In March 2013, PARCC released the PARCC Capacity Planning Tool as part of the first phase of assessment administration guidance issued in preparation for the Spring 2014 Field Test and the school year 2014-2015 assessment. This tool, an Excel Spreadsheet (.xlsx format), is designed to assist district and school leaders in identifying gaps in assessment administration capacity, including computer-based test taking devices and bandwidth, and exploring possible scenarios for addressing those gaps.
The PARCC Capacity Planning Tool allows schools to model different levels of testing windows, devices, simultaneous test-takers by grade level, and bandwidth demands, and to check their current and planned strategies against several “rule of thumb” models for determining test-taking configurations and student to device ratio targets.
Printable PDF versions are provided below for review purposes. Calculations need to be performed in the Interactive Version.
- Capacity Planning Tool – Print Version
- Small Elementary Example – Print Version
- User’s Guide for PARCC Assessment Administration Capacity Planning Tool: This guide walks through the Assessment Administration Capacity Planning Tool step-by-step to support school and district leaders in using it and interpreting the results.
- Key Local Considerations (Technology Readiness) is available to specifically address some of the considerations and/or local decisions that district and school staff may need to include in their transition planning or in their determinations of local readiness for the online delivery of statewide or other high-stakes assessments. (06/2013)
As assessment development progresses, PARCC will continue to issue increasingly detailed guidance and online tools to help schools evaluate and prepare their assessment technology infrastructure. As available, further information will be posted to http://www.parcconline.org/technology.
PARCC Accessibility and Accommodations Manual released July 25, 2013 NEW
