Step 3.
Introduce Students to the Test Administration
Follow the script in the right column below to introduce the test administration to students. Use these directions for all students when starting a test
session.
For this
group of Use this script to orient students to the test administration
students
For all SAY: Today you are taking an Ohio’s State Test for (provide the test name(s)).
students
• If administering only one part of the test during the session,
SAY: You will take part (1 or 2) of the test today. You will have (provide the correct testing time*) to take this part
of the test.
• If administering both parts of the test during the same session,
SAY: You will take parts 1 and 2 of the test today. You will have (provide the correct testing time*) to take part 1
and (provide the correct testing time*) to complete part 2. You will start with part (1 or 2).
*Note: Grades 6-8 and high school English language arts tests have two writing prompts as described in the Ohio Blueprint.
The total testing times noted for these ELA tests are divided into two sessions of 1 hour and 45 minutes for each test part.
Districts may elect to allow students needing additional time to complete the test 30 additional minutes (that is 15 minutes per
test part for a total of two hours per test part). Districts set the policy for additional time and test coordinators are responsible
for communicating the policy to appropriate personnel. If allowed, not all students will need this additional time and, in some
sessions, no students will need this additional time. Schools also should provide students with disabilities additional time as
needed, according to their individualized education programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans.
Unless the student test clock is set to “Off” for all students:
SAY: You will be able to track how much time you have been in the test by looking at the clock in the upper right
corner of your screen. This clock only runs while you are in the test. You can click on the clock to hide the time
and click on the clock again to show the time.
Test Clock Shown Test Clock Hidden
SAY: If you need a break during the test, raise your hand.
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For this
group of Use this script to orient students to the test administration
students
For all
students SAY: You may use blank paper as scratch paper during the test.
• For English language arts tests:
SAY: I will now distribute the scratch paper. Use this paper to help plan your writing response. This paper is
for your notes only. You may use the paper to write down ideas and organize what you will write.
• For mathematics, science and social studies tests:
SAY: If you would like scratch paper, raise your hand.
Distribute paper to students who request it.
If district policy is to provide scratch paper to all students:
SAY: I will now distribute scratch paper.
SAY: Anything you write on this paper will not be scored. You must put all your answers in the online testing system.
SAY: Read each question carefully. Think about what is being asked.
Look carefully at graphs or diagrams because they will help you understand the question.
If you do not know the answer to a question, skip it and go on to the next question. If you have time, go back to the
questions you skipped and try to answer them before submitting your test.
You can use the mark for review tool to help remind you which items you want to return to later.
You do not have to save your response to each test question. As soon as you mark your answer, the system
records it. If you change an answer, the system saves your new answer.
If you are typing an answer and want to make sure it is saved, you can click the [SAVE] button.
If you do not click the [SAVE] button, the system will save your response when you move to the next question.
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For this
group of Use this script to orient students to the test administration
students
For all
For mathematics, science, social studies tests and Part 2 of the grades 3-5 English language arts test:
students
SAY: When you reach the last question on the test, click the [END TEST] button.
The Student Testing Site will ask you if you want to review your answers. Questions you have marked for
review and questions you did not fully answer will be flagged.
When you are done reviewing your answers, you will click [SUBMIT TEST].
For grades 6-8 and high school English language arts tests and Part 1 of grades 3-5 English language arts tests:
SAY: When you reach the last question on the test, review your essay response.
If the essay response is your final version, click the [END TEST] button.
The Student Testing Site will ask you if you want to review your answers. Questions you have marked for
review and questions you did not fully answer will be flagged.
When you are done reviewing your answers, you will click [SUBMIT TEST].
Note: Once a student has clicked [END TEST] or the test has been paused, the prior essay response versions are no
longer available in the Restore Previous Version tool.
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For this
group of Use this script to orient students to the test administration
students
For If administering both parts of the test during the same session,
students SAY: You need to complete all the items on one part of the test and submit that test before you can start the other
who will be part of the test. After you submit the first part of the test, log out and go back to the sign-in screen. Type your
released name, SSID (or Student ID) and the same Session ID. If you need help signing in again, raise your hand. After
immediately you submit the second part of the test, please log off your computer. You will then (provide instructions to
after they students who are released after testing).
submit their
tests If administering only one part of the test during the session,
SAY: After you submit your test, please log off your computer. You will then (provide instructions to students who are
released after testing).
For If administering both parts of the test during the same session,
students
who will SAY: You need to complete all the items on one part of the test and submit that test before you can start the other
not be part of the test. After you submit the first part of the test, log out and go back to the sign-in screen. Type your
released name, SSID (or Student ID) and the same Session ID. If you need help signing in again, raise your hand. After
after they you submit the second part of the test, please log off your computer. You will work on (refer to the material(s)
submit students should work on). Place your (material) where you can find it easily, but do not take it out at any time
their tests during the test.
If administering only one part of the test during the session,
SAY: After you submit your test, please log off your computer. You will work on (refer to the material(s) students should
work on). Place your (material) where you can find it easily, but do not take it out at any time during the test.
SAY: Does anyone have any questions?
For all
students Answer any questions.
SAY: I will now walk you through the steps for starting the test. If someone is having trouble during the test, I will help
that student. Students are not allowed to work together.
Proceed to the student sign-in step.
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Step 4. Student Sign-In
In order to sign in and take a test, each student must enter their first name (as it appears in TIDE), their SSID (or Student ID for students who do not
have an SSID) and the Session ID. Follow the script below to start the student sign-in process.
4a. SAY: You should see the test sign-in screen. If you do not see the test sign-in
screen, raise your hand.
Launch the Secure Browser or SecureTestBrowser app on the student’s device if
needed.
4b. SAY: You should see a box in the lower left that states, “This is the Operational
Test Site”.
If your box does not say this, raise your hand.
If the student’s box says “Practice Test Site” instead, have the student click “Take
an Operational Test” button.
4c. SAY: Before you can start the test, you must type in three things.
In the First Name box, type your first name only.
In the Student ID box, type your SSID (or Student ID).
In the Session ID box, type the Session ID exactly as it appears on the
board. The Session ID is (provide Session ID from Step 2).
Once you have typed in your information, click [Sign In].
After you sign in, you will see a page that says, “Is This You?”
Raise your hand if you do not see a page that says, “Is This You?”
If a student is unable to sign in, a message will appear that describes the reason
for sign-in failure. Refer to the Troubleshooting section located at the end of this
appendix for possible resolutions.
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4d. SAY: Read the “Is This You?” screen.
Make sure the information is correct.
If the information is correct, click [Yes].
If your information is not correct, raise your hand.
If any of the student’s information is not correct, the student may not continue.
Contact your test coordinator, who will need to update the student’s demographic
information in TIDE prior to testing.
4e. SAY: The next screen shows “Your Tests.”
Click on [provide the test name and part].
If you need help, raise your hand.
Students can select only one test at a time.
If students are taking both parts of the test during the session, they
will select one part of the test (for example, part 1). After they submit
that part of the test, they will sign in again using the same session ID
and select the remaining part of the test (for example, part 2).
If the correct test is not available, see the Troubleshooting section
located at the end of this appendix for possible resolutions.
SAY: After you have clicked on your test, you will see a message
that says you are Waiting for Approval.
Please wait for approval and the next set of instructions.
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Step 5. Approve Students for Testing
5a. Once students begin appearing in the approvals queue, click the
[Approvals (#)] button at the top of the TA Interface to open the
Approvals and Student Test Settings pop-up window.
Note: The location of the Approvals box may vary depending on
your device and width of your browser window. See two
examples at right.
5b. Confirm that the students listed in the Approvals and Student
Test Settings window are the students who are testing during the
test session. Make sure each student is listed under the correct
test.
Click the lookup icon to review a student’s accessibility
features. (Accessibility features are described in the Test Settings
and Accommodations table at the end of this document.)
5c. Review and edit a student’s accessibility features and
accommodation codes within the Test Settings window.
Do not approve a student if the correct features or
accommodation codes are not marked.
Note: Test settings and accommodation codes vary by test. For a
complete guide, refer to the Test Settings and Accommodations
table at the end of this document.
Click [Set] to confirm the settings and return to the Approvals and
Student Test Settings box.
Click [Set & Approve] to confirm the settings and approve the
student’s test.
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5d. If a student’s test settings do not require updating, click the green
check box to approve an individual student (recommended) or
click [Approve All Students] within Approvals and Student Test
Settings.
After doing so, each approved student will advance to the “Is This
Your Test?” screen.
Click the red X to deny a student’s request to access the test.
You will be prompted to enter a reason why the student’s request
was denied (for example, the student selected the wrong test).
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Step 6. Text-to-Speech Sound Check (if applicable)
Students who have the text to speech function turned on will see an Audio
Check screen. The “Text-to-Speech Sound Check” panel allows students to
verify their audio for this function.
If your students are not using text to speech but see the sound check panel,
this means the feature is available. To disable text-to-speech, instruct students
to click [Back]. Clicking [Back] returns students to the Your Tests page. From
that page, students will click [Resume “test name”]. This moves students to the
Waiting for Approval screen. From the Approvals and Student Test Settings
screen, correct the test settings when approving students to test.
The sound settings display the voice pack that is used for text-to-speech. If
more than one voice pack is installed on the computer, a drop-down menu is
available. Additionally, depending on the student’s device, three slider bars
may be available to allow users to adjust volume, pitch and rate.
Note: Students taking a Bilingual English-Spanish test with text-to-speech will
have a Spanish audio check panel after the English audio check panel.
If your students are using text-to-speech,
SAY: Click the speaker button at the top of the screen.
The computer should say, “This text is being read aloud.”
If you want to change the volume, pitch or rate, move the slider bars and click the speaker button again.
If you heard the voice and like your settings, click the green [I heard the voice] and then click the green [Continue].
After you click the [Continue] button, you will see the Instructions and Help page.
If you did not hear the voice, raise your hand.
Assist students as needed. If students do not hear the text being read aloud, confirm the audio is on and that the device contains a
compatible voice pack. If students are using headphones, confirm that they are correctly plugged in and are not muted. Refer to the “Testing
with Text-to-Speech” section of the Assistive Technology Manual for additional information.
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Step 7. Review the Instructions and Help Information
SAY: You will now see the Instructions and Help page.
To review your test settings, click the View Test Settings button
under the Test Settings header.
The page contains a message regarding test security; please
review the information under the heading Additional Test
Information.
Lastly, you may review the Help Guide, which has information
about test navigation, tools and features by clicking the [View
Help Guide] button.
If you have any questions regarding the Help Guide, the
Additional Test information or if any of your test settings are
incorrect, raise your hand.
If any settings are incorrect, the student should click [Return to Login].
When the student logs back in, correct the test settings when approving
the student to test.
The availability of Student Testing Site tools depends on whether certain
accessibility features, such as masking, are turned on and which test the
student is taking. More detailed information on the Student Testing Site tools
is available in the Test Administrator User Guide.
Test administrators may prefer that all students start the test at the same
time. Note, however, the bandwidth requirements of the test are greatest
when students click [Begin Test Now]. If all testers click [Begin Test Now] at
the same time, it may temporarily affect the speed of the network.
SAY: When you are ready to start your test, click [Begin Test Now].
When students click [Begin Test Now], the Student Testing Site presents the
first question.
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Step 8. Monitor the Test Administration
8a. Monitor Testing and Ensure Test Security
Use the TA Interface to view the testing progress of any student. The site does not show test questions or scores, but the student Progress
column shows a bar graphic of your student’s testing progress. The student Time column displays the approximate time each student has been
in the test. The timer only runs while the student is viewing test content. The timer does not count the time when the student is on log-in pages,
the review page or when the test is paused. When a test is resumed after a pause or re-open, the time continues from the time the test was
paused or closed. The online system will not enforce a time limit. Test administrators are responsible for ensuring that students complete each
part of their tests within the testing times published in Section 2.2 of the Test Administration Manual.
The TA Interface automatically refreshes every minute. You can manually refresh at any time by clicking the refresh icon toward the top of
the page.
When the test session first begins, all students will appear under the Tests started/paused/completed heading on the TA Interface. If the
system notices an irregularity (for example, system crash or student inactivity) the student will show under the Tests requiring TA intervention
heading which will appear at the top of the TA Interface, flagging the student for the test administrator’s attention. Click the [more info] button
associated with the student on the screen to see details about this identification. You can provide this information to the Ohio Help Desk for
assistance in troubleshooting issues.
Note: A test that is paused by the student will appear in the TA Interface under the Test Status column. Next to the “Paused” status there is a
[more info] button. Click this button to see details about why the student’s test is paused. You can provide this information to the Ohio Help
Desk for assistance in troubleshooting issues.
Circulate through the room periodically. Make sure that all conditions of test security are maintained. Assist students with test navigation, as
needed, but do not answer questions about test content.
Check the TA Interface at least every 20 minutes to ensure that the session does not close out or expire due to inactivity.
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8b. Pausing a Test (if needed)
It may be necessary to pause an individual student’s test (for example, the student needs a break). Students can pause their tests from the
Student Testing Site or you can click the pause icon in the Pause Test column to sign the student out of the test.
Reminder: Once a test is paused, the student will not have access to the Select Previous Version tool in the Context menu to select prior essay
responses.
If a student’s test remains paused for the rest of the day, the student will not be able to revisit the test on a subsequent day. If a test needs to
be re-opened, the district test coordinator must submit a test status request in TIDE.
If a situation requires all students to stop testing, you can pause all students’ tests by stopping the session. If you stop the session, all in-
progress tests are paused and the system will sign students out of their tests. Students will not be able to review answers before the system
signs students out. If a session is stopped, it cannot be resumed. You will have to create a new session and give the new Session ID to
students so that they can sign in and resume testing.
Reminder: The time a test is paused does not reduce the student’s testing time and the test timer will not include the time elapsed while the test
is paused.
8c. Transferring a Session (if needed)
If you have problems with your computer or Web browser or need to change computers during an active test session, you can transfer the
session from one computer, mobile device or Web browser to another without stopping the session or interrupting students’ in-progress tests.
To transfer a test session to a new device or browser:
• Do not stop or log out of the session you are currently in. If you do, you will end the test session and pause all students’ tests, signing
students out of their tests.
• Log into the TA Interface on the new machine or in the new browser. The Active Sessions page appears listing the active session.
• Select Join. The test session page appears allowing you to continue monitoring your students’ progress.
• The test session on the previous computer or browser automatically closes. This will not stop the session or pause student tests.
If you do not wish to return to the active session, you can select Start a New Session Now to open the Test Selection window and create a new
test session. Prior to taking this action, students should pause their tests. Remind students that once they pause their tests, they will not be
able to select prior essay responses from the Select Previous Version tool. Students will then have to sign in again with your new Session ID.
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Step 9. Notify Students about the End of the Test
If administering only one part of the test during the session, when there are approximately 10 minutes left for the test session, let students know
they are nearing the end of the testing session.
SAY: There are 10 minutes left in the test session.
If administering both parts of the test during the session, students must not test beyond the allotted time. Test administrators must keep track of
time and let students know when they only have 10 minutes left to complete a part of their test.
Note: It is permissible to notify students of the time remaining in the test session prior to the last 10 minutes (for example, “There are 30 minutes left
in the test session”). Test administrators still must notify students when 10 minutes are remaining in the test session.
Step 10. Ending the Test Administration
A student’s test ends if the student submits the test part. If the student reaches the maximum allowable amount of time for the test part but has not
submitted their test, the test administrator must pause the student’s test to end the student’s administration for that part of the test.
The test administrator ends a test session if all students have submitted their tests
within the allowable testing time or the maximum allowable time for that test part has
been reached.
Student Submits the Test
When the student clicks [End Test] in the online Student Testing Site, then [Yes] in the
subsequent pop-up window to continue, they will then view a screen similar to the one
shown on the right.
All items (marked and unmarked) are available for the student to review.
After a student clicks [Submit Test], there will be one last pop-up window: Are you sure
you want to submit the test? Once the student clicks [Yes], the student will not be able
to review test questions or responses.
Student Reaches the Testing Time
If a student reaches the maximum allowable amount of time for a test part, let the student know you are ending the test. Pause the student’s
test from the TA Interface. The test will remain in paused status; the testing system will force paused tests through to scoring at the end of
the day.
Test Administrator Ends the Test Session
If all students within the session submit their tests before the maximum allowable time elapses, then end the
session. If the maximum testing time is reached, let students know that the test session is ending.
Click the red [STOP] button next to the Session ID to end the test session. If a student does not submit their
test, the test will remain in paused status; the testing system will force paused tests through to scoring at the
end of the day.
Logout of the TA Interface by clicking [Logout]. A message will appear, asking you to confirm that you want to
logout.
Immediately after testing, collect any used and unused scratch paper, white boards and reference sheets from
students. Securely shred the paper containing student writing and erase the white boards. If students taking a
mathematics test used handheld calculators, confirm that the memory on all calculators is clear.
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