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Are You Ready for the Common Core Assessments?

November 13,2013

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Visit us at:

http://www.K12Blueprint.com

CCSS resources include:

Common Core Toolkit

Archived Webinar on “What Standards and Assessment Mean for College and Career Readiness”

Judy Salpeter Editor

K-12 Blueprint

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Are You Ready for the Common Core Assessments?

Ingrid Roberson Alameda County Office of Ed, CA

Kecia Ray Nashville Public

Schools, TN

Blanca Duarte LogicWing, Inc.

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Are You Ready for the Common Core Assessments?

Blanca Duarte

President and Founder

LogicWing, Inc.

Preparing for Online Assessments

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Next Generation Learning requires Next Generation Assessments

College and Career Readiness Online placement tests and entrance exams, applications and testing

Digital literacy skills required of global citizens Technology standards embedded within the content standards Technological tools and practices within every classroom

Higher-order thinking skills Critical-thinking, Problem-solving, Communication

Provide timely information to support teaching and learning

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New Ways to Demonstrate Learning

Assessments will include types of responses such as:   Technology-enhanced constructed response

(TECR) Drag and drop or clickable selections

  Short and Extended constructed response   Technology-enhanced Items (TEI) Simulations   Performance tasks

Complete an in-depth project Demonstrate analytical skills Real-world problem solving

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Comprehensive Assessment Consortia   Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)   Smarter Balanced (SBAC)

Alternate Assessment Consortia   Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment Consortium (DLM)   National Center and State Collaborative (NCSC)

English Language Proficiency (ELP) Assessment Consortium   Assessment Services Supporting English learners through Technology Systems

(ASSETS)

Overview of Three Types of Online Assessments Supporting the CCSS

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Comprehensive Assessment Consortia

Online assessments being developed by two consortia. For a list of the states in each consortium visit:   PARCC - www.parcconline.org   SBAC - www.smarterbalanced.org

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Smarter Balanced

PARCC

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For more information: www.parcconline.org www.smarterbalanced.org

Similarities   Online assessments for grades 3-8 and

high school in ELA and Math   Use of a mix of item types, including:

Selected-response, Constructed response, Technology-enhanced, Complex performance tasks

  Two required components, both given during the final weeks of the school year

  Use of both electronic and human scoring, with results expected within 2 weeks

PARCC and Smarter Balanced – Side by Side

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Source: Educational Leadership (Doorey, Dec 2012/Jan. 2013)

Differences •  PARCC

•  Has a fixed-form delivery system •  Has a caching option •  Testing platform is TestNav 8

•  SBAC •  Has adaptive delivery •  States have choice about delivery

mechanism •  Re-take option for EOY

component

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Instructional Needs & Technology Planning Instructional goals and needs must be paramount in long-range technology planning and purchases—don’t just buy for the test.

Invest in broadband infrastructure for   Teaching   Learning   Assessment

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Preparing Infrastructure The five main areas to consider for technical readiness within infrastructure are:

Network Hardware and Software Staff and Personnel Process and Practice Devices

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Network Considerations

Sufficient bandwidth Local network Wireless network Internet

Identification and elimination of network bottlenecks Filtering and proxies Disaster avoidance

Bandwidth Requirements

PARCC External connection to the Internet Minimum with caching -

5kps / student

Minimum without caching - 50kps / student

Recommendation for assessment & instruction

100kps / student

System check tool for testing platform, TestNAV & Technology Readiness Tool

SBAC External connection to the Internet Recommended for test

10-20kps / student

Recommendation for assessment & instruction

100kps / student

Bandwidth checking tool and technology readiness calendar

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Assessing Wireless Networks An example of the factors in analyzing and planning for network readiness: Successful wireless implementations have robust wired backbones •  Performance varies by switch—even from same vendor •  Processing power and ongoing utilization of switches

Firewall capability vs. WAN bandwidth •  Traffic shaping, application filtering, packet signatures

vs. URL filtering

Test for interference Semi-autonomous wireless access points

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Hardware Considerations Five year technology refresh cycle vs. test evolution Device capability: input, network connectivity, screen size, etc. Minimum vs. Recommended system requirements Excess device capacity Sufficient electrical capacity, in total and in testing locations Assistive technology requirements

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Software Considerations Special software to support testing Operating systems: support, compatibility, lifespan Supported browsers—plugins needed; standalone secure browser Ability to restrict operating system features, connectivity, peripherals, etc. Additional management applications or services

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Proctor Caching - Benefits Students experience fewer testing delays due to network congestion

Testing continues if the Internet connection is lost, because test content is pre-cached

Reduced data traffic on a school network will also further minimize the impact of testing to other Internet users at the same school

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Staff Considerations Technology Staff •  Preparing infrastructure •  Device selection •  Availability during testing

Teachers and Proctors •  Preparation and training •  Assessment Delivery •  Familiarity with testing software and technical

troubleshooting

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Student Considerations

Student readiness Typing Mouse skills Touch interface gestures Experience with computer-based tests Who, when and how to ask for help Consistent use of devices

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Security Considerations Device lockdown

Bluetooth pairing Key loggers and spyware

Network security Malware

Denial of service attack

Student authentication/identification

PARCC Latest Guidance Field test section has been added to parcconline.org Specific tutorials on interactive test elements coming soon ELA and Math interactive items available EOY System check tool to test for TestNav and bandwidth – access available to field test schools first Upcoming town hall meeting around assistive technology

Test administration manual will have security and proctor guidance

SBAC Latest Guidance Adaptive delivery has no caching option Bluetooth considerations Digital learning library RFI for delivery of test

Device Considerations Multiple means of representation, engagement and expression

Users have access to different types of devices – which ones will you choose?

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All eligible devices must be able to be “locked down” Unrestricted Internet access Still and video cameras Screen capture and recording Email, IM, voice over IP Bluetooth connectivity App switching Printing Remote access

Device Security Requirements

Additional Guidance

PARCC Headphones with Microphone Keyboard – wired / bluetooth Mouse or Touchpad

Parcconline.org/technology

SBAC Headphones Keyboard – wired / bluetooth Mouse or Touchpad

Smarterbalanced.org/technology

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Do: Start at the source:

PARCCOnline.org SmarterBalanced.org Blog: http://www.ofthat.com/

Read about best practices from other states

Delaware, Florida, Idaho Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia

Stay Informed

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Do:

Stay connected through social media @PARCCPlace @educatorleader #askPARCC Town Hall Series @SmarterBalanced

Set up news feeds to email you notifications

Google Alerts or Mention

Monitor the Web

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Do:

Create a communication plan Include parents on the committee Hold parent workshops Invest in keyboarding software Be open, available, transparent

Involve Parents

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Are You Ready for the Common Core Assessments?

Kecia Ray

Executive Director of Learning

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, TN

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Kecia Ray Planning for Success

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools began planning for success two years ago in partnership with the Nashville Technology Council. Key elements of our learning technology plan include:

• Upgrading district wide infrastructure to accommodate not only online assessments but also blended learning classrooms more suitable for CCSS instruction.

• Transforming role of school librarian to support common core implementation through instructional design practices.

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Kecia Ray Planning for Success

Key Elements (cont’d)

• Eliminated desktop labs and implemented mobile labs in classrooms

• Identified Tech Lead and Assessment Coordinator within each school to triangulate the support for online assessment along with school librarians.

• Implemented SchoolNet – an Instructional Management System – that enables teachers to create PARCC like test items for formative assessment.

• Designed a PD plan to offer self paced differentiated and customizable for teachers to become familiar with blended learning strategies to implement common core.

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Are You Ready for the Common Core Assessments?

Ingrid Roberson

Professional Expert, Assessment

Alameda County Office of Ed, CA

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What Needs to Ready?

1.  Network Connectivity •  What are the assessment and instructional demands being

placed on bandwidth at the time of testing?

2.  Devices •  What are the assessment and instructional needs of devices?

•  What are costs associated with add-on such as keyboards and headphones when considering desktop, netbooks and tablets.

3.  Testing Environment •  Does the actual room have adequate power, connectivity, and

space?

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Who Needs to Ready?

1.  Technical Support Personnel •  Short Term: What support is needed before, during and after

testing?

•  Long Term: What support is needed to maintain infrastructure?

2.  Administrators, Teachers and Students •  What do administrators and teachers need to know in order to

provide entry-level support?

•  What do students need to know in order to work with chosen devices?

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RESOURCES for

Learning More

K-12 Center at ETS Resource for keeping up with next generation assessments

http://www.k12center.org

Coming Together to Raise Assessment June 2013 report on the 6 CCSS consortia

http://www.k12center.org/rsc/pdf/Coming_Together_June_2013.pdf

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Thank You

Visit www.k12blueprint.com for resources on planning technology implementations and personalizing learning.

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For Tweets about today’s webinar: #CCAssess