WNYRIC technical portion of 1/13 preparation for

districts to administer PARCC field testing

Technical requirementsThe Test –• testNAV 8 – As soon as the number of students and

particular devices are known, these devices should be tested against testNAV 8. If you are planning to use iPads, keyboards should be purchased and the particular students who will be field testing should begin to use on a consistent basis. Full technology guidelines are here: http://www.parcconline.org/sites/parcc/files/FullTechnologySpecificationsforPARCCFieldTestV12November2013.docx Example of timeframe testing is March 24 – April 11 –

online testing location(s) must be identified early so they can be “test ready” and ready no later than one week prior and then will need to be to be set back to original state once all students are tested. So when choosing a spot expect this amount of time as a minimum.

System check and end point management

System check should be done at the same time of the day that the assessment will be given – suggesting two weeks prior in order to assure internal network throughput especially for wireless.

iPads – Need a free App - must be iOS 6 or 7 and run in single app modeChromebooks - TestNAV 8 Chrome App (free) to ensure in Kiosk modeNeeds for PC or a MAC - Java plugin 1.5 or higher Pop-ups for Pearson site need to be allowed The other items on PC and MAC computers should not be allowed to

launch automatically during the test - Anti virus software, browsers or OS updates power management software on laptops for low battery screen savers email with automatic message notification energy saving features

Lock Down of devices should occur after end are points configured correctly

Device saving optionsRationale: Student Responses Files (SRF) - saved locations become very important for backup of student answers (encrypted) during the test . This is not mandatory but recommended highly - See table of device and conditions:Device Where can Save Conditions

PC Local, network drive, Pearson

Most stable, can resume test on another machine with most recent answers

Mac Local, network drive, Pearson

Most stable, can resume test on another machine with most recent answers

iPad Local, Pearson If hard drive fails, only Pearson uploaded answers available

Chromebook Local, Pearson If hard drive fails, only Pearson uploaded answers available

Proctor caching:Caching is highly recommended by

Pearson/PARCC and the WNYRIC. A caching device is installed in the district and the tests are downloaded ahead of time in an encrypted manner. They are not unencrypted until the test is launched. Caching minimizes the risk of interruption by bandwidth, network or ISP issues. Learn more about caching here: http://www.parcconline.org/sites/parcc/files/ProctorCachingtoBetterManageNetworkTraffic_08022013.pdf

Proctor caching functionality:

Preparedness of infrastructurePolicies and filtering will be needed in order to

ensure connectivity to Pearson by opening ports and whitelisting URLs – WNYRIC will do this for districts in our content filtering/firewall and network connectivity services. Districts not in WNYRIC filtering must contact Pearson for instructions.

SPAM filtering – add Pearson.com and @supportpearson.com to allow for receipt of Pearson System Access log on info and information updates. WNYRIC messaging will update Spam filter for those in SPAM filtering service.

Infrastructure testing trialThis is a "dress rehearsal" of the CBT assessment. There will be

an Infrastructure Trial Manual provided before the end of January

Does not use student information and is considered low stakesThis needs to occur at least one week prior to the CBT and needs to

involve your local BOCES and WNYRIC for planning/scheduling.Why? - Review setup and communications prior to testing in a trial Minimal additional activities to do at the time of the assessment so

better preparedStudent and test results are not affectedProvides Practice of communication plansLowering level of concern and increasing preparedness for

administration of tests to anticipate possible situations that may occur on testing day(s).

Necessary network structure

Resources - PARCC/Pearson:PARCC: http://PARCCOnline.orgPARCC Field Test:

http://PARCCOnline.org/field-testSupport Center 1-888-493-9888Email: PARCC@support.pearson.comSystem check:

http://PARCC.Pearson.com/SystemCheckSupport: http://PARCC.Pearson.com/SupportPearson Access: www.PARCC.Pearson.comTestNav 8 Requirements and Caching info:

http://PARCC.Pearson.com/TN8Requirements