Smarter Balanced Field Test Technology Requirements 9:00 a.m. Smarter Balanced Field Test Technology Requirements 9:00 a.m. January 22, 2014

Smarter Balanced Field Test Smarter Balanced Field Test Technology RequirementsTechnology Requirements

9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. January 22, 2014

Source Material

Throughout the presentation, we will be referring to the Technical Specifications Manual (TSM), available at

http://sbac.portal.airast.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/SmarterBalanced_TechnicalSpecificationsManual.pdf.

January 2014 Technology Requirements| 2

http://sbac.portal.airast.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/SmarterBalanced_TechnicalSpecificationsManual.pdf



Student Participation Expectations

• 5% of students will take Field Test items from one content area (i.e., ELA or math) and 95% of students will take Field Test items from both content areas.

• Participation expectations:– Grades 3–8: All students are expected to participate.– Grades 9 and 10: Only students selected for the

scientific sample are expected to participate.– Grade 11: Students selected for the scientific sample are

expected to participate; all others are encouraged to participate.


The only students exempt from participating in the Smarter Balanced Field Test are:

•Students who participate in the CAPA

•For the ELA test only, English learners (ELs) who have been attending school in the United States for less than 12 months

Student Participation Expectations


When are we testing?

• The statewide testing window starts March 18 and ends June 6.

• Each school will have an assigned six-week testing window during which all testing must be completed.


Technology and System Technology and System RequirementsRequirements

Internet/Network Requirements

• A constant, stable, high-speed Internet connection is required for the test. – The average response time for each assessment

depends on the reliability and speed of your school’s Internet connection.

• Content filters, firewalls, and proxy servers must be configured to allow testing.

• Recommend a minimum of 20 kbps for each student testing, but this will likely spike at startup time.

January 2014 Technology Requirements | 7

Internet/Network Requirements


• Make sure that you have enough Wireless Access Points to support the number of students testing at any given time.– Wireless traffic must use encryption. WPA2 and AES

standards are strongly recommended.

• Try out the Network Diagnostic Tool, available athttps://air.tds.airast.org/student/Pages/LoginShell.aspx?

section=sectionDiagnostics&c=SBAC_PT.

https://air.tds.airast.org/student/Pages/LoginShell.aspx?section=sectionDiagnostics&c=SBAC_PT

Technology Requirements

• For more specific information about technology requirements, see TSM 5–16.

• For more background on overall technology readiness, watch the Technology Readiness Webinar recorded on November 4 at www.cde.ca.gov/sbac/.


System RequirementsDesktops and Laptops

Supported Operating Systems

Minimum Requirements for Current Computers

Minimum Recommended Specifications

Windows XP (Service Pack 3), Vista, 7, 8.0 Server 2003 and 2008

• Pentium 233 MHz• 128 MB RAM• 52 MB hard drive free space

• 1.3 GHz processor• 1 GB RAM• 80 GB hard drive

Mac OS X10.4.4–10.9

• Intel x86 or PowerPC G3, G4 or G5

• 256 MB RAM• 200 MB hard drive free

space

LinuxFedora Core 6+ (K12LTSP 4.2+)Ubuntu 9–12

• Pentium II or AMD K6-III 233 MHz

• 64 MB RAM• 52 MB hard drive free space


TSM 13

System RequirementsMobile Operating Systems and Browsers

Operating System

Supported TabletsBrowsers for TA Sites

Browsers for Student Sites

Android 4.04–4.2(likely also 4.3, but not 4.4)

• Google Nexus 10• Motorola Xoom • Motorola Xyboard• Samsung Galaxy Note (10.1)• Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1)

• Native browser• Google

Chrome

• Android Secure Browser (AIR Mobile Secure Browser)

Chrome v18 and above

• Chromebook• Google

Chrome• Google Chrome

iOS 6.0–7.0• iPad 2, 3, and 4th generation

(Retina Display) (and iPad Air)• Safari

• iPad Secure Browser (AIR Mobile Secure Browser)


TSM 14

• If you plan to use Android-based tablets, be aware of the Smarter Balanced device certification process outlined at http://certification.airast.org/.

Hardware Requirements• Headphones are required for each test station

(needed for all students for the ELA test)– Microphones not required

• External keyboards required for tablets

• 10″ diagonal display or larger (iPads with 9.5” screens are OK)

• 1024 x 768 display resolution

• On-site printers are required for students with the Print on Demand accommodations– See TSM 15 for important information about printer

placement and security requirements.


Software Requirements

• Disable pop-up blockers (TSM 17).

• Install Verdana font on Linux machines used for testing (TSM 17).

• Disable Windows Fast User Switching (TSM 18).

• Disable Spaces in Mission Control for Macs (TSM 34).

• Enabled Guided Access on iPads (TSM 53; TSM 55-57).

• For Android tablets, change the keyboard to the AIRSecureTest (TSM 49).


Accommodations• Text-to-Speech Accommodation information can be

found in TSM 58-70.• Braille hardware and software information can be found

in TSM 22-25.• Print On Demand hardware information can be found in

TSM 15.• Additional information about accommodations can be

found in the A&A guidelines document on the Smarter Balanced portal.


What is the Secure What is the Secure Browser?Browser?

What is the Secure Browser?

• The secure browser is a type of software that must be installed on each computer for the 2014 Smarter Balanced Field Test.

• There are different versions of the secure browser for different device types and operating systems.


What is the Secure Browser?

• All Field Test secure browsers (Windows, Mac, Android, Chromebook, iOS and Linux) are available on the Smarter Balanced Portal Web page (http://sbac.portal.airast.org/browsers/). – Need to uninstall Pilot Test version of browser, if

previously installed. – If you have a secure browser for your state testing,

no need to uninstall it.


When Should the Secure Browser Be Installed?

• Install the Secure Browser as soon as possible.• This gives stakeholders time to become familiar with the

software, testing interface, etc.• The practice test can be accessed by anyone without

installing any special software at https://sbacpt.tds.airast.org/student/.

• The practice test can also be accessed via the secure browser. – Gives students a preview of the locked-down testing

experience.

– Helps determine if network resources are sufficient for testing.


Installing the Secure Installing the Secure BrowserBrowser


Smarter Balanced Portal Secure Browser Web Page

URL: http://sbac.portal.airast.org/browsers/


• One-by-One manual installation:– Download and install on each computer either

directly or by transferring the installer via flash drive or network drive.

– Additional information on one-by-one manual installation, refer to TSM 27–36. (Note: Instructions vary by system!)

Secure Browser Installation on Desktops and Laptops


• Network installation:− Install on a shared drive and install the Secure Browser shortcut to

each users profile.− Have the users login script install or copy the Secure Browser

installation.− There is an option for non-administrator installation.− Support available for Terminal Server/thin client and NComputing

virtual desktops.− Third-party options such as Apple Remote Desktop, MS System

Center Configuration Manager, LANDesk, etc.

• For additional information on network installation, refer to TSM 37–41.

Secure Browser Installation on Desktops and Laptops

Secure Browser Installation on Mobile Devices


• Install on iPads via the Apple App Store.

• Install on Androids via the Google Play Store.

• For managing large-scale iPad deployments, see the Apple iOS Education Deployment Guide: http://images.apple.com/nz/education/docs/ios_6_education_deployment_guide.pdf

• For additional information on network installation, refer to TSM 48 and 52.

Proxy Configuration

• The following proxy values are supported:– 0: Direct connection, no proxy– 1: Manual proxy configuration– 2: Proxy auto-configuration (PAC)– 4: Auto-detect proxy settings – 5: System proxy settings (this is the default)

• For additional information on proxy configuration, refer to TSM 42–46.


Secure Browser Notes

• The Secure Browser checks for “prohibited” applications while it is running. This includes Instant Messaging, Screen Capture, etc.

• Ctrl-Alt-Del is disabled, so use Ctrl-Alt-Shift-F10 to exit the software for Windows and Mac. Use Ctrl-Alt-Shift-Esc to exit in Linux.


What Next?What Next?

I’ve Installed the Browser, Now What?

• Run the Practice Test.– Open the browser and select “Training Test.”

– Refer to the Practice Test User Guide:

http://sbac.portal.airast.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/PracticeTest_UserGuide_Updated080513.pdf

• Run the Network Diagnostics Tool.– Open the browser and select “Network Diagnostics Tool.”

– Run at various times of the day, with varying numbers of students indicated.

• Establish points of contact within your district to respond to technical issues during testing.

• Review checklists for other tasks.


Technology Coordinator Checklist

TSM 71–72


Technology Coordinator Activities References in TSMEstimated

Time to Complete

Target Completion Date (or fill in your

own date)

Direct Responsibilities

Verify that your school’s Internet and network are properly configured for testing.

See TSM, Section I, page 5

5–10 hoursComplete at least 3–4 weeks prior to testing.

Work with technology personnel to: Conduct network diagnostics Download the Secure Browser (beginning late

November or early December) Resolve other technical issues before and during

testing

TSM, page 7

See TSM Section V, page 24

TIDE User Guide


Verify that all of your school’s computers that will be used for online testing meet the minimum hardware requirements.

See TSM, Section II, page 12-15


Verify that the secure browser is installed and accessible on all computers that will be used for testing.

See TSM, Section V, page 24, and Section VI, page 46


Disable pop-up blockers and install any necessary plug-ins or software.

See Section III, page 16 5–10 hoursComplete at least 1–2 weeks prior to testing.

Disable Fast User Switching.See TSM, Section III, page 17


Technology Coordinator Checklist

TSM 71–72


Technology Coordinator Activities References in TSMEstimated

Time to Complete

Target Completion Date (or fill in your

own date)Disable Spaces in Mission Control on computers with Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion), 10.8 (Mountain Lion), or 10.9 (Mavericks).

See TSM, page 33 5–10 hoursComplete at least 1–2 weeks prior to testing.

Work with TAs to close all “forbidden applications” except those identified as necessary by the District Technology Coordinator (DTC).Load all accommodation software onto computers that will be used for testing.Braille Test-to-speechVoice Packs

See TSM, Section IV, page 21-24 and Section VII page 57 and 67

Monitor Administration Activities

Monitor testing progress during the testing window and ensure that all students participate as appropriate, addressing student issues as needed.

As needed

Follow up on any technical issues raised by the School Test Coordinator for resolution.

As needed

Other Reminders• Complete the Technology Readiness Tool.

– http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/trt-basicsteps.asp.

• Review Field Test window assignments.

• And don’t forget… there are still some paper tests to administer for CST, CMA, CAPA, and STS. (STS is optional). Reminders for the paper testing:– Test administration setup– Pre-ID


Resources and SupportResources and Support

Resources and Support

• CalTAC help desk is there to support YOU!– We can help determine the installation option that

works best for your LEA.– Consider putting your technology coordinator in

touch with your CalTAC representative, who has access to technology experts.

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 800-955-2954


Questions?Questions?

Documents

Smarter Balanced Field Test Technology Requirements 9:00 a.m. Smarter Balanced Field Test Technology Requirements 9:00 a.m. January 22, 2014