Download ❯ How to Start a Remote ELPAC Test Session Grades K–2

Initial ELPAC for K–2

Resources for Remote Testing for K–2

The DFAs are available to better support consistent remote administration of the Initial ELPAC. Access the appropriate grade-level DFA in TOMS by selecting Initial ELPAC DFA under the [Resources] tab. Additional resources for remote testing, like the Teacher Answer Book and the Student Writing Response Sheets, can be downloaded if needed. View the Access Remote Test Administration Resources subsection for details.

TE Controls the Web-based Student Testing Interface

The Initial ELPAC domains for students in K–2 are designed to be administered one-on-one. TEs will be able to control both the Test Administrator Interface and the web-based Student Testing Interface for each student. The student will need to be able to audio and video access the TE, as well as see the TE’s shared screen.

Take the following steps to manage a remote session where the web-based Student Testing Interface will be run on the TE’s device:

  1. Access a copy of the appropriate test materials for K–2 in TOMS:
    1. DFA
    2. Writing Answer Book, which contains the Writing and Speaking domains score sheet
    3. Student Writing Response Sheets, which can be provided to parents/‌guardians ahead of testing (Alternatively, a blank piece of paper or a whiteboard can be used in place of the Student Writing Response Sheets.)
    4. Teacher Answer Book (for screen sharing)
  2. Log on to the Test Administrator Interface. The DEI may also be open when administering the Speaking domain.
    1. Start or join a test session in the Test Administrator Interface.
    2. Select the Initial ELPAC in the Test Selection screen. Then, select the individual grade-level domain test(s) that corresponds to the actual grade level of the student being tested.
    3. Select the Remote or Hybrid radio button to create the URL that will be used to access the web-based Student Testing Interface. Then, select the [Start Operational Sessions] button.
    4. A Session Information box will pop up, providing the session ID and session link.
    5. Copy the session link and paste the link in a new web browser window to open the web-based Student Testing Interface with the session ID already populated (figure 1).

    Session ID Information containing the Session ID and the link to the web-based Student Testing Interface

    Figure 1. Session Information dialog box in the Test Administrator Interface

  3. In the Test Administrator Interface, a pop-up box appears that confirms access to the camera and microphone. For the Initial ELPAC only, TEs should skip this check by selecting the [X] in the upper corner.
  4. Open a video meeting (Zoom, Teams, Google, etc.) with the student.
    1. Have the student turn on a web camera and leave it on for the entire session so that the student and the room immediately surrounding the student can be seen.
  5. Sign in to the web-based Student Testing Interface using the student’s first name as it appears in TOMS, the student’s SSID, and the session ID if the information is not filled in.
    1. Confirm the student information that appears on the screen is correct by selecting the [Yes] button.
    2. Select the domain test to be administered.
  6. In the Test Administrator Interface, the request for approval of the test will appear. At the point of approving the student into the assessment, the TE has the ability to modify designated supports for the Initial ELPAC by selecting the [Details] view icon and changing the mouse pointer to a larger size. The larger cursor can be used for the pointing instructions in the DFA.
  7. Share the web-based Student Testing Interface with the student. Be sure to select the option to share sound or audio or include sound within the video conferencing platform.
  8. In the web-based Student Testing Interface, the Audio/Video Checks screen (figure 2) will appear.

    Audio/Video Checks screen in the web-based Student Testing Interface

    Figure 2. Audio/Video Checks screen in the web-based Student Testing Interface

    1. For the Camera Check, select the [Skip] button. Then, scroll down to the next check.
    2. When administering the Speaking domain, follow the instructions on the screen for the Recording Device Check and have the student respond to the question using the microphone on the student’s device. Select [I heard my recording] if the recording was audible.

      When administering the Listening or Reading domains, select the [Skip] button for the Recording Device Check.

    3. Play the sound and video on the Sound and Video Playback Check and confirm whether the sound and video were able to be played by choosing the [I could play the sound and video] button.
    4. For the Text-to-Speech Sound Check, select the [Skip TTS Check] button.
    5. Once the audio and video checks have been complete, the Instructions and Help screen will appear. Then, select [Begin Test Now].

    Select the answer that matches the student’s response for the question in the Listening and Reading domains or score the student’s response for the Speaking domain. Repeat until the assessment is completed. If the student has not provided any response or any correct response prior to the stopping marker, the TE may end the test as indicated in the Student Testing Interface and DFA (figure 3).

    Stopping Marker screen in the Student Testing Interface and DFA

    Figure 3. Stopping Marker screen in the Student Testing Interface and DFA

  9. Log off the web-based Student Testing Interface after completion of a domain. The TE will need to sign in the student information for every domain being administered. Repeat steps 5 through 9 if administering the other domain tests within the same test session.
  10. If testing is completed, stop the session in the Test Administrator Interface by selecting the [Stop Session] stop sign icon.
  11. Log off the Test Administrator Interface.
  12. Log on to the DEI and enter the scores for the Speaking domain immediately after testing.

TE Shares the Screen for the Writing Domain

The Writing domain for students in K–2 requires the student to write responses on a piece of paper, a whiteboard, or the Student Writing Response Sheets. This domain will be administered by TEs sharing the Teacher Answer Book using a video conferencing platform and the student writing on a piece of paper, a whiteboard, or the Student Writing Response Sheets and then sharing the written response using a web camera on the device being used by the student. The Teacher Answer Book can be found in TOMS in the Initial ELPAC DFA page under the [Resources] tab. Instructions for the remote administration of the Writing domain can be found on the grade level– or grade span–specific DFA. View the Access Remote Test Administration Resources subsection for details.

TEs can open the Teacher Answer Book on their device and share the screen with the student. This allows TEs to use a mouse to draw the focus of the student to the correct spot on the page. Note that LEAs should know who has downloaded the Teacher Answer Book and ensure complete deletion from the TE device at the conclusion of testing. LEAs must treat the PDFs with the same level of security as the Answer Book. All testing material is considered secured.

Take the following steps to complete the assessment:

  1. Access a copy of the appropriate DFA, paper Answer Book, and Teacher Answer Book.
  2. Open a video meeting with the student.
  3. Have the student turn on a web camera once the video meeting has started.
  4. Open the Teacher Answer Book PDF and share the screen with the student.
  5. Read the script in the DFA to the student.
  6. Have the student respond to the question by writing the answer on a piece of paper, whiteboard, or Student Writing Response Sheet.
  7. Have the student show the response to the TE by holding up the paper in front of the web camera so it is visible to the TE.
  8. Score the Writing response locally using rubrics and anchor samples in the DFA and mark the corresponding circle on the paper Answer Book score sheet.
  9. Repeat steps 4 through 9 for the next question.
  10. Once the last question is completed, TEs may end this test session.
  11. Log on to the DEI and enter the scores for the Writing domain immediately after the test.

Access Remote Test Administration Resources

  1. Navigate to TOMS.
  2. Select the [Resources] tab, then select [Secure Materials] (figure 4).

    Secure Materials screen in TOMS, which contains the Initial ELPAC Directions for Administration for in-person and remote testing

    Figure 4. Secure Materials screen in TOMS

  3. Select the appropriate grade level or grade span.
  4. Download the DFA.
  5. Download the Teacher Answer Book and Student Writing Response Sheet if needed.