PARCC Technology Guidelines

PARCC Technology GuidelinesFROM SEPTEMBER 2013 UPDATE

General GuidelinesTECHNOLOGY GUIDELINES VERSION 3.0

Bandwidth Recommendations

Minimum with Caching

Minimum without Caching

Recommended for Assessment + Instruction

External Connection to the Internet

5 kbps per second per student

50 kbps per second per student

100 kbps per second per student or faster

School Bandwidth for Testing

Simultaneous Test-Takers / Devices

Minimum Connection Speed(External Connection to the

Internet)

With Caching (5 kbps / student)

Without Caching(50 kbps / student)

15 students / devices

75 kbps 750 kbps


100 kbps 1000 kbps (1 mbps)


150 kbps 1500 kbps (1.5 mbps)


300 kbps 3000 kbps (3 mbps)


450 kbps 4500 kbps (4.5 mbps)

Desktop/Laptop Specifications

Minimum Specifications

Recommended Specifications

Operating System

Windows Windows XP, SP3 Windows 7 or newer

Mac OS Mac OS 10.5 Mac OS 10.7 or newer

Linux Ubuntu 9-10 Fedora 6

Ubuntu 11.10Fedora 16 or newer

Chrome OS Chrome OS 19 Chrome OS 19 or newer

Memory 512 MB RAM 1 GB RAM or greater

Connectivity Computers must be able to connect to the Internet via wired or wireless

networks.

Screen Size 9.5 inch or larger

Screen Resolution 1024 x 768 or better

Desktop/Laptop Specifications (continued)



Input Device

Keyboard

Mouse / touchpad / touchscreen

Input device must allow students to select/deselect, drag, and highlight text, objects, and areas. The input device must allow students to enter letters, numbers, and symbols and shift, tab, return, delete, and backspace. To meet security guidelines each Bluetooth/wireless keyboard must be configured to pair with only a single device.

Headphone / Earphone and Microphone

Headphone/Earphones

Microphone

Headphones/earphones are required for all students for all PARCC assessments.

Microphones are required for all students taking the Speaking and Listening Assessment.

Tablet Specifications



Operating System

Android Android 4.0 with 512 MB RAM or greater

Android 4.0 or newer with 1 GB RAM or greater

Apple iOS iPad 2 running iOS 6 with 512 MB RAM or greater

iPad 2 or newer running iOS 6 or newer with 512 MB RAM or greater

Windows Windows 8 with 512 MB RAM or greater

Windows 8 or newer with 1 GB RAM or greater


networks

Screen Size 9.5 inch screen size or larger

Screen Resolution

1024 x 768 or better

Table Specifications (continued)



Input Device Requirements

KeyboardTouchscreen or Mouse

Due to the onscreen occupied by a tablet’s virtual keyboard, PARCC assessments will require external keyboards for test takers using tablets so as not to limit or obscure the view of test item content and related functionalities when text input is required.

External keyboards must allow students to enter letters, numbers, and symbols and shift, tab, return, delete, and backspace.

Tablet touchscreen interface can be used to select/deselect, drag, and highlight text, objects, and areas.

To meet security guidelines, each Bluetooth/wireless keyboard must be configured to pair with only a single computer during test administration.

Table Specifications (continued)



Headphone / Earphone and Microphone Requirements

Headphones / Earphones

Microphone

Headphones/earphones are required for all students for all PARCC assessments.

Microphones are required for all students taking the Speaking and Listening Assessment.

Tablets Continued

Additional Guidance

Tablets smaller than 9.5” not compatible

E-Readers NOT supported

Smart Phones NOT supported

PARCC Field TestTECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 2013

External Connection to the Internet

Minimum with Caching

Minimum without Caching

Recommended for Assessment + Instruction

5 kilobits per second (kbps)/student

50 kilobits per second (kbps) / student

100 kilobits per second (kbps) / student or faster

Desktop, Laptop, Netbook Thin Client / VDI Computers

Supported for Field Test

Supported for 2014-2015 Operational Assessment



Operating System

Windows Yes Yes Windows XP, SP3

Windows 7 or newer

Mac OS Yes Yes Mac OS 10.5 Mac OS 10.7 or newer

Linux No Yes N/A N/A

Chrome OS Yes

Not all accessibility features will be supported for Chrome OS

Yes Chrome OS 19 Chrome OS 19 or newer

Additional Specifications



Memory 512 MB of RAM 1 GB RAM or greater


networks

Screen size 9.5” size or larger

Screen Resolution 1024 x 768 resolution or better

Additional Specifications (continued)




Keyboard – wired or wireless / Bluetooth

Mouse or Touchpad or Touchscreen

The input device must allow students to select/deselect, drag, and highlight text, objects, and areas. The input device must allow students to enter letters, numbers, and symbols and to shift, tab, return, delete, and backspace.

To meet security guidelines each Bluetooth/wireless keyboard must be configured to pair with only a single computer during assessment administration

Additional Specifications (continued)





Headphones / Earphones are required for all students for all PARCC

assessments

Desktop, Laptop, Netbook, and Thin Client / VDI Computers

Additional Guidance

Each computer operating in a thin client environment must meet or exceed minimum hardware specifications, as well as bandwidth and security requirements

Computers meeting minimum specifications for the 2014-2015 are not likely to be compatible beyond the 2015-2016 assessment

Computers must accommodate the 1024 x 768 screen resolution minimum without panning. PARCC recognizes that some netbook computers may have screen resolutions slightly less than the 1024 x 768 minimum, yet may meet all other minimum requirements. PARCC will establish a means for schools to evaluate if the device will be able to display assessment items.

Tablets

Supported for Field Test

Supported for 2014-2015 Operational Assessment



Operating System

Android No Yes N/A N/A

Apple iOS Yes Yes iPad 2 running iOS 6

iPad 2 or newer running iOS 6 or newer

Windows Yes

(not RT)

Yes

(RT unknown)

Windows 8 Windows 8 or newer

Tablet (Additional Specifications)



Operating System

Android 512 MB RAM or greater

1 GB RAM or greater

Apple iOS 512 MB RAM or greater

512 MB RAM or greater

Windows 512 MB RAM or greater

1 GB RAM or greater


networks

Screen Size 9.5” screen size or larger

Screen Resolution 1024 x 768 resolution or better

Tablet (Additional Specifications)




Keyboard (wired or wireless / Bluetooth)

Touchscreen or Mouse

Due to onscreen space occupied by a tablet’s virtual keyboard, PARCC assessments will require external keyboards for test takers using tablets so as not to limit or obscure the view of test item content and related functionalities when text input is required

External keyboards must allow students to enter letters, numbers, and symbols and to shift, tab, return, delete and backspace

To meet security guidelines, each Bluetooth / wireless keyboard must be configured to pair with only a single device during assessment administration

Tablets (Additional Specifications continued)





Headphones / Earphones are required for all students for all PARCC

assessments.

Tablets Continued

Additional Guidance

Windows RT NOT supported for field test

Tablets smaller than 9.5” not compatible

E-Readers will NOT be supported

Smart Phones will NOT be supported

Devices Needed for Testing

School Type Minimum number of devices

Recommended number of devices

For a school with three tested grades (K-5, 6-8, 9-12)

One device for every two students in the largest tested grade

One device per student for the largest tested grade

For a school with six tested grades (K-8)

One device per student for the largest tested grade

One device per student for the two largest tested grades

TestNav 8.0.2HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

Hardware Requirements

Minimum Hardware Requirements

Windows Macintosh iPad (2 or higher)

Processor 1.6 GHz x86-compatible

Intel Core Duo 1.83 GHz Only Intel-based Macs are supported

Any

Memory 512 MB RAM 1 GB RAM Any

Screen 1024 x 768 Resolution

1024 x 768 Resolution

9.7 inch

Software Requirements (PC)

Windows IE 9.0 IE 10.0 Chrome Firefox

XP (SP3) X X

Vista X X X

7 X X X X

8 X X X

Notes:Chrome requires version 20 or higherFirefox requires version 14 or higher

Software Requirements (Macs)

Mac OS X

Safari 5.0

Safari 6.0

Chrome Firefox

10.5 X

10.6 X X X

10.7 X X X X

10.8 X X X

Notes:Mac OS X 10.7 and 10.8 users who install the Java for OS X 2012-006 update from Apple on student workstations will not be able to use the Chrome browser. The update breaks compatibility.

Software Requirements (tablets)

• The TestNav 8 app for iOS is in development. It is required for secure testing. Until the app is ready, the Safari browser can be used for tests that do not require locking down the device.

Browser Dependencies

• Java runtime plugin version 1.5 and higher

• Pop-ups for Pearson sites

• Local File access to home directory

Firewall / Proxy Servers / Content Filtering

• When using Proctoring Caching, the following must be opened in any firewalls, proxy servers, or software that is used for internet content filtering:

•URL:Port• testnav.com:80• testnav.com:443• s3.amazonaws.com

• Note for Mac 10.6: In certain situations when the parental control is on and the user attempts to connect to SSL sites, the automatic Internet content filter on Mac 10.6 workstations may block the testnav.com domain. To resolve this, set the parental control to “Always Allow” the testnav.com domain.

Accessibility FeaturesPARCC ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES AND ACCOMMODATIONS MANUAL SEPT 2013

Definition• PARCC technology-based assessments, accessibility features are tools or preferences that are either built into the assessment system or provided externally by test administrators. Accessibility features can be used by any student taking the PARCC assessments (i.e., students with and without disabilities). Since the accessibility features are intended for all students, they are not classified as accommodations. Students should be exposed to these features prior to testing, and should have the opportunity to select and practice using them. Accessibility features are intended to benefit a wide range of students, and are available to any student at his or her discretion during testing.

PARCC Accessibility System

Accommodations

Features for All Students

Tools embedded

Accessibility Features for All

StudentsIdentified in

advance

Accommodations

Accessibility Features for All Students

PARCC Accessibility ISAT/PSAE Accommodations

Audio amplification

Blank paper (provided by test admin)

Graphic organizers

Eliminate answer choices

Flag items for review Cues on test booklet

General administration directs clarified (by test admin)

Auditory supports

General administration directions read aloud and repeated as needed (by test administrator)

Highlight tool Directions highlighted

Headphones



Magnification/enlargement device

Large print

Note pad

Pop-up glossary

Redirect student to the test (by test administrator)

Spell checker

Writing tools



Adaptive and specialized equipment

Adapted environment

Answer Masking

Background/font color (color contrast)

Visual supports (colored paper)

General masking

Line reader tool

Text-to-speech for the mathematics assessments

Oral presentation

What are Presentation Accommodations?

•Presentation accommodations alter the method or format used to administer a PARCC assessment to a student, including auditory, tactile, visual, and/or a combination of these, rather than having the student take the test in the same format as other students. For students taking computer-delivered assessments, all presentation accommodations must be identified in advance by a student’s PNP (during the test registration process).

Proposed Presentation Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Domain PARCC ISAT/PSAE

ELA/Literacy

Text-to-speech or video of a human interpreter for the ELA assessments, including items, and passages

Sign Language

Refreshable braille displays

Closed-Captioning of multimedia passages

Descriptive video

Mathematics

Video of human interpreter

Proposed Presentation Accommodations for Students with Disabilities


Both Domains

Assistive technology Assistive technology

Hard-copy braille tests

Braille/large print

Video of a human interpreter for test directions

Tactile graphics

Paper-and-pencil edition

What are Response Accommodations?

•Response accommodations allow students to use alternative methods to provide responses to test items, such as through dictating to a scribe or using an assistive device. For students taking computer-delivered assessments, all response accommodations must be identified in advance by a student’s PNP (during the test registration process).

Proposed Response Accommodations for Students with Disabilities


ELA

Scribing or speech-to-text (i.e., Dictation/Transcription or Signing) for constructed responses

Answer dictation

Word prediction for PBA

Mathematics

Calculation device and mathematics tools (on Non-calculator Sessions)

Calculator

Both Domains

Assistive technology Assistive technology

Scribing or speech-to-text for selected response items

Answer dictation

Braille note-taker

PARCC Field TestACCESSIBILITY FEATURES


Support Mode Available for Field Testing 2014

Answer Masking Computer Based Yes*EOYELA: Grades 3,5,8,11Math: Grades 4,7, Algebra 1 and Geometry

Audio Amplification Device Dependent Yes

*Accessibility features which must be determined in advance by the IEP/504/EL team (if applicable) or a student’s educational team/or staff member



Background/Font Color (Color Contrast)Black on CreamBlack on Light BlueBlack on Light MagentaWhite on BlackLight Blue on Dark Blue

Computer Based Yes*

PBA/EOY

ELA: Grades 3,5,8,11

Math: Grades 4,7, Algebra 1 and Geometry



Blank Paper School Provided Yes

Eliminate Answer Choices

Computer Based Yes

Flag Items for Review

Computer Based Yes

General Admin Directions Clarified

By Test Administrator Yes

General Admin Directions Read Aloud and Repeated as Needed




General Masking Computer Based No*

Highlight Tool Computer Based Yes

Headphones or Noise Buffers

School Provided Yes

Line Reader Tool Computer Based Yes

Notepad Computer Based No

Pop-up Glossary Computer Based Yes



Redirect Student to Test


Spell Checker External Device Only Yes

Text-to-Speech for the Mathematics Assessments

Computer based

A human reader can be provided for a grade level that is not available for field test

Yes*

PBA/EOY

Grades 4, 7, Algebra 1

Writing Tools (cut & paste, copy, underline, bold, and insert bullets)

Computer based Yes



Magnification/Enlargement

Students using tablets will use pinch/zoom to increase font size or graphics

Students using PCs and laptop would use a keyboard to increase font size and graphics

Device zoom will support magnification of the entire window up to the maximum magnification level available for the browser being used

Computer based

Yes



Browser magnification limits are as follows:

Chrome: 500%IE:1000%Firefox: 300%iOS: 400%

Enlargement DeviceA magnification glass tool is also available to enlarges text and graphics up to 200%

Presentation Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Accommodation Mode Available for Field Testing 2014

Additional Assistive Technology

External Device

Yes

External Assistive technology devices will be tested out during the second phrase of UAT in December 2013

PARCC states will be notified regarding what assistive technology devices can be used.



Braille Edition of ELA/Literacy and Mathematics Assessments

Hard-copy braille tests for ELA/Literacy and Mathematics

Refreshable braille displays for ELA/Literacy only

No

Closed-Captioning of Multimedia Passages on the ELA/Literacy Assessments

Computer based No

Descriptive Video Computer based No



Paper-and-Pencil Edition of the ELS/Literacy and Mathematics Assessments

Paper Yes

Tactile Graphics Computer Based No

Text-to-Speech or Video of a Human Interpreter for the ELA/Literacy Assessments, including items, response options, and passages

Computer Based

Human reader if grade level not available for field test

Yes

PBA/EOY

ELA: Grades 5, 8, 11



ASL Video for the Mathematics Assessments for a Student Who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Computer Based No

ASL Video of Test Directions for a Student who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing

By Test Administrator

No

Response Accommodations for Students with Disabilities


Additional Assistive Technology

External device

Yes

External Assistive technology devices will be tested out during the second phrase of UAT in December 2013.

PARCC states will be notified regarding what assistive technology devices can be used



Braille Note-taker Computer Based No

Calculation Device and Mathematics Tools (on Non-calculator Sessions of Mathematics Assessments)

External Device Yes

Scribing or Speech-to-Text (i.e., Dictation / Transcription or Signing) for the Mathematics assessments; and for selected response (not constructed response) items on the English Language Arts/Literacy Assessments


Yes



Scribing or Speech-to-Text (i.e., Dictation / Transcription ) for constructed responses on the English Language Arts/Literacy Assessments


Yes

Word prediction on the ELA/Literacy Performance-Based Assessment

External Device Yes

Extended time By Test Administrator

Yes

Accommodations for English Learners


Extended Time By Test Administrator

Yes

General Administration Directions Clarifies in Student’s Native Language


Yes

General Administration Directions Read Aloud and Repeated as Needed in Student’s Native Language


Yes

Scribing or Speech-to-Text: Responses Dictated for the Mathematics Assessments in English


Yes

Word to Word Dictionary (English/Native Language)

School Provided Yes

Pearson Technology Readiness Tool (TRT)

https://www.techreadiness.net

https://www.techreadiness.net/

https://www.techreadiness.net/

TRT Homepage

TRT Available Reports

TRT Setup Tab

What does a red “(missing)” on a report mean?

• If “(missing)” is indicated on a report, there is School Readiness Survey or Device information that has not yet been provided by the district or school. Only after this data is added for the specific school or organization can the Technology Readiness Tool calculations provide non-zero readiness results.

Actions: you will need to lookup the original value of the data field that is showing "missing" in either School Survey or Device data. Once found, the value most likely will show "blank", and you will need to provide that missing value.

• Reports will update within an hour of submission.

PARCC Assessment Capacity Planning ToolHTTP://WWW.LIVEBINDERS.COM/PLAY/PLAY?ID=972764&PRESENT=TRUE

http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=972764&present=true


Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM)SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY SPECIFICATIONS (AUGUST 2013)

Bandwidth Recommendations w/out Content Caching Server

Minimum Bandwidth

Recommended Bandwidth

Per Student

40-100 kbps 100 kbps or faster

Bandwidth Recommendations with Content Caching Server

Minimum Bandwidth

Recommended Bandwidth

Per Student

20-50 kbps 50 kbps or faster

Minimum Specifications(Computers, Laptops)

Operating System / Devices

Supported Version Minimum Configuration

Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, Server 2003

XP SP3, Pentium or AMD 500 MHz, 512 MB RAM, 200 MB hard drive space

Mac OSX 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8 Mac 10.5, Intel x86, 512 MB RAM, 200 MB hard drive space

Linux Ubuntu 9+, Fedora 6+

Ubuntu 9 or Fedora 6, Pentium or AMD 500 MHz, 512 MB RAM, 200 MB hard drive space

Chrome OS v19+ Chrome OS v19+

Minimum Specifications(Tablets)


Supported Version Minimum Configuration

iOS Devices iOS 6+ iPad 2 with iOS 6, 512 MB RAM, Wifi support only

Android Devices

Android 4.0+ Android 4.0, 512 MB RAM, Wifi support only

Windows Tablets

Windows 8 Windows 8, 1 GB RAM, Wifi support only

Minimum Screen and Resolution Requirements

Configuration

Screen Size 10” screen or larger

Screen Resolution

1024 x 768 or better

Recommended Specifications (Computers/Laptops)

Supported Version

Recommended Configuration


Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, Server 2003

Windows 7+, 1.4 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, 1GB hard drive free space

Mac OSX 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8

Mac 10.7+, 1 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, 1 GB hard drive free space

Linux Ubuntu 9+, Fedora 6+

Ubuntu 11 or Fedora 16+, 1 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, 1 GB hard drive free space

Chrome OS v19+ Chrome OS v19+

Recommended Specifications(Tablets)


Supported Version

Recommended Configuration

iOS Devices iOS 6+ iPad 3 with iOS 6 or newer, 1 GB RAM, Wifi support only

Android Devices

Android 4.0+ Android 4 or newer, 1 GB RAM Wifi support only

Windows Tablets

Windows 8 Windows 8 or newer, 1 GB RAM, Wifi support only

Recommended Screen and Resolution Requirements

Configuration

Screen Size 10” screen or larger

Screen Resolution 1024 x 768 or better

DLM Capacity Planning Tool

Next…

• Update your district’s/school’s TRT – make sure to keep it updated

• Watch for requests for information (speed tests, quick responses to infrastructure information, etc.)

• Make sure you are on your LTC listserv

• ConnectED / E-Rate / technology plans – if grant opportunities become available, be ready to participate

Parting Thought…

• It is with some caution that I encourage you to “wait until next year!” With the start of mass testing under the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), everything will not be magically different then. However, I think that the bar will be raised for the use of technology. That will affect us all, probably in a good way. - Craig Williams, Digital Learning Environments Blog http://www.guide2digitallearning.com/blog_craig_williams/wait_until_next_year

http://www.guide2digitallearning.com/blog_craig_williams/wait_until_next_year




Contact Information

Jamey BaiterState Technology Readiness Coordinator (SRC)Illinois State Board of [email protected] – 217-782-5589

Mary O’BrianDirector of AssessmentIllinois State Board of [email protected] - 866.317.6034

Livebinder Link : http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=972764&present=true

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



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