1. Online Testing with TestNav 7 for New Users District and Campus Coordinators, Technology Staff, and Test Administrators

2. Online Testing When—Who—What—How When — is online testing scheduled? –Pages 3–5 Who — does what? –Pages 6–9 What — help is available? –Pages 10–15 How — do I administer online testing? –Pages 16–69 Technical Setup –Pages 70–89 Pearson and TEA — Contact Information –Pages 90–92 2

3. When is online testing scheduled? 3

4. 2011–2012 Online Testing Opportunities TAKS Exit Level Retest –October 18–21, 2011 –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 26–30, 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 4

5. 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 for students first enrolled in grade 9 or below in the 2011–2012 school year for students 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. 5

6. Who does what? 6

7. Who does what in the online testing environment? District and Campus Coordinators –Review resources and complete training –Create user accounts –Verify that student data are loaded into the testing system –Manually assign examinees to participate in online testing, if necessary –Review test security and confidentiality –Sign security oath –Prepare the testing environment –Start the test session –Administer each assessment –Monitor and manage test sessions –Resolve the test session –Complete score codes –Lock or unlock user accounts 7

8. Technology Staff –Review resources and complete training –Install software needed for online testing (use of proctor caching software is required) –Assess network infrastructure and computer workstations –Sign security oath –Test the TestNav platform and the proctor caching software 8 Who does what in the online testing environment?

9. Test Administrators –Review resources and complete training –Review test security and confidentiality –Sign security oath –Set up online test sessions –Prepare the testing environment –Print student authorizations –Generate and print seal codes (TAKS ELA) –Start the test session –Administer each assessment –Monitor and manage test sessions –Resolve the test session –Complete score codes 9 Who does what in the online testing environment?

10. What help is available? 10

11. What resources are available for online testing? 11 Online Testing Resources –User's Guide for the Texas Assessment Management System –Unified Texas Minimum System Requirements –PearsonAccess Overview Training Modules –TestNav 7 Combined Technical Guide –TestNav 7 and Proctor Caching Quick Start –Tips for TestNav 7: Adobe Flash Player and Java –2011 District and Campus Coordinator Manual Supplement These and additional online resources for TAKS, TELPAS, and EOC can be found on the Texas Assessment Resources page at http://www.TexasAssessment.com/resources. http://www.TexasAssessment.com/resources

12. Training Administration/Technology Staff – Texas Assessment Management System Practice Center  Flash Written Composition Tool — Texas Assessment Practice Administration  Proctor Caching Testing Tool — Texas Assessment Practice Administration  Texas Practice Test — Texas Assessment Practice Administration – PearsonAccess Overview Training Modules Students –Texas Specific Testing Tools — ePAT –Flash Written Composition Tool — ePAT –TELPAS Online Reading Test Student Tutorials — ePATs 12

13. Practice Center The Practice Center for the Texas Assessment Management System allows you to practice without affecting the “live” data for online testing activities. For example: –Create sample students. –Register students and assign them to groups and tests. –Create test sessions and assign students to online test sessions. NOTE: A separate user ID and password is required to access the Practice Center. 13

14. Practice Center – Logging In 14 To log in to the Practice Center 1.Enter http://www.TexasAssessment.com into your browser. http://www.TexasAssessment.com 2.Click the Log in to the Texas Assessment Management System Practice Center link in the Related Links panel. 3.Enter your user ID and password, and then click the Login button to go to the homepage for the Practice Center. NOTE: Before using the Practice Center, you must first follow the link in the New User Account e-mail from TxPearsonAccess@support.pearson.com to initialize your user account and password. TxPearsonAccess@support.pearson.com

15. Practice Center Homepage 15

16. How do I administer online tests? 16

17. Texas Assessment Management System 17 The Texas Assessment website (http://www.TexasAssessment.com) is a Web destination that provides access to the Texas Assessment Management System.

18. 18  Define roles and grant organization access Administrative Management and Organizations  Send Student Data  Manage Student Directory Student Data  Enter Administration Details  Configure TestNav Test Setup  Register students to tests  Update student demographic data  Create, view, and manage online tests Test Management  View, download, and print published reports  Download and view registration file extract  Download and view registration summary Test Results Test Administration Tasks Texas Assessment Management System Functionality  Enter holistic ratings and rater information for TELPAS  Manage TELPAS rating entry groups  Generate TELPAS status reports TELPAS Holistic Ratings

19. Administrative Management Security The Security box of the Administrative Management screen is where user accounts are managed. Individual accounts can be added or edited, or user account files can be used to bulk-upload new or updated users. 19 A user is a testing coordinator, educator, test administrator, or other person who has been given a user account. A user account allows the user to access the website and, depending on that user’s role, to perform various functions within the website.

20. Role-based Access 20 You will have access only to the user accounts that you are authorized to see, and will be able to save and update only those same accounts. Online test administrator access District testing coordinator access

21. User Roles and Permissions 21 The Texas User Roles and Permissions document is located on the Resources (http://www.TexasAssessment.com/techinfo) page at Support >http://www.TexasAssessment.com/techinfo Resources >Technology Information.

22. Organizations An organization is an entity in the organizational hierarchy, such as a district or campus. District 1 and Campus 1 are organizations. An organization must exist in the system before that organization can participate in testing or test-related activities, such as assigning students to an online test sessions. 22

23. View Organizations Change Organization A user assigned the role of district testing coordinator will have access to change the organization level to view only campus–level information. For example, to view AOC HS and see only the information tied to that campus, you would change your organization. 23

24. Student Data Student data refers to student demographic data and other testing-related information about individual students, such as name, date of birth (DOB), grade, and PEIMS ID. Student data must be uploaded or entered manually before students can be registered for a test and placed into test sessions. 24

25. Send Student Data 25 Before students can be assigned to a test, student data must be uploaded or entered manually into the Assessment Management System.

26. Send Student Data – Submit Data File 26 Before you submit a file, make sure that your file meets the student data file specifications. Refer to the Student Data File Specifications FAQ on the Texas Assessment website at: http://www.TexasAssessment.com/StudentFileLayout. http://www.TexasAssessment.com/StudentFileLayout NOTE: You can use the Student Data File to designate the online testing format for students.

27. Options for Submitting Student Data Files 27 A student data file can be submitted in three different ways: Regular submission enrolls students to campus, places them in a class group, registers them for an administration, and assigns them to a test(s). “Validation Only” indicates that the file is being sent only for validation purposes. This allows districts to send student data files up to approximately three weeks prior to the registration window for an administration and to correct any errors so a clean data file will be ready once the registration window opens. When “Validation Only” is checked, students will not be added to the directory or registered for the administration. “Directory Only” indicates that the file will be uploaded to the directory only. This allows districts to add students to the directory without registering them for an administration. This is helpful when students need to be added to Rostered Groups but are not already in the directory.

28. Manage Student Directory The Manage Student Directory screen allows you to add, view, and modify student data within the user interface. 28

29. Manage Student Directory — Adding a New Student District testing coordinators have the ability to manually enter students into the system. When manually entering students into the Assessment Management System, the new-student wizard function will assist you. 29

30. Manage Student Directory – Adding a New Student 30 To add a new student 1.Go to Student Data >Manage Student Directory. 2.Select “Students” from the View By options set. 3.Click the New Student button. 4.Enter the required information to create the student and enroll him or her to a campus, and then click the Save and Next button to create the student record. 5.To register the student for a test administration, select the test administration, the student’s grade, and complete the remaining fields. The administration defaults to the current administration. The other fields available may vary based on administration. Then click the Save and Next button. The student is now registered for testing in the selected test administration. 6.To assign the student to a group, select the appropriate group. Click the Save and Next button. The student is added to the group. 7.Next select the test the student will take, and then click the Save and Exit button. The student is now successfully enrolled to a campus, registered for a test administration, and assigned to test(s).

31. Test Setup 31 Test Setup activities help you prepare for online testing activities such as entering administration details and managing proctor caching and TestNav client settings.

32. Enter Administration Details 32 Enter Administration Details is used for specifying precode options, paper precode sort order, online night testing, and ordering of optional reports. Pay particular attention to the deadlines provided in the section headings.

33. Enter Administration Details – Changing the default test administration 33 To change the default test administration, click the Change link at the top of the screen next to the administration name. Select the test administration preferred as the default and click the Save and Make Default button.

34. Configure TestNav Using Configure TestNav, you can manage proctor caching computer configurations. 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. 34

35. Creating a Proctor Caching Location 1.Go to Test Setup > Configure TestNav. 2.Click the New Configuration button to open the configuration details screen and add a descriptive name for the new configuration setting. 3.Click the New Server button to add a proctor caching IP address, port, and descriptive name for the new proctor caching computer, and then click the Save button. Repeat to add more proctor caching locations. –Click the Edit link to make changes to the IP Address, description, or port, and then click the Save button. –Click the Visit link to go to the proctor caching computer. 35 NOTE: Steps continued on next slide.

36. 4.In the Confirm Client Response File Backup Location section, designate the primary and secondary response file backup locations. NOTE: The primary and secondary backup locations will store the student response files in the event a technical issue occurs. Primary and secondary save locations should not be the same and students must have read and write access to those locations in order for the student response file to be saved. 36 Creating a Proctor Caching Location NOTE: Steps continued on next slide.

37. 37 5.Click the Add Organization button to select the organization(s) that will use the TestNav configuration (called the Configuration Name on the screen). At least one organization must be selected in order to create a new TestNav configuration. Make sure to establish a configuration for the organizations that are testing. 6.Select a proctor caching computer and the organization(s) it will be associated with. 7.Complete the fields in the Confirm Advanced Settings section, and then click the Save button to save the TestNav configuration. Creating a Proctor Caching Location

38. Test Management Test Management activities for online testing include the following activities: –registering students –entering administration specific student data –managing test sessions 38

39. Register Students A student cannot be placed into an online testing session without being registered. NOTE: Students must be enrolled in a campus before they can be registered for a particular test administration and assigned to specific groups. Typically students are already enrolled in a campus, registered, and assigned to groups when student data files are submitted, but a district testing coordinator can register a student manually. 39

40. Register Students There are two ways to register a student. Typically registration occurs when a student data file is submitted to the system. There are times, however, when a student may not be registered for a test administration. For example, if a student transfers into a campus at the beginning of the test administration window, then the student probably is not registered to test. In this case, you will register an unregistered student manually. 40

41. Manual Assignment of Students 41

42. Registering an Unregistered Student 1.Go to Test Management > Register Students. 2.Select “Unregistered Students” from the View By options set. 3.Search for the student. 4.Click the name of the student. 5.Select the campus in which to register the student for the current test administration. 6.Select the required information, as delineated by the red arrows, and then click the Register Student button. 42

43. Assigning a Registered Student to a Group and a Test 1.Go to Test Management > Register Students. 2.Select “Registered Students” from the View By options set. 3.Search for the student. 4.Click the name of the student. 5.Click the Assigned Groups tab. 6.Click the Add Group Assignment button. 7. Select the check box for the group, and then click the Add button. 8. Click the Yes – Continue with Add button. 43 NOTE: Steps continued on next slide.

44. 9.Click the Assigned Tests tab. 10.Click the Add Test button to see a list of assigned and unassigned tests (if any). 11.Click the name of the test that you want to assign. 12.Select the appropriate test format (paper or online). 13.Click the Save button after completing your selection –The student is now assigned to a group and a test. 44 Assigning a Registered Student to a Group and a Test

45. Changing Student Testing Formats after Registration Depending on the test administration the student is participating in, you may need to update the student’s testing format. Typically this will be done only if the testing format was not specified in the student data file submission or if the students were loaded by a PEIMS load. There are two ways to change a student’s testing format (paper or online) after registration has been completed. –Request Registration File –Manually in the user interface 45

46. Requesting a Registration File The Request Registration File feature can be used to change the testing format for a student or a group of students. 1.Go to Test Management > Register Students. 2.Select “Registered Students” from the View By options set. 3.Click the Request Registration File button. The file reflects all changes to student data that have been made manually or submitted via file upload. 4.Click the Yes – Continue with Request button. 5.Go to Test Results > View Published Reports to download the registration file. –The registration file might not appear on the Report List screen immediately. 6.Click an organization to view the available reports. 7.Click a report name to view the report. 8.Edit the registration file to assign the students to the appropriate testing format (paper or online). 9.Go to Student Data > Send Student Data. 10.Upload the registration file for testing format changes to be applied. 46

47. Manually Changing Testing Formats After a student is registered for a test, if you need to change the testing format manually, you will need to do the following: 1.Go to Register Students. 2.Search for the student you would like to edit and click the student name. 3.Click the Assigned Tests tab. 4.Click the Edit button and use the drop-downs next to each Test Name to change the testing format to online or paper. 5.Click the Save button. 47

48. Manage Test Sessions Managing test sessions is one of the main activities for online testing. Test sessions are virtual groupings of students who will test at the same time or place. Most activities associated with individual test sessions will be performed under this subtab. This is where the Assessment Management System will be utilized by online session administrators and online test administrators who oversee online testing. 48

49. Manage Test Sessions — Creating New Test Sessions 49 1.Go to Test Management > Manage Test Sessions. 2.Select “Test Sessions” from the View By options set. 3.Click the New Session button. NOTE: If you do not have access to create test sessions, the New Session button will be disabled and you will not be able to create a test session. “No” must be selected for Read Aloud, and “Main” must be selected from the Form Group Type menu for administrations in which oral administrations are not allowed and administrations in which there is only one form. “Main” must be selected for the Form Group Type menu. Users will not be able to save the session details unless all required fields have been selected. Scheduled Date and Time are fields designed to assist districts with planning testing activities. 4.Enter the session details. You must enter a session name and select a campus before the remaining session details can be selected. In the Campus field, enter the name or number. You can quickly locate a campus by typing the first 3 characters of the school name or school number, as shown below: 5.Click the Save button after entering all session details.

50. Creating an Oral Administration Testing Session To create an oral administration testing session, select “Yes” in the Read- aloud drop-down on the New Test Session page. 50 NOTE: When adding students to an oral administration session, do NOT add students that are already in another test session. You must add students that have not yet been assigned to a test session.

51. Manage Test Sessions Viewing and Editing Test Sessions The Session Details screen provides the ability to add or change a student’s assigned test form, remove students from a test session, or move students from one session to another. 51

52. Manage Test Sessions Viewing and Editing Test Sessions – Verify Transmission Receipt Report 52

53. Manage Test Sessions Proctor Caching Proctor caching refers to pre-caching (downloading) test content from the Pearson testing server to a secure local computer prior to starting a test session. Because test content is closer to student workstations, test delivery is accelerated and the amount of bandwidth required for online testing is reduced. Proctor caching is required. 53 NOTE: District testing coordinators will receive a broadcast e-mail before each online testing administration with information about proctor caching availability.

54. Proctor Caching Prior to selecting the Proctor Caching button in the Session Details screen, the proctor caching software must be installed and started on the proctor caching computer. NOTE: Please make sure that pop-up blockers are turned off before clicking the Proctor Caching button. 1.Ensure that proctor caching software is installed and that the proctor caching software is running on the proctor caching computer. NOTE: Your Web browser should have http://tx.testnav.com/tx added as an exception for pop-ups and listed as a trusted site. 2.Go to http://www.TexasAssessment.com and log in. 3.Go to the Session Details screen for the test session you want to cache (Home > Test Management > Manage Test Sessions > Session Details). You can proctor cache an entire administration at the campus level or select an individual session by selecting the session and going to the Session Details screen. –If the ability to proctor cache is not currently available, the Proctor Caching button will be disabled and you will not be able to cache test content. 54 NOTE: Steps continued on next slide.

55. Proctor Caching 4.Click the Proctor Caching button to review the caching information. 5.Click the Next button to begin caching test content and monitoring the status of the caching process on the TestNav Proctor Caching Diagnosis screen. 55

56. Manage Test Sessions Types of Authorizations Student and proctor authorizations are needed to perform certain functions at the session level. Each student must have a student authorization in order to log in to a test. Student authorizations contain the URL that students enter into an Internet broswer to access tests through the browser-based TestNav, a unique login ID, the test code needed to log in, and the keystrokes available for navigating through TestNav. Several print layouts are available as environmentally friendly options. You have the ability to print the following authorizations: Student Authorizations Proctor Authorizations Seal Codes 56

57. Manage Test Sessions Authorizations 57 1.Go to Test Management > Manage Test sessions. 2.Select “Test Sessions” from the View By options set. 3.Click a test session. 4.Click the Authorizations button and select the authorization type in the drop-down list. There are four print layouts available for student authorizations. The Detail View shows one authorization per page and includes the TestNav keyboard shortcuts. To conserve paper, the 4-per-sheet View shows four authorizations on one page and includes the TestNav keyboard shortcuts for each authorization. The Grid View shows up to 18 authorizations per page and does not include the TestNav keyboard shortcuts. The List View shows up to 13 authorizations per page and does not include the TestNav keyboard shortcuts. All printed pages, with the exception of the Detail View, will need to be cut to the appropriate size.

58. Manage Test Sessions Authorizations – Proctor Authorizations A proctor authorization allows a test administrator to log in and view the same test (Read Aloud) that the students receiving an Oral Administration accommodation are taking. Proctor authorizations are needed only for Oral Administration test sessions. 58

59. Manage Test Sessions Authorizations – Seal Codes 59 Seal codes are the electronic equivalents of the adhesive tabs that are used to seal sections of paper test booklets. Before students in a test session can go to the next sealed section of an electronic test, they must enter the appropriate four-digit seal code. Seal codes for a specific test session are listed on the seal codes document. NOTE: The TAKS English Language Arts (ELA) test is the only online test that requires a seal code.

60. Manage Test Sessions Starting a Test Session Once a test session has been created and students have been added, you will need to start the test session in order for students to log in on the day of testing. 60 NOTE: If you do not have access to start a test session, the Start button will be disabled and you will not be able to start the test session.

61. Manage Test Sessions Monitoring a Test Session After the test session has been started, you can monitor the test session by: refreshing a student’s testing status modifying a student’s test-specific data resuming a student’s test marking a student’s test complete stopping a test session 61

62. Online Test Session Monitoring Functions Currently Scheduled Sessions (.pdf) –Current session status & high level overview per organization –Print version –Access from Manage Test Sessions screen Session Roster (.pdf) –Print version of Session Details –Access from Session Details screen Verify Transmission Receipt –Verify transmission of student responses DTC, CTC, and Online Session Administrator have access –Access through Administrative Management –Or access from Session Details screen Testing Status Refresh button –Access from Session Details screen 62

63. Mark Test Complete If a student exits TestNav and will not resume the same test, or if a student has never logged in to a test and will not have another opportunity to test within the administration but must be accounted for, you can manually mark that student’s test “Complete.” 63

64. Mark Test Complete Situations Online tests should be marked complete only for the following reasons: –“Do Not Score” situations such as Other, Absent, etc. –Student forgot to select the Submit button and exited the test NOTE: For “Do Not Score” situations, a score code must also be selected for a student from the Student Test Details screen in addition to marking the test complete from the Session Details screen. For additional information on “Do Not Score” situations, refer to the appropriate test administration specific manual. 64

65. Test Results Test Results includes published reports, pre-generated reports, and data extracts available for viewing, downloading, and printing. These reports include results for students testing both online and on paper. These reports are available to district testing coordinators and superintendents. 65

66. Test Results View Published Reports 1.Go to Test Results > View Published Reports to see a list of available reports. 2.Select “District” or “Campus” from the View By: options set. 3.Click the organization name to see a list of reports for that organization. 4.Click the report name to view the report. –To download one or more reports to a single zip file, select the Download Multiple Files tab. Select the checkbox next to the reports you want to download and then click the Zip and Download button. –Once downloaded, you can print the files. 66

67. 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. 67

68. Sorting, Filtering, and Searching in the Texas Assessment Management System The searching, sorting, and filtering functions help you to find and organize data on a screen. A search will find information with specific criteria and return a table of matches. Sorts and filters are functions that are useful when you are looking for specific items in a table with many entries. Sorting Sorting is the process of ordering a data set into an ascending or descending order based upon the data in a field. For example, names are rearranged into alphabetical order, dates into chronological order, and numbers into numerical order. Click a column name to sort the data according to the entries in that column. After the column is sorted, a triangle appears to the right of the column heading (e.g., [ ]) indicating that the column is sorted in ascending order (i.e., from a to z, or from 1 to 999). To sort a column into descending order (i.e., from z to a, or from 999 to 1), click the column name again. 68

69. Filtering Filtering is the process of refining your search table in order to view a very few specific items. Filters are secondary searches. They allow you to narrow your list without losing the original search results. Turning the filter off will bring the original search data table into view again. There are two types of filtering:  Simple  Search/Advanced search For example, on the Manage Student Directory screen you may want to view only students from Campus A, or see all students in grade 11. Only columns displaying the Filtering icon [ ] to the left of the column name can be filtered. In some cases, multiple columns can be filtered at once. When multiple filters are used, only the results meeting all filter criteria are returned. For more information on sorting, filtering, and searching, refer to the User’s Guide for the Texas Assessment Management System. 69 Sorting, Filtering, and Searching in the Texas Assessment Management System

70. Technical Setup 70

71. Best Practices – Communication & Information Partnering with your technical staff – Early—from the beginning – During planning – Often—pass along information; err in excess Communication is key Information is power 71

72. Pearson Communication District IT Staff District & Campus Testing Staff Campus IT Staff Content Filters Firewalls Proxies TestNav Error Code Quick Reference Guides District IT Communications Error Code Quick Reference Guides Important Notices DTC-specific TEA Communications Firewalls Proctor Caching TestNav Error Code Quick Reference Guides District IT Communications Special Alerts IT-specific and DTC- specific TEA Communications New Tools New Processes White Papers Important Notices Partnership with IT Staff Is Critical 72

73. Information – Documents and Training TestNav and Proctor Caching Guides –http://www.TexasAssessment.com/TechInfohttp://www.TexasAssessment.com/TechInfo –TestNav 7 Combined Technical Guide –TestNav 7 and Proctor Caching Quick Start Unified Texas Minimum System Requirements –http://www.TexasAssessment.com/UnifiedSystemReqshttp://www.TexasAssessment.com/UnifiedSystemReqs Training Modules –http://www.TexasAssessment.com/Traininghttp://www.TexasAssessment.com/Training –PearsonAccess Overview Training Modules 73

74. Software Downloads http://www.TexasAssessment.com/Downloads Proctor Caching – Mac Proctor Caching – PC/Windows 74

75. TestNav Links Operational (Live) Site –http://tx.testnav.com/TXhttp://tx.testnav.com/TX Practice Center –http://tx.testnav.com/TXTRNGhttp://tx.testnav.com/TXTRNG 75

76. Hardware, Operating System, and Web Browser Recommendations The minimum and recommended technical requirements for all computers accessing the Assessment Management System and TestNav 7 are available as a separate document at http://www.TexasAssessment.com/unifiedsystemreqs or from the Technology Information tab on the Resources page in the Assessment Management System.http://www.TexasAssessment.com/unifiedsystemreqs 76

77. Additional Software Considerations Adobe Reader® 7.0 (or higher) must be installed in order to view and print reports in a PDF on administrative computers that will be used for viewing and printing reports (http://get.adobe.com/reader). Adobe Flash Player 10.0 or higher must be installed on administrative computers in order to view the TestNav 7 tutorial via a browser (http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer). Java 1.5 to 1.6.x must be installed in order to use browser-based TestNav 7. 77

78. Firewalls & Content Filters Best Practice –Add Pearson URLs and the proctor caching computer’s IP address to district firewalls and content filters. Pearson URLs can be found in the TestNav 7 Combined Technical Guide located at http://www.TexasAssessment.com/techinfo or on the Technology Information tab on the Resources page of the Assessment Management System. http://www.TexasAssessment.com/techinfo Error 78

79. Best Practices Limit non–testing computer and network usage during testing Adjust your network bandwidth “throttles,” if in place Monitor network usage before and during testing Use proctor caching and ensure it is properly configured Stagger student logging on the day of the test –One room per minute (approximately) Use the System Check Utility to verify that have the appropriate amount of bandwidth for online testing 79 Bandwidth

80. Early Warning System (EWS) Purpose – Keep the online testing environment secure Common EWS triggers –Any applications that may automatically launch on a computer should be configured not to launch during testing sessions. Common applications that may launch automatically include: –Anti-virus software performing automatic updates –Power management software on laptops warning of low batteries –Screen Savers –Email with Auto message notification –Systray icons if clicked by the student can cause TestNav to exit. –Student tries to access something outside the online testing environment Best practices – Turn off updates, screensavers, etc. – Install the manufacturer’s monitor and/or graphics drivers  Generic drivers sometimes prevent EWS messages from being properly displayed – Gray/blue/white screens 80

81. Proctor Caching & Pre-caching What? One computer downloads test content instead of multiple computers Test content is stored on this computer 10 minutes to install and configure Pre-cache (download) test content the day before the test Why? Use less bandwidth Faster test performance Test even if Internet connection is lost Start testing immediately on test day without delay So you can use more computers for online testing than if you don’t proctor cache 81

82. Wireless Computers in Testing How does it work? Same as wired computing, but without the wires What do I need to know about wireless computing? Primary challenge is bandwidth –Use the System Check Utility to verify that you have the appropriate amount of bandwidth for online testing Obstructions matter – Walls get in the way – Not all walls are created equal Distance matters Fast connections combined with slow connections = slow connections for all 82

83. Wireless Computers in Testing What does my school use? 802.11b – oldest 802.11g – most common 802.11n – fastest/newest What is 802.11? –Technology standard, like VHS, DVD, 8-track, etc. Wireless access points (WAP) Common pitfalls Too many computers on one wireless access point (WAP) Obstructions (walls) Too much distance Mixing slower and faster wireless technologies (and still expecting faster) 83

84. Wireless Computers in Testing Best Practices Wireless access points – more is better Distance – closer is better Limit number of computers per wireless access point Try a small number first for proof of concept – Do not roll out a few hundred on the first attempt (baby steps) Obstructions – limit obstructions Use the System Check Utility to verify that you have the appropriate amount of bandwidth for online testing 84

85. Online Testing System Check http://www.TexasAssessment.com/SystemCheck The online System Check utility for TestNav 7 is designed to help technology personnel identify whether the infrastructure is ready for online testing prior to scheduled testing dates. Network infrastructure readiness is a key component in assessing and planning for online testing. 85

86. Online Testing System Check The TestNav tab checks to make sure the computer meets the minimum software requirements to deliver tests online. 86

87. Online Testing System Check The Network User Capacity tab provides a data throughput check that assesses both the data transfer speeds and the estimated number of concurrent testers that could be supported for a given test if testing were to occur at the same moment the system check test is run. This result, however, may not accurately represent the constraints that may exist when testing actually occurs, especially if network conditions will be significantly different from their state when the system check test is run. 87

88. Online Testing System Check The Testing Volume Calculator tab provides a tool for modeling and calculating the anticipated throughput and student testing volumes planned for a scheduled date of testing. Since the calculation is based on network speed and expected utilization, this is a purely theoretical calculation. 88

89. Pearson and TEA contact information 89

90. Pearson’s Austin Operations Center 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM CT Monday–Friday Toll free: 800-627-0225E-mail: TxPearsonAccess@support.pearson.comTxPearsonAccess@support.pearson.com 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 e-mail 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 90

91. Texas Education Agency’s Student Assessment Division Telephone 512-463-9536 Fax 512-463-9302 TEA Student Assessment website – http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment 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 91