[ELPA] FW: ELPA Practice Test and Extension of Test Window

[WHITE Cari]

FYI- This was sent out on the Assessment DTC list serve today.

Cari White
Oregon Department of Education
Assessment and Information Services
503-947-5821
Messages to & from this e-mail address may be made available to the public under Oregon law.
From: assessmentdtc-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us [mailto:assessmentdtc-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of GREENE Crystal
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 3:50 PM
To: 'AssessmentDTC at listsmart.osl.state.or.us'
Subject: [AssessmentDTC] ELPA Practice Test and Extension of Test Window

ELPA Practice Test and Extension of Test Window
Note: On computers for which the ELPA practice test works (i.e. moves past the sound check page) using the secure browser, no action is needed.
Many students have successfully used the ELPA practice tests in districts throughout Oregon.  As of January 12, 2010, 2829 students have successfully begun the practice test, and 1716 of these have completed it.  To date, the ELPA has successfully passed performance testing with 1000 concurrent users matching ODE's blue print.
However, students in some districts have reported difficulty with the ELPA Practice Test. ODE's test vendor, American Institutes for Research (AIR), has identified the cause of this problem and has developed several approaches to fixing the issue.
Because of the impact this delay has had on some districts' ability to use the practice test, ODE is extending the close of the ELPA test window to May 17th (originally the close was May 10th).
The problem and solution:
Macintosh:  Districts have experienced a conflict between the sound card and the secure browser with students reporting "scratching sound" from their headsets on Mac 10.4, 10.5, and 10.6.  AIR has identified the issue, consulted with Oregon districts, and is testing a server-side fix.  The implementation of the server-side fix for the Mac OS X browsers will be announced when performance testing is complete, we anticipate that this will be by Thursday 1/14/2010.
Microsoft Windows:  Districts have experienced difficulty accessing the ELPA practice test when district security settings in Windows environments conflict with the Secure Browser's attempt to write a key to a registry. This key is used by the OAKS Secure Browser to enable Java to function; Java is required for certain ELPA item types.  AIR is currently working with individual districts reporting this conflict to deploy successful fixes.  There are at least three solutions from which districts may choose to address this issue.

ODE suggests that option 1 below may be the best solution for many districts.

Option 1 - Install an Updated Windows Secure Browser:  Install an updated browser, OaksSecureBrowser 3.1 for Windows (Note - Windows is the only operating system impacted by this conflict). This browser will be tested by some districts by Friday 1/15/10 and pending successful testing will be available by Wednesday 1/20 at 7:00 am (PST).  http://www.oaks.k12.or.us/browsers/default.html

Option 2 - Log in as Administrator, Once Per Machine:  A user with administrator rights may log in on the affected Windows machine(s), open the Secure Browser, and follow the directions sent to the IT Director to permanently write the needed key in the registry on the machine. This option will be available tomorrow, Wednesday 1/13 at 7:00 am (PST).

Option 3 - Push Out a Registry Key Fix : Push out a registry key fix to all district computers.  IT directors have been sent this fix.
Please note regarding the Microsoft Windows issue:  This issue impacts ELPA and will also impact OAKS Online after spring break.  After spring break, ODE will field test a new item type through OAKS Online which will use Java.  If your district is experiencing difficulties with the ELPA practice test now, please ensure you employ a fix on ALL Windows computers used for student testing - not just those computers used for ELPA.  If you do not address this issue, the new item types in OAKS Online this spring will not deploy.
ODE is working with its regional assessment and accountability partners to best serve our districts and students. Please contact your Regional ESD Partner Helpdesk if you encounter any issues.  Your Regional ESD Partner will have more details throughout the week.
Note:  Your district IT director has been asked to contact the AIR helpdesk directly if they have any questions or if none of the provided fixes are feasible.  The message sent to IT directors is attached for your reference.
Crystal Greene
Communications Coordinator
Office of Assessment and Information Services
Oregon Department of Education
(503) 947-5878
crystal.greene at state.or.us<mailto:crystal.weber at state.or.us>
Messages to & from this e-mail address may be made available to the public under Oregon law.

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