1 of 42

CBT�How Can We Help?�

Provided by: Nassau BOCES

Barbara Dwyer, Program Specialist II

Frances Werner, Senior Manager II

Ryan Franzese, Senior Manager III

2 of 42

NYSED CBT �Mandated Implementation Schedule

Statewide Implementation of Computer-Based Testing (nysed.gov)

3 of 42

What Do We Offer our Districts?

2-hour Private District Trainings

Implementation Schedule
Support for Nextera Admin
Technology Readiness Info
Exam Ordering Information
Special Education Concerns
Login Information
Live Platform Training
Contact Information

Group Events / Support

Daily Customer Support
Fall CBT Information Sessions (In-House & ZOOM)
CBT Roadshow (NYSED & Questar)
ZOOM and Small-Group Trainings
WEEKLY Update Email on CBT Items
Q & A Forums (ZOOM)
Post-Testing Experience Forums/Surveys

4 of 42

Activate Your Nextera Admin Account!�

District Testing Coordinators and building Principals were sent a Welcome Email from Nextera Admin.

Search Deleted Mail or Spam and activate account.

If you cannot locate Welcome Email, let me know and I can reset.

Assign Roles�

5 of 42

Technology Readiness Checklist

Every BUILDING participating in CBT needs to complete the Technology Readiness Checklist in Nextera Admin.
Most user roles in Nextera can complete the Technology Readiness Checklist for a given building.
It is available under the HELP Tab in Nextera Admin.
It is usually due by the end of December.
Schools that have not completed the Technology Readiness Checklist will not be able to participate in CBT.
Link below to CBT Technology Readiness, Quick Reference Guide (QRG)
Link below to Setup and Installation Guide (SIG); make sure your devices are ready

TECH READINESS QRG:

https://cbtsupport.nysed.gov/hc/en-us/articles/115003519472-CBT-Technology-Readiness-Quick-Reference-Guide

QUESTAR SIG:

https://cbtsupport.nysed.gov/hc/en-us/article_attachments/10047497187725/Setup-and-Installation-Guide-2022-2023-NY.pdf

6 of 42

Simulation & Operational Testing vs. Practice Samplers

Practice Samplers

Available from a public landing page and can be used by students, parents, teachers, or administrators.��
Users can experience the testing tools without downloading and installing a secure browser or app.�
All students can access available test accommodations and Math / Science in five translated languages.

Can be completed at any time.

Can also be completed using Questar Browser

Simulation & Operational Testing

Must Download Questar secure browser. Can only be done in school testing environment.

Requires Login Procedures: Login Tickets & Access Codes

Accommodations need to be pre-set for students with IEPs/504s.

Simulation - Completed within Simulation Window

Operational - Completed within Operational/Makeup Window.

7 of 42

Online Tools for ALL Students

CBT ELA:

Highlighter
Bookmark
Notes
Answer Eliminator
Line Reader
Zoom
Review Screen
Page Slider

CBT Math:

Highlighter
Bookmark
Notes
Answer Eliminator
Line Reader
Zoom
Review Screen
Drawing Tool
Protractor
Ruler
Reference Sheet*
Calculator

Tools typed in black are Available to ALL Students.
Red Circles are Available in the indicated assessments.
*Available in grades 5-8

** Possible new item types: multiple item MC, drag and drop, check marks & graphs

CBT Science:

Highlighter
Bookmark
Notes
Answer Eliminator
Line Reader
Zoom
Review Screen
Page Slider
Drawing Tool
Protractor
Ruler
Calculator
New Item Types**

ALL tools are illustrated in district CBT trainings.

8 of 42

Ordering CBT & Test Read Paper Copies

When ordering CBT, the school will enter quantities for Test Read—exactly as they would when ordering paper tests.
The school and CSE can determine how to deliver the Test Read accommodation later, prior to testing in the spring.

Test Read

9 of 42

Ordering Alternate Languages

**Schools who need paper alternate language copies for languages available on CBT should

email ny.3-8.help@questarai.com to request paper copies.

10 of 42

Student IEPs and 504 Plans

Student testing accommodations for CBT do not align word-for-word to testing accommodations noted in a student’s IEP or 504 Plan:

The CSE must determine the best way to deliver a student testing accommodation in CBT
The student must have practice with the CBT test accommodation prior to testing
In some instances, a combination of computer-format and paper-format is the best fit
We recommend that the school, with help from the CSE, try to match a student’s daily instruction for delivering a test accommodation

11 of 42

Online Testing Accommodations

12 of 42

Classroom Testing Accommodations

13 of 42

Testing Accommodations Guide

Testing Accommodation Guide for SWD (Updated 2019)

14 of 42

Test Read Accommodation, 2022�Link to NYSED CBT Support / Test Read Accommodation

Test Read (paper only)	Read Aloud (by human)	Text-To-Speech (online only)
A human reads the test to the student from a paper test. The student tests on paper and enters responses on paper. This is a classroom-only accommodation, and the students is marked as “Tested on Paper” in Nextera Admin when in a CBT class.	A human reads the test to the student from a paper test. The student tests on computer and enters responses on computer. This is a combination of an online- and human- delivered accommodation.	The computer reads the test to the student from the computer screen. The student tests on computer and enters responses on computer. This is an online-only accommodation (student uses headphones while testing on computer).

15 of 42

Text-to-Speech Online Accommodation

Controlled by the student: the student must click “Play” on each test question
TTS Player can be moved around on screen
Five reading speeds
Test reading and review options:

Play All	Play from Here
Play Question	Play Passage
Play Answer

17 of 42

Speech-to-Text Accommodation

The Questar Secure Browser does NOT provide speech-to-text software through the Nextera Test Delivery System. Per NYSED, use of speech-to-text software is an allowable accommodation for the Grades 3-8 ELA and Math exams, as noted in Appendix A, page ii of the Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Manual. (Link on slide 7.)

Per SED, if a student using such accommodations is participating in NYSED CBT, the student’s exact responses must be entered into the computer-based testing platform by a test proctor or appropriate school staff.

Some schools are providing the speech-to-text accommodation to students who have this accommodation as part of their IEP or 504 plans by use of two computers and a dedicated individual who can transfer the student's spoken responses from the speech-to-text software into the CBT platform. This is allowed on the Grades 3-8 ELA and math exams.

Link to NYSED page: Speech-to-text

18 of 42

Use of Spellchecking Software for CBT

The Nextera Test Delivery System does NOT include spell-checking software

Per Office of State Assessment’s 2018 Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Guide, “use of a spell-checking device/software is an allowable testing accommodation on the Grades 3-8 ELA and Math Tests if specified in the student’s IEP or 504 plan.”

To provide this accommodation for a student testing via CBT, the student would use a separate device/word processor with spellchecking software to type their responses on and then have a scribe, following the procedures, outlines in Appendix H of the School Administrator’s Manual, enter the student’s responses into the Nextera Test Delivery System.

The school would need to select “Use of spell-checking device/software” under the “Classroom Accommodations” tab in the Nextera administration system.

Link to NYSED page: Spellchecking software

19 of 42

“Use of Scribe” for CBT

The process suggested by NYSED for scribing (for students who are entitled to a scribe through their IEP/504 plan) is:

Student responds verbally to test question to the scribe.
Scribe writes response on paper.
Scribe confirms response (according to already established scribing procedures).
Scribe types response into Nextera Test Delivery System.
The student should have one of the following accommodations selected within Nextera Admin to ensure student’s test onscreen matches the print test the scribe will be using as reference.

►Read Aloud (by human)

►Text-to-Speech (online only)

Link to NYSED page: Use of Scribe

20 of 42

Testing Accommodations for

English Language Learners

Taken from NYSED's ELL & Multilingual Learner Assessment & Testing Accommodation Page

Schools may provide testing accommodations to ELLs, as needed, on all NYS ELA and content-area assessments i.e., Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies). Districts/schools must make all necessary arrangements to make these accommodations available for ELLs who need them. A list of NYS approved accommodations may be found in the School Administrator's Manual (SAM) for each respective test.

Testing Accommodations for ELLs on NYS ELA & Content-area assessments include:

Time Extension
Separate Location
Third Reading of Listening Selection (English Language Arts Exams Only)
Bilingual Dictionaries and/or Glossaries

Former ELLs

On 9/15/08, the NYSED Board of Regents approved extending test accommodations to former ELLs for two additional years after achieving proficiency on the NYSESLAT.

21 of 42

Student Sign In for Simulation or Operational

Once the Questar Secure Browser has opened, the Sign In Page displays.

Using the provided student login tickets, students enter their NYSSIS ID and Password in the applicable fields and click/tap Sign In.

Students may click on the eye icon to show the password.

22 of 42

Verification

Once the student signs in, the Check your information page displays.

Students click/tap Yes to continue if all information is correct.

23 of 42

Verification

What if there is an Error on the Verification Screen?

24 of 42

Choose Your Test

Test Selection

Once the student completes the verification, the Choose Your Test page displays.

Students select Start Test to continue.

25 of 42

Student Directions

Once the student selects the test, the Test Directions display with the Grade Level, Subject, and Session Number.

Students click/tap the right facing arrow to read through the directions or click/tap the X to exit the directions.

26 of 42

Student Directions - 1

27 of 42

Student Directions - 2

28 of 42

Access Code

29 of 42

Wait to Start

This is the last screen students will see before the test starts. This is a good place to pause and make sure all students are ready to begin.

30 of 42

Navigation available on Screen

The green checkmark verifies the student is online.
The Review button takes the student to the Review screen to confirm and submit the test session.
The arrows here are used to move the screen divider left and right to show more or less of the passage and responses.
If needed, students can revisit the Directions at any time.
The arrows here are used to navigate between test questions.

31 of 42

Math Calculators

Grade 6 will have access to a 4-Function calculator for the Statewide Simulation

Grades 7 and 8 will have access to a Scientific Calculator for the Statewide Simulation

32 of 42

Review Screen before submitting

Session Two Review Page

Session One Review Page

33 of 42

Warning / Submit Screen

“Submit test” submits the test and is final.

“Cancel” takes the student back into the test.

“Warning” for unanswered questions.

If submitted, student sees this screen and clicks “Sign Out”

34 of 42

Pausing a Test

Once a test is Paused, the Proctor PIN is required to log back into the test.

35 of 42

Pausing a Test

A student pauses a test

The student returns to the device and login screen

The student enters NYSSIS ID and password

Proctor enters the �Proctor PIN *

Student enters the Session Access Code

Student resumes testing

36 of 42

Access Code and Proctor PIN

The Access Code and Proctor PIN pop-up boxes look similar in the Nextera Test Delivery System but require different codes.

The Access Code is required every time a student logs into the test.

The Proctor PIN is required when a student logs back into a previously started test that was paused.

37 of 42

Inactivity Timer

If a student is inactive for 1 minute or selects “Sign out”, then the student is automatically signed out and returned to the sign in screen.

If a student selects “Keep working”, then the student continues to test.

Inactivity = no mouse movement, no interaction with device

If a student is inactive for 119 minutes, then an inactivity warning appears with a 1-minute countdown timer.

38 of 42

CBT Sampler Practice Tests

Available from a public landing page (link on following slide) and can be used by students, parents, teachers, or administrators.��
Users can experience the testing tools without downloading and installing a secure browser or app.�
Most test accommodations are available in English and five translated languages. (currently Math only)
Text-to-Speech only available in English.�

What is available?

4 Samplers per subject/grade
4 Samplers per student testing accommodation
4 Samplers per translated language (Math Only)

Chinese (Simplified)
Haitian Creole
Korean
Russian
Spanish

39 of 42

HTTPS://NY.NEXTERA.QUESTARAI.COM/TDS/#PRACTICE

ACCESS the SAMPLER:

For the best experience use a Chrome browser:

Click the site’s hyperlink (save this site as a favorite!)

2) Choose your subject, grade level, and a Sampler

3) Enjoy navigating the NYSED’s Question Sampler!

Accessing CBT Sampler Practice Tests

40 of 42

On Testing Day (for Teachers / Proctors)

More detailed information will be available in the spring in Teacher’s Directions and Proctor Training.

Math Only

41 of 42

CBT Info/Customer Support

Nassau BOCES CONTACTS:
Barbara Dwyer, Program Specialist
bdwyer@nasboces.org 516-608-6695
Stephanie Witt, Supervisor of Test Scoring & IDW
switt1@nasboces.org 516-608-6623

QUESTAR Customer Support:
Email: NY.3-8.help@questarai.com
Phone: 1-866-997-0695

NYSED Computer Based Testing Support Email:
CBTSupport@nysed.gov
NYSED Computer Based Testing Webpage:
https://cbtsupport.nysed.gov/hc/en-us

NEXTERA Login: Nextera Admin Login Screen
Online Question Sampler: https://ny.nextera.questarai.com/tds/#practice