Test Administrator (TA) User Guide

Transcription

1 Test Administrator (TA) User Guide Fall 2017 Published September 29, 2017 Prepared by the American Institutes for Research Descriptions of the operation of the Test Information Distribution Engine, Test Delivery System, and related systems are property of the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and are used with the permission of AIR.

2 Test Administrator: Complete information below with your local School or District Test Coordinator. If you have any questions or issues during testing contact this person immediately. School or District Test Coordinator contact information during testing: District/School Test Coordinator: Contact phone #: Reminders for Test Administrators during CBT testing: Once students start a test session: The test session must be completed on the same day. Student cannot start a new test session until the previous test session is submitted. Do not approve students for more than one test at a time. If the test session closes during testing or the Test Administration closes the test session: Open a new test session and have students sign back in. If student is approved for wrong test session (example Reading Part 2 instead of Reading Part 1) and the TA approves the student to test: The student must complete testing on the already opened test session. Do not stop the student or open another test for this student until the student completes and submits the current test. If students are unable to log in: Verify that the student is in TIDE with the correct grade level (for grades 3-8) or EOC eligibility (for EOC). Verify that the student is using the correct legal first name and correct SSID #. Verify that the student does not have a Special Paper Version accommodation in TIDE. If an accommodation is not listed on the student s device: Do not approve the student to test; if the student has already been approved, have the student pause his/her test. Add the accommodation to the student s record in TIDE. Create a new test session for the student. Have the student log in to the test session and verify the accommodation before approving the student to test. ii

3 Table of Contents Table of Contents 1. Introduction to the User Guide... 1 Organization of the User Guide... 1 Document Conventions... 1 Intended Audience... 2 Additional Resources Overview of the Test Delivery System... 3 Description of the Test Delivery System Sites... 3 User Roles and System Requirements... 3 General Rules of Computer-Based Testing (CBT)... 4 Basic Test Navigation Rules... 4 Student Test Timeout Rules... 4 Test Administrator Interface and Data Entry Interface (DEI) Timeout Rules... 4 Test Opportunity Expiration Rules Accessing the Test Administration Sites... 5 About Usernames and Passwords... 5 Resetting Your Password (Existing User Accounts)... 5 Logging in to the TA Interface Overview of the Test Administration Sites... 7 General TA Site Layout... 7 TA Site Features... 8 Looking Up Students... 9 Printing Session Information Alert Messages Administering Computer-Based Tests Starting a Test Session Approving Students for Testing Overview of Monitoring Students Testing Progress Student Statuses during Testing Refreshing the Test Session Table Pausing a Student s Test Stopping a Test Session Logging Out of the TA Site Accidentally Closing the Browser Window Signing in to the Student Testing Site Step 1 Signing In iii

4 Table of Contents Common Student Sign-in Errors Step 2 Verifying Student Information Step 3 Selecting a Test Step 4 Verifying Test Information Step 5a Text-to-Speech Check Step 5b Sound Check for Tests with Listening Items Troubleshooting Audio Issues Step 6 Viewing Test Instructions and Starting the Test Overview of the Student Testing Site Test Layout Test Tools Global and Context Menus About the Global Menu About the Context Menus Proceeding through a Test Answering Test Items Pausing Tests Reviewing Items in a Test Submitting a Test Reaching the End of a Test Appendix A Special Characters Appendix B. Keyboard Navigation for Students Login Pages and In-Test Pop-ups Global Menu Context Menus Keyboard Commands for Test Navigation and Test Tools Keyboard Commands for Items with Add Point or Add Line Tool Keyboard Commands for Grid Questions Appendix C. Transferring a Test Session between Devices iv

5 1. Introduction to the User Guide This user guide supports Test Administrators (TAs) who manage testing for students participating in the AzMERIT computer-based tests (CBT) and sample tests. Organization of the User Guide Overview of the Test Delivery System (TDS) provides an overview of online testing, available assessments, and general test rules. Accessing the Test Administration Sites explains how to log in to TA sites. Overview of the Test Administration Sites describes the overall layout of the TA sites and highlights the important tasks and functions. Administering Computer-Based Tests outlines the process for creating a test session, approving students for testing, and pausing tests. Signing in to the Student Testing Site explains how students log in to a test session. Overview of the Student Testing Site describes the overall layout of an online test, as well as the functions and tools available to students. Proceeding through a Test explains how students complete tests. The Appendices provide additional information about keyboard shortcuts, transferring test sessions, and user support. Document Conventions Document Conventions Element Description Warning: This symbol accompanies important information regarding actions that may cause fatal errors. Alert: This symbol accompanies important information regarding a task that may cause minor errors. Note: This symbol accompanies additional information or instructions of which users must take note. Policy: This symbol accompanies information regarding test administration policies. Bold Italic Bold Mono Italic Boldface italic indicates a page name or form name. Boldface indicates a panel, an item you click, or a drop-down list selection. Monospace indicates a file name or text you enter from the keyboard. Italic indicates a field name, table name, or reference to a column header. 1

6 Introduction to the User Guide Intended Audience This user guide is intended for Test Administrators (TAs) responsible for proctoring computerbased tests with the Test Delivery System (TDS). To use this system, you should be familiar with using a web browser to retrieve data and with filling out web forms. You should also be familiar with printing documents and adjusting computer audio settings. If you or your students use Chromebooks, ipads, or other tablets for testing, then you should be familiar with these devices as well. Additional Resources The following publications provide additional information: For policies and procedures that govern secure and valid test administration, refer to the Test Administration Directions. For information about which operating systems and browsers are supported, refer to the System Requirements for Computer-Based Testing document. For information about student and user management, rosters, and appeals, refer to the TIDE User Guide. For information about network and Internet requirements, general peripheral and software requirements, and configuring text-to-speech settings, see the AzMERIT Technical Specifications Manual. For information about installing the AIR Secure Browsers, refer to the Secure Browser Installation Manual for Technology Coordinators. The above resources are available on the AzMERIT Portal Resource page (azmeritportal.org/resources). For information about accessing and using the Data Entry Interface (DEI), refer to the AzMERIT Test Administration Directions for Special Paper Versions included in Special Paper Version test kits. 2

7 2. Overview of the Test Delivery System The Test Delivery System (TDS) delivers Arizona s computer-based tests (CBT). The following sections describe highlights of online testing in general and the Test Delivery System in particular. Description of the Test Delivery System Sites The Test Delivery System (TDS) consists of sample sites and operational testing sites. The sample sites function identically to the operational testing sites. Sample Test Sites o Sample Test TA Interface: Allows Test Administrators (TAs) to practice administering sample tests. o Student Sample Test Site: Allows students to practice taking computer-based tests online and use test tools. Operational Testing Sites o Operational Test TA Interface: Allows TAs to administer the operational tests. o Student Testing Site: Allows students to take the operational tests. o Data Entry Interface (DEI): Allows TAs to enter responses for students who tested using a Special Paper Version of the test. User Roles and System Requirements Access to the sample and operational testing sites depends on your user role and browser. Users can use any supported web browser to access the Sample Test TA Interface, the TA Interface, or the Data Entry Interface (DEI). Students, TAs, and parents can use a supported web browser or Secure Browser to access the Student Sample Test Site as guests. Students can also sign in to a sample test session created by a TA. Students must use the AIR Secure Browser to access the Student Testing Site for operational tests. For information about supported operating systems and browsers, refer to the System Requirements for Computer-Based Testing document, which is available on the AzMERIT Portal in the Resources section (azmeritportal.org/resources). 3

8 General Rules of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) The following sections describe the rules for administering AzMERIT computer-based tests (CBT). Basic Test Navigation Rules Students may mark items for review and return to those items to change their answers, if necessary. Students submit the test after they finish answering all questions. Student Test Timeout Rules A warning message displays after 90 minutes of test inactivity. If students do not click OK within 30 seconds after this message appears, they are logged out. This timeout automatically pauses the test. Test Administrator Interface and Data Entry Interface (DEI) Timeout Rules The test administrator will be automatically logged out after 90 minutes of inactivity by themselves and by students in their session. If this happens, students will be logged out. If a TA experiences an abnormal logout from the TA Interface or DEI (e.g., device power failure, accidental browser closure) the TA must log back in within 20 minutes in order for the test session to continue. After 20 minutes, the test session will end and the students will be logged out. The test session will automatically end if the Test Administrator Interface loses connectivity with AIR s servers for 90 minutes. If this happens, students will be logged out and may not be able to log in for up to two hours. It is recommended that Test Administrators set their device s power settings so that it does not go into sleep mode or inadvertently shut down while students are testing. A test session will automatically time out after being open for eight hours. If this happens, students will be logged out and may not be able to log in for up to two hours. Please make sure to start a new test session with each new group of students that are being tested. Test Opportunity Expiration Rules Opportunities refer to the number of times a student can take a test within a range of dates when the test is available in the Test Delivery System. All AzMERIT tests have one opportunity. A student s test opportunity remains active until the student submits the test or until the test opportunity expires. Students must complete a test session on the same day that the test session is started. All test opportunities started on a given day will be automatically submitted for scoring at the end of that day. Students will not be permitted to return to that test part. Warning: Once a test opportunity expires, the student cannot complete or review the test. 4

9 3. Accessing the Test Administration Sites This section describes how to access the TA sites using your username and password. About Usernames and Passwords Your username is the address associated with your account in TIDE. Once the account is created, TIDE sends you an activation that contains a link for setting your password. This link expires 15 minutes after the was sent. If you don t click on the link within 15 minutes, you need to request a new activation . Please see the TIDE User Guide for detailed instructions. Resetting Your Password (Existing User Accounts) You must reset your password in either of the following situations: You forgot your password. It is the beginning of a new school year (passwords automatically expire at the end of each school year). NOTE: At the beginning of a new school year, your TIDE password and security details will be automatically reset. You will receive an from AZ-DoNotReply@airast.org to notify you of this occurrence and to alert you that you will not be able to log in to TIDE or any other system until you reset your password for the new school year. Detailed instructions for resetting your password can be found in the TIDE User Guide. Logging in to the TA Interface To access the Live Test TA Interface for computer-based test administration: 1. Open your web browser and navigate to the AzMERIT portal at Sample TA Interface Card 2. Click the Test Coordinators or Educators & Test Administrators card. 3. Click the Administer Fall 2017 AzMERIT Tests card. The Login page appears. 5

10 4. Enter your address and password, and then click Secure Login. The TIDE dashboard appears Login Page Notes: If you are associated with more than one school or district, you may be prompted to select the role, district, and/or school to complete the login process. If this is the first time you are logging into one of the AIR systems this school year, click on the Request a new one for the school year link at the bottom of the Login page since passwords automatically expire at the end of each school year. To access the Sample Test TA Interface for computer-based Sample Test administration: 1. Navigate to the AzMERIT Portal (azmeritportal.org). AzMERIT Sample Tests Card 2. Click the Sample Tests card on the right side of the page. 3. Select Administer Sample Tests. The login page appears. Card for Sample Test TA Interface 4. Enter your address and password. 5. Click Secure Login. The Sample Test TA Interface appears. Login Page 6

11 4. Overview of the Test Administration Sites This section applies to the test administration sites. Throughout the rest of this user guide, TA Site refers to both the TA Interface and Sample Test TA Interface. Warning: Do not use the TA Interface for practice. The tests provided in the TA Interface are operational and students scores are official. General TA Site Layout After you log in, the Test Session page of the TA Site appears. TA Site Layout Essential tools and information in the TA Site: 1. Session ID 2. Select Tests button 3. Approvals button 4. Students in Your Test Session table 7

12 The table below provides an overview of the major features available on the TA Site. TA Site Features Quick Reference Feature Student Lookup button Print Session button Help Guide button Log Out button Alerts button Stop Session button* Session ID* Select Tests button Approvals button* Refresh button* Students in Your Test Session table** Description/More Information Searches for student information. See the section Looking Up Students. Prints your screen. See the section Printing Session Information. Displays the online version of this user guide. Logs you out of the TA Site. See the section Stopping a Test Session. Displays alert messages from the Arizona Department of Education. See the section Alert Messages. Ends the test session. See the section Stopping a Test Session. Displays the unique ID generated for the test session. Opens the Test Selection window. See the section Starting a Test Session. Opens the Approvals and Student Test Settings window. See the section Approving Students for Testing. Updates the on-screen information. Displays the testing progress for students in your test session. See the section Overview of Monitoring Students Testing Progress. *Feature appears after you start a test session. **Feature appears after you approve students for testing. TA Site Features This section provides instructions for using the features available in the banner at the top of the TA Site. TA Site Banner 8

13 Looking Up Students You can use the student lookup feature to perform a quick or advanced search for student information. This is useful if students signing in to your test session cannot remember their login information. Warning: You must ensure that a student s demographic information is correct before testing begins. If a student s information is not correct, that student should not begin testing. Contact your School Test Coordinator to update the student s information before the student logs back in to test. To perform a quick search: 1. In the banner, click Student Lookup. 2. Enter a student s full SSID and click Submit SSID. Search results appear below the search field. Student Lookup: Quick Search To perform an advanced search: 1. Click Student Lookup > Advanced Search. 2. Select the appropriate district and school from the drop-down lists. 3. Select the appropriate grade. 4. Optional: Enter a student s exact first or last name. Partial names are not allowed. 5. Click Search. Search results appear below the search fields. 9

14 Student Lookup: Advanced Search 6. To view a student s information, click in the Details column. Printing Session Information You can print a snapshot of the TA Site as it currently appears if you wish to keep a hard-copy record of the Session ID or list of approved students. To print a snapshot of the page: 1. In the banner, click Print Session. Your computer s print dialog window appears. 2. Click OK. Policy Note: Federal law prohibits the release of students' personally identifiable information. All printouts must be securely stored and then destroyed when no longer needed. Alert Messages The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) can send statewide alerts that appear as pop-up messages on the TA Site. To view a record of active alert messages click Alerts in the banner. 10

15 5. Administering Computer-Based Tests This section describes how to start a test session, add tests to the session, verify students test settings, approve students for testing, and monitor their progress. The basic workflow for administering online tests is as follows: 1. The TA selects tests and starts a test session. 2. Students sign in and request approval for tests. 3. The TA reviews students requests and test settings and approves them for testing. 4. Students complete and submit their tests. 5. The TA stops the test session and logs out. For information about the testing process from a student s perspective, see the sections Signing in to the Student Testing Site and Overview of the Student Testing Site. Starting a Test Session When you log in to the TA Site, the Test Selection window opens automatically. This window allows you to select tests and start the session. Only the tests that you select will be available to students who join your session. Test Selection Box (for Sample Tests) 11

16 The Test Selection window color-codes tests by content area (ELA and Math). All test groups and sub-groups appear collapsed by default. To expand a test group, click. To collapse a test group, click. To create a new test session: 1. If the Test Selection window is not open, click Select Tests in the upper-right corner of the TA Site (otherwise skip to Step 1). 2. To select tests for the session, expand the ELA and/or Math tree and mark the check box for each test you want to include. 3. In the lower-left corner of the window, click Start Session. The window closes and the Session ID appears on the TA Site. 4. Provide the Session ID to your students. Note: Write down the Session ID in case you accidentally close the browser window and need to return to the active test session. You may have only one session open at a time. You cannot reopen closed sessions, but students can resume a test opportunity in a new session. To add tests to an active test session: 1. In the upper-right corner of the TA Site, click Select Tests. 2. In the Test Selection window, mark the checkbox for the required test and click Add to Session in the lower-left corner. 3. A confirmation message asks if you are sure you want to modify the tests in your session. To continue, click Yes. Note: You can only add tests individually when the session is active. You cannot remove tests from an active session. Approving Students for Testing After students sign in and select tests, you must verify that their settings and accommodations are correct before approving them for testing. When students are awaiting approval, the Approvals button next to the Session ID becomes active and bounces until you click it. The number next to this button indicates how many students are awaiting approval. Students Awaiting Approval 12

17 in the upper- Note: The Approvals notification updates regularly, but you can also click right corner to update it manually. To approve students for testing: 1. Click Approvals. The Approvals and Student Test Settings window appears, displaying a list of students grouped by test. 2. To approve all students in either Math or ELA, click Approve All Students in the corresponding test banner. Approvals and Student Test Settings Window 3. To check a student s test settings and accommodations, click for that student. The student s information appears. 4. If any settings are incorrect, update them as required. Students should not begin testing until their settings are correct. Alert: When approving students for testing, you may update the editable settings in this window, rather than in TIDE. Do one of the following actions: o To confirm the settings, click Set. You must still approve the student for testing in the Approvals and Test Settings window. o To confirm the settings and simultaneously approve the student, click Set & Approve. Student can start testing once you have clicked this button. o To return to the Approvals and Student Test Settings window without confirming settings, click Cancel. 13

18 Test Settings Page for a Selected Student 5. Repeat Step 3 for each student in the list. Note: The Approvals and Student Test Settings window does not automatically refresh. To update the list of students awaiting approval, click Refresh at the top of the window. 6. If you need to deny a student access to testing, do the following (otherwise skip to Step 7): o Click for that student. o Optional: In the window that appears, enter a brief reason for denying the student. o Click Deny. The student receives a message explaining the reason for the denial and is logged out. Note: If you deny students entry for a test, they can still request access to that test again. 7. If you wish to approve students directly from the Approvals and Student Test Settings window, do one of the following: o To approve individual students, click for each student or; o To approve all students displayed in the list, click Approve All Students in each of the test banners. 14

19 Overview of Monitoring Students Testing Progress The Students in Your Test Session table displays the testing progress for each student logged in to your session. Students in Your Test Session Table The table below provides descriptions of the columns in the Students in Your Test Session table. Columns in the Students in Your Test Session Table Column Student Name SSID Opp # Test Student Status Test Settings Description First and last name of the student in the session. SSID associated with the student s name. Opportunity number for that student s test subject. This value will be 1 for all students. Name of the test the student is taking. Current status for each student in the session. The numbers after the status indicate how many items the student has answered out of the total items on the test. Note: AzMERIT test blueprints specify a minimum and maximum test length due to the variable number of field test items that may be administered on a given test. In the TA Interface, the number representing the maximum test length is shown as the denominator in the Student Status column. Even if a test ends before reaching the maximum test length (because fewer field test items are included in the test) the TA will continue to see the number representing the maximum test length. Standard Settings: Indicates that default test settings are applied for this test opportunity. Custom Settings: Indicates that one or more of the student s test settings or accommodations differ from the default settings. To view the student s settings for the current test opportunity, click. 15

20 Column Pause Test Description Pauses a student s test. When a test pauses for any reason, this column displays an information button that opens a pop-up message explaining how the test became paused. Student Statuses during Testing The table below describes the status codes appearing in the Student Status section of the Students in Your Test Session table. Statuses that Appear Chronologically While Testing Status Approved Started Review Completed Submitted Paused Description You approved the student, but the student did not yet start or resume the test. The student started testing. The student answered all items and is currently reviewing his or her answers before submitting the test. The student submitted the test. The student can take no additional action at this point. The test was submitted for quality assurance review and validation. Student s test is paused. Refreshing the Test Session Table The Students in Your Test Session table refreshes automatically at regular intervals, but you can also refresh it manually by clicking in the upper-right corner. Pausing a Student s Test You can pause a student s test via the Pause Test column in the Students in Your Test Session table). To pause an individual student s test: 1. In the Pause Test column, click for that student. 2. Click Yes to confirm. The Test Delivery System logs the student out. To resume the test, the student must go through the approval process again. Stopping a Test Session At the end of a test session, if a student needs to continue testing but must move to a different device, the student should pause their test. After the student has paused their test, the TA 16

21 should stop the test session. Once you stop a test session, the testing session ends and a new testing session must be created on the same day so the student can complete testing. To resume testing students, you must start a new session and provide the student with the new session ID. Warning: The Test Delivery System automatically logs you out after 90 minutes of both user and student inactivity in the session. This action automatically closes the test session. To stop a test session: 1. In the upper-left corner of the screen, click. A confirmation message appears. 2. Click OK. The test session stops. Logging Out of the TA Site You should exit or log out of the TA Site only after stopping a test session. To log out of the TA Site: 1. Click Log Out in the top right corner of the screen. A warning message appears. 2. In the warning message, click Log Out. Your session closes and the AzMERIT Portal appears. Alert: Navigating away from the TA Site will also log you out. Logging out while a session is in progress stops the session. If you need to access TIDE or another application, you should open it in a separate browser window. 17

22 Accidentally Closing the Browser Window If you accidentally close the browser while students are still testing, your session remains open until it times out. To return to the test session in the TA Site: 1. Open the TA Interface and log in again. 2. After logging in, you will see the message screen shown below. 3. Choose the most appropriate option: o o Option 1: If you know your session ID, enter it into the Session ID box in the lower left corner of the screen. This action will be invisible to students testing in your session if it is done within 20 minutes of the accidental closure. If the device that was used initially is not functioning, you may transfer the existing session to a new device by logging into the new device and following the instructions on the screen. Option 2: If you do not know your session ID, click the Start a Different Session button. This will create a new test session. Students testing under the old session ID must pause their tests and re-login using the new session ID. All of these actions must be done within 20 minutes of the accidental closure or the students will be logged out. o Option 3: Click the Logout button. If you click the Logout button, the current session will remain active for the remainder of the 20 minutes from the time with the browser was closed accidentally. Students will be logged out automatically when 20 minutes has elapsed. 18

23 6. Signing in to the Student Testing Site This section describes the student sign-in process for the Student Testing Site. Students follow this procedure when starting a new test or resuming a paused test. Note: Students must sign in to the appropriate testing site: Step 1 Signing In For sessions created in the TA Interface, students sign in to the Student Testing Site on the Secure Browser. For sessions created in the Sample Test TA Interface, students sign in to the Secure Browser for Sample Tests. This can be found by launching the Secure Browser and then clicking the Go to the Sample Test Site link below the login box. 1. Launch the Secure Browser on the student s device. The Please Sign In page appears. Student Testing Site Login Page 2. Sign in to Operational Test o Proceed to Step Sign in to Sample Test o Click the Go To Sample Test Site link as pictured above. o Sample Test Sign In page will appear. 19

24 Sample Test Sign In Page o Student must uncheck the Guest options on the Name/SSID and Session ID sections. 4. Students enter the following information (for both Operational Test and Sample Test): o In the First Name field, students enter their first name as it appears in TIDE. o In the SSID field, students enter their SSID as it appears in TIDE. o If the student does not know the exact spelling of their legal first name or their exact SSID, you can retrieve it; see the section Looking Up Students for details. o In the Session ID field, students enter the Session ID exactly as it appears on the TA Site (see the section Starting a Test Session for information about generating a session ID). 5. Students click Sign In. The Is This You? page appears. 20

25 Common Student Sign-in Errors The Test Delivery System (TDS) generates an error message if a student cannot sign in. The following are the most common student sign-in issues: Session does not exist: The student entered the Session ID incorrectly or signed in to the wrong site. Verify that the student correctly entered the active Session ID. Also, verify that both you and the student are using the correct sites. For example, students signed in to the Student Sample Test Site cannot access sessions created in the TA Interface. Student information is not entered correctly: Verify that the student correctly entered the SSID. If this does not resolve the error, use the Student Lookup tool to verify the student's information. See the section Looking Up Students. Session has expired: The Session ID corresponds to a closed session. Ensure that the student enters the correct Session ID and verify that your session is open. For more information about test sessions, see the section Starting a Test Session. Student is not associated with the school: The student is not associated with your school, or you are not associated with the student s school. To correct this, please contact your School Test Coordinator or District Test Coordinator to make sure you are associated with the school in which the student is enrolled in TIDE. 21

26 Step 2 Verifying Student Information After students sign in, the Is This You? page appears. On this page, students verify their personal information. Is This You? Page To verify personal information: 1. If all the information is correct, students click Yes. The Your Tests page appears. 2. If any of the information displayed is incorrect, the student must not proceed with testing. The student should click No. You must notify the appropriate school personnel to update the student s information in TIDE. The user must have a School Test Coordinator or greater role in TIDE to update the student s information. Warning: Incorrect student demographic information must be updated before students begin testing. Contact your School Test Coordinator to update the student s information before the student logs back in to test. 22

27 Step 3 Selecting a Test The Your Tests page displays all the tests that a student is eligible to take. Students can only select tests that are included in the session and still need to be completed. Tests that the student is eligible for are shown in colored boxes. The text on the box will indicate one of the following testing options: 1. Start indicates a new test opportunity that the student has not yet started. 2. Resume indicates a test opportunity that the student has already started, and that has been paused. 3. Inactive indicates a test opportunity that the student has already completed. Your Tests Page (from Sample Test) To select an available test: 1. Students should click the test they will take. The Test Delivery System sends the request to the TA for approval and the Waiting for TA Approval message appears. 2. If the test the student needs to take is inactive or not displayed, the student should click Back to Login. You should ensure that correct tests are included in the test session and add additional tests, if necessary. 23

28 Step 4 Verifying Test Information After you approve the student for testing, the student should verify the test information and settings on the Is This Your Test? page. Is This Your Test? Page To Verify test information: 1. If the settings are correct, students click Yes. 2. If the settings are incorrect, students click No. After you correct the students test settings, the students must sign in, select a test, and request approval again. 24

29 Step 5a Text-to-Speech Check On the Text-to-Speech Sound Check page, students verify that text-to-speech (TTS) works. Students can only use TTS within a supported Secure Browser. All students will see the Text-to Speech Sound Check page since TTS is available to all students on the Student Help Page. Text-To-Speech Sound Check Page To check TTS: 1. Students click the speaker icon and listen to the audio. 2. If the voice is audible and clear, students click I heard the voice. 3. If the voice is not audible or clear, then students adjust the settings using the sliders and click the speaker icon again. o If students still cannot hear the voice clearly, they click I did not hear the voice and close the Secure Browser. You can work with students to adjust their audio or headset settings (for more information, see the section Troubleshooting Audio Issues). They can sign in again when the issue is resolved. 25

30 Step 5b Sound Check for Tests with Listening Items The Audio Playback Check page appears for students taking Reading tests that contain listening items. Students must verify that they can hear the sample audio before continuing the login process. Sound Check Page for Reading Tests with Listening Items To check the audio settings: 1. Students must click the speaker icon and listen to the audio. 2. If the sound is audible, students click I heard the sound. The Test Instructions and Help page appears. 3. If the sound is not audible, students should click I did not hear the sound. The Sound Check: Audio Issue page appears, telling students to notify you of the audio problem. 4. Students also have two options: o Students can click Try Again. This directs the students to the Sound Check page; or o Students can click Log Out. Troubleshoot the computer and headphones to see if there is a problem or move the student to another computer with working audio. Troubleshooting Audio Issues Prior to testing, ensure that audio is enabled on each computer and that headsets are functioning correctly. If there are audio issues, perform the following: Check to make sure headphones are securely plugged in to the correct jack or USB port; If the headphones have a volume control, ensure the volume is not muted; and Ensure that the audio on the computer is not muted. 26

31 Step 6 Viewing Test Instructions and Starting the Test The Test Instructions and Help page is the end of the login process. Students review the information on this page. Test Instructions and Help Page To proceed and begin the test: 1. Students may review the information on this page to understand what test tools are available and how to navigate through the test. 2. After students review this page, they click Begin Test Now. The test opportunity begins or resumes. 27

32 7. Overview of the Student Testing Site This section describes the layout of the Student Testing Site and the available testing tools. Test Layout The Student Testing Site has up to three elements: Banner, Stimulus section, and Item section. Test Layout The Banner has two rows: o Test Information: Displays the current question number, test name, student name, help button, and system settings button. o Global Menu: Displays the navigation and global test tool buttons. The Stimulus Section contains the stimulus context menu and stimulus content. The Item Section contains the expand question button, question navigation buttons, item number, item context menu, item stem, and response area/answer options. For more information about the Global and Context menus, see the Global and Context Menus section. 28

33 Test Tools This section provides an overview of the Test Delivery System s available tools and where they are located. The primary features and tools available in the Student Testing Site are on the testing screen. Sample Test Page Note: Some tools are available for all tests, while others are only available when testing in a particular subject or when testing with a particular accommodation. The tables below list the test tools available in the Test Delivery System (TDS). Global Test Tools Global Tools Help button Description The? button at the top right will open the on-screen Test Instructions and Help Guide window. System Settings The systems setting button allows you to adjust TTS settings (volume, rate, pitch) while you are in the test. 29

34 Global Tools Navigation buttons Questions drop-down list Description The Back and Next buttons in the top left corner permit you to move between pages on a test. For Mathematics tests and ELA Reading tests, clicking the navigation buttons will permit you to move between questions. For ELA Writing tests, clicking Next will prompt you to end the test. Note: When multiple questions are grouped together with the same stimulus, a button for each item number appears in the top right. Click these buttons to navigate between questions in the group. This feature enables you to quickly return to a specific test page. Questions that were marked for review will display (marked). Question buttons Some passages have multiple test questions. You can move between questions by using the question buttons at the top right of the screen. Save button (Optional) The Save button allows you to manually save technology-enhanced questions. This is an optional feature. If you do not click this button, your answers will still be saved automatically. Pause button The Pause button allows you to pause and exit the test. Notes button Zoom buttons Click the Notes button to open an on-screen notepad. You can enter notes for yourself and save them. These notes are global and will remain in the pop-up window throughout the test. Note: The Notes tool is only available for the ELA tests. Use the Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons to increase and decrease the size of text and graphics within a single test page. Four levels of magnification are available. 30

35 Global Tools Line Reader Description Use the Line Reader button to highlight a single line of text at a time in passages and questions. Dictionary/Thesaurus Click the Dictionary button to search the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus without leaving the test. (Writing test only) Calculator Click the Calculator button to open the on-screen calculator. Note: The calculator is available only for Part I of the Grades 7-8 Mathematics and Part I and II of the End-of-Course (EOC) Mathematics tests. End Test button Click the End Test button to begin the process of submitting the test. Context Menu Tools Stimulus/Question Tools American Sign Language Closed Captioning Description To view audio content translated into American Sign Language via an onscreen video, select American Sign Language from the context menu. Notes: This tool is available only for listening items in the Reading tests. This setting must be enabled in TIDE or the TA Interface before the student begins testing. Stimuli with audio elements automatically display closed captions. Notes: This tool is available only for listening items in the Reading tests. This setting must be enabled in TIDE or the TA Interface before the student begins testing. 31

36 Stimulus/Question Tools Highlighter Mark for Review Student Comments Paginated Stimuli Buttons Description Highlight a section of text in a passage or test question. To highlight text, select text on the screen, right-click with the mouse, and select Highlight Selection. To remove all highlighting from the question, right-click anywhere on the question and select Reset Highlighting. Text in images cannot be highlighted. This tool is not available while the Line Reader tool is in use. To mark a question for review, select Mark for Review from the context menu. The question number displays a flap in the upperright corner and appears next to the number. The Questions drop-down lists displays "(marked)" for the selected question. To remove the (marked) status, select Unmark Review Item from the context menu. Each Mathematics question has a tool that allows you to save a comment about the question. To access this tool, select Notepad from the context menu. Note: The Notepad tool is only available for the Mathematics tests. Paginated stimuli is a new feature that allows students to view passages using page-turning navigation rather than a vertical scroll bar. Passages are presented on the left side of the page. You can expand and passage across the page. To expand the passage, click the book icon. To collapse the expanded passage, click the close book icon. To navigate through pages in the passage, use the forward arrow and back arrow buttons. Expand Question Button Use the expand question icon the page. to expand the question across 32

37 Stimulus/Question Tools Strikethrough Tutorial Text-to-Speech (TTS) Writing Guide Description For multiple-choice questions, you can "eliminate an option and focus on the options you think may be correct. To strikethrough an answer option, right-click on the option and select Strikethrough. A line will appear through the text or image. To remove the strikethrough from an answer option, right-click on the option and select Undo Strikethrough. Each question has a tutorial video that you can watch to learn more about responding to that type of question. To view the tutorial video, select Tutorial from the context menu. Listen to test questions and answer options. This feature is only available for students that require a read aloud accommodation, and for whom Accommodated Text to Speech has been indicated in TIDE or the TA Interface prior to testing. Note: If a student who requires TTS starts a test without this setting enabled, you may need to have a Test Impropriety Request submitted to have the test reset. View the on-screen writing guide (Writing tests only). Note: An enlarged mouse pointer available in a variety of colors will be available for students with low vision. This tool must be turned on in TIDE or the TA Interface before a student begins a test. Once the tool is turned on, it will automatically be the default setting for the student when they log into the test. 33

38 Global and Context Menus The global and context menus allow students to access on-screen tools. Students can access these tools using either the mouse or through keyboard shortcuts. For information about keyboard shortcuts, see Appendix B. About the Global Menu The global menu contains navigation buttons as well as the global menu tools. Navigation buttons appear on the left side of the global menu. Test tools appear on the right side of the global menu. Sample Global Menu To open a test tool in the global menu: 1. Select the button for the tool. (In the sample above, the only test tool available is the calculator.) Tools open in a pop-up window. To use the zoom buttons: 1. To enlarge text and images, click Zoom In. The global menu does not get larger. 2. To shrink make the text and images in the test smaller again, click Zoom Out. About the Context Menus Each test item includes a number of elements, such as the item number, question, and possible answers. Each element has its own context menu. The contents of a context menu vary depending on the element type and available tools. 34

39 Sample Context Menu for Items Sample Context Menu for Answer Options Opening a Context Menu for Passages and Items Students can access context menus by right-clicking elements or selecting elements and then clicking the context menu button. To open the context menu for a passage or item: 1. Click the context menu icon at the upper-right corner of the passage or item. The context menu opens. 2. Select a tool. Opening a Context Menu for Answer Options Students can use the context menu to view available tools for multiple-choice or multi-select answer options. To open the context menu for an answer option using the on-screen button: Mouse, Trackpad, or Tablets 1. Select an answer option so that a light blue border appears around it. This selects the answer option until the student selects a different option. 2. Select the context menu button. The context menu opens. 3. Select a tool. To open the context menu for an answer option using the right-click feature: Two-Button Mouse 1. Right-click on an answer option. The context menu opens. 2. Select a tool. 35

40 Single-Button Mouse 1. Move the mouse to an answer option. 2. Press Ctrl and click the mouse button. The context menu opens. 3. Select a tool. Chromebooks 1. Move the mouse pointer to an answer option. 2. Press and hold Alt and click the mouse button. The context menu opens. 3. Select a tool. 36

41 8. Proceeding through a Test Students proceed through a test by answering items, pausing the test, reviewing previously answered items, and submitting a test. The following sections describe each of these activities. The AzMERIT Sample Tests are available on the AzMERIT Portal to help students gain familiarity with item types and test tools. For more detail on item types and responses, please refer to the Guide to Sample Tests, available in the Resources section of the AzMERIT Portal (azmeritportal.org/resources). Answering Test Items Students answer test items depending on the item s type. Multiple-choice items: Students must select a single answer option. Multi-select items: Students may select one or more answer options. Technology-enhanced items: Students follow the instructions given for each item. Technology-enhanced items may require students to do one of the following tasks: o o o o o o o o o Use an on-screen keypad to generate an answer. Select an object or text excerpt on the screen. Plot points or lines on a graph. Move objects around on the screen. Enter text in a text box. Match answer options together. Enter values in a table. Modify a highlighted word or phrase in a reading selection. Run an on-screen simulation. Some test pages may have only one item and others may have more. After students answer the items on a page, they click Next to proceed to the next page. Students do not have to answer all items before moving on to the next page, but a warning message appears if students proceed to the next page without answering all the items on the current page. Note: Items that are grouped together in the Questions drop-down list are paginated to be viewed individually. Navigation buttons for each item in the group appear in the upper right corner. Students can click these buttons to proceed to the corresponding item. Item Buttons 37

42 Pausing Tests Students can pause the test at any time. Test Navigation Buttons To pause a test: 1. Click the Pause button in the global menu. A confirmation message appears. 2. Click Yes. This logs the student out. The Secure Browser sign-in page appears. 3. To resume testing (on the same day as the test was started), the student logs in again and clicks Resume for the appropriate test. Reviewing Items in a Test Students may return to a previous item if the test was not paused for more than 20 minutes. Students can use the Back and Next buttons or the Questions drop-down list to navigate to items they want to review. 38

43 Submitting a Test Students submit a test when they finish answering the test questions. Reaching the End of a Test After students answer the last question on a test, the End Test button appears in the global menu. Sample Item Page with End Test Button To end a test: 1. Students click End Test. An Attention message appears. 2. Students click Yes only if they are ready to submit the test. Students click No if they want to return to the test. 39

44 3. If the student clicked Yes on the Attention message, the End Test page appears. This page allows the student to review answers/return to the test, or submit the test for scoring. End Test Page To review answers or to return to the test: 1. The student clicks a question number. This will bring the student to the question that they clicked on. 2. Once the student has finished checking/answering questions, they can return to the End Test page by clicking the End Test button on the global menu. To submit the test: 1. The student clicks Submit Test on the End Test page. A Warning message appears 2. The student clicks Yes to submit the test, or No to return to the End Test page. The End Test page allows them to return into the test. 40

45 Warning: Once a student clicks Yes in the Warning message, they cannot return to the test or modify answers. In order for students to avoid inadvertently ending/submitting a test before they finish, it is very important that they are given the opportunity to practice the process for ending and submitting a test using the AzMERIT Sample Tests. 3. After a student submits the test, the Your Results page appears, displaying the student s name, the test name, and the completion date. Your Results Page 4. The student clicks the Log Out button to return to the login page. 41

46 Appendix A. In addition to the standard test tools described in the Test Tools section, students can use a formatting toolbar above the response field for text response items. The formatting toolbar allows students to apply styling to text and use standard word-processing features. The table below provides an overview of the formatting tools available. Text Response Item with Formatting Toolbar Description of Formatting Tools Tool Description of Function Bold, italicize, or underline selected text Remove formatting that was applied to the selected text Indent selected paragraph (using the Tab key will not indent text) Outdent selected paragraph that is indented Cut selected text Copy and paste selected text Undo or redo the last edit to text or formatting in the response field Add special characters in the response field Special Characters Students can add mathematical, accented characters, and other symbols. Special Characters Window To add a special character: 1. Click in the toolbar. 2. Select the required character. 42

47 Keyboard Navigation for Students Appendix B. Keyboard Navigation for Students Students can use keyboard shortcuts to navigate between test elements, features, and tools. Login Pages and In-Test Pop-ups The table below lists keyboard commands for selecting options on the login pages or pop-up windows that appear during a test. Keyboard Commands for Login Pages and Pop-Up Windows Keyboard Command Tab Shift + Tab Enter Function Move to the next option Move to the previous option Select the active option Global Menu To access the global menu tools using keyboard commands: 1. Press Ctrl + G. The global menu list opens. 2. To move between options in the global menu, use the Up or Down keys. Each option becomes highlighted as you arrow up or down. 3. To select the highlighted option, press Enter. 4. To close the global menu without selecting an option, press Esc. Context Menus To navigate to an element: 1. Press the Tab key. 2. To navigate in reverse, press Shift + Tab. To open a context menu for an element: 1. Press Ctrl + M. The context menu for the selected element opens. 2. To move between options in the context menu, use the Up or Down arrow keys. Each option becomes highlighted as you arrow up or down. 3. To select the highlighted option, press Enter. 4. To close the context menu without selecting an option, press Esc. 43

48 Keyboard Navigation for Students To select text and open context menu options: 1. Navigate to the element containing the text you want to select. 2. Press Ctrl + M to open the context menu. 3. If multiple options are available, use the down arrow key to navigate to Enable Text Selection. 4. Press Enter. A flashing cursor appears at the top left of the active element. 5. To move the cursor to the beginning of the text you want to select, use the arrow keys. 6. Press Shift and an arrow key to select your text. The text you select appears shaded. 7. Press Ctrl + M again. Choose the tool you want to use for the selected text. This feature is available only when using a desktop Secure Browser (Windows, Mac, or Linux). Keyboard Commands for Test Navigation and Test Tools Keyboard commands require using the primary keyboard. Do not use keys in a numeric keypad. The tables below shows keyboard commands for test navigation and test tools. Keyboard Commands for Test Navigation Description of Function Open the global menu Open a context menu Go to the next test page Go to the previous test page Pause your test End the test Scroll up in an area of the test page Scroll down in an area of the test page Scroll to the right in an area of the test page Scroll to the left in an area of the test page Move to the next element on the page Move to the previous element on the page Keyboard Commands Ctrl + G Ctrl+ M Ctrl + Ctrl + Ctrl + G (via Global Menu) Ctrl + G (via Global Menu) Tab Tab + Shift 44

49 Keyboard Navigation for Students Keyboard Commands for Test Tools Description of Function Open the global menu Open the context menu Select option A Select option B Select option C Select option D Open the Help Guide Open the Calculator Highlighter Mark/Unmark an item for review Open the Notes tool Open the Student Comments tool Strike Through an answer option Activate the Text-to-Speech tool View an item Tutorial. Zoom in Zoom out Keyboard Commands Ctrl + G Ctrl + M To move between answer options: Press Tab or Shift + Tab To select an active answer option: Press Space Ctrl + G (via Global Menu) Ctrl + G (via Global Menu) Ctrl + M (via Context Menu) Ctrl + M (via Context Menu) Ctrl + G (via Global Menu) Ctrl + M (via Context Menu) Ctrl + G (via Context Menu) via Global or Context Menu Ctrl + M (via Context Menu) Ctrl + G (via Global Menu) Ctrl + G (via Global Menu) 45

50 Keyboard Navigation for Students Keyboard Commands for Items with Add Point or Add Line Tool Technology-enhanced items with an Add Point, Arrow, or Line tool have up to three main sections: Answer Space: The grid area where students enter the response. Button Row: At least one action button appears at the top. Buttons may include Delete, Add Point, Add Arrow, Add Line, and Connect Line. Object Bank: A section containing objects to move to the Answer Space. Sample Item with Point and Line Tools To move between the main sections: 1. Press the Tab key. Navigation is clockwise. 2. To move counter-clockwise, press Shift + Tab. To add an object from the Object Bank to the Answer Space: 1. Make sure the Object Bank is active. Use the arrow keys to move between objects. The active object has a blue background. 2. To add the active object to the Answer Space, press the Space. To select an Action Button and place the point or line in the Answer Space: 1. Make sure the Button Row is active. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between the buttons. The active button is white. 2. Press Enter. 3. Press the Space to apply the point, arrow, or line to the Answer Space. To move objects, points, lines, and arrows around in the Answer Space: 1. Make sure the Answer Space is active. To move between the objects, press Enter. The active object displays a blue border. 2. Press the Space. 3. Press an arrow key to move the object. To move the object slowly, hold Shift and press an arrow key. 46

51 Keyboard Navigation for Students Keyboard Commands for Grid Questions Questions with the grid response area may have up to three main sections: Sample Grid Question Answer Space: The grid area where students enter the response. Button Row: The following buttons may appear above the answer space: Delete, Add Point, Add Arrow, Add Line, Add Circle, Add Dashed Line, and Connect Line. Object Bank: A panel containing objects you can move to the answer space. To move between the main sections: 1. To move clockwise, press Tab. To move counter-clockwise, press Shift + Tab. To add an object to the answer space: 1. With the object bank active, use the arrow keys to move between objects. The active object has a blue background. 2. To add the active object to the answer space, press Space. To use the action buttons: 1. With the button row active, use the left and right arrow keys to move between the buttons. The active button is white. 2. To select a button, press Enter. 3. Press Space to apply the point, arrow, or line to the answer space. To move objects and graph elements in the answer space: 1. With the answer space active, press Enter to move between the objects. The active object displays a blue border. 2. Press Space. 3. Press an arrow key to move the object. To move the object in smaller increments, hold Shift while pressing an arrow key. 47

52 Transferring a Test Session between Devices Appendix C. Transferring a Test Session between Devices While you are administering a test session, you can transfer an active test session from one device or browser to another without stopping the session or interrupting in-progress tests. This is useful in scenarios when your computer malfunctions while a session is in progress. This functionality is only for the TA Interface. For example a TA can start a test session at their desktop and transfer the interface to a tablet so they can actively monitor the testing room. Warning: If you do not remember your Session ID, you cannot transfer the session. Write down your Session ID before you transfer the session. The Test Delivery System ensures that you can only administer a test session from one browser at a time. If you move a test session to a new device, you can no longer administer the session from the original browser or device. These instructions apply to both the TA Interface and Sample Test TA Interface. To transfer a test session to a new device or browser: 1. While the session is still active on the original device or browser, log in to the correct TA Site on the new device or browser. A Session ID prompt appears. Enter Active Session ID Window 2. Enter the active Session ID into the text box and click Enter. The TA Site appears, where you can continue monitoring your students progress. The test session on the previous computer or browser automatically closes. For additional information about Test Delivery System, contact your District Test Coordinator prior to contacting the AzMERIT Help Desk. If you have a policy or test administration question, refer to the Test Administration Directions. 48