1. Online Testing 2012-13 What You Need to Know November 19, 2012

2. Webinar Purpose
Provide an overview of the new online assessment features for
Discuss changes to the NCTest technical requirements
Discuss tips for successful online assessment administrations
Note: The intended audience is LEA/charter school test
coordinators and LEA/charter school technical staff.

3. Webinar Acronyms LEA – Local Education Agency TA – Test Administrator
STC – School Test Coordinator
LEA TC – LEA Test Coordinator
LEA TA – LEA Test Assistant
MTS – Multiple Testing Sessions accommodation
CRTA – Computer Reads Test Aloud-Student Controlled accommodation

4. NC Education versus NCTest
NC Education is a web-based Learning Management System
NCTest
is a web application for online testing built using Google Web Toolkit (GWT)
is the vehicle by which the online tests are delivered

5. Updates to NC Education
Beta testing process using a cloned server
Increased bandwidth to 10 Gbps
Student enrollment and accommodations data feeds
Student accounts
Simplified user roles
Emergency Alert System
New NCTest data distribution plan
NC Education now accepts student enrollment data from NC WISE and accommodations data from NC WISE, CECAS, and third-party accommodations management systems. Student enrollment data is used to create student accounts, guide test material ordering, and register students for general online assessments in NCTest. Accommodations data is used to guide test material ordering, pre-populate Student Interface Questions (SIQ) in NCTest, and register students for NCEXTEND2 or NCEXTEND1 assessments.
NC Education and NCTest are monitored separated by a Pingability monitoring service. The Emergency Alert System will automatically notify members of the NC Education group by if NC Education is not available and members of the NCTest group by if NCTest is not available. More information is forthcoming.
The new data distribution plan is discussed later in this presentation.

6. Updates to NCTest New hardware Separate hardware from NC Education
Multiple database server stacks with data spread across
Increased bandwidth to 10 Gbps
Stress testing and analysis
Emergency Alert System
New NCTest data distribution plan
iPad compatible
NC Education and NCTest are monitored separated by a Pingability monitoring service. The Emergency Alert System will automatically notify members of the NC Education group by if NC Education is not available and members of the NCTest group by if NCTest is not available. Members will also receive an when the system(s) is available again. More information is forthcoming.
The new data distribution plan is discussed later in this presentation.

7. Online Assessment Tutorial
Who? Every student participating in online EOC or EOG assessments
Where? At least one time at school
When? Before test day
How? Using video or script
EOG tutorials are expected in February 2013
The Online Assessment Update memo from Rebecca Garland and Angela Quick was sent to all LEA Superintendent's and Charter School Directors on October 11, LEA and schools must document their plan for ensuring all students complete the Online Assessment Tutorial before test day in LEA and school testing plans. Schools may use one of two Online Assessment Tutorial options. (1) The new Online Assessment Tutorial will offer an option to play a video. The video will give guidance for using available tools (e.g., flag, strike, highlight), navigating the system, responding to each item type, and using the end-of-test review page. Immediately following the video, students must complete a self-paced interactive set of online sample items for the appropriate assessment offered in the same environment as the assessment. (2) Schools will use a standard script developed by the NCDPI giving guidance for using the available tools (e.g., flag, strike, highlight), navigating the system, responding to each item type, and using the end-of-test review page while students are viewing tutorial item number 1 for the appropriate assessment. Students will then complete the remainder of the self-paced tutorial items.
Teachers should use the Online Assessment Tutorial to determine each student’s appropriate font size (i.e., regular or large) and/or alternate background color for test day. These options must be entered in the student’s interface questions (SIQ) before test day. The Online Assessment Tutorial can assist students who require the Large Print accommodation to determine if Large Font will be sufficient. If the size of the Large Font is not sufficient for a student because of his/her disability, this accommodation may be used in conjunction with the Magnification Devices accommodation, or a Large Print Edition of the paper-and-pencil assessment may be ordered. Completing the Online Assessment Tutorial in a large-scale fashion also provides a minimal test of configurations.
Tutorials for the EOG assessments are expected to be available in February 2013.

8. 2012-13 Released Forms Online and p/p versions
Online version presented in the same interactive environment
Responses are not saved or scored
Online version answer key
Released test forms are available in an online assessment version and in a paper-and-pencil (p/p) version. Online sample forms are presented in the same interactive environment as the actual assessment. Students have an opportunity to practice using the online tools and the navigation buttons while completing online items. Responses will not be scored. Once the online assessment is ended or the browser is closed, all responses will be cleared. The paper-and-pencil (p/p) versions are available in a pdf format. These contain the same multiple-choice and gridded response items as the online version, but they do not contain the technology-enhanced items (TE). TE items require students to manipulate the item and can only be completed in an online environment. An answer key identifying the correct answer and the primary standard each item is aligned to is available for each released online and paper-and-pencil test form.

9. Capacity (Stress Test) Report
ITNG Services was asked by the Center for Urban Affairs and Community Service (CUACS) to prove NCTest’s ability to support 250,000 concurrent users. This document describes the architecture and methodology necessary to implement the test.
The entire report is available at: go.ncsu.edu/nct.

10. Report Conclusions
250,000 concurrent users will create 10% load on the NCTest infrastructure
NCTest start up phase places the largest load on the network
NCTest start up period should be spread out over a longer period of time (30 minutes)

11. Typical Day Bandwidth Utilization for NC State University

16. If you’ve never administered online assessments
Learn about your network
Check the technical requirements and make sure your computers and browsers can run NCTest
Check your content filtering and traffic shaping to make sure it is open for traffic from data.ncsu.edu and center.ncsu.edu
Use the Online Assessment Tutorial and the Online Released Forms to simulate a testing event
The Online Assessment Tutorial is available at: go.ncsu.edu/nctdemo
The online released test forms are available at:

17. Schools Must Meet Technical Requirements
Schools must meet specific technical requirements specified at
Schools must review these technical requirements before test day and make any necessary adjustments before administering an online assessment
Schools that administer an online assessment, but do not meet the technical requirements, are at risk of providing students items that cannot be manipulated (e.g., technology-enhanced items), items that do not display with associated artwork (e.g., tables, graphs, symbols), and items that do not fit properly on the screen
To ensure students receive a valid and reliable administration of an online assessment, schools must meet specific technical requirements. Browser and operating system requirements specified at must be followed.

18. 2012-13 Technical Requirements for NCTest V 3.0
Disable add-ons
1024 x 768 Screen resolution for best performance
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X or greater, and iOS (iPads)
Allow JavaScript & session state cookies
Allow all web traffic (including JavaScript, mp3 files, images, etc.) from center.ncsu.edu and data.ncsu.edu (standard and secure)
Allow pop-ups to open in a new window (not in a tabbed window)

19. 2012-13 Technical Requirements for NCTest V 3.0 (continued)
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 and 9, Mozilla Firefox versions 10+, Apple Safari , Google Chrome version 21+ (IE 6.0 is not allowed to access NCTest)
Schools using Internet Explorer (IE) versions 8 and 9 must turn off Compatibility View or remove center.ncsu.edu and data.ncsu.edu
For bandwidth footprint and best practices for wireless networking, go to: go.ncsu.edu/nct
Periodically check the requirements for updates at go.ncsu.edu/nct
Effective with the 2012–13 school year, schools using Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 will no longer be allowed to access NCTest due to security vulnerabilities and concerns. Schools using Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 will be allowed to access NCTest although the browser will not be supported by the Help Desk Supported browsers include the following: Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 and 9, Mozilla Firefox versions 10+, Apple Safari , and Google Chrome version 21+. If you have any questions regarding your school’s technical specifications, contact your appropriate LEA technical staff.
Schools using Internet Explorer (IE) versions 8 and 9 must turn off Compatibility View or remove center.ncsu.edu and data.ncsu.edu from the list of websites to display in Compatibility View. Compatibility View requires newer versions of IE to function as IE 7.0 which is not a supported browser.
iPads and MacBooks may be used to administer assessments using the NCTest online testing system during the school year. They must meet the technical requirements listed at: go.ncsu.edu/nct. Chromebooks are not currently supported.
Completing the Online Assessment Tutorial or an online released form in a large-scale fashion also provides a minimal test of configurations.
Communication among district-level staff and school-level staff is extremely important when planning online test administrations and all facets of the process should be discussed as early as possible.

20. Chromebook Devices
The NCDPI does not support Chromebook devices for administering end-of-grade and end-of-course online assessments at this time.
The NCDPI does not support Chromebook devices for administering EOG and EOC online assessments at this time. Chromebooks should work if they are kept up-to-date and meet all other technical requirements. However, Chromebooks have not been beta tested in a large-scale, school environment. 

21. Warning Messages
ERROR-You are currently using Internet Explorer version 6. NCTest will not function with this browser.
WARNING UNSUPPORTED BROWSER-You are currently using [browser] ([number] version). You will be allowed to login, but NCTest may not work as intended when using this browser. For additional information, see:
WARNING-You are currently using Internet Explorer (IE) in Compatibility View. You will be allowed to login, but NCTest may not work as intended. Turn off Compatibility View so NCTest will work as intended when using this browser. For additional information, see:
Students participating in the Online Assessment Tutorial, online released test forms, or end-of-semester/year NCTest online assessments on computers with unsupported browsers will receive warning messages. Examples of those messages are displayed on this slide. Please share this information locally.
Due to security concerns, computers using Internet Explorer version 6 will not allow the user to log into the Online Assessment Tutorial, online released test forms, or the NCTest online assessment this year.
Schools using Internet Explorer (IE) versions 8 and 9 must turn off Compatibility View or remove center.ncsu.edu and data.ncsu.edu from the list of websites to display in Compatibility View. Compatibility View requires newer versions of IE to function as IE 7.0 which is not a supported browser.

22. CRTA Accommodation
Audio is available for item stems and answer choices
No audio files for graphics, graphs, or tables within a test item, or application content, menus, embedded tools (e.g., Reset, Flag), error messages, warning/reminder messages, or section summaries
Combination of both the Test Administrator Reads Test Aloud and Computer Reads Test Aloud—Student Controlled accommodations may be needed
Must also receive the Testing in a Separate Room accommodation (one-on-one) unless using headphones
For additional information, refer to the Testing Students with Disabilities document at: wd1213.pdf
The Computer Reads Test Aloud—Student Controlled accommodation is not designed to read all parts of the computer screen. Audio files are available for item stems and answer choices. There are no audio files within the test environment for graphics, graphs, or tables within a test item, or application content, menus, embedded tools (e.g., Reset, Flag), error messages, warning/reminder messages, or section summaries. If a student requires any of these components to be read aloud, it may be appropriate for the student to receive a combination of both the Test Administrator Reads Test Aloud and Computer Reads Test Aloud—Student Controlled accommodations. Students receiving the Computer Reads Test Aloud—Student Controlled accommodation must also receive the Testing in a Separate Room accommodation (one-on-one) unless using headphones.

23. CRTA Accommodation & Bandwidth
Audio increases the stress on bandwidth and network connectivity at both the school and LEA level
Schools with large numbers of SIQs marked as requiring the Computer Reads Test Aloud—Student Controlled accommodation should consider the following:
Stagger start times by spreading them across the day
Reduce the school’s overall activity on the internet while test administrations are occurring
Schedule additional test sessions with a lower number of students using this accommodation at one time
The Computer Reads Test Aloud—Student Controlled accommodation increases the stress on bandwidth and network connectivity at both the school and LEA level. Significant use of this option may impact LEAs' and/or schools' network performance. Therefore, it is imperative that schools consider local bandwidth when scheduling students.
Schools with large numbers of SIQs marked as requiring the Computer Reads Test Aloud—Student Controlled accommodation should consider the following: Stagger start times by spreading them across the day. Reduce the school’s overall activity on the internet while test administrations are occurring. Schedule additional test sessions with a lower number of students using this accommodation at one time.

24. Help Desk
Report an incident to the Help Desk by one contact person using one method of communication or )
Callers should provide the following information: First and last name and title/position of contact person; Phone number and/or address; School district name; School name; LEA/school code; Test name (course or subject and grade level); Form number (available at the top of the screen); Description of incident; Error message(s) (document the words verbatim); Browser name and version (e.g., Internet Explorer 8.0)
The Help Desk should provide the caller with a ticket number for reference
A Help Desk is available for the online assessments. Schools that encounter technical problems during an online assessment should first contact the local technology coordinator. Many technical issues can be resolved locally by ensuring that students are using accepted hardware, making adjustments to the local network, ensuring all required applications are loaded and meet necessary version requirements, and setting a minimum screen resolution. If a problem cannot be resolved locally, the incident should be reported to the Help Desk by one contact person using one method of communication (i.e., or phone call). The designated contact person must be available to receive a response from the Help Desk.
requests are preferred for Help Desk communications and should be sent to requests will receive an auto-reply with a ticket number for reference. Phone requests can be placed by calling (919) from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
The Help Desk should provide the caller with a ticket number for reference. If the Help Desk does not provide a ticket number, the caller should request one.  

25. NC Education/My Home Views
Course Overview-Tabbed
Course Overview (list)
The My Home page of NC Education may be customized for one of two different views.

26. Student Enrollment & Accommodations Data Feeds
NC WISE, CECAS, and third-party accommodations management systems
Corrections must be made in the authoritative source
IEPs must be closed and verified
Accommodations must not be expired
At the close of business, data is pulled, processed the following day, & available the next morning (except third-parties)
NC Education now accepts student enrollment data from NC WISE and accommodations data from NC WISE, CECAS, and third-party accommodations management systems. Student enrollment data is used to create student accounts, guide test material ordering, and register students for general online assessments in NCTest. Accommodations data is used to guide test material ordering, pre-populate Student Interface Questions (SIQ) in NCTest, and register students for NCEXTEND2 or NCEXTEND1 assessments. LEAs are expected to review these lists and make any necessary corrections in the authoritative source. Any changes to the authoritative source will be reflected in NC Education after the next data feed. At the close of business each day, data is pulled from the authoritative source, processed the following day, and made available overnight. For example: Student data is pulled at approximately 5pm on Monday, processed on Tuesday, and available to the user by 7am on Wednesday. Therefore, if the user compares NC WISE to NC Education, the data may not match.
Third-party accommodations management systems normally submit their data to CECAS once each week. The enrollment and verification lists reflect received data. Therefore, the LEAs using third-party accommodations management systems will not receive daily updates to their enrollment and verification lists.

27. Test Materials Ordering
Paper-and- pencil materials only
Estimated Need is course enrollment plus 10%
Test materials may be ordered by LEA test coordinators/test assistants through the Testing News Network (TNN).
LEAs planning to administer paper-and-pencil assessments must record quantities of standard test books and interleaved answer sheets needed in the boxes provided. Enrollment counts include 10% overage in the standard test books column. Orders exceeding 20% overage will not be accepted. LEAs planning to administer online assessments should reduce the number of standard test books by the number of students participating in online assessment. Paper-and-pencil accommodated test materials (i.e., large print, Braille, one test item per page) will be ordered/shipped based on the Accommodated Materials Verification Lists. LEAs/schools are expected to review the lists and make any necessary corrections in the authoritative data source. As a reminder, Retest 1 administrations are not available for the 2012–13 school year.
In rare cases where an IEP Team or Section 504 Committee decides a student with a disability requires an accommodation not specified in the state accommodations publication , a request must be submitted using an Accommodation Notification Form.
Notes: Orders for EOC Algebra I/Integrated I will be rounded to a multiple of 14. Orders for EOC Biology will be rounded to a multiple of 18, and orders for EOC English II will be rounded to a multiple of 12. Graph paper will be automatically shipped for Algebra I/Integrated I based on student enrollment.

28. Accommodated Test Materials Verification
Review students marked as requiring p/p accommodated test materials
Make all corrections in authoritative source
Refreshed daily with 36-hour turnaround (except third-parties)
The Accommodated Test Materials Verification page is available to LEA TCs/TAs as a link from the test materials ordering page. The verification page is also available to school test coordinators in NC Education. From My Home, click STUDENTS under MANAGE (right side of the screen). Accommodated test materials verification lists reflect student enrollment and accommodations information retrieved from the authoritative data source (i.e., NC WISE, CECAS, and third-party accommodations management systems). The LEA test coordinator and the LEA test assistant may access the verification lists. The user must select a response for each section to generate a list of students.
When a list of students appears on the screen: The left column lists all students marked as requiring the selected accommodated test material. The right column lists all other students enrolled in the school. Schools are expected to review the left column and make any necessary corrections in the authoritative data source. Corrections will be reflected in the verification list after the next data feed. Braille, large print, and one test item per page editions will be shipped for students listed in the left column. The remaining options are available for auditing purposes. If the user is reviewing the Accommodated Test Materials Verification list on one screen and CECAS on another screen, the data may not match. At the close of business each day, accommodations data is pulled from the authoritative source, processed the following day, and made available overnight. For example: Student data is pulled at approximately 5pm on Monday, processed on Tuesday, and available to the user by 7am on Wednesday. Third-party accommodations management systems normally submit their data to CECAS only once a week. The verification list reflects only the data received. Therefore, the LEAs using third-party accommodations management systems will not receive daily accommodation updates.

29. Student Enrollment Lists & General End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments
Confirm students enrollment in course codes requiring an EOC assessment (Refer to course code list at:
Compare the verification lists to EXPTEST file on the secure shell
All students enrolled in a course code requiring the EOC assessment will be listed. However, some students may already have a test score and should not be administered the test.
Make all corrections in authoritative source
Refreshed daily with an approximate 36-hour turnaround (except third-parties)
If your My Home page is tabbed, use the following steps: NC Education, My Home, NC Schools tab, Select the [(school name) (subject) Fall 2012], Enrolled Students.
If your My Home page is in a list format, use the following steps: NC Education, My Home, Under Navigation (lower right side of the screen) click Courses, NC Schools, Select the [(school name) (subject) Fall 2012], Enrolled Students.
LEAs are expected to review these lists and make any necessary corrections in the authoritative source. Any changes to the authoritative source will be reflected in NC Education after the next data feed. At the close of business each day, data is pulled from the authoritative source, processed the following day, and made available overnight. For example: Student data is pulled at approximately 5pm on Monday, processed on Tuesday, and available to the user by 7am on Wednesday. Therefore, if the user compares NC WISE to NC Education, the data may not match.

30. Student Enrollment Lists & Alternate Assessments
Students marked as requiring the NCEXTEND1 or NCEXTEND2 assessments in the student’s IEP
IEP must be closed and verified
Accommodations must not be expired
Make all corrections in authoritative source
Refreshed daily with approximate 36-hour turnaround (except third-parties)
If your My Home page is tabbed, use the following steps: NC Education, My Home, NC Schools tab, Select the [(school name) (subject) Fall 2012], Enrolled Students.
If your My Home page is in a list format, use the following steps: NC Education, My Home, Under Navigation (lower right side of the screen) click Courses, NC Schools, Select the [(school name) (subject) Fall 2012], Enrolled Students.
LEAs are expected to review these lists and make any necessary corrections in the authoritative source. Any changes to the authoritative source will be reflected in NC Education after the next data feed. At the close of business each day, data is pulled from the authoritative source, processed the following day, and made available overnight. For example: Student data is pulled at approximately 5pm on Monday, processed on Tuesday, and available to the user by 7am on Wednesday. Therefore, if the user compares the authoritative source to NC Education, the data may not match.
Third-party accommodations management systems normally submit their data to CECAS once each week. The enrollment and verification lists reflect received data. Therefore, the LEAs using third-party accommodations management systems will not receive daily updates to their enrollment and verification lists.

31. NCTest Admin Page Create test sessions Confirm SIQs
Complete Accommodations Provided
Reset, resume, or finalize
Special coding
If your My Home page is tabbed, use the following steps: NC Education, My Home, NC Schools tab, Select the [(school name) (subject) Fall 2012], NCTest Admin for (subject) Fall 2012.
If your My Home page is in a list format, use the following steps: NC Education, My Home, Under Navigation (lower right side of the screen) click Courses, NC Schools, Select the [(school name) (subject) Fall 2012], NCTest Admin for (subject) Fall 2012.
You will notice several changes to the NCTest Admin Page for the school year. Descriptive text was added to each tab and included in “mouse over” balloons to assist users with the new features.

32. Schedule Test Sessions Tab
Must be created before test day
School test coordinator and LEA TC/TA may create test sessions
To edit a test session, click the “hand and pencil” icon
Hint: Schedule test sessions for the time test administrators will begin setting up the computers (not for the time students are expected to start the test).
Test sessions must be scheduled within the testing window designated by the NCDPI and according to local policy. In order for students to start an online test administration on test day, test sessions must be created before test day. Test sessions cannot be created on the day of testing.
Test sessions may only be scheduled by school test coordinators, LEA test coordinators, and LEA test assistants.
To schedule a test session:
Click New Session.
Select the Date. (The online system opens on December 3, 2012.)
Select the Start Time between 5am and 8pm.
Select the End Time between 5am and 8pm.
Click here to edit

33. Student Interface Questions (SIQ) Tab
Pre populated
Confirm and make corrections to authoritative source
Large font, alternate background, CRTA, and MTS must be marked before test day
To review or edit, click the “hand and pencil” icon
Click here to review or edit
Accommodations required by the student (i.e., Multiple Testing Sessions, Computer Reads Test Aloud-Student Controlled, Check if the student requires any other accommodations) are pre populated using data from the authoritative source (i.e., NC WISE, CECAS, and third-party accommodations management systems). Schools are expected to confirm the accuracy of these fields and make any necessary corrections in the authoritative source. In order for a student to access the student interface options or required accommodations on test day, they must be correctly marked in the student's SIQ before test day. Refer to the Assessment Guide for additional information.
To review an SIQ, click the hand and pencil icon beside each Student Name. Test administrators, school test coordinators, LEA test coordinators, and LEA test assistants may manually add a SIQ. However, once SIQ information is manually changed, the student’s accommodation information will no longer receive updated information from the school’s authoritative source.
Student Name (ID Number)
Student Name (ID Number)

34. Editing Student Interface Questions (SIQ) Tab
Student records with manually added SIQs or edited SIQs will not accept updated data from the authoritative source for the edited accommodation
All corrections must be made in the authoritative source
(NEW) CRTA, MTS, or other requires Accommodations Provided
Student Name (ID Number)
Online assessments are available in regular or large font and in alternate background colors to all students; however, the NCDPI recommends these options be considered only for students who routinely use similar tools (e.g., color acetate overlays, colored paper, large print text) in the classroom. In order for a student to access large font, an alternate background color, the Computer Reads Test Aloud—Student Controlled accommodation and/or the Multiple Testing Sessions accommodation, they must be entered into the student’s SIQ before test day.
Manual changes may be made to the SIQ screen by school teachers/test administrators, school test coordinators, LEA test coordinators, and LEA test assistants. However, once an accommodation is manually edited in the SIQ, that accommodation for the student will no longer receive updated information from the school’s authoritative source.
Test records for students marked as requiring the Computer Reads Test Aloud-Student Controlled accommodation, the Multiple Testing Sessions accommodation, or other required accommodations will not be exported to the LEA test coordinator until the test administrator completes the Accommodations Provided screen for the student.

35. Accommodations Provided Tab
TAs must complete Accommodations Provided following the test administration for all students marked in the SIQ as requiring the MTS accommodation (NEW), CRTA accommodation (NEW), or any other accommodations.
Test records for students without this coding will not be submitted for scoring until the coding is complete.
Test administrators must complete Accommodations Provided following the test administration for all students marked in the SIQ as requiring the Multiple Testing Sessions accommodation (NEW), Computer Reads Test Aloud - Student Controlled accommodation (NEW), or any other accommodations. Test records for students without this coding will not be submitted for scoring until the coding is complete. Refer to the Assessment Guide for additional information.

36. Administrator Entry Tab
Reset: Clears student responses and allows student to start again
Resume: Allows a student with an End time to continue on the same test day; used when students accidentally end the assessment
Finalize: Submits an assessment for a student without an End time, but has completed the assessment.
Assessment progress (i.e., start time, end time) may be viewed for students. The Multi column serves as a quick reference for students marked as requiring the Multiple Testing Sessions accommodation in the SIQ before test day. Test administrators and school test coordinators may view this screen, but cannot utilize the Reset, Resume, or Finalize columns. LEA test coordinators/test assistants may Reset, Resume, or Finalize a student’s assessment if necessary.
Start: Date and time the student started the assessment.
End: Date and time the student ended the assessment or the assessment was manually finalized.
Multi: Before test day, the student’s SIQ was marked as requiring the Multiple Testing Sessions accommodation.
Reset: Reset clears student responses and allows a student to start the assessment again.
Resume: Resume is most often used for students who accidentally end their assessment. It allows a student with an End date and time to continue the assessment on the same test day.
Finalize: Finalize is used when a student does not have an End date and time, but has completed the assessment. Finalize will submit the student’s assessment. Finalize may be used for students who close the browser before clicking END TEST.
Student Name (ID Number)
Student Name (ID Number)

37. Special Codes Tab
Anticipated Grade & Achievement Level may be completed BEFORE test day
All other special codes must be completed AFTER the test
Group coding not required for online assessments
Student Name (ID Number)
Special Codes must be completed by the test administrator or other designated school personnel. School test coordinators, LEA test coordinators, and LEA test assistants may edit the special codes. Anticipated Grade and Achievement Level columns must be completed for all students participating in online assessment and may be completed before or after the test administration. All other special codes must be completed after the test administration. Refer to the Assessment Guide for additional information.
Student Name (ID Number)

38. Anticipated Grade & Achievement Level
Test records for students without this coding will not be submitted for scoring until the coding is complete
The column header for Achievement Level links to the DRAFT achievement level descriptors
Required coding progress report *
* Required coding progress report
Student Name (ID Number) A B C D F
Complete these columns for all students participating in online assessment. Test records for students without this coding will not be submitted for scoring until the coding is complete. This coding requires input from the course teacher who worked with the student during the school year. Click the Achievement Level column header to review the DRAFT achievement level descriptors before completing this column. Hard copies are being shipped to LEAs. This coding requires input from the course teacher who worked with the student during the school year.
Achievement Level 4, 3, 2, 1; Not a good example
Student Name (ID Number)

39. 504 Online & Transitory Coding
Must be completed AFTER testing
Mark 504 Only for students identified ONLY under Section 504
Mark Transitory for a transitory impairment
Student Name (ID Number)
504 Only: Mark this column only if the student is currently identified ONLY under Section 504 (i.e., do not have a current IEP). This column must not be marked for students participating in NCEXTEND2 assessments.
Transitory: Mark this column only for students who are identified with a transitory impairment (i.e., not Section 504 eligible).
Student Name (ID Number)

40. Reason Student Wasn’t Tested
Optional: If the LEA requires a test record for every student
Training Note: Mark Absent from Makeup only if the student was absent from the makeup session (not absent from the scheduled test session)
Student Name (ID Number)
Optional: If the school system requires a test record for every student, the test administrator or other designated school personnel must ensure the appropriate responses are marked on the NCTest Admin Page under the Special Codes tab for all students participating in an online assessment after students complete testing. The test administrator or designee must contact the school test coordinator if there are additional questions regarding coding the reason(s) students will not receive and end-of-course test score.
Absent from Makeup: Mark this column only if the student was absent (i.e., not present) from the makeup test session(s) to account for the reason the student was not tested. Marking this column will create a test record without student responses for Winscan. (Hint: Mark after the test window is closed.)
Repeater: Mark this column only if a student is repeating a course for credit or taking a credit recovery course and was not administered the EOC assessment to account for the reason the student was not tested. Marking this column will create a test record without student responses for Winscan.
LEP Exempt: Mark this column only for students identified as limited English proficient who are enrolled in English II but have scored below Level 4.0 Expanding on the reading subtest of the W-APT and are in their first year in U.S. schools to account for the reason the student was not administered the English II assessment. Marking this column will create a test record without student responses for Winscan.
Transfer: Mark this column only if a transfer student was tested at the former school before moving to the current school to account for the reason the student was not tested. Note: A transfer student who was administered the end-of-course assessment at the former school before moving must not be administered the assessment. Students must not be tested two or more times with secure statewide assessments for school accountability purposes unless the school system discovers a misadministration. Marking this column will create a test record without student responses for Winscan. 
Student Name (ID Number)

41. Coding Misadministration
For students being retested, LEA TC Resets the student’s assessment under Admin Entry tab. After the student is retested, the TA marks the Misadministration column
Student Name (ID Number)
Misadministration: If a misadministration is declared and the student must be administered another assessment, the LEA test coordinator should Reset the student’s assessment on the NC Admin Page in the Admin Entry tab. Mark this column on the readministration of the assessment only if the student was administered the test again because of a misadministration.
Student Name (ID Number)

42. Before Test Day

43. Before Test Day for Technical Staff
Ensure all computers meet specified technical requirements
Have a plan for network failures
Work with the STC to create a plan for TAs to quickly communicate any technology problems
Conduct a stress test using the tutorial or released forms

44. Before Test Day for TAs Check NC Education username and password
Ensure you are linked to the correct school (if not, submit a Link Request)
Review SIQ information (if designated by the STC)
Optional Before Test Day: Complete Anticipated Grade & Achievement Level special codes
Check headphones (if applicable)
To request to be linked to a school or district (LEA): Log into NC Education. At My Home, scroll to find User Tools on the right side of the screen. Click “Request Link to School/District”. Follow the directions on the screen. If you have any questions, contact the Help Desk at:

45. Before Test Day for STCs
Check NC Education username and password
Ensure you are linked to the correct school (if not, submit a Link Request)
Review the Accommodated Test Materials Verification and Student Enrollment Lists (courses) and submit corrections to the authoritative data source
Create test sessions (if designated by the LEA TC)
Work with the school technical staff to create a plan for TAs to quickly communicate any technology problems. Note: Cell phones/electronic devices must be turned off.
Do not schedule test sessions through the last day of school. Create a buffer in case students need to be retested for any reason
To request to be linked to a school or district (LEA): Log into NC Education. At My Home, scroll to find User Tools on the right side of the screen. Click “Request Link to School/District”. Follow the directions on the screen. If you have any questions, contact the Help Desk at:

46. On Test Day

47. Technology Tips On Test Day
Allow more time to stagger computer logins (begin setup earlier)
Restrict video streaming or other online activities
Have extra computers available
Have a plan for moving students with extended time
Distribute tips for interruptions, items not displaying properly, items appearing slowly

48. On Test Day for TAs
Login and setup computers allowing time to stagger the logins and to ensure all equipment is working
Turn off cell phones/electronic devices
Monitor students to ensure they are not using other websites or resources
For math assessments, ensure the students have a hand-held calculator during the calculator-active section. (Look for a calculator icon on the screen.)

49. Troubleshooting Tips for Test Administrators
Interruption during the test (e.g., loss of Internet connection, illness)
The student’s assessment may be resumed on any computer. The test will resume at the last accessed webpage prior to the interruption.
Items not displaying or not displaying correctly
Click the NEXT or BACK buttons to refresh the item.
Items appearing slowly on the screen
Contact the school’s technical staff is items appearing slowly could mean that the server, the network, or the student’s computer is running very slowly.
Interruption during the test (e.g., loss of Internet connection, illness)
The student’s assessment may be resumed on any computer. The TA must log in again, choose the assessment, select the student, and click START to resume the test. The test will resume at the last accessed webpage prior to the interruption.
Items not displaying or not displaying correctly
Click the NEXT or BACK buttons to refresh the item. If the assessment does not resume correctly, the TA should use his/her best judgment to make a written note of the item number on the screen, close and restart the web browser, log in the student again, and click START to resume; or if the test administration time is close to the end, the test administrator must contact the STC.
Items appearing slowly on the screen
Contact the school’s technical staff is items appearing slowly could mean that the server, the network, or the student’s computer is running very slowly.

50. After Testing

51. After Testing for Test Administrators
Complete the Special Codes tab
Ensure all students participating in online testing have Anticipated Grade and Achievement Level coded
Coding is not required to be completed in a group setting
Complete Accommodations Provided for required students
Purge/delete any information from the assessment saved or cached

52. Winscan Data Distribution Plan
Due to delayed fall EOC scores and no Retest 1, Winscan data files will be processed once daily
All student assessments ended by the student or finalizing by the LEA TC, will be submitted and processed at 4pm each day
Winscan files may be available within minutes
Test records for any students without all required coding will not be exported. Once the coding is complete, the test test record will be processed during the next 4pm data period
Additional information is forthcoming to LEA TCs.

53. NCTest Lock/Unlock Feature
Similar to the lock/unlock feature used for NCEXTEND1
LEA TC/TAs may use this optional feature
When the local test window closes, the LEA may restrict any changes to NCTest Admin (e.g., Special Codes, Accommodations Provided) by school staff

54. Online Assessments Best Practices Guide
Revised for the 2012–13 school year and available at
Contains case studies of schools that use school- wide online assessments
Addresses issues of scheduling, financial planning, and technical requirements and includes first person voices from schools or districts about the specific steps taken to plan for and administer online assessments

55. Contact Information
This PowerPoint will be posted at:
For technical assistance, contact the Help Desk at:
For test administration questions, contact your Regional Accountability Coordinator (RAC)