Coordinator Checklist TSM 71–72

  29. Technology Coordinator Checklist TSM 71–72

  30. Other Reminders • Complete the Technology Readiness Tool. • http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/trt-basicsteps.asp. • Review Field Test window assignments. • And don’t forget… there are still some paper tests to administer for CST, CMA, CAPA, and STS. (STS is optional). Reminders for the paper testing: • Test administration setup • Pre-ID

  31. Resources and Support

  32. Resources and Support • CalTAC help desk is there to support YOU! • We can help determine the installation option that works best for your LEA. • Consider putting your technology coordinator in touch with your CalTAC representative, who has access to technology experts. E-mail:caltac@ets.org Phone: 800-955-2954

  33. Questions?

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