Technology Guidelines for Georgia Milestones Version 1.2

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1 The (GaDOE) has assembled these technology guidelines to inform schools and districts as they make technology decisions to best meet the instructional and assessment needs of their students. The information in this document is intended to help schools and districts determine the level of readiness of their existing computer inventories and the new instructional hardware they may purchase as they implement the state adopted content standards, and also evaluate whether they will meet GaDOE s minimum specifications for computer based assessment administrations. outline the levels of computer capacity that are more likely to meet growing demands for school technology that supports learning, assessment, and administrative uses simultaneously across classrooms. apply to both existing inventory and new hardware purchases. These hardware specifications apply to testing for the period Spring 2015 through Spring These guidelines are based on the best available current information. Due to the dynamic nature of computer hardware and software, support for older operating systems and/or hardware may change for future testing administrations. Additionally, some operating systems and hardware may be added, or modified, as their use becomes more prevalent. It must be noted that hardware and software vendors may change product configurations at any time outside the control of the GaDOE and its vendors. This may cause unanticipated deviations from the guidelines provided in this document. Should this occur, GaDOE will notify school systems accordingly. The sections in this document include: Technology guidance for decision making (p. 1) Device and browser specifications for (p. 1 7) TECHNOLOGY GUIDANCE FOR DECISION MAKING While GaDOE s ongoing processes for assessment and technical platform design continue, Technology Guidelines for, is intended to help schools and districts inform their own readiness preparations and decision making. DEVICE AND BROWSER SPECIFICATIONS FOR GEORGIA MILESTONES Devices that will be supported for are detailed below and include selected desktops, laptops, netbooks, thin client/vdi systems (Ncomputing), and tablets (ipad). These devices will be compatible provided they meet the established hardware, operating system and networking specifications and are able to address the security requirements described in the following sections. This section of the Technology Guidelines includes the following: Table 1: specifications for Windows desktop and laptop users (p. 2) Table 2: specifications for Mac desktop and laptop users (p. 3) Table 3: specifications for Chromebook user (p. 4) Table 4: specifications for Linux users (p. 5) Table 5: specifications for ipad users (p. 6) Table 6: Additional Hardware, Software, and Security Guidelines (p. 7) February 2015 Page 1 of 7

2 Table 1: Windows: Specifications for Windows Desktop and Laptop Users Operating System Windows 7, 8.0, and 8.1 Additional Specifications for Windows Desktop, Laptop, and Netbook Computers Processor and Memory 1.3 GHz processor 1 GB RAM minimum, 2 GB recommended Requirements for All Desktops and Laptops Additional Guidance Internal or Wired Keyboard The input device must allow students to select/deselect, drag, and highlight text, objects, and areas. The input device must allow students to enter letters, numbers, and symbols and shift, tab, return, delete, and backspace. To meet security guidelines, each Bluetooth/wireless keyboard must be configured to pair with only a single computer during assessment administration. Headphones for Screen Reader accommodation Windows 8 RT tablet OS is not supported. February 2015 Page 2 of 7

3 Table 2: Mac OS: specifications for Mac desktop and laptop users MAC Operating Systems Mac OS X , 10.8, 10.9, and Additional Specifications for MAC Desktop, and Laptop Computers Processor and Memory 1.8 GHz processor 2 GB RAM minimum Requirements for All Mac Desktops and Laptops Internal or wired keyboard The input device must allow students to select/deselect, drag, and highlight text, objects, and areas. The input device must allow students to enter letters, numbers, and symbols and shift, tab, return, delete, and backspace. To meet security guidelines, each Bluetooth/wireless keyboard must be configured to pair with only a single computer during assessment administration. Headphones for Screen Reader accommodation February 2015 Page 3 of 7

4 Table 3: Chrome OS: specifications for Chromebook user (Available for use beginning Spring 2015) Operating Systems Chrome OS 39 with auto update enabled Memory Requirements Additional Specifications for Chromebooks Any memory size Internal keyboard The input device must allow students to select/deselect, drag, and highlight text, objects, and areas. The input device must allow students to enter letters, numbers, and symbols and shift, tab, return, delete, and backspace. To meet security guidelines, each Bluetooth/wireless keyboard must be configured to pair with only a single computer during assessment administration. Headphones for Screen Reader accommodation February 2015 Page 4 of 7

5 Table 4: Linux: specifications for Linux users Operating Systems Linux: Ubuntu 12.04, 14.04, Fedora 19, 20 Additional Specifications for Linux Desktop, Laptop, and Netbook Computers Processor and Memory 1.3 GHz processor 2 GB RAM minimum, 4 GB recommended Requirements for All Desktops and Laptops Internal or wired keyboard The input device must allow students to select/deselect, drag, and highlight text, objects, and areas. The input device must allow students to enter letters, numbers, and symbols and shift, tab, return, delete, and backspace. To meet security guidelines, each Bluetooth/wireless keyboard must be configured to pair with only a single computer during assessment administration. Headphones for screen reader accommodation February 2015 Page 5 of 7

6 Table 5: ios: specifications for ipad users ipad Operating Systems Memory Requirements ipad running ios 7 or 8 Additional Specifications for ipads 512 MB RAM or greater 9.7 inch screen ipad mini not supported 1024 x 768 resolution Bluetooth keyboard Touchscreen Due to onscreen space occupied by a tablet s virtual keyboard, it is strongly recommended that an external keyboard is used by test takers using tablets so as not to limit or obscure the view of test item content and related functionalities when text input is required. External keyboards must allow students to enter letters, numbers, and symbols and shift, tab, return, delete, and backspace. Tablet touchscreen interfaces can be used for student interactions with the assessments other than text input, including to select/deselect, drag, and highlight text, objects, and areas. To meet security guidelines, each Bluetooth/wireless keyboard must be configured to pair with only a single computer during assessment administration. Headphone/Earphone/ Ear bud Requirements Additional Guidance The ipad feature Guided Access must be turned ON in the ipad s Settings. Once in Guided Access, the hardware buttons for volume control should be enabled to better support Screenreader. The ipad feature Assistive Touch must be turned OFF in the ipad s Settings. These feature settings lock the ipad into kiosk mode and until a passcode is entered prevent the student from accessing apps other than the testing app. This is not a complete configuration requirement; please check implementation instructions for further details. February 2015 Page 6 of 7

7 Table 6: Additional Hardware, Software, and Security Guidelines Applicable to All Operating Systems Virtualization and Thin Clients Display / Monitor Sound Internet Connectivity / Bandwidth Firewalls Proxy Servers Instant Messaging Screensavers System Scans System Restore Remote Desktop Web Content Filtering Other Software NComputing L300 clients are supported with Windows 7 access points using the NComputing 1:1 Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Use Model. Set to a minimum of 1024 x 768 pixels Minimum color display: 256 colors (8 bit) Minimum 10" class screen (9.7 inch for tablets) Sound card/chip to support Screen Reader accommodation T1, high speed cable or high speed DSL Minimum 1.5 Mbps upload and download required for every 50 concurrent users Ports 80 and 443 must be open Dynamic pages are must not be cached Allow both HTTP and HTTPS traffic for *.ctb.com Allow traffic from app.readspeaker.com (for screen reader accommodation) Instant messaging and e mail notification disabled Screen savers and power savers disabled Anti virus system scans and/or auto updates set to run when testing will not be taking place System restore utilities, e.g. Deep Freeze, disabled during setup and testing, so that new data remains in place after system reboot Remote desktop access disabled Exclude *.ctb.com, *.readspeaker.com from web filtering Other automatic software that needs to be disabled to ensure a secure session Note: Plans call for additional Thin Client configurations to be supported beginning with the school year. These Guidelines will be updated, and districts notified, as soon as that information is available. February 2015 Page 7 of 7