Technical Readiness Tool (information from NYSCATE 2012)
Part of PARCC (NYSED--Governing Member) and Smarter Balance (not a member)
NOT an accountability tool-meant to truly be a readiness tool.
Tool available through 2014, updated every 2-3 months (October 9 last update)
Flexibility on funding
UPDATES:
Estimate number of test takers (previously skipped)
ASSESSMENT ENVIRONMENT question
WHO OWNS THE DEVICE? (byod--local decision)
Estimate actual testing device (exclude secretarial/administrative)
No tablets
Log-In Required
Help & Resources
No Log-In Required
Information from RIC Directors to Technology Directors
The next data collection window by NYSED will be on December 15, 2012.
At this point, your reported information does not indicate to NYSED whether your district is ready for computer based testing (CBT) or not.
NYSED reported that in December they will be coming out with preliminary information since they realize there are only two budgeting cycles left prior to the implementation in 2014/15. Due to that they feel they must make some preliminary statements and give guidance that they have some confidence in.
Ken Wagner, Assistant Commissioner from NYSED, had indicated at this time that NYSED does not have a confidence level with tablet devices to be purchased for the purpose of online testing. They do realize that districts purchase with dual purpose in mind but if a district is purchasing hardware specifically for the purpose to be ready for Computer Based Testing (CBT), they cannot advise to purchase tablets for that purpose at this time. They do realize that there certainly may be a sound instructional need/rationale.
NYSED also acknowledges that they do not yet have specifications around labs vs. carts and wired vs. wireless. There are considerations for power as carts or moveable scenarios become the choice.
To be most conservative, it might be best if you have a lab that is outdated where you intend to replace the lab, that would be money well spent and not wasted. And, if you have laptops that are outdated and would not function well for every day instructional needs, not to speak of high stakes testing, replacing them is a good move.
NYSED talked of when they would do field testing. Their intent is to start with field testing in the following ways:
Low stakes pilot field testing for PARCC items in 2013-2014.
Low incident regents exams where they would provide some regents in both an online and a pencil / paper mode to pilot results. (over a 2 year period this to be phased in).
Ken Wagner talked regarding the number of devices a district would need:
- SED understands they need a "window approach" for CBT testing. In the TRT tool they stated there would be a 6 day window. On the conference call with the RIC Directors, Ken Wagner stated that they would "conservatively" come out in December saying that a district would be "ready" if they have one device for each student in a cohort group, given the largest cohort in that building. NYSED is suggesting that if a district has one to one for a cohort group they should be able to meet the testing window. During the conference call with Ken Wagner, Carol Barber asked him to clarify an example as follows: If a school building has 100 4th graders they need to be prepared to test 100 4th graders at one time. Ken stated that in a conservative mode, trying to give guidance to districts trying to use both budget cycles prior to 2014/15 he felt they need to prepare for worst case scenario. Cautionary and undecided items still can allow districts to use this information to make informed decisions this fiscal year if they need to.
Technical Readiness Tool
edtech@email.nysed.gov --checked daily, staff of 4
Technical Readiness Tool (information from NYSCATE 2012)
UPDATES:
Log-In Required
Help & Resources
No Log-In Required
Information from RIC Directors to Technology Directors
- SED understands they need a "window approach" for CBT testing. In the TRT tool they stated there would be a 6 day window. On the conference call with the RIC Directors, Ken Wagner stated that they would "conservatively" come out in December saying that a district would be "ready" if they have one device for each student in a cohort group, given the largest cohort in that building. NYSED is suggesting that if a district has one to one for a cohort group they should be able to meet the testing window. During the conference call with Ken Wagner, Carol Barber asked him to clarify an example as follows: If a school building has 100 4th graders they need to be prepared to test 100 4th graders at one time. Ken stated that in a conservative mode, trying to give guidance to districts trying to use both budget cycles prior to 2014/15 he felt they need to prepare for worst case scenario. Cautionary and undecided items still can allow districts to use this information to make informed decisions this fiscal year if they need to.