1. Running a Dress Rehearsal
Welcome
Welcome to: “Infrastructure Trial: Running a Dress Rehearsal.” This module for Test Coordinators, Test Administrators, and Technology Coordinators will guide schools and districts through a beginning-to-end practice run of completing the PARCC assessments.
Infrastructure Trial
Running a Dress Rehearsal

2. Topics Introduction Infrastructure Trial Who Should Be Involved
Where to Start
Technology Set-up
Configure TestNav Setup
PearsonAccessnext Setup
Create Sample Students
Create Sessions
Session Management
Recommendations
Resources
Checklists for District Test Coordinators and Technology Coordinators
This module covers the purpose of an Infrastructure Trial with recommendations on who should be involved and where to start. We will briefly review the Technology Setup that should occur prior to an Infrastructure Trial and then detail the steps needed in PearsonAccessnext to complete the Infrastructure Trial.

3. Introduction/Purpose
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Dress Rehearsal
The purpose of the Infrastructure Trial is to confirm that:
TestNav is configured correctly.
Devices can successfully run TestNav.
Network will support the full load.
Participating staff know what to do for PARCC computer-based assessments.
Students are familiar with the computer-based tools and format.
It is recommended to run the Infrastructure Trial prior to each Test Administration. Allow 2-3 weeks prior to the test administration to run the Infrastructure Trial and allow time to troubleshoot any technology issues.
This training module will outline steps necessary to complete the Infrastructure Trial or dress rehearsal.
The purpose of the Infrastructure Trial is to confirm that:
TestNav is configured correctly
Devices can successfully run TestNav
Network will support the full load
Participating staff know what to do for PARCC computer-based assessments
Students are familiar with the computer-based tools and format
By the end of this training module, you will have a general understanding of:
Implementing the Infrastructure Trial
Setting up technology
Creating sample students
Setting up a test session
Conducting the Infrastructure Trial test session
It is recommended that you run the Infrastructure Trial 2-3 weeks before the start of the test administration. This will allow time to troubleshoot technology issues.

4. Infrastructure Trial
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An Infrastructure Trial is an opportunity for LEAs, schools, and students to prepare for the computer-based PARCC Test by simulating test day network utilization.
The Infrastructure Trial should take approximately 60 minutes to administer. Schools are encouraged to provide any feedback on the Infrastructure Trial to LEAs. LEAs should contact their State PARCC Test Lead with feedback and/or concerns regarding software or hardware issues.
Note: Before conducting an Infrastructure Trial, there is a Technology Setup that needs to be completed by Technology Coordinators and a set of tasks in PearsonAccessnext that Test Coordinators will need to complete prior to the Infrastructure Trial.
An Infrastructure Trial is an opportunity for LEAs, schools, and students to prepare for the computer-based PARCC Test by simulating test-day network utilization. This will help to determine any school or LEA issues and confirm all testing devices are properly configured and ready to run PARCC assessments. The Infrastructure Trial also provides an opportunity to introduce students to the TestNav testing interface through the online test content. Unlike a live assessment, you will not use real student information; instead you will create sample students in the PearsonAccessnext Training site at Student responses are neither captured, nor saved when they interact with TestNav as part of the Infrastructure Trial process.
The Infrastructure Trial should take approximately 60 minutes to administer. Schools are encouraged to provide any feedback on the Infrastructure Trial to LEAs. LEAs should contact your State PARCC Test Lead with feedback and/or concerns regarding software or hardware issues.
Before conducting an Infrastructure Trial, there is a Technology Setup that needs to be completed by Technology Coordinators and a set of tasks in PearsonAccessnext that Test Coordinators will need to complete prior to the Infrastructure Trial.

5. Infrastructure Trial Who should be involved?
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Who should be involved?
You should involve all LEAs and school personnel responsible for participating in a computer-based assessment. It provides the opportunity to collectively evaluate the test environment and identify and resolve potential issues prior to the PARCC Test. For example, you would want to include:
Test Coordinators
Test Administrators
LEA and school technology staff
Student participation is recommended
Conducting an Infrastructure Trial provides the school with a scheduled opportunity to practice in a low-stakes environment that can help identify possible problems and avoid delays during administration of the PARCC Test. You should involve all LEAs and school personnel responsible for participating in a computer-based assessment. It provides the opportunity to collectively evaluate the test environment and identify and resolve potential issues prior to the PARCC Test. For example, you would want to include:
Test Coordinators
Test Administrators
LEA and school technology staff
Student participation is recommended, but not mandatory

6. Where To Start
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The Infrastructure Trial is conducted using the PearsonAccessnext Training site at
You should first check with your LEA to see if the Infrastructure Trial will be performed from a district or school level. Then, you will need to verify that all staff members participating in the trial have received user IDs and passwords for the PearsonAccessnext Training site.
Refer to the PARCC Infrastructure Trial Readiness Guide for complete instructions.
Note: The Infrastructure Trial can only be conducted in the Training site.
The Infrastructure Trial is conducted using the PearsonAccessnext training site at
The Infrastructure Trial can only be conducted in the training site.
You should first check with your LEA to see if the Infrastructure Trial will be performed from a district or school level. Then, you will need to verify that all staff members participating in the trial have received user IDs and passwords for the PearsonAccessnext training site with appropriate permissions.
Refer to the PearsonAccessnext training module for more information on creation of user IDs. For complete instructions on completing the Infrastructure Trial, refer to the PARCC Infrastructure Trial Readiness Guide.

7. Technology Setup and Student Readiness
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Complete Technology Setup prior to Infrastructure Trial:
Configure the Network
Proctor Caching
TestNav and Proctor Caching Configurations:
Utilize Student Readiness Resources:
Practice Tests:
TestNav 8 Tutorial:
Sample Items:
Before conducting an Infrastructure Trial, it is important that the technology setup be completed and that technology coordinators, school personnel, and students are all equally prepared to participate in the Infrastructure Trial.
For the technology set-up, it is recommended that these steps be completed:
Configure the network so that network security devices such as content filters and firewalls allow connectivity with PearsonAccessnext, TestNav, Proctor Caching, and communication with Pearson.
Proctor Caching software should be installed on selected computers with local static IP addresses.
TestNav and Proctor Caching configurations will then need to be added to PearsonAccessnext for both the production site and the training site.
Practice tests available in the training site, as well as sample items and student tutorials, can be utilized to gain further experience with TestNav and the PARCC test administrations.
Once the technology setup is completed, schools can then conduct an Infrastructure Trial to collectively evaluate the test environment. This will allow schools to identify and resolve any remaining potential issues prior to the PARCC test administrations.
For detailed steps on Proctor Caching and TestNav configuration please reference the “Proctor Caching & TestNav Configuration” training module.

8. PearsonAccessnext Setup
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Schools or Districts will need to complete the following in PearsonAccessnext prior to the Infrastructure Trial:
Generate Sample Students
Create Sessions
Print Student Testing Tickets
Note: This needs to be completed in the secure PearsonAccessnext Training Site.
Once TestNav and Proctor Caching configurations have been added to PearsonAccessnext, the next set of tasks can be completed by school personnel:
Sample Students can be created in the PearsonAccessnext Training site in order to administer an Infrastructure Trial.
Online Testing Sessions will then be created.
And, from each session, print Student Testing Tickets. Session Schedules may be printed in preparation for the Infrastructure Trial.
We will now demonstrate each of these tasks.

9. Create Sample Students
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Login to the PearsonAccessnext Training Site
Choose the PARCC (Administration Year) Administration
Example: 2017 Spring PARCC
Click Setup and select Students
Select Generate Sample Students from the Tasks menu
Click Start to continue
To begin, we will login to the PearsonAccessnext Training Site. We will then choose the administration.
To Generate Sample Students:
On the PearsonAccessnext home page, click Setup, select Students from the menu.
Next, select Generate Sample Students from the Tasks menu; click Start to continue.

10. Create Sample Students
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Create Sample Students
Complete the Generate Sample Students screen
You will need to complete these fields:
Organization: Select your school/organization
Class: Add an Existing Class Name or you may choose to Create a New Class
Grade Level When Assessed
Test: Choose one of the Practice Tests available from the pull-down menu
Test Format: Select Online for this option
Number Of Students: input a number between 1 through 99
Click Generate to complete the process
You will need to complete these fields:
Organization: Select your school/organization
Class: Add an Existing Class Name or you may choose to Create a New Class
Grade Level When Assessed
Test: Choose one of the Practice Tests available from the pull-down menu
Test Format: Select Online for this option
Number Of Students: input a number between 1 through 99
Click Generate. A confirmation screen will appear once the sample students have been created.
Repeat the steps above until you have created sample students for the number of testing devices that will be tested concurrently, plus at least 10% additional sample students.

11. Create Sample Students
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Create Sample Students
We will now demonstrate the process once more.

12. Create Sessions Go to the Testing tab and click Sessions
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Go to the Testing tab and click Sessions
From the Select Tasks pull-down menu select Create/Edit Sessions and click Start
In the Training site, go to the Testing tab and click Sessions.
From the Select Tasks pull-down menu select Create/Edit Sessions and click Start.
A test session in PearsonAccessnext is an assessment containing certain units.
A test session in PearsonAccessnext is an assessment containing certain units.

13. Create Sessions Complete Test Details Click to go back to: Topics
Complete the test session details by entering the Session Name and selecting the Organization (School or District) from the dropdown menu.
Next, complete the Test & Form section. Select Test Assigned and choose the appropriate Practice Test from the dropdown.
Form Group Type is to be set to “Main.”
If precaching test content, select the Precaching Computer from the dropdown menu.
Then, enter the Scheduled Start Date in the scheduling section.
Scheduled Start Time and Lab Location are not required fields but it is recommended to complete both.
Note: The Scheduled Start Date and Scheduled Start Time for a session are intended primarily for planning purposes, it is not enforced. A test session will not be started until you click Start on the Session Details screen, regardless of the scheduled start date and time.

14. Create Sessions Add students to session Click to go back to: Topics
Finally, add students assigned to this session.
Note: You can add individually by name or id association or in bulk using the class option. To add students by class, select the Find by Class button and select the class containing the sample students you would like to add to the session.
Click Create to create the session. A confirmation message will be displayed once the session has been successfully created. Exit tasks when finished.

15. Create Sessions Click to go back to: Topics Create Sessions
We will now demonstrate the process once more.

16. Prepare Sessions You can prepare sessions two ways:
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You can prepare sessions two ways:
Prepare a single session: From Testing > Students in Sessions, select a session from the Session List and click Prepare Session.
Prepare multiple sessions: From Testing > Students in Sessions, use Combined View to select multiple sessions. Click Prepare All Sessions.
Now that we have created a session with sample students, we will need to work with sessions.
Before a test session can be started, allowing students to login, the session must be prepared. Preparing a test session will assign the test form for the students and, therefore, School Test Coordinators must make sure all accommodations and PNP information has been updated.
You can prepare sessions two ways:
Prepare a single session: From Testing > Students in Sessions, select a session from the Session List and click Prepare Session.
Prepare multiple sessions: From Testing > Students in Sessions, use Combined View to select multiple sessions. Click Prepare All Sessions.

17. Starting a Session
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Click the session name from the Session List. The Session Details screen will appear for the test session selected. If multiple sessions are selected, the option to Combine View appears.
Click the green Start button in the Session Details screen. If multiple sessions are selected and are combined, there is an option to start all sessions.
Now that Sessions have been Prepared, you will need to start the Session.
Click the session name from the Session List. The Session Details screen will appear for the test session selected. If multiple sessions are selected, the option to Combine View appears.
Click the green Start button in the Session Details screen. If multiple sessions are selected and are combined, there is an option to start all sessions.

18. Session Management Conducting Session Click to go back to: Topics
Once the session is started, the Start Session button will change to a Stop Session button to allow you to stop a session.
Use the Resources pull-down menu to view and print Student Testing Tickets and Scheduled Sessions.
The Refresh button can be used to update the screen if needed.

19. Session Management Test Sessions – Lock/Unlock Units
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Session Management
Test Sessions – Lock/Unlock Units
Seal codes and the task “Set Section Start” will no longer be used for computer-based testing. Test units will be unlocked in the Students in Session screen at the time of testing.
Test Coordinators or Test Administrators may unlock or lock units at the session level. They may also unlock or lock individual units for appropriate students.
Note: Only one unit can be unlocked for each student at a time.

20. Session Management Click to go back to: Topics Session Management
We will now demonstrate how to lock and unlock units.

21. Session Management Student Test Status Key Click to go back to: Topics
The Student Test Status will change individually for each student. The different color codes status are displayed in the Session window for your benefit. The individual students are displayed below along with their individual Student Test Status and other information.
Status key includes:
Ready - The student has not logged in to the session yet, but is ready to log in.
Resumed, Resumed Upload - The student is ready to log back in to the session or the student is ready to log back in to the session and some responses were not sent to Pearson servers before exiting. Students will be prompted to have saved response uploaded before resuming the test.
Active - The student is currently in the test.
Exited - The student has exited the session, but has not submitted his or her responses yet. Students in Exited status will need to be resumed by a Test Administrator to re-enter the test.
Completed, Marked Complete - The student has completed the test and has successfully submitted his or her responses or the student’s test has been marked complete by the Test Administrator, rather than being submitted through TestNav.

22. Session Management Resuming, Marking Students Complete
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Session Management
Resuming, Marking Students Complete
Once a session has been started, there are a number of actions that may need to be carried out in order to complete the Infrastructure Trial. These actions include resuming sample students, resuming sample students with saved responses, and marking tests complete. The Test Administrator should have their own device to perform these actions.
To mark tests complete, resume student tests, or undo student test submissions, go to the Testing tab, select Students in Session. Be sure the session name is selected within Session List. Check the box next to student(s) name. Select from the menu the action you would like to complete.
To stop a session, select the red Stop button located on Student in Sessions. Please note, all students must be Marked Complete, or be in a Completed status, before stopping a session. You may also need to remove any students left in a Ready status to successfully stop a session.

23. Infrastructure Trial Ready to Begin Your Infrastructure Trial?
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Ready to Begin Your Infrastructure Trial?
Technology Setup Complete
Practiced with sample items, practice tests, and tutorials
PearsonAccessnext Training site setup has been completed and student testing tickets have been printed.
Reviewed Infrastructure Trial Readiness Guide
Are you ready to begin your Infrastructure Trial?
Be sure technology set up is complete:
Verify you have prepared devices by configuring internet firewalls, content and spam filters.
If using Proctor Caching, steps to install and run Proctor Caching are complete.
If using iPad or Chromebook, confirm the app has been properly configured and is ready for testing.
Be sure test sessions have been created and if applicable content is cached and set for infrastructure trial.
Perform a small scale preliminary trial with school technology staff (without student participation) prior to the full scale infrastructure trial.
Next, become acquainted with sample items and practice tests.
Once PearsonAccessnext has been configured and steps are complete, print student Testing Tickets. Testing Tickets contain login information for each student to successfully log in to the Infrastructure Trial.
Finally, review the Infrastructure Trial Readiness Guide to verify all steps have been completed and you are ready to implement the trial. It is also helpful to have reviewed training modules on PARCC’s Training Management site, specifically:
Proctor Caching & TestNav Configuration
Technology Readiness for Schools & Districts

24. Infrastructure Trial What to do during the Infrastructure Trial
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Infrastructure Trial
What to do during the Infrastructure Trial
Prepare
Conduct
Closing & Lessons learned
To start the Infrastructure Trial reference “Section 6: Conducting a Test Session” of the Infrastructure Trial Readiness Guide.
The Infrastructure Trial should be a coordinated effort by LEA/District personnel, school personnel, and technology staff. Communication planning is essential to having a successful test administration. Everyone involved should understand their role, know how to contact technology staff and PARCC Support as needed. Technology staff should be ready to monitor their network capacity and track technical issues.
Conduct a lessons learned meeting to document any challenges or concerns that happened during the Infrastructure Trial. Determine important feedback regarding software or hardware issues and communicate these concerns. If the concern is within a school, communicate with the LEA/District. If the concern is within the LEA/District, communicate with the PARCC State Lead.
Utilize the appendices in the Infrastructure Trial Readiness Guide to assist you with all stages of the Infrastructure Trial. The appendices outline helpful steps for preparing, conducting, and closing the Infrastructure Trial.

25. Training & Documentation
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Training Modules:
Technology Readiness for Schools & Districts
Proctor Caching & TestNav Configuration
Student Readiness Resources for PARCC
Guide:
PARCC Infrastructure Readiness Guide
Begin preparing your organization for an Infrastructure Trial by reviewing available training modules. Technology Coordinators should review these specific training modules:
First, begin with the Technology Readiness for Schools and Districts.
Then, move on to the Proctor Caching and TestNav Configuration.
Follow up with the Student Readiness Resources for PARCC training.
To download the Infrastructure Trial Readiness Guide, go to the Technology Setup section of PARCC.pearson.com and click on Technical User Guides.
Under the Technology Setup section, you can also find the SystemCheck Tool, the Proctor Caching software, Technology Guidelines, and Technical User Guides.
For Sample Items, the TestNav 8 Tutorial, and Practice Tests, go to the Test Preparation section.

26. Checklist of Tasks to Complete before an Infrastructure Trial:
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Checklist of Tasks to Complete before an Infrastructure Trial:
Generate Sample Students
Establish a schedule to run the Infrastructure Trial – allow enough time to work resolve technology issues
Complete Technology Setup
Set up test sessions in PearsonAccessnext
Print Student Testing Tickets
Precache Testing Content (confirm content has cached)
Prepare test sessions
Start test sessions and unlock the first test unit
Before beginning an Infrastructure Trial:
Login to the PearsonAccessnext Training Center and generate Sample Students
Set a schedule to run the Infrastructure Trial. Allow 2-3 weeks to resolve technology issues before the start of the test administration.
Complete technology setup
Set up test sessions in PearsonAccessnext
Print Student Testing Tickets
Precache Testing Content and confirm the content has successfully cached
Prepare and Start test sessions. Unlock the first test unit.

27. Checklist of Tasks to Complete during an Infrastructure Trial:
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Checklist of Tasks to Complete during an Infrastructure Trial:
Manage test sessions in PearsonAccessnext
Work with Technology Coordinators if needed
During an Infrastructure Trial, school staff should be managing test sessions in PearsonAccessnext. This includes resuming students if they are exited out of TestNav. If necessary, work with Technology Coordinators to make sure testing goes smoothly or to troubleshoot any issues, should they arise.

28. Support Contact PARCC Support for assistance with:
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Contact PARCC Support for assistance with:
Contact your State or LEA Test Coordinator for assistance with:
Navigating PearsonAccessnext
Navigating the Training Center
Managing Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile (SR/PNP) Data
Setting up test sessions
Managing user IDs and passwords
Accessing resources
Setting up proctor caching
Submitting additional orders
Inquiring about shipments
Testing schedule
Testing accommodations
Unusual circumstances on test days
Violations of test security
School emergencies that affect testing
Questions about general testing policies
Questions about state communications
Many resources are available online.
During the PARCC test administration, PARCC Support can be reached toll free Monday through Friday at You may also send an to
Your State or LEA Test Coordinator may also assist you. Please contact them if you need guidance on these topics.
Online Support and Resources:
Call Toll Free:

29. Click the Quiz button to edit this quiz
Test Your Knowledge
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Quiz
Who should be involved in an Infrastructure Trial?
Test Coordinators
Test Administrators
LEA and school technology staff
Student participation is recommended
All of the above
How long should an Infrastructure Trial take to administer?
30 minutes
20 minutes
60 minutes
45 minutes
The Download Resources menu allows you to view:
Student Testing Tickets
Seal Codes
Proctor Cache the session
Mark Students Complete
A test session will not be started until you click Start on the Session Details screen.
True
False
Click the Quiz button to edit this quiz

30. Thank you Thank You Click to go back to: Topics
We have discussed the purpose of an Infrastructure Trial and reviewed the steps needed in PearsonAccessnext to complete an Infrastructure Trial. Thank you!
Thank you