Online Diploma Update

Spring 2014Dan Karas, Director, Exam AdministrationDeanna Shostak, Acting Director, Diploma Examinations

Assessment Sector

Digitally-Based Assessment Update

• Use of Quest A+ (2013/2014 school year) Digital format field tests

Almost 17,000 digital format field tests administered with Quest A+ from September to January

Approximately 3,000 digital format unit/topic field tests have been administered between February 1 and April 25

Approximately 33,000 digital format field tests (PATs/Diplomas) will be administered between May 1 and June 13

Diploma Examinations 6000 written responses were administered in a secure digital format.

This is expected to increase to approximately 8000 for the June 2014 session and be substantially higher in 2014/2015.

1800 Chromebooks were used

Quest A+ “2.0”

• HTML-based• Is being used to administer the grade 3 SLA field tests and

the pilot grade 3 SLA in the fall• Approximately 1,700 SLA field test instances representing

about 34,000 individual field tests will be administered between April 23 and May 30.

• https://questaplus.alberta.ca

Increased Offerings of Diploma Examinations Timelines

• November 2013/April 14 saw a big uptake

• November 2014 and April 2015 Pre-registration is needed, as is a school-awarded mark

• November 2015 and April 2016 All high-demand diploma examinations will be administered

o Biology 30, Chemistry 30, ELA 30-1, ELA 30-2, Math 30-1, Physics 30, SS 30-1, SS 30-2

• December 2017 Additional diploma examination session will be added in December, with the

above high-demand subjects

Technology and New Online Assessment Timelines

Time Action

2013-2014 School Year Continue using Quest A+ as the electronic delivery pilot

June 2014 Post RFP for an online assessment system

Fall 2014 Conclude the RFP and select a suitable system

2014/2015 Transfer existing paper to online assessment system

2015/2016 Pilot the electronic delivery and return of selected examinations in major or minor sessions

2016/2017 Electronic delivery and return of selected diploma examinations in selected sessions, with the new system. Concurrent availability of paper versions in January and June sessions

2017/2018 Additional diploma examination sessions in December, in high-demand subjects (e.g. Math 30-1, ELA 30-1, etc.)

What will be new for 2014 – 2015?

• August 2014 tech support needed for Part A’s

• Digital Math and Science field tests Enhanced reports for formative purposes 24 h window for perusal Extended availability 120 minute field tests available in some subjects

• Social Studies Hybrid Field Test in January 2015

• November 2014 ELA 30-2, Chemistry 30, Math 30-1

• April 2015 ELA 30-1, Social 30-1, Social 30-2

Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standard

• In June 2014, all government fee collection services are required to be PCI compliant Credit card numbers can NOT be provided via email, fax, or

telephone This means that there will be a new system for rewrites, rescores and

transcripts A third-party broker handles secure payment via credit card

New Online System for PCI Compliance

• New online system for requesting and paying for High School Transcripts, Statements of Marks, rewrites and rescores

Accessed through the Alberta Education website Students can enroll and create an Alberta Education user-idPayment can be made by credit cardPaper can still be used BUT

No credit cardsThe NEW forms must be used, starting in June 2014Present the paper forms in person or mail in (with cheque or

money order)

Summary of the new Diploma Exam Rescore process

 Logon to the new online system

Request the Diploma Exam Rescore

Pay for the Diploma Exam Rescore using a credit card

Print off the Diploma Exam Rescore form (for signature purposes)

Fax/mail or email the signed Diploma Exam Rescore to Alberta Education.

Summary of the options for Transcripts, Rewrites & Rescores

Using the NEW forms Online with a credit card through the new systemMail in along with a cheque or money orderIn person with credit card, debit card, cash, cheque or money order:

Alberta EducationHigh School Transcripts and Diplomas2nd Floor, 44 Capital Boulevard 10044 - 108 Street NWEdmonton, Alberta T5J 5E6

PASI – Web

Starting April 2015

Diploma Examination Mark Statements will be available here and no longer mailed out

Students will need to access the online PASI portal