PARCC Online Testing Technology Update Laurence Cocco, Director Office of Educational Technology New Jersey Department of Education 1/18/12 As a reminder, at the last Governing Board meeting, the members of the Governing Board requested continued research and additional information on what states are doing to prepare for the transition to computer-based assessments. This is a summary of that work done to date.

Timeline December 2011 March 2012 Fall 2012 PARCC Recommended Hardware Specifications March 2012 IT Readiness Tool Fall 2012 Bandwidth and Network Specifications

PARCC Technology Specifications (for IT Readiness Tool Evaluation Only) Processor Speed RAM Available Memory/Storage Resolution Display Size Minimum 1.0 GHz 1 GB 1024x768 10" min Input devices must include both the ability to enter text and to interact and manipulate virtual objects Audio and video support will be required All devices will need to be equipped with a headphone jack PARCC technology specifications guidance was approved by the PARCC Technology Operational Working Group (TOWGa). The working group believes that the listed specifications will serve as a foundation of the “final” minimum PARCC specifications. This Technology Guidance is: meant to be used as guidelines for PARCC states and districts to plan instructional technology hardware purchases in the near future that will meet assessment requirements, and to evaluate existing hardware; designed to guide new purchases, but machines should exceed these minimums; serve as an absolute floor for evaluating currently existing instructional technology; and designed to be broad enough to fit all types of devices. This Technology Guidance is not: a recommendation of what specific devices schools and districts should purchase; or a recommendation about software, browser, network, or bandwidth requirements.

IT Readiness Tool The Readiness Tool will enable schools, districts, and the states to generate IT infrastructure gap-analysis reports so that they will be able to address any gaps well in advance of new, online tests. The Readiness Tool will also be available for schools, districts and states to re-check their technology status after changes are made, but before live testing begins. Although some states are thinking through transition strategies, there are still a number of states that need assistance in planning. More work should continue in PARCC to collectively problem-solve and engage in cross-state sharing. There is great interest from states on gathering technology directors for a meeting/webinar to share leading and emerging practices on how to prepare for the transition to computer-based assessments. Examples of questions state leaders are interested in asking their peers are: How are other states leveraging their own policies and regulations as a catalyst to get the infrastructure needed for computer-based testing? What does it mean to have flexibility aid, and what implications does that have for the state as a whole? Are states looking into regional or statewide procurements of technology? Are states interested in cross-state procurements of hardware and software?

IT Readiness Tool Online Training Modules Released – early March 2012 Tool Release Date – late March 2012 (Due date in May) Summary Report – June 2012 Subsequent Release Dates Fall 2012 Spring 2013 Fall 2013 Spring 2014 Although some states are thinking through transition strategies, there are still a number of states that need assistance in planning. More work should continue in PARCC to collectively problem-solve and engage in cross-state sharing. There is great interest from states on gathering technology directors for a meeting/webinar to share leading and emerging practices on how to prepare for the transition to computer-based assessments. Examples of questions state leaders are interested in asking their peers are: How are other states leveraging their own policies and regulations as a catalyst to get the infrastructure needed for computer-based testing? What does it mean to have flexibility aid, and what implications does that have for the state as a whole? Are states looking into regional or statewide procurements of technology? Are states interested in cross-state procurements of hardware and software?

IT Readiness Tool Current proposal is to employ a “sniffer” tool Run Diagnostics on One Device, then manually input data, or Run Diagnostics on All Networked Devices Simultaneously Flexibility Planned for State Opt in/out for various features Although some states are thinking through transition strategies, there are still a number of states that need assistance in planning. More work should continue in PARCC to collectively problem-solve and engage in cross-state sharing. There is great interest from states on gathering technology directors for a meeting/webinar to share leading and emerging practices on how to prepare for the transition to computer-based assessments. Examples of questions state leaders are interested in asking their peers are: How are other states leveraging their own policies and regulations as a catalyst to get the infrastructure needed for computer-based testing? What does it mean to have flexibility aid, and what implications does that have for the state as a whole? Are states looking into regional or statewide procurements of technology? Are states interested in cross-state procurements of hardware and software?

Unanswered Questions Will There Be Multiple Test Windows? What Are the Technology Needs Based on Test Items? Windows, Mac, Unix Applications, video/audio, multimedia What are the Parameters for Problem-Based Test Items? What Are the Minimum Specifications for Bandwidth and Devices? What Are the Recommended Specifications for Bandwidth and Devices? Although some states are thinking through transition strategies, there are still a number of states that need assistance in planning. More work should continue in PARCC to collectively problem-solve and engage in cross-state sharing. There is great interest from states on gathering technology directors for a meeting/webinar to share leading and emerging practices on how to prepare for the transition to computer-based assessments. Examples of questions state leaders are interested in asking their peers are: How are other states leveraging their own policies and regulations as a catalyst to get the infrastructure needed for computer-based testing? What does it mean to have flexibility aid, and what implications does that have for the state as a whole? Are states looking into regional or statewide procurements of technology? Are states interested in cross-state procurements of hardware and software?

Questions Laurence Cocco laurence.cocco@doe.state.nj.us (609) 633 1693 Although some states are thinking through transition strategies, there are still a number of states that need assistance in planning. More work should continue in PARCC to collectively problem-solve and engage in cross-state sharing. There is great interest from states on gathering technology directors for a meeting/webinar to share leading and emerging practices on how to prepare for the transition to computer-based assessments. Examples of questions state leaders are interested in asking their peers are: How are other states leveraging their own policies and regulations as a catalyst to get the infrastructure needed for computer-based testing? What does it mean to have flexibility aid, and what implications does that have for the state as a whole? Are states looking into regional or statewide procurements of technology? Are states interested in cross-state procurements of hardware and software?