Galileo Test Monitoring Interface Gets an Update

The Galileo Test Monitoring interface will receive updates in the new year. The interface provides the ability to monitor all student responses in one location. The look of the interface is changing with animated 3D charts and expandable windows to engage and inform the educator as well as to allow rapid access to test scoring capabilities. In addition, users can score student’s essays as well as change or modify point values for other question types.

The first update most users will see is the dynamic 3D animated chart at top of the page. The new 3D representation repopulates when data is refreshed and provides the item number and percentage correct when you hover over the graphical item bar. The new design allows the user to expand or collapse and scroll the graphics for easy viewing. The main student response table is now printable in color with student responses identified for multiple choice and scores earned for Technology Enhanced items.  

Printable Test Monitoring report is accessible directly from the Test Monitoring interface. Click to view larger.

When an item number is selected the user can see the student responses as well as the original item and correct answers. A new function has been added that allows teachers to score items directly from the Test Monitoring interface. When a user saves changes an updated animated confirmation alert will identify the successful change. Additionally, the student response table will have new identifiers to let teachers know that an item is “Ready for Scoring” with a color coded amber box as well as teal colored box identifying items with “Partial Credit.”

The Test Monitoring Interface provides users the ability to select an item number to view the student responses. Click to view larger.

The new interface illustrates original responses as well as correct answers. Click to view larger.

Additional enhancements to the Test Monitoring interface include:

• teachers will continue to have the ability to lock and unlock students from accessing an assessment; 
• the auto refresh will refresh the page each minute displaying more detailed data on student responses;  
• the “Show Student IDs” change student names to student IDs for increased privacy; and  
• the “Filter Mode” allow you to filter the view based on Intervention Group or completed class.

To learn more about the Test Monitoring interface, please contact a Field Services Coordinator. 

Galileo Help is Always at Hand

The Galileo Help interface gives users up-to-date information on frequently asked questions about Galileo. When logged into Galileo, users can easily access the interface by clicking the "Help" link in the gold menu bar at the top of any screen. 

Help files may be easily accessed by all users from any page in Galileo. Click here to enlarge image.

Once inside the Help utility, users can search for topics by selecting the Contents link or the Search link. Through the Contents link, users may drill down through categories such as Dashboard, Setup, and Assessment to find a topic. Through the Search link, users may search for topics by keyword. Help files often include step-by-step instructions on using the selected feature, links to quick reference guides, printable handouts, and recorded Learning on Demand sessions detailing the different features in Galileo. Plus, the Help files include a glossary which provides a list of terms commonly used in the Help files along with their definition.

The Help interface provides links to a number of useful resources related to Galileo features. Click here to enlarge image.

In addition to the Help interface, ATI also provides many professional development (PD) and instructional resource options for all levels of Galileo users. These include small group webinars, on-site and online PD sessions, access to the online Professional Development Forum, and more.

Learn more about training opportunities that can further your Galileo knowledge.

Galileo’s Comprehensive Assessment System Offerings

The Galileo comprehensive assessment system provides clients with both prebuilt and customized assessment options. The prebuilt component includes high quality benchmark and formative assessments, pretests and posttests, placement tests, universal screeners, interim and end of course examinations, summative assessments, and multi-stage computerized adaptive tests. Below is an overview of the array of prebuilt assessments available in Galileo:  

• Comprehensive Blueprint Assessment Series (CBAS) providing interim assessments to measure student growth and achievement;
• Technology Enhanced Early Literacy Series (TE EL) measuring student growth and achievement with Technology Enhanced (TE) items designed for young children;
• Technology Enhanced Early Math Assessment Series (TE EM) measuring student growth and achievement with TE items designed for young children;
• Comprehensive Pretests/Posttests;
• Instructional Effectiveness (IE) Pretests/Posttests specifically designed to measure and evaluate student growth, a common component in instructional effectiveness evaluations Computerized Adaptive Tests (CAT) maximizing the information obtained from an assessment so that the measurement of student ability is optimized for student ability ranges that are often difficult to measure;
• Comprehensive Screening Assessments supporting universal screening goals by identifying students at-risk of failing to show mastery on the statewide test;
• Comprehensive Placement Assessments assessing student skill level for proper student assignment;
• Prebuilt Writing Prompt assessments; and
• Formative Assessment Series and Progress Monitoring Assessments with short five-item quizzes for each standard.

The customized assessment component in Galileo provides districts the capability to create a wide variety of customized standards-aligned assessments:

• District-wide assessments aligned to a district’s curriculum and pacing guide (e.g., benchmark assessments, pretests, posttests, placement, end-of-course exams) and designed to measure student growth and achievement;
• School-wide and classroom assessments (e.g., formative assessments, quizzes, end-of-course exams);
• IE Pretests/Posttests in many content areas including state tested content areas and, if participating in the Community Assessment Item Bank (CAIB) initiative, in non-state tested content areas (e.g., music, art, physical education) with psychometric analyses (given sufficient sample size); and 
• Formative, summative and progress monitoring assessments aligned directly to district unit plans and teacher lesson plans.

Client Assessments Built Outside of Galileo: In addition to the prebuilt and customized assessment options within Galileo, Users may also import assessments made outside of Galileo with Automated Scoring Key (ASK) technology. ASK assessments can be delivered online or offline and assessment data is maintained in the Galileo database ensuring its inclusion in the Galileo reporting engine. 

Experience Galileo for yourself. Learn first-hand about Galileo K-12 Online:

• visit the ATI website;
• participate in an online demonstration; and/or
• contact an ATI Field Services Coordinator.

Meeting School District Assessment Needs with Expansive Item Banks

ATI uses proprietary item banking technology to build and manage one of the largest assessment item banks in the nation. Currently the ATI item banks contain 150,730 items and 18 different item types. Included in the ATI banks are 13,350 technology enhanced (TE) items. Items are created and aligned to standards including Common Core and local standards in mathematics, English language arts/reading, science, and writing by ATI’s Assessment and Instructional Design (AID) Department. The banks also include items aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). In addition, the Community Assessment Item Banking* (CAIB) item bank is aligned to state standards in non-state tested areas (e.g., music, CTE, PE, art) On average, ATI’s AID Department creates, reviews, and certifies approximately 800 new items each month.

ATI offers both a secure item bank for use in creating district-wide assessments (e.g. benchmarks) and a community item bank from which teachers can create short formative assessments. ELA, math, and science items in both banks are continuously validated using Item Response Theory. Plus, ATI has partnered with Key Data Systems making it possible for districts/charters to access Inspect®, an item bank and suite of over 300 pre-built assessments, directly through Galileo. ATI items are designed to be consistent with those found on state-wide assessment and to provide students an engaging assessment experience. The variety of item types ATI offers includes:

• Multiple Choice
• True-False
• Short Answer
• Essay
• Expanded Selected Response
• Multi-part Item
• Sequencing
• Open Response
• Selectable Text
• Interactive Coordinate Planes
• Interactive Linear and Volume Measurement
• Interactive Classifying
• Interactive Ordering
• Interactive Graphing and Charts
• Interactive Labeling
• Dropdown Editing 
• Audio and Video
• Observational

To learn more about ATI’s item banks, schedule an overview with one of our friendly and knowledgeable Field Services Coordinators.

*The repository of community items may vary from state to state.

The Galileo K-12 Student-Parent Center Makes Access to Information Quick and Easy

The new Galileo K-12 Student-Parent Center helps to manage communications between teachers and students as well as between teachers and parents. The Center is designed to increase student engagement in the learning process in part by communicating to the student pertinent information concerning scheduled lessons, assignments, assessments, and assessment results. The page has also been designed to communicate important information to parents including information on student learning, curriculum, and instructional resources for home use. The interfaces for students and parents are intuitive in nature and provide easy-to-follow navigational icons. The student and parent functions are made concise through three main features:

• Dashboard 
• Calendar 
• Dialog Notes

The Dashboard provides students and parents easy access to scheduled activities and assessment results. Students have direct access to scheduled online tests as well as to assignments and lessons administered in Instructional Dialogs. Students and parents also have access to instructional resources and assessment results presented in easy to interpret charts, graphs, and lists. In the case of secure online assessments such as District benchmark tests, a teacher-issued password is issued in order to control student access and to maintain the security of the assessment content.  

From the K-12 Student-Parent Center Dashboard, students and parents may view data that indicates how the student is performing on assessments. The data are presented graphically as shown above and also in list form for easy viewing. Click to view larger.

The K-12 Student-Parent Center Calendar organizes content in a way that gives a view of instruction and assessment over time. The Calendar can be viewed by month, week, or day. Like the Dashboard, the Calendar provides access to scheduled assessments, classroom quizzes, online instructional dialogic lessons, assignments, and instructional resources. The student can see at a glance their scheduled activities including due dates. 

The K-12 Student-Parent Center Calendar provides students a quick view of and access to all scheduled assessments and assignments. Click to view larger.

From the Dialog Notes feature, students can review notes that they have made while participating in an online Dialog lesson or assignment. Dialog notes provide detailed information about the student’s progress through an online lesson or assignment as well as direct access to the Dialogs containing notes.

To learn more about the Center please contact a friendly Field Services Coordinator. 

The Categorical Growth Score Management Page

It is now possible for district Instructional Effectiveness (IE) administrators to modify and customize the data elements being factored into a teacher’s Categorical Growth Score. Data elements may be added and removed as needed from the Categorical Growth Score Management page.  

The Categorical Growth Summary widget provides data on whether the teachers or selected schools have maintained the expected growth of their students in the selected subjects. Galileo has automated the way student assessment data is linked to teachers, however sometimes district like to customize the assessments, classes and/or students pulled into a teacher’s categorical growth score.   

The Categorical Growth Score Management page is available to District- and School-level users who have been given the User Has Access to Instructional Effectiveness Tools permission. If provided the appropriate IE permissions, the Settings icon will appear at the top of the Categorical Growth Summary widget.

For instructions on using this new tool, click here.

Coming Soon: New Galileo K-12 Online Student-Parent Center Interface

ATI is in the process of making several enhancements to Galileo K-12 Online that will benefit educators, administrators, students, and parents. The most recent enhancement to Galileo the new, coming soon K-12 Student-Parent Center interface. The Center is designed to manage communications so that students and parents are provided with complete information regarding instruction and assessment used to guide instruction toward the achievement of valued educational goals.

The features of the Center make it easy to use by both students and parents. The Center ease of use features include:

• Ability for students and parents to email the teacher.
• User-friendly icons and graphical representations.
• Responsive design to accommodate use of the Center on various screen sizes.
• Search capability.  
• Integration of Google Translate enabling families whose primary language is not English (e.g., the family’s primary language is Spanish) to use the Center efficiently.
• A convenient option to choose when to integrate the new interface. Districts and charter schools have the option to immediately switch to the new interface or to continue using the classic interface accompanied with a preview of the new interface. 

The Calendar Dashboard quickly provides a snap shot of scheduled assignments or assessments. Click here to see larger. 

Not only has the functionality of the K-12 Student-Parent Center changed but the look has, too. While districts and charters can still personalize their Student-Parent Center through the inclusion of the district/charter logo, the Center now provides each student with a page that can be personalized with photos and information.

Watch for more information on the K-12 Student-Parent Center in the coming weeks. Contact our friendly and knowledgeable Field Services Coordinators to learn more. 

Instructional Dialogs

Galileo K-12 Online features dynamic instructional resource tools that allow educators to link targeted instruction to  assessment. Instructors can use the innovative technology of Instructional Dialogs to prepare the student for upcoming assessments by implementing standards-based lessons targeting instructional outcomes designated in the grade level curriculum. Instructional Dialogs can also be used as interventions or remediation to differentiate instruction after an assessment and improve the capabilities of students with a need indicated by the assessment results.

More than 2,000 dialogs have been built by ATI staff and by instructors in client-districts to address standards and skills that will enhance student mastery of the curricular goals of instruction. Teachers can use existing Instructional Dialogs, build their own Instructional Dialogs, and even modify existing Instructional Dialogs to tailor them to their goals and students' needs. Instructional Dialogs built by one teacher can be shared with other teachers through Galileo K-12 Online. Instructional Dialogs can be assigned to individual students, entire classes, or district-wide. The flexible nature of Instructional Dialogs enables teachers to use use them as a presentation-style lesson in front of the entire class, as a student-focused task in a lab or one-to-one computer resourced classroom, or even as an assignment outside of class for students with Internet access.

To learn more about using Instructional Dialogs, please contact our friendly and knowledgeable Field Services Coordinators to learn more.

Dynamic Digital Curriculum Platform: Another Innovative Solution from ATI

The Galileo Digital Curriculum Platform supports the integration of instruction with assessment to promote learning. With the curriculum platform, school districts and charter schools can easily integrate existing curriculum content, develop new curriculum content, and modify curriculums as needed. Once curriculum information has been entered into the platform, school and classroom level users can quickly access the information in order to plan and implement curriculum, differentiated instruction, and assessment activities.

The Digital Curriculum Platform is comprised of two integrated components: 1) a series of online Instructional Units defining the scope and sequence of instruction and offering a variety of resources to guide instruction; and 2) within each Unit a series of online Instructional Dialogs enabling the development and delivery of instruction and assessment within each unit. A series of Units can form the complete curriculum for a particular subject and grade. Curriculums built on the platform may include multimedia content, technology-enhanced lessons, assignments, assessments, and tools supporting online synchronous and asynchronous communication between students and teachers.

A Galileo Unit contains standards to be addressed, instructional content, resources, and Instructional Dialogs. Click to view larger.

Because the curriculum platform is fully integrated within Galileo K-12 Online, teachers, specialists and administrators have real-time, time-saving access to Galileo Dashboard reports displaying a continuous portrait of student growth and achievement. Moreover, parents and students have access to curriculum through the Galileo K-12 Online Student-Parent Center. The center is comprised of an array of features designed to increase student engagement in the learning process and provide parents with easy access to information on student learning, curriculum and resources.

Contact our friendly and knowledgeable Field Services Coordinators to learn more.

ATI Celebrates Head Start Awareness Month

ATI has been supporting Head Start programs throughout the country since 1986. We celebrate Head Start Awareness in October for the unwavering efforts Head Start has made in assisting over eight million low-income preschool children and their families.* 

Galileo Pre-K Online supports Head Start efforts to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond by providing a complete and fully integrated assessment, curriculum, and reporting system that links assessment, planning, individualization and program progress. Galileo also provides an estimated measure of what a child has learned in the form of a Developmental Level (DL) score. ATI applies procedures based in Item Response Theory (IRT) to information gained through observational assessment to estimate a measure of child learning. This estimate is presented as the Developmental Level (DL) score. The DL score indicates a child's position on a developmental path and provides information about the capabilities the child has learned as well as the capabilities the child is ready to learn. ATI recently released new research briefs presenting child growth findings which can assist Head Start educators with interpreting DL scores:

• Estimated Growth for Children Birth through 5 Years Based on 2014-15 Assessment Data: The change in the DL score over time can be used to evaluate child growth. ATI’s research can be used to estimate child growth for various time periods. This information can be used by early childhood providers to evaluate whether children are demonstrating adequate growth over time. Read the full brief
• Predicted Developmental Level Scores for Children Birth through 5 Years Based on 2014-15 Assessment Data:  ATI conducts annual research that can be used to predict the DL score for children at various ages. Early childhood providers can use the up-to-date information provided by this research to evaluate whether children are progressing appropriately over time for each age-range. Read the full brief

*http://www.neighborhoodhouse.org/national-head-start-month-celebrated-in-october/#sthash.XH4FRooN.dpbs

Galileo Dashboard Reports Facilitate Differentiated Instruction

Galileo® K-12 Online Dashboard reports provide educators with the right tools for facilitating data-driven, standards-based differentiated instruction of three essential types:  

• skill mastery instruction guided through information from the Test Monitoring Report and Detailed Item Analysis Report;
• standards mastery instruction guided through information from the Intervention Alert and Instruction Performance Tracker Report; and
• pattern of progress mastery instruction guided through information from the Student Growth and Achievement Report.

In addition, Galileo provides students with rapid access to a broad diversity of differentiated instructional learning opportunities aligned with their learning needs and pattern of progress. These opportunities include resources available in Galileo Instructional Dialogs coupled with district/educator developed/determined materials and with resources available on the web such as those from KHAN ACADEMY®*. Both local resources and those from the web can be delivered through customized Instructional Dialogs in Galileo.
    

Galileo Instructional Dialogs offer students interactive, multi-modal opportunities to learn and apply skills. In addition, practice items with real-time feedback are embedded throughout the Dialogs along with a brief formative assessment at the end of instruction to help measure impact. Click to view larger. 

Galileo also provides direct links to web-based instructional resources such as those from KHAN ACADEMY® As with Dialogs, these materials may be viewed, selected and scheduled for a student, class or tiered intervention group. Click to view larger. 

These unique Galileo features facilitate rapid planning and scheduling of learning opportunities for all students. Contact our friendly and knowledgeable Field Services Coordinators to learn more or read more and view an illustration of planning differentiated instruction at the standards mastery level. 

* PLEASE NOTE: All KHAN ACADEMY® content is available for free at www.khanacademy.org.


Arizona Civics Test Available From Galileo K12 Online

Assessment Technology Incorporated wants to remind you about our civics test to measure student progress toward successfully completing Arizona's new statewide civics test requirement.

All items are drawn from the same pool of items specified for use by the state of Arizona, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services citizenship test. This oral exam of prospective citizens has been adapted to fit a convenient selected-response item format that can be administered online or using printed test booklets and scannable answer sheets. The items have been further tailored for Arizona usage by the inclusion of Arizona's elected officials in the items relating to the positions within American state and federal government.

Please contact your Field Service Coordinator or the ATI Education Management Services department to schedule the civics test.

Galileo Instructional Effectiveness Technology

Galileo K-12 Online contains a flexible instructional effectiveness system. With its easy-to-use technology, Galileo provides support to districts and charters as they develop and implement local instructional effectiveness initiatives. 

Included in the Galileo instructional effectiveness system are educator rating scales aligned to the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTasc) and Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISSLC). Additionally, the state, local, or with permission, third party rating scales may be imported for use in Galileo. 

Galileo is capable of coupling data from student assessments with that of specific educator assessments, and combining assessment results into a single rating score. This is accomplished using the Score Compiler component of the Galileo instructional effectiveness system. Data from multiple sources (e.g., student performance data, educator proficiency ratings, surveys) can be combined and weighted to generate an individual instructional effectiveness score. The scores can be generated at the teacher, school, or district level and are accompanied by a detailed explanation of how the scores were compiled. 

Instructional effectiveness data from Galileo can be used to inform professional development for the purpose of enhancing teaching and leadership skills and elevating student performance. To learn more about Galileo instructional effectiveness technology, schedule a Galileo Overview.

The Score Compiler widget combines district-determined indicators of student achievement with district-determined indicators of instructor proficiency along with other indicators. Click to enlarge image.

ATI to Release New Alignment of Galileo with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework

The Office of Head Start has recently released the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five. This new framework outlines and describes the skills and behaviors that programs should foster in all children, including infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. ATI has completed an analysis of the new framework and will soon be releasing a document illustrating the alignment of the Galileo G3 scales with the framework. The Galileo G3 scales are included in Galileo Pre-K Online, a comprehensive assessment, curriculum, and reporting system linking planning, individualization, outcome documentation, and program enhancement.

Galileo Provides a Comprehensive Instructional Effectiveness System

Galileo K-12 Online contains an effective, flexible, and defensible instructional effectiveness system aligned to state-adopted standards and measurement frameworks. With its easy-to-use, research-based technology and content, Galileo provides support to Districts and charters as they develop and implement local instructional effectiveness initiatives. Following are some highlights of Galileo’s instructional effectiveness technology.  

Galileo’s Instructional Effectiveness Dashboard provides educators a centralized location from which to view and interact with actionable assessment, curriculum, and instructional effectiveness information. Reliable and valid results from benchmark, instructional effectiveness, and other Galileo assessments are rapidly available for district/charter educators. Report data accessed from the Dashboard details student mastery of standards, suggests next steps in instruction to promote learning, continuously tracks student progress, and forecasts student performance throughout the year. The Dashboard presents information on two tabs: the Administration tab and the Results tab. 

Instructional Effectiveness Administration tab on the Galileo Dashboard. Click to enlarge.

The Administration tab includes tools to build, access, and administer proficiency rating scales as well as to import and view staff files. These tasks may be accomplished using the Administer Proficiency Ratings, Score Compiler Summary, and Proficiency Rating Scale Results by School widgets.  This tab may be made available to those with appropriate permissions. 

The second tab on the Dashboard is the Results tab which serves as a place for all users to access their evaluation results. This tab includes the Proficiency Rating Results, the Student Growth and Achievement, and Score Compiler Report widgets which enable teachers to access proficiency rating results, current student growth and achievement results, and compiled evaluation data. 

Galileo’s Score Compiler is a crucial component of ATI’s comprehensive instructional effectiveness system. The Score Compiler allows users to select a variety of measures (e.g. teacher observations, student growth data, and student performance levels on state tests), place scores¬ from these measures on a common scale, and then weight each measure as desired. District or charter-determined scoring provides the rating scale by which instructional effectiveness scores are calculated. The Score Compiler provides continuous and final instructional effectiveness scores with a detailed explanation of how the scores are compiled available from the View Calculations link.

Galileo’s instructional effectiveness system provides educators with continuous efficiency and effectiveness data. This reliable evaluation data can then be used to inform professional development, enhance teaching and leadership skills, and elevate student performance. 


To learn more about how Galileo can support your local instructional effectiveness initiatives, schedule a Galileo Overview. 

Thousands of Technology Enhanced Items

Galileo offers a wide range of innovative, technology enhanced (TE) items designed to mirror items found on state-wide assessment and to provide students an engaging assessment experience. Galileo item banks currently include thousands of TE items available for kindergarten through high school in math, science, and English language arts. They can be included in instructional materials, quizzes and class tests. The increased volume of available TE items allows students and instructors more opportunities to become familiar with them and provides students an engaging assessment experience.  The following is a sampling of the TE items found in Galileo.

Math customized TE item sample. Click image to enlarge.

Science customized TE item sample. Click image to enlarge. 

English language arts TE item open response sample. Click image to enlarge. 

Science sequencing TE item sample. Click image to enlarge. 

The item types available include: multi-part items, selectable text items, sequencing items, expanded selected-response items, and customized TE items. ATI TE item types include items modeled on PARCC, SBAC, and AIR state-released examples and innovative designs from our professional staff of experienced item writers. Our writing staff continues to add hundreds more TE items to our item banks each month. Take a peek inside Galileo  and discover what a student will experience on a typical test or quiz and the variety of TE items available. 

Demonstrating ATI’s New Technology Enhanced Online Testing Interface

If you haven’t seen our new Online Testing Interface, you should check it out. We have provided a demonstration test covering multiple grades and subjects with a variety of technology enhanced (TE) items so that you can experience first-hand all of the cool new features and tools in the interface. The first thing you will note is how easy it is for the student to navigate from one item to another. You can go forward and backward one item at a time or you can select a particular item and navigate to it immediately. As you progress through the test, you will receive continuous information indicating how many questions you have answered and how many questions remain to be answered. When you move from one question to the next, your response to the initial question will be saved automatically. If you are a worry wart, or if you are in the middle of something when you need to navigate, you can click on the Save button and peace of mind will be restored. 

When you think you are finished with the test, click on the Exit Test button. Before the Test Fairy will let you go, you will be reminded of questions that have not yet been answered and questions that have been marked for review with graphical icons. You can return to a given question simply by clicking on the question number. When you are really finished with the test, you can exit the test by clicking on the Exit Test button to go back to the Review Your Answers screen. Once you are happy with your responses, you can exit the test by clicking the Exit button.

The interface is optimized to display TE items, and we have included a variety of TE item types so that you can see how they work in the interface. There are math items, science items, and English language arts items. The first thing you will see when you open the test is a series of math items. I have to warn you that some of these are not easy, but don’t worry. There are tools that can help you. If you are stuck for the moment, you can table the item by clicking on the Mark for Review flag accessed through the Item Menu icon. If you need to craft an argument or remind yourself of a critical point, you can write yourself a note. For selected items, you can also highlight portions of a text. When you are dealing with some of the testy math items, you may find it helpful to use a calculator. Simply click on the calculator in the upper right hand corner of the test and you will become an instantaneous math wizard. OK, not really. Nevertheless you will find it useful.

You may also be happy to note that the interface has been designed to work well with tablets. The interface is now in use, and has been implemented with approximately 30,000 students. Approximately three thousand students have taken assessments using tablets. The most popular tablet at this time is the iPad. 
 
Now it’s your turn. Here’s how you can experience the new online testing interface.

• Go to ATI’s Home Page, click the orange Home tab in the left corner of the screen. Find the User Logins below the Home tab and click on the K-12 Student-Parent Center link.  You are now entering the world of Galileo.
• Log in with a Login Name: ATIdemostudent. Your password is testdemo. When you log in, you will be in the STUDENT CENTER. 
• On the right-hand side of your screen, you will see the test sample called Multi-grade TE items. Click on the link and get ready to start the sample assessment.

You are now a student in the ATI online testing interface ready to respond to various TE items. Please Note: Others have taken the sample test before you and the answers have been saved. The good news is that all of the questions have been answered and you may feel a sense of gratitude as some of the items are not particularly easy. The bad news is that there is no guarantee that any of the answers are correct. You may want to pave the road for those to follow you by correcting as needed inaccurate answers you see on the test. Your own responses to the TE items will be automatically saved as you progress through the test and, while answers cannot be deleted as long as they occurred within the scheduled time period for the test, your answers will replace the ones that proceeded them. In any case, enjoy your trip through the assessment.

We know how hard you are working to prepare your students for the new world of online testing with TE items. We feel privileged to provide assistance in your efforts. Stay tuned, there will be many more enhancements to the testing interface. The next one to be released will be a tool enabling students to write equations online in response to questions.

Until then, enjoy the sample test.
Login name: ATIdemostudent  and password: testdemo.

John R. Bergan, Ph.D.
ATI President

A Peek Inside Galileo’s New Testing Interface

The redesigned Galileo Online Testing Interface, the first of several upcoming enhancements, is now live. The interface features streamlined navigation and interactive features consistent with those found on state-wide assessments developed by PARCC, SBAC, and AIR. Testing tools in the interface (e.g., calculators, marked-for-review, strike-through and note capabilities) provide a supportive testing experience for test takers. ATI’s many technology enhanced items are accommodated well in the interface for both district/charter-wide and classroom assessments. Additional bonus: The interface provides increased support for assessments offered through tablets.  

Take a peek inside what you might see on a test or quiz. The sample image points out the primary features and new testing tools available. Additionally, access the chart which explains the exact functions of key icons and testing elements.

Galileo sample item with new primary functions indicated.

If you have any questions about the Galileo new testing interface, contact one of our friendly Field Services Coordinators to schedule a Galileo Overview.

Effective Data, Extraordinary Results

ATI is happy to report that we have witnessed continuous, data-verified student improvement among Galileo K-12 Online users across the country. We recently spoke to leadership from Champion Schools, a charter located in Phoenix, Arizona that has experienced exceptional academic gains earning them statewide recognition including being named Arizona Charter Schools Association’s 2013 Charter School of the Year. The school’s leadership attributes their impressive growth and sustained success to the school’s focused approach to intervention supported by Galileo K-12 Online.

Champion Schools’ principal, Heather Ray, offered the following, “My advice to any school looking to improve academically would be to use the data derived from Galileo pretests, benchmark, and posttests. Expand beyond the basic reports and learn how to utilize all the different functions … Galileo offers. Use that information to drive your instructional practices.”

Champion Schools saw an increase in the percent of students passing statewide tests from 2012-2014.

Read more of the full interview with Champion Schools and learn how they effectively used Galileo data and achieved extraordinary results. Read other data-based Success Stories.

No Crystal Ball Needed: New Resource Tools Help Early Childhood Providers Evaluate Children’s Learning

Galileo Pre-K Online is a reliable and valid assessment tool that can be used to define, assess, and track learning. Galileo applies procedures based in Item Response Theory (IRT) to information gained through observational assessment to estimate a measure of child learning for each age range scale. This estimate of child learning is presented as the Developmental Level (DL) score.

ATI conducts research and analysis each year creating resources to help evaluate children’s learning. Two DL score analysis research briefs are now available:

Predicted Developmental Level Scores for Children Birth through 5 Years Based on 2014-15 Assessment Data
The predicted DL score helps you evaluate your children’s learning at various ages relative to the predicted DL score for children that age. Having this information early in the program year means you can identify children whose DL score is higher or lower than predicted and provide them enrichment and or intervention activities to further their development.

Estimated Growth for Children Birth through 5 Years Based on 2014-15 Assessment Data
In Galileo, growth is defined as a child’s change in his or her DL score. To help determine the estimated growth of children over various time periods, ATI looked at the relationship between a child’s DL score and time (in days). From this analysis, ATI was able to determine the estimated daily growth rate.

Read the full research briefs:
• Predicted Developmental Level Scores for Children Birth through 5 Years
• Estimated Growth for Children Birth through 5 Years

Preparing for Fall Data Importation

Preparing for Fall Data Importation

As summer season kicks into high gear, ATI staff preparations for the new school year are well under way.  In the area of data importation, the focus during school year transition is on new classes, rosters, and accommodating all staff changes a district or charter school may undertake between school years. 

For districts new to Galileo, the best way to create your class lists and rosters is through Galileo Data Import (GDI).  The GDI process involves three basic steps:

1)      The district or charter school provides an export from their Student Information System (SIS) that lists all classes, teachers and students. 

2)      ATI staff import this data to a test database and perform a thorough quality assurance review – any problems are resolved with the submitter during the QA process.

3)      ATI staff import the provided information directly into Galileo K-12 Online.

Detailed instructions for GDI can be found in the Tech Support section of Galileo K-12 (and Pre-K) Online.  Importation instructions are updated for each school year.

As you prepare your data for importation, please remember the following important points:

1)      Be sure to include all the required information listed in the importation instructions in your file.

2)      Optional information is not required in the Galileo database, but failure to include this information may adversely affect future report filtering.

·         Any omitted optional data can be imported at any time during the school year, either as part of GDI or as a separate process – contact ATI for more information.

3)      If TeacherID or StudentID fields change within your SIS, please notify ATI prior to providing any import files to ensure proper transition within the Galileo database. Large-scale ID changes may require extra processing time so please notify ATI as far in advance as possible so we can help you plan accordingly.

4)      Due to new class structures and teacher assignments, the quality assurance process is typically longest during the first upload of the year. Getting uploads underway as soon as data is available will help ensure adequate processing time before your first assessments of the year.  Files often require a full seven business days to complete, so allocating extra time is beneficial.

5)       Participation in Instructional Effectiveness (IE) initiatives with ATI may require a roster for all responsible teachers to be imported. 

6)      Participation in No-Evaluation Importation (NEI), the process of preparing for frequent updates to rosters and data within Galileo K-12 Online, requires three successive no-change imports at the beginning of each school year.  Working alongside our import specialist to adjust your import format may be necessary during this process.

If you have any questions about GDI, please refer to the Galileo Data Importation instructions at http://www.ati-online.com/pdfs/ImportInstructionsK-12.pdf or contact us at GalileoDataImport@ati-online.com.

ATI Launches New Online Testing Interface

In the next few months, ATI will launch several new application enhancements. The first of these is a significant revision of the online testing interface. The interface, released on July 6th, provides streamlined navigation and interactive features consistent with those found on state-wide assessments developed by PARCC, SBAC, and AIR. Testing tools in the interface (e.g., calculators, marked-for-review, strike-through and note capabilities) are designed to create a supportive testing experience for test takers. ATI’s many technology enhanced items are accommodated well in the interface for both district/charter-wide and classroom assessments. Additional bonus: The interface provides increased support for assessments offered through tablets.

Galileo’s new testing interface provides streamlined navigation and testing tools (e.g. calculators, marked-for-review, strike-through and note capabilities).

Contact one of our friendly Field Service Coordinators to schedule a Galileo Overview.

Galileo Dashboards

Galileo K-12 Online Dashboards provide users a centralized location from which to view and interact with actionable, real-time data on student learning and instructional effectiveness measures. Galileo offers the Teaching, School Performance, and Instructional Effectiveness Dashboards which quickly provide multi-level vantage points to evaluate and manage the instructional environment across the district, school, classroom or individual learners. The information provided in each Dashboard is based on task sets and is briefly described in the following.

The Teaching Dashboard enables teachers to implement curriculum as well as track individual student performance, class performance, and the performance of students in intervention groups. The Teaching Dashboard not only provides access to assessment results, but also supports instruction related to those results. 

The Teaching Dashboard provides teachers a centralized location
from which  to view and interact with actionable, real-time data. 

The School Performance Dashboard enables school- and district-level users to track student performance at the school and district levels. In addition to summarizing data for one or more schools, the School Performance Dashboard provides the results of state-of-the-art statistical analyses forecasting student performance on the statewide test and evaluating the effects of teachers and administrators on student growth. Districts implementing initiatives related to instructional effectiveness may also choose to make Instructional Effectiveness Dashboard available. 

The Instructional Effectiveness Dashboard enables users to obtain all instructional-effectiveness-related information in one place. The Administration tab, available to staff with appropriate permissions, contains technology to manage a complete instructional effectiveness system including tools to access and/or build proficiency rating scales, administer proficiency rating scales, and import/view staff files.

Learn more about Galileo Dashboards.

Continued Growth of Technology Enhanced Assessment

To assist Assessment Technology Incorporated (ATI) district and charter school partners in preparing students for statewide assessments incorporating new item types, ATI is continuing to expand our offering of  technology-enhanced (TE) items. ATI is producing TE items for use in secure district-wide assessments as well as content for formative uses that can be included in instructional materials, quizzes and class tests to allow students and instructors to become familiar with these new item types.

The item types available include

• multi-part items that engage students in supporting and explaining answers
• selectable text items that support close reading and analysis of text
• sequencing items that demonstrate knowledge of sequential and procedural elements
• expanded selected-response items that measure students abilities to recognize multiple correct answers or approaches to solve a problem
• customized TE items that incorporate manipulation, graphing, grouping, audio components and other forms of interactivity

ATI TE item types include items modeled on SBAC and PARCC, state-released examples, and innovative designs from our professional staff of experienced item writers. Our writing staff has added 6,000 TE items to the bank and continues to add 400 items per month to promote student proficiency with these item types.