Preparing for Online Testing

**Determine what device students will use to take the STAAR/EOC online. This device (and mouse) should be considered as you plan.**

Consider the following suggestions:

Use the STAAR Online Testing Platform (SOTP) to familiarize students with the online content and testing supports.

Have students and teachers experience it ASAP.

What tools are available to them?
What would they tell a friend about them?

Install extensions (more than likely the technology director) that will be allowed for each student. Let students know what they will be allowed to use as an embedded support.
Find spaces and places for students to use the extensions as often as possible. (Idea: Have a smackdown led by students.) As a teacher, you don’t have to know everything about each tool.
Determine what tech skills need to be taught explicitly to students (and teachers) regarding the extensions and/or any hardware (ex: trackpad, mouse buttons, headphone controls (TELPAS)).
Have students return to the SOTP and discover similarities and differences between what they are using as extensions and what is available in the platform.
(Re)Implement/continue a keyboarding program.
Assess students online using embedded supports/extensions:
- Google Forms etc.
- DMAC
- Eduphoria ($$)
- SchoolCity ($$)
- TFAR Texas Formative Assessment Resource (this tool uses the Cambium system)
  - For more information about TFAR, check out this online course.
- Edulastic
- STAAR interim assessments (Delivered via the SOTP)
Determine what needs to be explicitly taught to students about test-taking strategies online vs paper-based strategies.
- How will they annotate on math problems? What is the expectation for how students will “show their work.”
- What adjustments need to be made with reading passages and “bag and tag” processes?
- How to use the “choice eliminator.”
Have students return to the SOTP and discover similarities and differences between what they are using as extensions and what is available in the platform. Let students know what they will be allowed to use as embedded support. (repeat)

Practical and Authentic Ways to Prepare Students for Online Testing:

Embed online testing strategies as authentically as possible all year.
Allow multiple opportunities to practice in similar formats.
Embed computer-based practice in regular instruction.
Integrate keyboarding practice in regular instruction all year.
Use online testing as often as possible to assess your students.
“Teach” your students the testing format and what types of questions to expect.

Teach the tools and how to use them effectively.

Teachers can also use the following tools and ideas to help build stamina, familiarity, and good habits with online content and supports:

STAAR practice test tutorials are a great way for students to learn about the online testing environment. Tutorials show students how to navigate through the test. These tests provide students with an opportunity to interact with the test interface and the tools that will be available to them during the test.
Transfer paper supports into digital formats by inserting a hyperlink to a map, graphic organizer, cartoon, picture, video, etc. Give students practice using supports similar to what they’ll find on STAAR Online. The more practice your students get using these digital supports during instruction, the more comfortable they’ll be during state assessment.
Practice bookmarking key selections by linking text in passages to the corresponding questions for students to use during instruction or class exams.
Give students opportunities to reword, reorganize, and simplify challenging text by using online apps and websites like Rewordify that simplify difficult text with settings that look and act like roll-overs.
Teach students to use built-in “synonym” tools within MSWord, a thesaurus add-on in Google Docs, or a thesaurus Chrome extension by selecting the word, right-clicking and choosing “find synonym” to help students routinely define and clarify language during instruction.
Use websites like Newsela or CommonLit to automatically level text, use built-in text-to-speech and other STAAR-like features, while addressing grade-level standards and exposing students to academic vocabulary.
Practice text-to-speech whenever you can. Many tools you already have/use offer built-in text-to-speech, including online textbooks, TextQuest’s database, ebooks, native “speak selected text” on Ipads, Chromebooks, and in Microsoft Word, or even plugins for your browser of choice. You may also work in a district that has site licenses for commercial literacy software (e.g. Snap&Read or Read&Write for Google) with text-to-speech.
Text-to-speech can’t work on paper worksheets. Get your worksheets into digital formats to ensure students are routinely, effectively, and independently using this accommodation during instruction. During this time they can figure out how to adjust read-aloud speed to best fit their needs during STAAR Online.