Greetings all - 

It's been a while, so figured I'd ask....Anyone hear of any updates regarding the Speech-to-Text for VTCAT-TestNav on a chromebook?

--
Rob Stalling
IT Specialist
Barre Unified Union School District

On Tue, Nov 15, 2022 at 10:50 AM Ryan Dougher <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Well, their sys requirements page shows support for Chrome OS 102-106.

All I've seen publicly from the AOE is their email "November 2022 Assessment News" which states the following:

"SUs can review the TestNav8 Online Support page to find technical specifications and system requirements for the new general assessment. The test delivery app can also be downloaded from this page. Please note that Vermont will not be using the ProctorCache System. This activity is not required at this time, but please use this information as it is helpful. "

Neither of those links the AOE gave us say anything about STT support on the Chrome OS TestNav app.

That's the issue. TestNav obviously supports Chrome OS. But we're still stuck with old hardware support just to provide STT accommodations for some of our students...which we've had to do for years.

Ryan Dougher
Sr. Systems & Network Admin
Information Technology Services
Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union
127 State Street, Windsor, VT 05089
Email | 802.674.8202

On Tue, Nov 15, 2022 at 10:40 AM Keith Puffer <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

IF that is the case, should we discuss locking in Chrome OS versions? (Limiting to v 102)

On Tue, Nov 15, 2022 at 10:28 AM Kate Owen <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

So, ummm, I don't want a Governor will sue me or anything, but I have *very* good reason to believe that Vermont's Cognia help site will be largely a clone of this one for the State of New Mexico that is found at https://newmexico.onlinehelp.cognia.org/

On Tue, Nov 15, 2022, 9:54 AM Ryan Dougher <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

In Feb 2020, Pearson announced they were going to begin piloting the use of "extensions" within their TestNav app to allow for assistive technology such as speech-to-text: "Pearson plans to launch Speech-To-Text and Word Prediction extensions for TestNav on Mac, Windows, and Chrome OS by the fall of 2020"

That quote specifically mentions these "extensions" would be available for Chrome OS. Which is what we need.

Fast forward two years, I cannot find any documentation that implies that the "Co:Writer" extension (which is used for STT) and the like are available on the Chrome OS version of TestNav. All I've been able to find is this TestNAV support PDF from Illinois Assessment of Readiness which the second to last page (Appendix A) implies the extensions are available for the TestNAV "Desktop" apps and MacOS screenshots of "Co:Writer", etc. This is the screenshot I showed in the original email for this thread.

I've yet to find evidence online that these extensions are indeed available for TestNAV on Chrome OS, as was apparently stated by Pearson in Feb 2020.

Ryan Dougher
Sr. Systems & Network Admin
Information Technology Services
Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union
127 State Street, Windsor, VT 05089
Email | 802.674.8202

On Tue, Nov 15, 2022 at 9:45 AM Brian Pena <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

There has got to be someone from the State in this group that can help us get an answer.

On Tue, Nov 15, 2022 at 9:32 AM Ryan Dougher <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Yeah, pretty frustrating that the AOE knew this was a request (STT on Chromebooks) and they were heading in that direction with Smarter Balance....then they went with a completely different product without any further input from any of us (at least not that I saw).

Ryan Dougher
Sr. Systems & Network Admin
Information Technology Services
Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union
127 State Street, Windsor, VT 05089
Email | 802.674.8202

On Tue, Nov 15, 2022 at 9:03 AM Mark Kline <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi Ryan,

At this time we're planning to keep some older Macs around for this purpose. Based on the age of the devices they should work OK for 2-3 years, but how things look down the road is hard to say.

Unfortunately, my understanding is that Cognia is an entity within the massive Pearson monopoly. If the AOE didn't require STT capability in the contract I don't see Pearson making an effort. I hope that I'm wrong.

FWIW,

/\/\ ark

Mark Kline

Director of Technology

Washington Central UUSD

Montpelier, VT

  

On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 9:05 AM Ryan Dougher <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

So the state is going with Cognia to replace SBAC. I've looked into all the documentation with their TestNav app and I'm not seeing that STT is available for the Chromebook kiosk app, which is concerning. All of the screenshots for STT show MacOS and the documentation appears to emphasize STT being available for the TestNav "Desktop" app.

We're a 1 to 1 Chromebook SU. It's been a pain for years to keep some older Macbooks limping along to be able to provide the STT accommodation for some of our students. We were told by the AOE that Smarter Balance *could* provide STT for their Chromebook kiosk app, but it was going to cost an additional licensing fee. The AOE said they were going to try to work this into the new budget when they renewed with Smarter Balance. Unfortunately it looks like that never happened and now they're going with Cognia. Apparently the AOE will be sharing more accommodation details "soon".

Anyone else dealing with this?

Ryan Dougher
Sr. Systems & Network Admin
Information Technology Services
Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union
127 State Street, Windsor, VT 05089
Email | 802.674.8202

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Brian Lee Peña
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Lamoille North Supervisory Union/School District
802 -851-1514 (Office)
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Keith Puffer (He/Him/His)<--Why

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Stowe Middle High School

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