Carlos Ramirez discusses the importance of technology planning for online assessments. Key steps include conducting a needs assessment to determine readiness in areas like devices, network infrastructure, and staff training. Schools should use the free online Technology Readiness Tool to evaluate current capacity versus online testing needs. Lessons from early adopter states emphasize planning for technical issues, communicating requirements to stakeholders, and holding schools accountable for meeting transition benchmarks. Resources are provided on technology specifications, bandwidth studies, and online courses for computer-based testing environments.

1. Carlos Ramirez, MS Ed
Coordinator of Technology Policy
NYS Education Department
Getting Ready for Online
Assessments:
[Technology] Planning is Key

2. • What is CBT?
• The benefits
• How do we get there?
Why Computer Based Testing
(CBT)

3. • What does it take to move from paper to online
assessments?
• The Response: Build capacity beyond “Tech
Readiness”
• How? Understand the Scope of the challenge and use
an assessment tool to measure your readiness for
online assessments
The Challenge:

4. Leveraging Technology
• TEIs present assessment items and capture student responses
in a way that cannot be accomplished with paper and pencil
• Enable scalable and cost-efficient delivery and scoring of
cognitively complex tasks e.g., simulation, multimedia
constructed response
Technology-
Enhanced Items
• Adherence to recognized technology standards will allow for
supports and accessibility information to be embedded in
digital test items.
Student
Accessibility
•Automated scoring enables more timely results that allow
assessments to inform instruction.
•Online testing supports finer-grained data collection on student
abilities and student interactions with assessments.
Scoring, Reporting,
and Analysis

5. Scope: The Dimensions of Readiness

6. • This open source online tool helps schools and districts to
ensure readiness prior to the launch of online assessments.
The Technology Readiness Tool helps you assess current
capacity and compares that to the technology that will be
needed to administer online assessments in four areas:
• Computers & other devices
• Ratio of devices to test-takers
• Network and infrastructure
• Personnel (staffing & training)
Assessing Readiness for Online
Assessments:Tech Readiness Tool (TRT)

7. Getting Results
• Reports will be available for the different
dimensions
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www.techreadiness.net

8. PARCC
Technology
Specifications
Minimum Recommended
Approved
Devices
Desktops, laptops, netbooks, > 9.5” tablets, thin
client/virtual desktop networks
Operating
System
Windows XP–SP3 (with caveats)
Mac OS 5
Linux: Ubuntu 9-10, Fedora 6
iOS6
Android 4.0
Chrome OS
Windows 7 or newer
Mac OS 10.7 or newer
Linux: Ubuntu 11.10, Fedora 16
iOS6 or newer
Android 4.0 or newer
Chrome OS
Screen Size 9.5 “ 9.5 “ or larger
Screen
Resolution
1024 x 768 1024 x 768 or better
Bandwidth TBD 100 kbps/ student
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9. Network Readiness
(SETDA – Bandwidth Imperative Study)

11. 1. Prepare a Strategic Technology Plan
2. Important Elements:
– District Needs Assessment to determine district readiness for
computer-based testing in four key functional areas: Content,
Teaching, Technology and Operations
– A customized set of deliverables
– A practical set of accountability guidelines
– Feedback from district administrators, building leaders, and
teaching staff.
– Professional Development
HOW? Identify a Project Sponsor at decision making level and a
competent and driven project manager with credibility.
Planning for CBT: Tech readiness is not
enough

12. • “Planning for Failure”:
– Must plan for anything that could go wrong during test administration
– Set up processes for troubleshooting any technical issues that arise in local
schools and districts
• All schools should complete a survey or readiness checklist:
– Communicates to schools what is necessary for the transition
– Provides information to state education agencies about any gaps
– Helps hold schools accountable for key actions necessary to making the
transition
• Create a specific and targeted communication plan:
– Tailor messages to key audiences (including local technology coordinators
and test administrators, parents, teachers)
– Inform key stakeholders about the transition to computer-based
assessments, but also create enthusiasm about the change
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Essential Lessons: Learning from States
That Have Made the Transition

13. • PARCC Technology Specifications/Capacity Planning Tool
http://www.parcconline.org/technology
• SETDA Bandwidth Study – Link to report:
http://www.setda.org/wp-
content/uploads/2013/09/The_Broadband_Imperative.pdf
• Northeast Comprehensive Center - Building an Environment for
Computer-Based Testing Free Online Course
http://www.northeastcompcenter.org/building-an-environment-for-
computer-based-testing-course-announcement/
• NYSED - Office of Educational Technology
Questions and concerns: edtech@mail.nysed.gov
Phone: (518)474-5461
References and Resources