PearsonAccessnext is the online test management system Massachusetts uses to administer MCAS. Users sign in to create and manage users, set up test sessions for online testing, and access results for the applicable assessments.
This is the Massachusetts Reference Page for the PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide. It outlines the differences in Massachusetts's tasks and functions in PearsonAccessnext relative to what appears in the PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide. The PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide is generic to all states and programs that use PearsonAccessnext .
The PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide addresses all functionality in PearsonAccessnext . Massachusetts has also has created quick guides that address specific tasks, like online testing and data entry. All test administration quick guides are posted to PearsonAccessnext under Resources & Training > User Guides.
NOTE: This page will continue to be updated as additional functionality is developed for Massachusetts.
Use these links to jump to specific sections on this page.
Accessing PearsonAccess Next
To access PearsonAccessnext , go to PearsonAccessnext at TBD and then select View PearsonAccessnext . Select Sign in to PearsonAccessnext . You can also use http://mcas.pearsonaccessnext.com.
Using PearsonAccess Next
Tasks listed on this page are in as close to chronological order as possible. The timing of some tasks may overlap.
Some features are only available to some user accounts. Each user account has a user role(s) and permissions associated with it. These permissions control the data the user can view and actions the user can perform. If you do not see a specific feature, your account is not configured to access it. For more information, see Massachusetts's PearsonAccessnext and Training Center User Role Matrix, available on PearsonAccessnext under Resources & Training > User Guides.
Getting Started
- Confirm that the computers you will use to monitor and manage testing meet the stated System Requirements for PearsonAccessnext .
- Learn the System Basics.
- Learn how to Import and Export Data. Massachusetts users can export user account files and student test eligibility information, but only the user account file can be imported.
Set Up Technology Configurations
Prepare TestNav configurations in PearsonAccessnext for online testing. See the Technology Resources page on PearsonAccessnext for more information.
- Configure Response File Backup Locations.
- Understand Proctor Caching.
- Create a configuration, as described in Configure TestNav for Proctor Caching. Massachusetts recommends using precaching by test to ensure all content is cached ahead of time.
Set Up User Accounts
For Massachusetts, the only task required for setting up users is to create and edit user accounts. You can also view other information, but this other information cannot be edited.
If a DAC or AA user role is assigned, no other roles are needed. All permissions are included in these roles at an organization level (district or school). NOTE: If a user has the role of Technology Staff, Test Monitor/Data Entry, or MTAS Score Entry, but must also perform tasks associated with another of these roles, an additional role may be assigned to the user.
Massachusetts names some tasks differently from standard terms shown in the user guide. Although the terms differ, the functionality is the same, except as outlined below.
| Task in the PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide | Massachusetts's Term in PearsonAccessnext , if different | Description of Functionality for Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Create and Edit Organizations | View Organizations | District and school information is loaded into PearsonAccessnext from precode files sent by MDE and cannot be edited. View only, are you referring to change organizations? Remove this?? |
| Manage Contacts | View Contacts | Contact information is loaded into PearsonAccessnext from precode files sent by MDE and cannot be edited. This contact information is used as the contact for any materials shipments. |
| Create and Edit User Accounts | No changes from how this is described in the PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide. | |
| Manage Users | Provide users with access to both PearsonAccessnext and the Training Center, as needed. After creating a user account in one site, the District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) or Assessment Administrator (AA) will need to create a user account in the second site. The DAC or AA will need to create the second account using the same username that that was indicated for the first user account. Using the same username will link the two accounts so the user will only need one set of login credentials to access both sites. |
Prepare for Testing
There are a variety of tasks related to preparing for testing. Some of these tasks are view-only for Massachusetts.
| Task in the PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide | Massachusetts's Term inPearsonAccessnext , if different | Description of Functionality for Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Create and Edit Student Records | View Enrollment Data | Student enrollment information is loaded into PearsonAccessnext from precode files sent by MDE and cannot be edited. |
| Manage Student Tests | Student Eligibility Data View Student Tests | Student eligibility data is loaded into PearsonAccessnext from precode files sent by MDE and cannot be edited. Use Setup > Students > Student Eligibility Data > View Student Tests to view the tests students are eligible for. |
| Create an Online Test Session | No changes from how this is described in the PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide. | |
| Add Students to Online Test Sessions | No changes from how this is described in the PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide. | |
| (Does not appear, as this is specific to Massachusetts) | Confirm Accommodations | Accommodations information for MCAS is loaded into PearsonAccessnext from precode files sent by MDE and cannot be edited. Accommodated text-to-speech for MCAS is not received from precode files sent by MDE. If a student requires accommodated text-to-speech, it must be changed in PearsonAccessnext prior to the student logging in to test. Use Testing > Students in Sessions > (Select Students) > View Student Tests to confirm accommodations or edit accommodations (MCAS only). |
| Configure TestNav for Proctor Caching | Massachusetts recommends precaching by test. |
Manage Testing
Perform these tasks while testing is in progress.
| Task in the PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide | Massachusetts's Term in PearsonAccessnext , if different | Description of Functionality for Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Manage an Online Test Session | No changes from how this is described in the PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide. Massachusetts recommends starting test sessions on the day of testing. | |
| Retrieve Student Test Tickets | The instructions refer to a dropdown menu called "Download Resources" that Massachusetts calls "Testing Tickets and Scheduled Sessions." | No other changes from how this is described in the PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide. |
| Retrieve Seal Codes | No changes from how this is described in the PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide. | |
| Move Students Between Online Test Sessions | No changes from how this is described in the PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide. | |
| Monitor or Change Student Status | No changes from how this is described in the PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide. | |
| Remove Students from Online Test Sessions | No changes from how this is described in the PearsonAccessnext Online User Guide. |
Massachusetts Policies - PearsonAccessnext
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