School Technology, Online Assessment and the Common Core Dennis Small, OSPI – March 14, 2014 – NCCE

Agenda CCSS & SBAC Background Minimum Hardware Specifications Network Considerations Deployment Options Support Issues & Approaches Student Readiness Performance Tasks – Student Expectations Technology & Common Core Standards Q & A 2

SBAC Background 23 states working together to develop online student assessment system Federal grant, ends in 2015 Assesses Grades 3-8 & 11 in English languages arts and mathematics (aligned to Common Core State Standards) Field testing in spring, 2014, operational in Includes online adaptive tests as well as classroom-based performance tasks 3

Minimum Hardware Specs – Part 1 4 DevicesMinimum specs Windows Desktops & Laptops Windows XP (service pack 3), Pentium 233 MHz processor, 128 MB RAM, 52 MB hard drive free space Mac OS X Desktops & Laptops Mac OS X , Intel x86 or PowerPC G3 (300 MHz) processor, 256 MB RAM, 200 MB hard drive free space Linux Desktops & Laptops Linux (Ubuntu 9-10, Fedora 6), Pentium II or AMD K6-III, 233 MHz processor, 64 MB RAM, 52 MB hard drive free space

Minimum Hardware Specs – Part 2 5 DevicesMinimum specs iOS TabletsiPad 2 running iOS6 or higher Android TabletsCertified Android tablets running Android 4.0+ Windows TabletsWindows-based tablets running Windows 8+. Windows RT does not meet minimum specs for online testing. Chrome OS DevicesChromebooks running Chrome OS (v19)+

Minimum Specs. Cont. Minimum screen size: 10” class or larger Minimum screen resolution: 1024 x 768 Requires SecureBrowser software application (web browser on device doesn’t matter) Mechanical/external keyboards are required (wired or wireless) Headphones (or a secure room) are required for the ELA test (listening portion) and if text to speech is enabled Additional hardware will be required for specific students needing accommodations About 20 Kbps bandwidth per student testing concurrently 6

Network Considerations Many factors can impact available bandwidth for testing: Network traffic Internal wiring within building (hubs, routers, switches) Wiring between buildings (if applicable) Internet connectivity Network devices (firewalls, filters, proxy servers, traffic shaping devices) Hard-wired vs. wireless connections 7

Deployment Options Traditional computer lab Thin-client computer lab Portable lab of laptops, tablets or netbooks (AKA, “Computers on Wheels” or COW) with wireless access Quiet spaces with computers with Internet access Computers in libraries (if appropriate) 1-to-1 initiatives 8

Support Issues & Approaches Limited tech support; use extended testing window, and rotate buildings through Concerns about adequate network capacity; conduct full-scale simulations using practice tests Unreliable older desktop computers; consider portable lab (for both instructional use and testing) of low-cost devices 9

Student Readiness Ensure students have at least two opportunities at school for guided practice with assessment tools and question types Use sample performance tasks (and eventually formative tools and released items) to give students experience with math and ELA performance tasks Provide student keyboarding/data input opportunities in grades K-2 to ensure readiness for grade 3 online assessments 10

Student Readiness Provide additional keyboarding opportunities for grades 3-6 to ensure readiness for SBAC writing tasks Partner with libraries and community organizations to promote equity of access to technology for students outside of school time Consider loaning machines or providing useable surplus machines to needy students 11

Performance Tasks: What is the expectation for students? Sample targets for grades 6-8 Combine to form a Claim

Student task “Garden of Learning” Grade 6 PT What is the expectation for students? Student directions

Reading Informational & How-To Articles, Accessing Online Videos What is the expectation for students? 1. Growing Our Own School Lunch: Informational article This article is about a school that has a garden that the students run. 2. Make Your Own Dirt: How-to article This article explains how to perform an experiment to create dirt and compost. 3. Costs of Community Gardens video on YouTube

Scoring What is the expectation for students?

Video 1: Revenge of the Electric Car Article 1: Electric Vehicles Video 2: Electric Cars Face Issues in the US html Chart 1: Hybrid Vehicle Sales Chart 2: Comparison of Hybrid Cars Chart 3: Monthly Hybrid Sales Statistics Electric Cars – Grade 9 PT What is the expectation for students?

Scoring What is the expectation for students?

Technology & Common Core Standards Technology as a tool to support instruction in Common Core State Standards (CCSS) –Use technology and digital media strategically and capably. –Technology tools document with references by grade level –K-2 Checklist 18

CCSS & Digital Tools, Keyboarding, Multimedia, Technology, Internet ELA - Kindergarten and Grade 1: With guidance and support from adults, explore a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers. Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood. Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. ELA - Grade 2: Use information gained from illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characteristics, setting, or plot. Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently. 19

Technology & Common Core Standards Connections between CCSS and Educational Technology standards –Goal Three of Washington Basic Education Act includes educational technology as a foundational component of student thinking skills –Crosswalk document and WebApp with deep alignment with CCSS English Language Arts 20

CCSS & Educational Technology Standards Crosswalk Document 21

WebApp: Crosswalk CCSS ELA & Educational Technology Standards 22 Available at CCSS-Crosswalk.aspx

For More Information SBAC Technology Information & Documents balanced-assessments/technology/ Online Testing/Technology Readiness Tool: Implementing Online Assessments: Dennis Small (360)