Now Available: Online Testing Tools

The online training tools and tutorials for all online testing, including PSSA, Keystone, Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT), and the new PA Firefly are publicly available on the DRC Insight PA Portal.  Links to the portal can also be found on both the PDE Website and SAS Portal.

Available in the Online Tutorials are a number of short videos to provide training and tips in using the test platform, including navigating imbedded accommodations, interacting with Technology Enhanced (TE) Items, using the testing tools, and accessing resources like the calculator and formula sheets.  The Online Training Tools allow educators and students to interact and practice with sample questions in the test platform, including TE items, resources, tools, and accommodations.  The items in the Online Training Tools are on grade-level and can be imbedded into classroom instruction.  An upcoming update to the Online Training Tools will include more TE item types and an update to the English Language Arts and Literature open-ended interface that includes indent, outdent, and italics buttons.

These tools can assist you in preparing students for CDT testing, online PSSA and Keystone testing, and the PA Firefly benchmark by preparing students to interact with the test. Local educational entities may also wish to have students test the accommodations features, which include audio, magnification, and color chooser, to determine students’ assessment needs. 

In addition to the Online Training Tools and Tutorials, a number of additional resources can be found in the DRC Insight Portal, including the DRC Insight Portal User Guide and DRC Insight Technology Guide and Video Tutorial.  To find these documents, on the Portal Welcome Page, click on “My Applications” and “General Information”, then “Documents”.  The Department will periodically provide new resources to assist school leaders during the transition to online testing. Those resources will be posted in the Portal, as well as on the PDE and SAS pages.

If you have any questions, please contact RA-ED-PSSA-KEYSTONE@pa.gov.