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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

Icon Name	Icon Image
Expand Button	Open
Plus Sign	Open
Collapse All Button
Minus Sign
Add Filter Button
Magnifying Glass Button
Collapse Button
Remove X Button
Eye Button
Blue Dots Icon
Orange Dots Icon
Red Dots Icon
Red X Button
Green Check Button
Refresh Page Button
Up Down Arrow Button
More Info Button
Blue Pause Button
Stop Session Button
Directional Button
Share Link Button
Edit Button
Delete Button
Export Button
Audio Button
Stimulus Button
Book Button
Marked for Review Icon
Unanswered Icon
Left Arrow Button
Right Arrow Button
Keyboard Button
Play Button
1x Button
Pause Button
Resizing Handle Button
Pop Out Button
Basic Calculator Button
Dictionary Button
Graph/Draw Button
Help Button
Line Reader Button
Notepad Button
Pause Test Button
Periodic Table Button
References Button
Ruler Button
System Settings Button
Zoom In Button
Zoom Out Button
Menu Button
Microphone Button
ASL Button
Mark For Review Question Icon
Mark For Review Flag Icon
Pencil Icon
Cover Page Icon
Expand Passage Button
Push Pin

K

Keyboard Commands in the Student Interface

Students can use keyboard commands to navigate between test elements, features, and tools. Important things to note about keyboard commands are as follows:

• Keyboard commands require the use of the primary keyboard, so please do not use keys in a numeric keypad.

• Some keyboard commands (such as the commands for using the Line Reader) may not function when testing on iPadOS devices connected to an external keyboard.

• When Permissive Mode is enabled for a test, keyboard commands are blocked and will not function.

Keyboard Commands for Sign-In Pages and In-Test Pop-Ups

Table 6 lists keyboard commands for selecting options on the sign-in pages or pop-up windows that appear during a test.

Keyboard Commands for Test Navigation

Table 7 lists keyboard commands for navigating tests and responding to questions.

Keyboard Commands for Global and Context Menus

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.

Context Menus

• To open the context menu for an element (question, answer options, or stimulus), navigate to the element using the Tab or Shift + Tab command.

• Press Ctrl + M. The context menu for the selected element opens.

• To move between options in the context menu, use the Up or Down arrow keys.

• To select an option, press Enter.

• To close the context menu without selecting an option, press Esc.

Keyboard Commands for Highlighting Selected Regions of Text

This section explains how to use keyboard commands to select a text excerpt (such as a word in a passage) and highlight it. These instructions only apply to students using the secure browser application:

• To select text and highlight it, navigate to the element containing the text you want to select.

• Press Ctrl + M to open the context menu and navigate to Enable Text Selection.

• Press Enter. A flashing cursor appears at the upper-left corner of the active element.

• To move the cursor to the beginning of the text you want to select, use the arrow keys.

• Press Shift and an arrow key to select your text. The text you select appears shaded.

• Press Ctrl + M and select Highlight Selection.

Keyboard Commands for Grid Questions

Questions with the grid response area may have up to three main sections – an answer space, which is the grid area where students enter the response; an object bank, which is a panel containing objects you can move to the answer space; and a button row, which appears above the answer space and may include Delete, Add Point, Add Arrow, Add Line, Add Circle, Add Dashed Line, and Connect Line buttons.

• To move between the main sections, do the following:

  • To move clockwise, press Tab. To move counterclockwise, press Shift + Tab.

• To add an object to the answer space, do the following:

With the object bank active, use the arrow keys to move between objects. The active object has a blue background.

To add the active object to the answer space, press Space:

• To use the action buttons, do the following:

  • With the button row active, use the left and right arrow keys to move between the buttons. The active button is white.

  • To select a button, press Enter, and then press Space to apply the point, arrow, or line to the answer space.

• To move objects and graph elements in the answer space, do the following:

  • With the answer space active, press Enter to move between the objects, and then press Space. The active object displays a blue border.

  • Press an arrow key to move the object. To move the object in smaller increments, hold Shift while pressing an arrow key.

Keyboard Commands for Equation Questions

Equation questions allow students to use keyboard commands to open a menu listing the special characters they can insert into the response area:

• To insert special characters in the response area, with the focus in the text field of the response area, press Alt + 7. The Special Characters window opens.

• To move between options in the context menu, use the Up or Down arrow keys.

• To add the selected option to the response area, press Enter.

L

Login Information for the Test Administrator Interface and Practice Site

Test administrators will not be able to access the Test Administrator Interface or Practice Site until their local TIDE administrator 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, TexasAssessment.gov.

• Select the relevant user role.

• Select the appropriate Test Administrator Site:

1. To access the Test Administrator Interface, select Test Administrator Interface.

To access the Test Administrator Practice Site, select Practice and Released Tests, then select Test Administrator Practice Site:

• The Login page appears. Enter your email address and password.

• Select Secure Login. 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 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: You must 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 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.

P

Pause and Test Timeout Rules

Pause Rules

Students can pause a test at any time in order to temporarily log out of the test session. If a student pauses their test, they can resume their test using the same session ID:

• If the test is paused for less than 8 hours, the student can return to questions that were already answered and modify answers.

• If the test is paused for more than 8 hours, the student can return to questions that were already answered but cannot change the answers. The only exception is if the session was paused on a page that has at least one unanswered question.

• All answers are saved immediately. They are not lost if the test is paused.

If the test session has ended, the test administrator will need to set up a new session, and the student must sign in to their test using a new session ID.

These pause rules apply regardless of whether the student pauses the test, or a technical issue logs the student out.

Test Timeout Rules

A warning message displays after 5 minutes of inactivity and the student will be logged out after 20 minutes of inactivity.

Practice Tests Site Student Sign-In Process

The Student Practice Site allows students to take practice tests. 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.

Students can take practice tests in proctored sessions created in the Test Administrator Practice Site or in in non-proctored/guest sessions. Students also have the option to sign in to the test sessions with their real identities to take tests specific to their grades or sign in as guests to take tests for any grade level.

To access the Student Practice Site, do one of the following:

• From the Texas Assessment Program portal (TexasAssessment.gov), select the Practice Tests Login card.

• In the secure browser application, select the Take a Practice Test button.

To sign in, students do the following:

• To sign in as a guest, students set the Guest User toggle to On. Otherwise, to use their real credentials, students set the Guest User toggle to Off and then enter their first name and TSDS ID.

• To join a guest session, students set the Guest Session toggle to On. Or else, to join a proctored session, students set the Guest Session toggle to Off and enter the Session ID from the Test Administrator Practice Site. If using a test session link to join the session, the session ID will be pre-filled.

• Students select Sign In:

1. If signed in with their real identities, the Is This You page appears. Students verify their information and click Yes to proceed to the Your Tests page.

2. If signed in as guest users, students are directly taken to the Your Tests page.

• On the Your Tests page, students do one of the following:

1. If signed in with their real identities, students select a test from the ones available for their grade. 

2. Students signed in as guests select their grade level from the dropdown list to view the tests available for that grade and then select a test. If the students signed in to a guest session, they must select the test settings they wish to use from the Choose Settings page and then select the Select button. When selecting the color of the text and background, mouse-pointer, and print size settings, students can refer to a live preview of their selected settings.

• If the test includes audio content or text-to-speech settings, the Audio/Video Checks page appears displaying the functionality checks that need to be performed. Students must follow the instructions on this page to ensure their device is working properly.

• On the final sign-in page, students may review the help guide, their test settings, and the additional test information, then select Begin Test Now to start or resume their test opportunity.

Practice Test Score Report

After students submit the test, the Your Results page appears. For some tests, this page also displays the test score. Table 8 provides an overview of the columns in the score report.

R

Recording Spoken Responses

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.

*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:

• iPadOS: Double-tap the Home button, then close the app as you would any other iPadOS app.

• Chrome OS: To exit the secure browser application from the sign-in screens, press Ctrl + Shift + S. You cannot force quit once the test has begun.

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.

Spell Check Feature

The spell check tool identifies words in the response field that may be misspelled:

• Select a language for the spell check tool from the Spell Check dropdown list, if necessary.

• In the toolbar, select Spell Check. Potentially incorrect words change color and become underlined.

• Select a misspelled word. A list of suggestions appears.

• Select a replacement word from the list. If none of the replacement words are correct, close the list by clicking anywhere outside it.

• To exit spell check, select Spell Check again.

Special Characters Feature

Students can add mathematical, accented, and other symbols:

• To add a special character, in the toolbar, select Special Character.

• In the window that pops up, select the required character.

U

User Support and Troubleshooting Information

User Support

For information and assistance in using TDS, contact Texas Testing Support. Texas Testing Support is open Monday–Friday 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. (CT) (except holidays or as otherwise indicated.).

Please provide Texas Testing Support with a detailed description of your problem, as well as the following information:

• 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 and Firefox 60 or Mac OS 10.14 and Safari 11)

• Information about your network configuration, if known:

  • Secure browser application installation (to individual devices or network)

  • Wired or wireless internet network setup

Usernames and Password Issues

Your username for logging in to the Test Administrator Site is the email address associated with your account in TIDE. When you are added to TIDE, you receive an activation email containing a temporary link to the Reset Your Password page. To activate your account, you must set up your password within 15 minutes of the email being sent:

• If your first temporary link expired:

In the activation email you received, select the second link provided and proceed to request a new temporary link.

• If you forgot your password:

On the 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.

• If you did not receive an email containing a temporary link or authentication code:

Check your spam folder to make sure your email program did not categorize it as junk mail. If you still have not received an email, contact your school or district coordinator to make sure you are listed in TIDE.

• Additional help

If you are unable to log in, contact the Texas Assessment Program for assistance. You must provide your name and email address. Contact information is available in the User Support section of this user guide.

Common Student Sign-In Errors

TDS generates an error message if a student cannot sign in. The following are the most common student sign-in issues:

• Session does not exist

The student entered the Session ID incorrectly or signed in to the wrong site. Verify that the student correctly entered the active Session ID. Also, verify that both you and the student are using the correct sites. For example, students signed in to the Student Practice Site cannot access sessions created in the Test Administrator Interface. A message displayed in the bottom-left corner of the Student Sign-In page indicates which site the student is on. If a student is on the wrong site, the student can select the button included in the message to proceed to the correct site.

• Student information is not entered correctly

Verify that the student correctly entered the TSDS ID. If this does not resolve the error, use the Student Lookup tool to verify the student's information.

• Session has expired

The Session ID corresponds to a closed session. Ensure that the student enters the correct Session ID and verify that your session is open.

• Student is not associated with the campus

The student is not associated with your campus, or you are not associated with the student’s campus.

Resolving Secure Browser Application Error Messages

This section provides possible resolutions for the following messages that students may receive when signing in to tests using the secure browser application.

• You cannot login with this browser

This message occurs when the student is not using the correct secure browser application. To resolve this issue, ensure the latest version of the secure browser application is installed, and that the student launched the secure browser application instead of a standard web browser. If the latest version of the secure browser application is already running, then log the student out, restart the device, and try again.

• Looking for an internet connection…

This message appears when the secure browser application cannot connect with TDS. This can occur if there is a network-related problem. Make sure that either the network cable is plugged in (for wired connections) or the Wi-Fi connection is live (for wireless connections). Also check if the secure browser application must use specific proxy settings; if so, those settings must be specified as options when configuring the secure browser application. If connection issues persist, contact a network technician.

• Test Environment Is Not Secure

This message can occur when the secure browser application detects a blacklisted 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.