1

Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) 2

Performance Improvements (Fall 2015) Performance Improvements to PREID Uploads  Backend database changes to improve performance  Batch processing of student attributes  Batch processing of validation rules  Over 300 % performance improvement Performance Improvements to Appeals Module  Faster retrieval of appeal request information in view and pending appeal pages  100% improvement in appeals data retrieval  Increased threshold in view appeals – up to 2000 records  Faster processing of batch appeal approvals Roster Performance Improvements  Add Rosters performance improvements up to 5 times 3

Test Delivery System 4

WCAG 2.0 AA Certification Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 is a well formed technical specification for making web applications accessible to people with disabilities. In Feb 2015 AIR achieved a AA certification for the Test Delivery System which indicates that the application not only meets, but exceeds the basic needs of assistive technology and people with disabilities. 5

Scrubber for Embedded Audio Enables a student to drag to the desired position in the audio. * Optional Feature 6

Persisting Highlighting Re-applying a student’s highlighting after pause/resume. 7

Item List for Test Review Screen Displays all items in a list on the review screen. Much easier to see all items to determine if any have been marked for review. 8

iOS 9 Release iOS 9 release date is unknown but could be released at any moment. AIR has been working with a beta version and intends to support iOS9 this school year. AIR must wait for the full version to complete its testing. It will not be supported for the Fall EOC. If anticipation of an iOS 9 release prior to the end of the Fall EOC, please consider turning off auto-update:  Settings  iTunes & App Store  Updates  Off 9

Windows 10 Windows 10 was released July 29, AIR has been working with Windows 10 and intends to support it. It is unlikely that it will be supported in time for the opening of the Fall EOC (Monday). Unlike iOS, there is no forced update for Windows users. However, many recently purchased devices may have Windows 10 installed. 10

Test Administrator Interface 11

Mobile TA Interface 12

Help Desk 13

Summary of Help Desk Improvements 14 AIR is committed to rapid and continuous improvement of our help desk services. Late last spring, AIR initiated an extensive process review and identified a number of opportunities for systemic improvement. New Tools will give agents faster access to more and better information. Agents have access to an ever-growing knowledgebase that puts answers at the fingertips of our Tier 1 agents. If a Tier 1 agent is unable to resolve an issue on the first call, the issue will be immediately transferred to another group of subject-matter experts who can address it in real time. New Workflow Processes to separate different kinds of requests and route them to the appropriate teams. These processes are directive, and tailored to ensure that issues are more quickly resolved at Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3. Better Communication about emergent issues, should that be necessary. Increased Staffing and Cross Training We value your feedback, and are committed to providing the level of customer service that you expect. If at any time you feel like our adjustments are not adequately addressing your Help Desk concerns, please feel free to contact Meredith Durgin or Kevin Murphy directly.

Contact Information 15

AIR / DRC Contact Information 16 AIR Help Desk 7:00 am to 8:30 pm ET; Mon. – 815 – 7246 AIR Team Leads Kevin Murphy: Program 403 – 5988 Ghi Crisafulli: Communications (User Guides, Interpretive Products) 403 – 5837 Meredith Durgin: Test Administration (TAMs, test books, help desk) 588 – 7326 Danni Greenberg: Online Testing Applications (TDS, TIDE, ORS) 403 – 5009 DRC Help Desk 7:00 am to 8:30 pm ET; Mon. – DRC Team Leads Peter Tressel: Senior Angie Karn: Senior Project Michael Kulzer: Senior Project