Frequently Asked Questions about Training and Communication Resources
What training and resources are available for the online assessment system?
TA Certification Course
Anyone who will be administering an Interim and/or Smarter Balanced Assessment to students must first pass the online TA Certification Course. To access this course, Test Administrators will need their TIDE username and password. Test Administrators will not be able to log into the Test Administrator (TA) Live Site without passing this course. Please note that this requirement does NOT include proctors because they will not be using the online assessment system. Proctors will only assist with monitoring students during assessments. Even if you were certified for the 2022-2023 administration, you must retake the online TA Certification Course because it has been updated for the 2023-2024 school year.
Training and Practice Tests
The Training and Practice Tests site can be used to access training tests and practice tests online to become familiar with the Smarter Balanced Assessments. Please see the “Interim Assessments and Practice Tests” section of the FAQs for additional information about these resources.
Training Modules and General Resources
Training modules for individual testing systems are posted in the “Training and Webinars” resources section on alohahsap.org.
A number of manuals, user guides, and a list of Important Dates are also available to assist with the use of the online assessment system. Go to the Smarter Balanced Resources page on alohahsap.org to view all of the available information. Additionally, the HSAP Help Desk is available from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. HST, Monday–Friday (except holidays) at 1-866-648-3712 or hsaphelpdesk@cambiumassessment.com.
Can a Test Coordinator find out which Test Administrators have passed the Online TA Certification Course?
Yes. Test Coordinators will be able to use the TIDE system to verify which Test Administrators in the school have passed the Online TA Certification Course for either the general education assessments and/or the HSA-Alt assessments. This information will be available in the “Trained User for Test Administration” column in the “View/Edit Users” tab in TIDE. This column will be set to “General TA Certification” (if the Test Administrator has passed the general education Online TA Certification Course) and/or “Alternate TA Certification” (if the Test Administrator has passed the HSA-Alt Online TA Certification Course). The column will say “None Selected” or will be blank if the Test Administrator has not passed one or both of the Hawai’i Online TA Certification courses.
Are hardcopies of all the online user guides and manuals available?
No. If hardcopies are preferred, school-level personnel will need to download and print their own copies.
When should schools inform parents that a Parent Information Booklet for the Smarter Balanced Assessments can be viewed online in English and 14 additional languages?
The Department of Education recommends that schools prepare a notification to parents about the testing window of the Smarter Balanced Assessments during the first and second semesters of 2023-2024 depending on their block or traditional schedules, and the address of the website where families can view the Parent Information Booklet about three weeks before the students take the Smarter Balanced Assessments. This notification may be through a/an school bulletin, school newsletter, email announcement, or letter that students hand carry home.