PDE Briefing – PAIMS Meeting (September 13, 2012) ▪ Tom Corbett, Governor ▪ Ronald J. Tomalis, Secretary of Education

PDE Briefing – PAIMS Meeting (September 13, 2012)

www.pdesas.org ▪ www.education.state.pa.usTom Corbett, Governor ▪ Ronald J. Tomalis, Secretary of Education

PDE Briefing - PAIMS Meeting September 13, 2012

Lenny SweeneyAmy Munro



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Briefing Topics• Technology Readiness for Online Testing - Lenny• Technology Readiness for Educator Effectiveness (Teachscape)

– Lenny• Educator Effectiveness & Instructional Coaching – Amy• PA eSTARS (Pennsylvania Electronic Student Transcripts And

Records System – formerly known as eTranscripts) - Amy• Pennsylvania Technology Inventory (PATI) – Lenny• Hot Topics - Amy



Technology Readiness for Online Testing

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PDE Assessments• Keystone Exams and PSSAs will be available online

and paper/pencil in 2012-13• LEAs will determine delivery mode (online and/or

paper/pencil)• The winter test windows for Keystone Exams are:

– December 5-14, 2012– January 9-23, 2013



Timeframes 2012-2013ID Description PA Testing Program Timeframe

1 eDIRECT test set-up and INSIGHT testing engine release CDT and Winter Keystone Exams August 20, 2012

2 Technology and test coordinator training CDT and Winter Keystone Exams

Late August-Early September 2012

3 CDT available CDT August 27, 2012

4 Keystone Exams testing window Keystone Exams December 5-14, 2012January 9-23, 2013

5 eDIRECT test set-up and INSIGHT testing engine releaseCDT, PSSA, and

Spring/Summer Keystone Exams

Early February 2013

6 Technology and test coordinator trainingCDT, PSSA, and

Spring/Summer Keystone Exams

February 2013

7 PSSA testing windowPSSA Writing March 11-22, 2013

PSSA Reading, Math, Science April 8-May 3, 2013

8 Keystone Exams testing window Keystone Exams May 13-24, 2013

9 Keystone Exams testing window (projected) Keystone Exams July 29-August 2, 2013

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Why Online Testing? • Helps with the management of paper testing materials at schools

and districts– Eliminates the work involved with receiving, managing, storing, and

returning large amounts of secure material and minimizes access by unauthorized personnel

– Eliminates need to order additional materials – Eliminates issues with booklets getting damaged – Eliminates issues with student skipping a section or bubbling an

answer in the wrong number on the answer booklet– Eliminates issues when booklets are sent back before the student had

a chance to do the make-up session– Eliminates additional staff needed to read the test aloud



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Why Online Testing (cont.)• Advantages for the Student

– Utilizes technology to deliver items that allow students to demonstrate analytical thinking and real-world problem solving

– Enables a more authentic expression of modern writing than handwritten essays, and for many students, typing is less fatiguing than handwriting

– Allows students to start testing more quickly because test directions are shorter than with paper tests

– Technology innovation enables students to interact with the test using built-in features including highlighters, calculators, and review tools

– Provides consistent testing experience across all Pennsylvania testing programs (PSSA, Keystone Exams, Classroom Diagnostic Tools)



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National Consortiums• PARCC and Smarter Balance Consortiums - PA is not planning to

participate in the assessments, but continues to be an “advisory” state

• Advisory status provides PA access to national technology readiness tools for online assessments

• A workgroup consisting of PDE, DRC, PAIMS (IU Technology Directors), and LEAs reviewed the national tools and expressed concern that using them would cause unnecessary LEA burden

• Therefore recommendation was for PA to develop its own technology readiness checklist

• PA is still able to remain an advisory state; PA also continues to work with other state educational technology leaders through our SETDA membership.



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PA Tech Readiness Checklist• Using the work at the national level and the expertise of our IUs and

LEAs, a customized “PA Tech Readiness Checklist” has been developed.

• Purpose of the Checklist is to help LEAs determine their readiness and eventual successful implementation of online assessments. Both technology and logistical factors are addressed.



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PA Tech Readiness Checklist (cont.)• Design of Checklist: LEAs are able to use the checklist to track the

steps that need to be completed and who within the LEA is assigned to various tasks. – Note that a comprehensive approach is taken that emphasizes the importance

of a partnership between the Technology Director, Assessment Coordinator, and other personnel at the LEA.

– Linkages to existing DRC materials are provided– The checklist is designed to be iterative – Updated versions will be created as

new/updated information becomes available.



Technology Readiness Checklist Categories

• Staff and Personnel• Scheduling and Logistics• Network and Devices

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Staff and Personnel• Checklist Items

– Introduce Online Testing and Create Awareness– Create an Online Assessment Readiness Team– Develop an Action Plan– Provide Professional Development– Administer the Online Assessments – Review the Data– Review and Revise the Process

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Scheduling and Logistics• Checklist Items

– Determine Number of Students– Identify Computers to be Used– Prepare Test Sites– Establish when Tests are to be Administered– Schedule Times to Send Announcements – Address Scheduling/Location Accommodations

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Network and Devices• Checklist Items

– Verify Capacity of Wireless Network

– Utilize a Local Caching Service (LCS)

– Coordinate with Local IU– Plan for Bandwidth Needs– Conduct a Test Connection– Determine Utilization on Test

Days– Determine Locations on Test

Days

– Verify Wireless Access on Test Days

– Stagger Logins on Test Days– Conduct Device Audit– Determine the Maximum # of

Hours Available for Testing– Determine the Maximum # of

Test-Takers– Determine the Maximum # of

Test-Takers Per Session– Prepare Devices for Tests

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Local Caching Service (LCS)• Hosted at district or local Intermediate unit• Exploring use of PAIUnet to host LCS

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Technology Readiness for Educator Effectiveness

(Teachscape)

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• Intended to provide information on understanding and applying the Danielson Framework for Teaching

• Focus on Domains 2 and 3: On-stage Domains

• Unlimited license: No special passwords

• Accessed through SAS, Instruction Tab

• Must have a profile within SAS, which includes the PPID; If no PPID, link is provided to SAS Help Desk

• FFTPS Tech Readiness Guide will also help FFTES

Teachscape Framework for Teacher Effectiveness (FFTES): “Teacher Training”

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• Principals getting licenses will receive an email from Teachscape with instructions.

• Using a similar approach as tech readiness for online testing, PAIU (IU Tech Directors) have been working with Teachscape and PDE to develop a “Technology Readiness Guide.” Guide Includes:

– Preferred Hardware and Software System Requirements – List of Teachscape Domain Names & IP Addresses – Teachscape FFTPS Start-Up Guide– Tech Support Escalation Process– Technical Tools Available for FFTPS Support

• Guide will be distributed directly to LEA Tech Directors through the IU Tech Directors

Teachscape Framework for Teaching Proficiency System (FFTPS): “Inter-Rater Reliability”

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• Round 1 Roll-out• 650 Licenses have been distributed

• Round 2 Roll-out• Survey Monkey Window - September 17-28, 2012• First of October Release• 550 Licenses

Teachscape License Rollout (FFTPS)

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• Round 3 Roll-out• Survey Monkey Window - early January for 2 weeks• End of January Release• 450 Licenses

• Future Roll-outs in 2012-2013: TBD

Teachscape License Rollout (FFTPS)

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Educator Effectiveness & Instructional Coaching

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Evaluating Instructional Coaches• Instructional Coaches working under an

Instructional Certificate will be evaluated using the Teacher Rubric.

• Instructional Technology Coaches working under an Educational Specialist Certification will be evaluated using the Specialist Rubric.



PA eSTARS Pennsylvania Electronic Student Transcripts And Records System



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PA eSTARSPDE has contracted with Parchment Inc. to implement the Pennsylvania Electronic Student Transcripts And Records System, a statewide network for schools to exchange student records and transcripts at all grade levels.



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PA eSTARSA single, digital system will: • Increase schools’ operational efficiencies,• Provide safer and faster access to complete student

records, and• Assure accurate and confidential delivery of

transcripts to admissions offices.



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PA eSTARSAll Commonwealth local education agencies and public institutions of higher education are eligible to benefit from this voluntary initiative.

A federal grant will be used to cover the initial implementation costs for eligible schools that sign up prior to July 1, 2013.

Once enrolled, participating schools will receive a reduced rate on student transcript fees and access to free student records exchange for the duration of their contracts.



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PA eSTARSParchment will be contacting you directly with instructions on how you can participate in this valuable grant opportunity.

For additional information PA eSTARS, please contact [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



Pennsylvania Technology Inventory (PATI)

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What is PATI?• The Pennsylvania Technology Inventory (PATI) is an annual

data collection for technology-related data.

• Needed to comply with Federal and State data requirements.

• Required for Intermediate Units, School Districts, Career and Technology Centers and Charter Schools.

• Provides LEAs and schools with data to support technology planning.

• Includes Technology Phase data elements only - infrastructure, connectivity, and equipment.



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What Data will be Included?• IU and LEA Surveys

– Section 1 – WAN Transport Questions– Section 2 – Internet Questions

• School Survey

– Section 1 - School Infrastructure– Section 2 – Room and Lab Counts– Section 3 – Computer and Device Counts– Section 4 – Digital Tools Counts (DELETED for 2012-13)– Section 5 – School Transport Questions– Section 6 – School Internet Questions



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The Process…• Role of LEA Technology Directors

– As in previous years, Tech Directors work to collect the data.– Prepare data in “PIMS format.” Note that Excel data entry tools have

been developed to aid in this process (to be demonstrated later in webinar).

– Work with PIMS Administrators throughout process (or you may be the PIMS Administrator).

• Role of PIMS Administrators– Work with LEA Technology Directors so that data can be submitted in

proper “PIMS” format.– Submit data into PIMS.



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The Process…• Role of Chief School Administrator

– Includes Superintendent, CTC Director, Charter School Chief Executive Officer or Intermediate Unit Executive Director

– Needs to sign an Accuracy Certification Statement (ACS). Note this is a new step for PATI that is intended to increase accuracy and completeness of data.



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Details on the ACS• _____ Initial to indicate that the 2012-13 PATI - LEA Technology Survey

has been completed for my LEA. Data is correct and true to the best of my knowledge and was prepared in accordance with the Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS).

• _____ Initial to indicate that a 2012-13 PATI - School Technology Survey has been completed for each of the schools within my LEA. Data is correct and true to the best of my knowledge and was prepared in accordance with the Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS).

• Notes:– IUs: Complete IU Survey only.– Districts: Complete one LEA Survey and one School Survey for each school.– CTCs and Charters: Complete both LEA and School Surveys.



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Details on the ACS (continued)

• _____ Initial to indicate that as the Chief Administrative Officer (e.g., Superintendent, AVTS/CTC Director, Charter School Director) I certify that my school district, AVTS/CTC, or charter school has in effect and is implementing an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) or Internet Safety Policy (ISP) that meets the requirements of the Federal Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) (Public Law 106-554, Stat. 2763A-335) and I represent that I am authorized to make this certification on behalf of my LEA.

I also understand that this verification will satisfy the requirements of the Pennsylvania Child Internet Protection Act (Act 197 of 2004) and that my LEA is therefore exempt from developing, adopting and submitting an Acceptable Use Policy to PDE.



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Data CollectionTimeline

Begins October 29, 2012. Ends January 25, 2013 . Signed ACS is due to PDE by February 22, 2013.

Communications Updates and announcements will be sent to both LEA

Technology Directors and PIMS Administrators. Your help is needed Emails will be sent to each IU

Technology Director asking for verification of LEA Technology Directors.



Hot Topics

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Hot TopicsFlipped Classrooms

• What resources are schools using to ‘flip’ their classrooms?

• How are schools ensuring equitable access?

• Is there evidence of impact?

Online Learning

• How are schools ensuring a PA Certified Teachers of Record?

• How are schools establishing course quality, appropriateness, and alignment to standards?

NOTE: For evaluative (and reporting) purposes, the sending LEA will be accountable for the student and the employing LEA for the staff.



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Hot TopicsVirtual Learning Technologies

• What technologies are required to meet the needs of a virtual student?

• How must policies and practices be amended to accommodate a virtual environment?



The mission of the Pennsylvania Department of Education is to lead and serve the educational community, to enable each individual to grow into an inspired, productive, fulfilled lifelong learner.

Documents

PDE Briefing – PAIMS Meeting (September 13, 2012) ▪ Tom Corbett, Governor ▪ Ronald J. Tomalis, Secretary of Education