From: HYDE AMY [mailto:ahyde@isbe.net]
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2012 3:50 PM
Subject: FW: PARCC information for Cooperative listserv

The following is sent on behalf of Dave Andel…

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In preparation for the 2014-15 implementation of the PARCC Online Assessment, PARCC states are using a Pearson created online inventory and readiness tool. The tool provides a location to store the school level technology inventory and then uses that inventory to generate school readiness information based on the number of students, available hardware, and the recommended testing timeframe needed within the testing window. Districts will be asked to provide various portions of this information from October 2012 until the start of the testing in 2014.

To help districts use the Technology Readiness Tool, Pearson has created online training found at http://techreadiness.org/t/TechnologyReadinessTool/launch.html. The training includes three 20 minute videos providing step-by-step instructions to complete each portion of the tool. Anyone using this tool is encouraged to watch the tutorials.

Below you will find the timeline for entering school and device information. As ISBE is informed of new information to be provided, we will contact all participants via ISBE's Public Information Broadcast System and the Superintendent's Weekly Bulletin.

Timeline:

Step 1 - October 22, 2012 deadline:

·         All Cooperative Administrators have received an e-mail from Technology Readiness Tool (e-mail address TechReadiness Tool Message <no-reply@pearsonaidevelopment.com>) with the header of “New Account”.  The e-mail provides a link allowing for the creation of a password for the account.

·         Using the User Accounts and Permissions Screen found under the Setup tab, the district contact will enter information for the person(s) responsible for providing information at each school (administrator, technology director, lead teacher, etc.). It is recommended that the person responsible for setting testing dates as well as the person dealing with district technology both have access to the tool either as a district or school contact. The Tool Demonstrations Portion of Training Module 2 (Organization and User Accounts) should be reviewed before entering the information.

Step 2 - November 15, 2012 deadline:

·         Upload the Device Inventory using the auto populate option on the Device Inventory Management Screen. The screen is located under the Setup Tab. Please review the Tool Demonstrations portion of Training Module 1 to complete the device inventory section. That portion of the module is around 10 minutes in length and should be viewed BEFORE you complete the inventory.

            o The following parameters should be used when entering devices.  If the device doesn't meet within the parameters, it should NOT be entered.

                              § The device is in a location conducive to testing.

                                § The device can be moved to a location conducive to testing.

                                          § The device will be available during the entire testing window.

                         o Complete the questions at the bottom of the Device Inventory Management Screen for each device entered.

Example - District A has three (3) buildings and a total of 1000 computers in their technology inventory. The district decides they are only going to use one (1) computer lab with 30 stations and one (1) library lab with 30 stations at each building.  When the report is completed, there will only be 180 computers listed for District A, not the entire 1000 computers found in inventory. 

·      Upload the School Survey information.  The screen can be found by choosing Organization Management under the Setup Tab. Choose School Survey Questions under Tasks and the appropriate school before clicking start tasks. Please review the School Survey portion (approximately 2 minutes) in Training Module 1 before attempting to complete the school survey section.

                      § The School Survey will need to be completed by both a tech person and the person in charge of testing (unless that is the same person). 

                               The number of testing sessions per day and the length of testing window should reflect what will be needed in Spring 2013.

Beginning November 16, 2012, any district that has NOT completed the steps above will be contacted by their Learning Technology Center (LTC).  LTC personnel will come to the district to help enter the information.

If you haven’t received your introductory e-mail or you have questions concerning the Technology Readiness Tool (timeline or website issues) please contact Jamey Baiter at jbaiter@isbe.net.