NimbleTools School Information

Early March: Schools will receive a packet containing your school login and password for the Administrator Tool, which is used to register and assign accessibility tools to participating students. This packet will also contain an explanation of the project, the project website address that has a link to the practice tests and high schools packets will contain tactile overlays for practice test items that are difficult to describe for students with low vision. Training on tactile overlay use will be available on the project website.

May 1: Schools that have registered students to participate will receive the secure test materials on CD with the shipment of test materials from Measured Progress. The test should be installed onto computers before the test administration dates. Students WILL NOT be able to log in before the testing window.

May 10: All student test registration and accommodation / accessibility tool settings must be done before 4:00 PM on this day.

Downloadable Instructions

• Nimble Administrator Instructions: PDF - HTML

• Science Test Adminstration Manuals for all 3 grades: Available in April

Administrative Procedures for Participating Schools

How do I get ready for the operational test?

Schools that register students to participate in the operational use of NimbleTools for the grade 11 science assessment will receive a CD with the package of paper based test materials shipped via UPS by Measured Progress. Test coordinators will be responsible for loading the updated version of NimbleTools onto school computers. Test administration information specific to the use of the CD version of the test will be provided in these shipments of materials to the schools and will be made available online at www.ed.state.nh.us/necap. On this page, choose: Spring 2010 Science Materials & Information. If your school registers it's first student AFTER CDs are shipped, you will need to download the NimbleTools software for use during the operational test.

See the Teacher/Test Proctor Tutorial movie

Will the results from the computer-based test count as the official score of record?

YES. Students who take the NECAP Science Test online will produce an official test score based on their responses to this computer version of the test. This is NOT a pilot. The online version and the paper version of the test will both be scored in exactly the same way. Student scores will be assigned and will count. It is essential that all participating students, their parents, and school personnel clearly understand this fact when they make their participation decision. Should students encounter any problems while performing the online version or decide that this is not the right option for them, they will have the option of completing the remaining test sessions on paper. (If this occurs during a test session, contact your Department of Education assessment staff for procedural guidance.)

How should I distribute test materials to students?

Student test booklets and student answer booklets should be distributed to students using normal procedures. Please try to ensure that the four forms are evenly distributed to students using NimbleTools. Do NOT give all students using NimbleTools the same test form number. The only exception to this is for students using Read Aloud Low-Vision (Grade 11 only). Those students should all be given FORM 1.

How do students login to NimbleTools?

Using the administrative tool, test coordinators will print a report listing participating student login and ticket number information. Test coordinators will be responsible for logging students in and out of NimbleTools during the operational test. Students will have a different ticket number for each of the three testing sessions. After logging into NimbleTools, students will be asked to enter the lithocode from the bottom right hand corner of the student answer booklet that has been assigned to them. Students will be asked enter the lithocode number twice to confirm accuracy. Entering the lithocode number will allow the proper form to be delivered to the participating student.

Can students use other accommodations in addition to NimbleTools?

Yes. If needed, students can also use regular accommodations, like D2: (Student answers on separate paper and school personnel transcribe answer to student answer booklet), or D5: (Student dictates constructed responses and school personnel scribe into test booklet exactly as dictated.) Any approved standard accommodations, as appropriate, may be used, and if used – must be documented on page 2 of the Student Answer Booklet in the normal way. Use of the computer accommodation version of the test will be documented by data collected online during administration.

What other accommodations are provided that are not listed as 'Tools'?

Allow Breaks: Students are allowed to log out of a test session, take a break, then continue with the same session by logging back in. Answers will be saved and restored when they return. This should only be assigned to students who specifically require breaks, as their test session will require more careful supervision (to ensure test security). This accommodation is assigned in the Nimble Administrator online application.

Extended Time: All students participating will be allowed extended time when taking the tests. You do not need to assign the student to this accommodation.

Magnifying Glass: All students using NimbleTools will have access to the Magnifying Glass tool that can increase the size of text or graphics for any part of the test.

Will students be shown how to use the accessibility tools as part of the testing session?

No. Students should view the general NimbleTools orientation and specific accessibility tool orientations posted at http://www.nimbletools.com/necap/orientations.htm before taking the operational test.

Will we need to provide our own earphones for students using read aloud or auditory calming?

Yes.

What happens if there is a technology problem while students are taking the test?

Student’s test answers will be recorded on Nimble’s servers as the student answers each question. If an Internet connection problem occurs during testing, please have the student resume testing when the connection has been reestablished.

After I launch the test, why does it keep saying it is connecting to the log in, then quit after a minute?

This will only happen if the test can not communicate with the test server. Because this is a secure test, the test will automatically quit after one minute if it can not establish an Internet connection. Make sure the computer has an Internet connection before starting the test. If you are sure it is connected, but it still quits, contact your school's technical personnel, and make sure your network will allow https communication for the address necap.nimbletools.net .

Will students record their answers to both multiple choice and open response items using NimbleTools?

No. Multiple choice items will be answered using NimbleTools. Open response items will be presented through NimbleTools, but because some items encourage students to draw graphs or pictures, all open response items should be answered in the normal paper based student answer booklets. NimbleTools will instruct students to respond in their student answer booklet for all open response items.

How will NimbleTools Testing Session End?

When students finish a testing session, they will be shown a summary of their answers, asked to confirm that they want to exit the session, and asked to notify their testing coordinator to log them off of NimbleTools. Testing coordinators will then be shown a summary of student responses and will log students out of NimbleTools. Testing coordinators will not be able to go back into the testing session.

What happens if a student’s paper based student answer booklet is damaged or destroyed?

If a student's answer booklet is damaged or destroyed, select another student answer booklet with the same test form number, restart NimbleTools, enter the lithocode number and have the student resume testing where they left off.

What happens if a student decides that they would rather not use NimbleTools after starting a testing session?

If a student begins a testing session using NimbleTools, please encourage the student to finish the test session on the computer. Try to switch to paper only at the beginning of a new session. If the change to paper is critical, simply have the student answer all remaining questions in the current session in the answer booklet. The test proctor should ensure that the student locates the proper starting point in the answer booklet to begin entering his or her remaining responses in the paper answer booklet. Standard NECAP test administration procedures should be followed after switching to paper.

Do we need to return the NimbleTools CD?

Yes. ALL secure test materials (including the secure NECAP Science Test CD) must be returned to Measured Progress at the end of the testing window.

How Can I Get Help or Ask Questions?

If you have questions about NimbleTools or the specific accessibility tools, please view the orientation files on the Detailed Description of Tools page. If you have further questions, please email Jen Higgins at jen@nimbletools.com, call (877) 636-0371.

Please send your comments to uaa@nimbletools.com