Online Testing for Experienced Users District and Campus Coordinators and Test Administrators

When is online testing scheduled?

2011–2012 Online Testing Opportunities TAKS Exit Level Retest –March 5–9, 2012 –April 24–27, 2012 –July 9–12, 2012 TELPAS (all districts) –March 19–April 11, 2012  TELPAS reading grades 2–12  Holistic Rating submission grades K–12  Verification window April 12–13, 2012 STAAR End–of–Course (EOC) –March 26–29, 2012  English I, II, and III –May 7–18, 2012  Algebra I, geometry, Algebra II, biology, chemistry, physics, world geography, world history, and U.S. history –July 9–13, 2012  All subjects

Participation Rules TAKS Students enrolled in grade 9 prior to the 2011–2012 school year are required to take TAKS for their graduation requirement. TELPAS All districts that have LEP students enrolled are required to participate in TELPAS. This administration is online only. STAAR EOC STAAR EOC assessments will be administered to students first enrolled in grade 9 or below in the 2011–2012 school year and enrolled in these courses as part of their graduation requirements: –Algebra I, geometry, Algebra II, biology, chemistry, physics, English I, English II, English III, world geography, world history, and U.S. history In addition, seven of the twelve STAAR EOC assessments will require the mandatory participation of students on selected campuses who are enrolled in these courses but whose graduation requirement is TAKS: –Algebra II, chemistry, physics, English II, English III, world history, and U.S. history –It is important to note that only campuses selected to participate in this additional mandatory testing will be able to administer STAAR EOC assessments to students with a TAKS graduation requirement.

Availability of Reports After Each Administration TAKS administrations –Student reports for TAKS/TAKS–M administrations will be reported on the dates listed on the Calendar of Events. TELPAS administration –Student reports for the TELPAS administration will be reported on the dates listed on the Calendar of Events. STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) administrations –Results for students for the STAAR EOC spring administrations will be delivered online shortly after the May test administration is complete, followed by the delivery of results on paper. Summary reports are due in district by June 8.

Who does what?

Who does what in the online testing environment? District and Campus Coordinators –Review resources and complete training –Create and maintain user accounts –Verify that student data are loaded into the testing system –Assign examinees to participate in online testing, if necessary –Review test security and confidentiality –Sign security oath –Oversee the preparation of the testing environment –Monitor and manage test sessions –Resolve the test session –Complete score codes

Technology Staff –Review resources and complete training –Install software needed for online testing (use of proctor caching software is required) –Assess network infrastructure and computers –Sign security oath –Test the TestNav platform and the proctor caching software –Support administrators during online testing Who does what in the online testing environment?

Online Session Administrators –Review resources and complete training –Review test security and confidentiality –Sign security oath –Set up online test sessions –Set up TELPAS rating entry groups –Prepare the testing environment –Monitor and manage test sessions and TELPAS rating entry groups –Resolve the test session –Complete score codes if responsible Test Administrators –Review resources and complete training –Review test security and confidentiality –Sign security oath –Print student authorizations –Generate and print seal codes (TAKS ELA) –Start the test session –Monitor test sessions –Resolve the test session

Who does what in the online testing environment? TELPAS Rating Entry Assistants –Review resources and complete training –Review test security and confidentiality –Sign security oath –Transcribe holistic rating information from the Rating Rosters into the online system

What is new and what is not changing?

What is new? New browser–based version of TestNav, TestNav 7 New Proctor Caching 7 Configure TestNav feature is new Session login expiration has been extended New user roles have been added Change Organization functionality is more user-friendly Uploading student data files is improved New TELPAS Holistic Ratings tab and STAAR-Alt tab replace Student Evaluation tab TELPAS test assignments are now restricted to one available reading test per student across the state Move TELPAS Test button Score Codes must be entered in Mark Test Complete screen

Browser–based TestNav In fall 2011, the TestNav Test Delivery System changed to a new version. TestNav 7 is completely browser-based and offers several advantages over TestNav 6.9, including: enhanced security, scalability, reliability, and compatibility enhanced integration with the administrative functions in the Assessment Management System, delivered through PearsonAccess no installation of the TestNav software is required operating system compatibility includes Windows and Mac browser compatibility includes Windows Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari To view an on-demand training module for setting up the online testing environment, go to and review the Setting up Online Testing Environment training module.

Proctor Caching Proctor Caching 7 (NEW!) is configured in the Texas Assessment Management System instead of on the local computer. It provides the following: points test delivery computers to the proctor caching computer through the online Texas Assessment Management System interface supports Windows and Mac operating systems supports a single proctor caching configuration per organization An updated version of proctor caching became available on February 13, Both versions of software, Windows and Mac, can be found at For more information about proctor caching, go to and refer to the TestNav 7 Combined Technical GuideTestNav 7 Combined Technical Guide. An updated version of this guide will be available February 16, To view an on-demand training module for proctor caching, go to and review the Proctor Caching Implementation OverviewProctor Caching Implementation Overview training module.

Configure TestNav Using Configure TestNav, you can manage proctor caching computer configurations and student response save locations from the Texas Assessment Management System. For the proctor caching computer to receive requests for test content, TestNav must be configured to use the proctor caching computer as a proxy computer.

Ensure that TestNav has been configured BEFORE Creating Sessions Proctor caching servers should be designated under Test Setup > Configure TestNav BEFORE sessions are created

Session login has been extended Session End: You will automatically be logged off if the session is inactive for 30 minutes. After 26 minutes of inactivity, the system will prompt you with a message that your session is about to expire, and the countdown timer starts. You can reset the timer and continue working by clicking the OK button. Once the countdown timer expires, you will be automatically logged off. You should save your work before the session expires.

New user roles The following user roles have been added: District Testing Assistant District User Account Assistant Student Data Assistant Test Setup Assistant Mark Test Complete For more information on the new user roles and the access associated with each, refer to the Texas User Roles and Permissions document located on the Resources ( page at Support >Resources >Technology Information.

Change Organization Users with access to multiple organizations can easily change the specific organization being viewed without leaving their current location by using the updated Change Organization link.

Options for Submitting Student Data Files Regular submission “Validation Only” “Directory Only” Refer to the Student Data File Specifications FAQ on the Texas Assessment website at:

New features for TELPAS The Student Evaluation tab has been divided into two separate tabs: one tab for TELPAS Holistic Ratings and one tab for STAAR Alternate assessments. Students are restricted to only one available reading test assignment across the state. New TELPAS Codes have been added to the SDU layout If tests are assigned to the student, the DTC can use the Move TELPAS Test button to move the reading test to your campus If tests are assigned to the student, the DTC can use the Move TELPAS Test button to move the reading test to your campus. (Tests cannot be moved if in a session or already completed.

Mark Test Complete –“Do Not Score” situations such as Other, Absent, etc. –Student forgot to select the Submit button and exited the test

What is not changing? Create and manage user accounts Verify student data Assign examinees to participate in online testing Start and monitor test sessions Manage TELPAS holistic rating groups Resolve test sessions Enter score codes Marking student tests complete Print student authorizations Generate and print seal codes (TAKS ELA) Refer to the User’s Guide for the Texas Assessment Management System located at

Resources

What resources are available for online testing? Online Testing Resources –User's Guide for the Texas Assessment Management SystemUser's Guide for the Texas Assessment Management System –Texas Unified System RequirementsTexas Unified System Requirements –PearsonAccess Overview Training ModulesPearsonAccess Overview Training Modules –TestNav 7 Combined Technical GuideTestNav 7 Combined Technical Guide –TestNav 7 and Proctor Caching Quick StartTestNav 7 and Proctor Caching Quick Start –Tips for TestNav 7: Adobe Flash Player and JavaTips for TestNav 7: Adobe Flash Player and Java These and additional online resources for TAKS, TELPAS, and STAAR EOC can be found at or from within the Assessment Management System at Support >Resources.

Training Administration/Technology Staff –Texas Assessment Management System Practice Center  TAKS Flash Written Composition Tool  Proctor Caching Testing Tool  Texas Practice Test  TELPAS reading tests (TELPAS Practice Administration) –PearsonAccess Overview Training Modules Student Practice Tests (ePATs) –Texas Specific Testing Tools –TAKS Flash Written Composition Tool –TELPAS Online Reading Test Student Tutorials –STAAR EOC Writing Tool (NEW!) –STAAR EOC Analytical Essay Tool (NEW!)

Pearson and TEA contact information

Pearson’s Austin Operations Center 7:30 AM –5:30 PM (CT) Monday–Friday Toll free: information about online testing or online testing procedures navigating the Texas Assessment Management System accessing and using the Practice Center managing examinee data setting up test sessions assigning login IDs and passwords accessing resources questions about Pearson Online Testing communications questions about oral administration of test sessions Call or Pearson’s Texas Online Team for assistance with: setting up a test run of the TestNav test delivery system network problems proctor caching issues evaluating infrastructure hardware and software requirements or problems the TestNav Early Warning System wireless networking issues technical emergencies solving online testing set-up issues

Texas Education Agency’s Student Assessment Division Telephone Fax TEA Student Assessment website Call TEA’s Student Assessment Division for assistance with: testing accommodations requesting changes to the testing schedule questions about the policy on taking breaks and lunch testing beyond normal school hours handling unusual circumstances on test days violations of test security handling school emergencies that affect testing questions about general online testing policy questions about TEA communications