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A
Alert Messages
The Texas Education Agency can send statewide alerts that appear as pop-up messages on the Test Administrator Site.
In the banner, click the Alerts button to see a listing of all the active alert messages.
To close the window and return to the Test Administrator Site, click the Close button on the right.
E
Expiration Rules for Test Opportunities
Opportunities refer to the number of times a student can take a test within a range of dates. Tests may have one opportunity or multiple opportunities. A student’s test opportunity remains active until the student submits the test or until the opportunity expires. Once a test opportunity expires, the student cannot complete or review the test.
I
Icons
Icon Name | Icon Image | |
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Expand Button | 
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Plus Sign | Icon Name | Icon Image |
Expand Button | 
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Plus Sign | 
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Collapse All Button |  
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Minus Sign |  
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Add Filter Button |  
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Magnifying Glass Button |  
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Collapse Button |  
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Remove X Button |  
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Eye Button |  
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Blue Dots Icon |  
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Orange Dots Icon |   | |
Red Dots Icon |   | |
Red X Button |  
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Green Check Button |  
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Refresh Page Button |  
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Up Down Arrow Button |  
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More Info Button |  
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Blue Pause Button |  
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Stop Session Button |  
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Directional Button |  
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Share Link Button |  
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Edit Button |  
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Delete Button |  
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Export Button |  
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Audio Button |  
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Stimulus Button |
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Book Button |  
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Marked for Review Icon |  
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Unanswered Icon |  
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Left Arrow Button |       | |
Right Arrow Button |       | |
Keyboard Button |  
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Play Button |  
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1x Button |  
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Pause Button |  
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Resizing Handle Button |  
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Pop Out Button |  
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Basic Calculator Button |  
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Dictionary Button |  
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Graph/Draw Button |  
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Help Button |  
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Line Reader Button |  
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Notepad Button |  
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Pause Test Button |   | |
Periodic Table Button |  
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References Button |  
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Ruler Button |  
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System Settings Button |  
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Zoom In Button |  
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Zoom Out Button |   | |
Menu Button |  
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Microphone Button |  
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ASL Button |  
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Mark For Review Question Icon |  
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Mark For Review Flag Icon |  
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Pencil Icon |  
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Cover Page Icon |  
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Expand Passage Button |  
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Push Pin | .png?version=2&modificationDate=1729782738154&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=34){kind=small} .png?version=2&modificationDate=1729782738154&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=5){kind=small} |
K
Keyboard Commands in the Student Interface
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Students can use keyboard commands to access tools in the global and context menus. For more information about tools in these menus, refer to the section How Students Use Test Tools.
Global Menu
To access the global menu tools using keyboard commands, press Ctrl + G. The global menu list opens.
To move between options in the global menu, use the Up or Down arrow key.
To select an option, press Enter.
To close the global menu without selecting an option, press Esc.
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Test administrators will not be able to access the Test Administrator Interface or Practice Site until their local TIDE administrator district coordinators or campus coordinators has first created their accounts in TIDE. Once the account is created, the test administrator will receive an account activation email. He or she can then log in to the Test Administrator Interface and Practice Site after activating the account:
Navigate to the Texas Assessment Program portal, http://www. TexasAssessment.gov.
Select the relevant user role.
Select the appropriate Test Administrator Site:
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To access the Test Administrator Practice Site, select Practice and Released Tests, then select Test Administrator Practice Site:
The Secure Login page appears. Enter your email address and password.
Select Secure LoginLog In. The selected Test Administrator Site appears.
If you have not logged in using this browser before, or if you have cleared your browser cache, the Enter Code Confirm Account page appears and an email containing an authentication code is sent to your address:
Type the code you receive into the Enter Emailed Code field.
Select Submit to view the Test Administrator Site.
Note: Youmust use the authentication code within 15 minutes of the email being sent. If the code has expired, click Resend Code to request a new code.
If When scheduling or starting a test session, if you are associated with multiple institutions that have test windows set, a pop-up message prompts you to select a testing institution. Select your institution from the dropdown list and select Go. To change the institution, you must log out and then log back in.
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The Student Practice Site allows students to take practice tests. Text-to-Speech (TTS) is available on the Student Sign-in page when students select the TTS button. (TTS is only available in the practice interface if a student with TTS set in TIDE logs in with their TSDS ID and a practice session ID.) Aside from the sign-in process, the Practice Tests Site has the same appearance and functionality as the Student Interface. For information on how to sign in to the Student Interface, refer to How Students Sign In and Select Tests.
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From the Texas Assessment Program portal (http://www.(TexasAssessment.gov), select the Practice Tests Login card.
In the secure browser application, select the Take a Practice Test button.
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Some tests may require students to record a spoken response. In order to record a spoken response, students must test with a headset that has a functioning microphone.
If the Student Testing Site determines that there may be audio issues with the student’s response, a warning message appears, encouraging them to play the response they entered to make sure it is audible.
If a spoken response item limits the number of attempts students can make to record, the Remaining Attempts section indicates how many attempts the students have left. Recording a new attempt erases the previous attempt. If a student runs out of attempts, the last attempt recorded will be used.
If a spoken response item limits the length of a student’s recording, a timer appears next to the microphone icon. The timer begins counting down when the student starts recording their response. The recording automatically stops when the timer runs out.
S
Secure Browser Application
The secure browser application ensures test security by prohibiting access to external applications and navigation away from the test. When the secure browser application launches, it checks for other applications running on the device. If it detects a blacklisted application, it displays a message listing the offending application and prevents the student from testing. This also occurs if a blacklisted application launches while the student is already in a test.
In most cases, a detected blacklisted application is a scheduled or background job, such as anti-virus scans or software updates. The best way to prevent blacklisted applications from running during a test is to schedule such jobs outside of planned testing hours.
Some additional measures you can implement to ensure the test environment is secure are:
Close External User Applications
Before launching the secure browser application, or prior to administering the online tests, close all non-required applications on testing devices, such as word processors and web browsers.
Avoid Testing with Dual Monitors
Students should not take online tests on computers connected to more than one monitor. Systems that use a dual-monitor setup typically display an application on one screen while another application is accessible on the other screen.
Disable Screen Savers and Timeout Features
On all testing devices, be sure to disable any features that display a screensaver or log users out after a period of inactivity. If such features activate while a student is testing, the secure browser application logs the student out of the test.
Using the Secure Browser Application with Accessibility Software
For students with special needs or administrators seeking to accommodate students using accessibility features, the secure browser application provides the option for assessments to be taken in less restrictive environments. This feature is known as Permissive Mode.
Permissive Mode is an accommodation option that allows students to use accessibility software in addition to the secure browser application. Offered on MacOS and Windows, students testing in Permissive Mode can have moderated access to the system outside of the secure browser application. This allows students who need accessibility tools to seamlessly navigate between the secure browser application and approved applications that suit their test taking needs.
Please note that accessibility software must be certified for use with TDS and blacklisted applications will still not be allowed to run. For information about supported operating systems, refer to the Tech Guide.
Permissive Mode activates when the student is approved for testing. Students who have the Permissive Mode setting enabled should not continue with the sign-in process until their accessibility software is correctly configured.
To use accessibility software with the secure browser application:
Open the required accessibility software.
Open the secure browser application. Begin the normal sign-in process up to the test administrator approval step.
When a student is approved for testing, the secure browser application allows the operating system’s menu and task bar to appear:
Windows: On Windows, the secure browser application resizes, and the taskbar remains visible inside the test in its usual position. Students can execute the keyboard shortcut ALT+TAB to switch between the secure browser application and accessibility applications, such as JAWS and NVDA, that they are permitted to use in their test session. Please note that when using Windows 10 and above, the task bar remains on-screen throughout the test after enabling accessibility software. However, blacklisted applications are still prohibited.
Mac: On MacOS, the secure browser application resizes, and students can view the dock in its usual position inside the test. If the dock is set to autohide, no resizing occurs, and the dock is only visible when the mouse is moved toward the bottom of screen. Students can execute the keyboard shortcut CMD+TAB to switch between the secure browser application and permitted accessibility applications.
The student must immediately switch to the accessibility software that is already open on the computer so that it appears over the secure browser application. The student cannot click within the secure browser application until the accessibility software is configured:
Windows: To switch to the accessibility software application, click the application in the task bar.
Mac: To switch to the accessibility software application, click the application in the dock.
The student configures the accessibility software settings as needed.
After configuring the accessibility software settings, the student returns to the secure browser application. At this point, the student can no longer switch back to the accessibility software. If changes need to be made, the student must sign out and then sign in again.
The student continues with the sign-in process.
As soon as Permissive Mode is turned off, the secure browser application reoccupies the whole screen so that the taskbar or dock is no longer visible, and the student’s ability to switch between any applications and secure browser application is suppressed.
Accessing the Secure Browser Application on Mobile Devices
Tablets and Chromebooks should be configured for testing before you provide them to students. For more information, refer to the OS and platform specific technical documents on the Texas Assessment Program Portal.
To configure iPadOS devices:
Tap the SecureTestBrowser secure browser application icon.
To configure Chromebooks:
From the Apps link on the Chrome OS login screen, select SecureTestBrowser secure browser application.
Closing the Student Interface on Tablets
After a test session ends, close the SecureTestBrowser application on student tablets.
To close the Student Interface on iPadOS devices:
Double-tap the Home button or swipe up from the bottom of the screen. The multitasking bar appears.
Locate the SecureTestBrowser app preview and slide it upward.
To close the Student Interface on Chromebooks:
Click Close secure browser in the upper-right corner.
Force-Quitting the Secure Browser Application
In the rare event that the secure browser application or test becomes unresponsive, you can force-quit the secure browser application. Please note that the secure browser application hides features such as the Windows task bar or Mac OS X dock. If the secure browser application is not closed correctly, then the task bar or dock may not reappear correctly, requiring you to reboot the device. Avoid using a force-quit command if possible.
To force the secure browser application to close, use the keyboard command for your operating system as shown below. This action logs the student out of the test. When the secure browser application is opened again, the student logs back in to resume testing.
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Table 9. Force Quit Secure Browser Application Keyboard Commands
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Operating System
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Key Combination
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Windows*
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Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F10
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Mac OS X*
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Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F10. The Ctrl key may appear as Control, Ctrl, or ^
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Linux
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Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Esc
*If you are using an Apple keyboard, you may need to press Ctrl + Shift + Option + F10. If you are using a laptop or notebook, you may also need to press Function before pressing F10.
Force-quit commands do not exist for the secure browser application for iPadOS, and Chrome OS devices:
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iPadOS: Double-tap the Home button, then close the app as you would any other iPadOS app.
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a functioning microphone.
If the Student Testing Site determines that there may be audio issues with the student’s response, a warning message appears, encouraging them to play the response they entered to make sure it is audible.
If a spoken response item limits the number of attempts students can make to record, the Remaining Attempts section indicates how many attempts the students have left. Recording a new attempt erases the previous attempt. If a student runs out of attempts, the last attempt recorded will be used.
If a spoken response item limits the length of a student’s recording, a timer appears next to the microphone icon. The timer begins counting down when the student starts recording their response. The recording automatically stops when the timer runs out.
S
Secure Browser Application
The secure browser application ensures test security by prohibiting access to external applications and navigation away from the test. When the secure browser application launches, it checks for other applications running on the device. If it detects a forbidden application, it displays a message listing the offending application and prevents the student from testing. This also occurs if a forbidden application launches while the student is already in a test.
In most cases, a detected forbidden application is a scheduled or background job, such as anti-virus scans or software updates. The best way to prevent forbidden applications from running during a test is to schedule such jobs outside of planned testing hours.
Some additional measures you can implement to ensure the test environment is secure are:
Close External User Applications
Before launching the secure browser application, or prior to administering the online tests, close all non-required applications on testing devices, such as word processors and web browsers.
Avoid Testing with Dual Monitors
Students should not take online tests on computers connected to more than one monitor. Systems that use a dual-monitor setup typically display an application on one screen while another application is accessible on the other screen.
Disable Screen Savers and Timeout Features
On all testing devices, be sure to disable any features that display a screensaver or log users out after a period of inactivity. If such features activate while a student is testing, the secure browser application logs the student out of the test.
Using the Secure Browser Application with Accessibility Software
For students with special needs or administrators seeking to accommodate students using accessibility features, the secure browser application provides the option for assessments to be taken in less restrictive environments. This feature is known as Permissive Mode.
Permissive Mode is an accommodation option that allows students to use accessibility software in addition to the secure browser application. Offered on MacOS and Windows, students testing in Permissive Mode can have moderated access to the system outside of the secure browser application. This allows students who need accessibility tools to seamlessly navigate between the secure browser application and approved applications that suit their test-taking needs.
Please note that accessibility software must be certified for use with TDS and forbidden applications will still not be allowed to run. For information about supported operating systems, refer to the Tech Guide.
Permissive Mode activates when the student is approved for testing. Students who have the Permissive Mode setting enabled should not continue with the sign-in process until their accessibility software is correctly configured.
To use accessibility software with the secure browser application:
Open the required accessibility software.
Open the secure browser application. Begin the normal sign-in process up to the test administrator approval step.
When a student is approved for testing, the secure browser application allows the operating system’s menu and task bar to appear:
Windows: On Windows, the secure browser application resizes, and the taskbar remains visible inside the test in its usual position. Students can execute the keyboard shortcut ALT+TAB to switch between the secure browser application and accessibility applications, such as JAWS and NVDA, that they are permitted to use in their test session. Please note that when using Windows 10 and above, the task bar remains on-screen throughout the test after enabling accessibility software. However, forbidden applications are still prohibited.
Mac: On MacOS, the secure browser application resizes, and students can view the dock in its usual position inside the test. If the dock is set to autohide, no resizing occurs, and the dock is only visible when the mouse is moved toward the bottom of screen. Students can execute the keyboard shortcut CMD+TAB to switch between the secure browser application and permitted accessibility applications.
The student must immediately switch to the accessibility software that is already open on the computer so that it appears over the secure browser application. The student cannot click within the secure browser application until the accessibility software is configured:
Windows: To switch to the accessibility software application, click the application in the task bar.
Mac: To switch to the accessibility software application, click the application in the dock.
The student configures the accessibility software settings as needed.
After configuring the accessibility software settings, the student returns to the secure browser application. At this point, the student can no longer switch back to the accessibility software. If changes need to be made, the student must sign out and then sign in again.
The student continues with the sign-in process.
As soon as Permissive Mode is turned off, the secure browser application reoccupies the whole screen so that the taskbar or dock is no longer visible, and the student’s ability to switch between any applications and secure browser application is suppressed.
Accessing the Secure Browser Application on Mobile Devices
Tablets and Chromebooks should be configured for testing before you provide them to students. For more information, refer to the OS and platform specific technical documents on the Texas Assessment Program Portal.
To configure iPadOS devices:
Tap the SecureTestBrowser secure browser application icon.
To configure Chromebooks:
From the Apps link on the Chrome OS login screen, select SecureTestBrowser secure browser application.
Closing the Student Interface on Tablets
After a test session ends, close the SecureTestBrowser application on student tablets.
To close the Student Interface on iPadOS devices:
Double-tap the Home button or swipe up from the bottom of the screen. The multitasking bar appears.
Locate the SecureTestBrowser app preview and slide it upward.
To close the Student Interface on Chromebooks:
Click Close secure browser in the upper-right corner.
Text-Response Questions
For text-response question types in the Student Interface, students can use a formatting toolbar. This toolbar is available above the response field for text response questions and appears whenever students right-click anywhere in the text area. The formatting toolbar allows students to apply styling to text and use standard word-processing features. The lower-right corner of the response field displays the word count and character count for the student's response. Table 10 provides an overview of the formatting tools available.
Table 10. Description of Formatting Tools
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Tool | Description of Function | ||||||
  | Print the entered text. | ||||||
  | Bold, italicize, or underline selected text. | ||||||
  | Remove formatting that was applied to the selected text. | ||||||
    | Insert a numbered or bulleted list. | ||||||
  | Indent a line of selected text. | ||||||
  | Decrease indent of text. | ||||||
  | Cut selected text. | ||||||
  | Copy selected text. | ||||||
  | Paste copied or cut text. | ||||||
  | Undo the last edit to text or formatting in the response field. | ||||||
  | Redo the last undo action. | ||||||
    | Use spell check to identify potentially misspelled words in the response field. The dropdown list allows you to set a language for this tool. | ||||||
  | Add special characters in the response field. | ||||||
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Test administrator name
If the issue pertains to a student, provide the student’s TSDS ID and associated district or campus. Do not provide the student’s name.
If the issue pertains to a TIDE user, provide the user’s full name and email address.
Any error messages and codes that appeared, if applicable
Affected test title and question number, if applicable
Operating system and browser version information, including version numbers (for example, Windows 10 11 and Firefox 60 130 or Mac OS 1014.14 6 and Safari 1117.6)
Information about your network configuration, if known:
Secure browser application installation (to individual devices or network)
Wired or wireless internet network setup
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If you forgot your password:
On the Secure Login page, select Forgot Your Password? and then enter your email address in the Email Address field. You will receive an email with a new temporary link to reset your password.
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If you are unable to log in, contact the Texas Assessment Program Testing Support for assistance. You must provide your name and email address. Contact information is available in the User Support section of this user guide.
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This message can occur when the secure browser application detects a blacklisted forbidden application running on the device. If this message appears on an iPad, ensure that either Autonomous Single App Mode or Automatic Assessment Configuration is enabled.