Tasks to Complete Prior to Summative Test Administration

The tasks described here outline the actions and responsibilities prior to testing.

Verifying and Updating Student Information and Test Settings

All users should note the following tasks needed to verify, update, or verify and update student demographic information and test settings.

  • Each student must be correctly assigned to an LEA, school, and grade in TOMS. Site ELPAC coordinators and TEs will need to work with LEAs to ensure demographic student information in CALPADS is current, including SSIDs.
  • In addition to the correct demographic student information in CALPADS, site ELPAC coordinators and TEs should verify that all students have accurate test settings configured in TOMS, including designated supports and accommodations (embedded and non-embedded) for each content area prior to testing.
  • LEA ELPAC coordinators and site ELPAC coordinators can also set embedded and non-embedded designated supports in TOMS for any student for which the need has been determined by an educator or group of educators and accommodations for students who require them as part of an IEP or Section 504 plan.
  • TEs may view student test settings; TEs cannot add, upload, or modify student test settings in TOMS.
  • Within the Test Administrator Interface, a TE may change the default font size and turn off universal tools prior to the start of the assessment.
  • Designated supports for the Initial ELPAC can be assigned in the Test Administrator Interface prior to testing.

Practicing Prior to Testing

All users should verify that all students be provided the opportunity to practice on the training test and practice test on the device to be used for testing. This allows students the opportunity to become familiar with all of the item types, the universal tools, buttons, and any allowable designated supports and accommodations. Practice and training tests are found on the Practice and Training Tests web page.

Providing and Verifying User Logon Information

LEA ELPAC coordinators and site ELPAC coordinators should ensure all TEs have electronically signed the Test Security Affidavit in TOMS. This will provide the user access to administer summative assessments and ensure users have accurate logon information that can be used for the Test Administrator Interface.

There is a two-step authentication process used when logging on. TEs should log on to the Test Administrator Interface prior to actual test administration using the device and web browser that will be used during testing. The system will send a code, via email, to the username (email address) entered for the TE user. A new code is sent once for each device and web browser combination.

Providing and Verifying Student Logon Information

Site ELPAC coordinators should ensure that TEs have necessary student logon information.

Each student will log on to the TDS using a first name, SSID, and session ID. Prior to starting a test session, TEs must have a record of each student’s first name and SSID. This information must be provided to each student to complete the logon.

It is suggested that the SSID and the student’s first name be printed on a card or piece of paper and distributed to each student just prior to testing to help a student type it in the device accurately. It is also permissible to include a photo of the student or include the student’s last name with the logon information as additional safeguards to ensure that the student receives the correct logon information.

Student information is confidential; therefore, the cards or papers with this information must be kept secure until used during a test session. The loss of logon information is considered a security incident at the local level and does not need to be reported in STAIRS.

Preparing for Testing

Site ELPAC coordinators should ensure that TEs have the additional required resources described in the appropriate PFA.

Tracking Students Who Move

When students move within the state, their data record must be updated with the student’s new school and district (if necessary) codes in CALPADS at least 48 hours before the student begins or resumes testing in the new school or LEA. The CDE CALPADS web page contains links to CALPADS system documents, updates, and other useful information for maintaining student data.

LEA ELPAC coordinators should ensure site ELPAC coordinators understand protocols in the event a student moves to a school within a new LEA or a school within the same LEA.