Creating an Express (EX) Assessment – SchoolCity

The Express Assessment type was designed with a teacher's often-busy schedule in mind, where all steps to create the assessment are located on one page, including assessment information, answer key creation, scoring and performance band information, and administration setup. This assessment option allows staff to create a "quick check" assessment answer sheet for an existing assessment or quiz that is typically not aligned to standards. The average number of items for an Express assessment generally falls within 3 to 10 test questions, and is meant to serve as a quick check for comprehension. Express assessments can be administered on paper and scored using GradeCam™ technology, or Scan and a supported scanner. It can also be administered online via the Student Portal with an uploaded PDF of the assessment.

Where to Start

From the top navigation menu, select the Assessments tile.

An example Manage Assessments page, with Create Assessment labeled as step 2, and Express labeled as step 3.

Select Create Assessment.
From the dropdown menu, select Express.

Express Assessment Setup

An example Express assessment creation page, with the Year labeled as step 4, Tag Assessment labeled as step 5, Assessment Name labeled as step 6, Subject labeled as step 7, Existing Collection labeled as step 8, PLC labeled as step 9, and Number of Items labeled as step 5.

The new assessment defaults to the school Year as set in My Preferences. To change the year, select the current year and select the desired year from the dropdown.
(Optional) Select Tag Assessments to attach tags to the assessment for easier search capability within the Manage Assessments module.
Enter the Assessment Name.
- The assessment name must be unique, and should be clear to you and other users who you may choose to share your assessment with.
Select the Subject from the dropdown menu.
(Optional) Select an Existing Collection to add the assessment to, if desired.
(Optional) Select a PLC to filter the student population. If a PLC is selected, Student Selection is based on the students rostered to the collective PLC.
Enter the Number of Items to include in the assessment into the field, and select Update to generate the answer sheet.

Answer Sheet Setup

Once the Number of Items has been updated, set up the answer key by selecting the Question Type for each item. The Question Types available include Constructed Response (CR), Evidence-Based Selected Response (EBSR), Inline Choice (IC), Multiple Binary (MB), Multiple Choice (MC), Numerical Response (NR), and Short Answer (SA). Each item type offers different setup options.

An example Express assessment answer sheet, with the CR Question Type labeled as step 1, Rubric Points and Rubric Multiplier labeled as step 2, Points labeled as step 3, the EBSR Question Type labeled as step 4, the Question Type options labeled as step 5, the # of Choices labeled as step 6, Type of Choices labeled as step 7, the Answer and Rationale options labeled as step 8, Points labeled as step 9, the IC Question Type labeled as step 10, the MB Question Type labeled as step 11, the MB Type of Choices labeled as step 12, and the MC Question Type labeled as step 13.

Constructed Response (CR): CR questions require a written response from the students, and are graded using a rubric. For paper assessments, these items must be scored by hand, and the sore entered on the student bubble sheet before scoring. For online assessments, these items must be manually scored online.
Instead of selecting the number and type of choices required by most item types, enter the number of desired Rubric Points, and the Rubric Multiplier.
For CR questions, the Points are not editable, and are automatically calculated based on the entered Rubric Points and Multiplier.
Evidence-Based Selected Response (EBSR): EBSR questions contain two parts, which can be any combination of Multiple Choice or Multiple Response items. This is an online-only item type, using the Online Answer Sheet.
Select the Question Type for Part A and Part B of the EBSR question, which can be any combination of MC or MR items.
Select the # of Choices for both EBSR parts.
- The minimum # of Choices is 2, and the maximum is 9.
Select the Type of Choices for both EBSR parts, including letter and numerical options.
Select the Answer bubbles to indicate the correct option for each part, which highlight in green. Select the Rationale icon to add rationale for the answer choices.
Enter the Points to be awarded to students for selecting the correct answer.
Inline Choice (IC): IC questions require students to select the correct answer from a dropdown menu.
- After selecting the IC Question Type, select the desired # of Choices and Type of Choices, indicate the correct Answer, optionally add Rationale, and enter the number of Points to be awarded.
Multiple Binary (MB): MB questions require students to respond Yes/No, True/False, or Correct/Incorrect for 2-6 prompts.
- After selecting the MB Question Type, select the desired # of Choices.
Select the Type of Choices for the MB question. Instead of a choice between letters or numbers, MB questions offer T/F, Y/N, or C/I, which are available in English, French, and Spanish.
- Indicate the correct Answer for each binary, optionally add Rationale, and enter the number of Points to be awarded.
Multiple Choice (MC): MC questions require students to select the one correct answer out of 2-9 answer choices.
- After selecting the MC Question Type, select the desired # of Choices and Type of Choices, indicate the correct Answer, optionally add Rationale, and enter the number of Points to be awarded.

An example Express assessment answer sheet, with the MR Question Type labeled as step 14, the NR Question Type labeled as step 15, Select Griddable Template labeled as step 16, Select This Template labeled as step 17, the selected template with correct answer entered labeled as step 18, the +T button labeled as step 19, the SA Question Type labeled as step 20, the Functions down arrow labeled as step 21, and the 3-line icon labeled as step 22.

Multiple Response (MR): MR questions require students to select the 2 or more correct answers out of 2-9 answer choices.
- After selecting the MR Question Type, select the desired # of Choices and Type of Choices, indicate the correct Answer, optionally add Rationale, and enter the number of Points to be awarded.
Numerical Response (NR): NR questions require students to answer a prompt with a number. For paper tests, students use a Griddable Template to enter their answer; for online tests, students use a keypad to enter their answer.
Select the Select Griddable Template button to choose a template to display to students in paper testing.
A popup window displays all created Griddable Templates; after locating the desired template, select the associated Select This Template button.
The template populates; select the answer boxes that appear to enter the correct Answer using the template.
(Optional) Select the +T button to add a Tolerance value, if appropriate.
- Including a Tolerance value allows a Numerical Response answer to be scored as correct when its value is within the selected Tolerance range. For example, a Tolerance of .01 would allow an answer to be plus or minus .01 of the exact answer. If the problem asks students to round 3.666 to the nearest hundredth, and the Tolerance is set at .01, then the following answers would be scored as correct: 3.66, 3.67, and 3.68.
Short Answer (SA): SA questions require students to enter an answer to a question, where there is only one correct answer, similar to fill-in-the-blank.
- After selecting the SA Question Type, enter the number of Points to be awarded.
For any question, select the Functions down arrow to copy or delete that item.
Select and drag the 3-line icon to the left of any question to reorder the questions.

An example Express assessment creation screen, with Add Rubrics labeled as step 23.

If one or more Constructed Response questions are included in the answer sheet, use the Add Rubric(s) toggle to view, add, and edit rubrics. Select the desired CR item, and Create a rubric from scratch, Upload an existing rubric PDF from your device, or Select an Available Rubric created within the district to use as the Teacher Rubric and, optionally, for the Student Rubric.

Assessment Delivery Settings

An example Express assessment creation screen, with Assessment Deliver Settings labeled as step 1, Add Performance Level labeled as step 2, Administration Window labeled as step 3, Method of Delivery labeled as step 4, Intended User labeled as step 5, Online Preview labeled as step 6, Upload Student Assessment labeled as step 7, and Enable Browser Lock Down labeled as step 8.

Use the toggle to show the Assessment Deliver Settings.
(Optional) Select Add Performance Level to add performance levels, and select the desired template from the list.
- Once Performance Levels have been added, the chosen template appears, with the options to Change or Remove them.
Select the beginning and ending Administration Window dates the assessment will be available to students. Use the calendar icon to set dates. Select Apply when done.
Select the Methods of Delivery that should be enabled.
- Scanning uses scan sheets, and is scored using a supported scanner.
- GradeCam™ uses specific GradeCam sheets, and is scored using GradeCam™ technology.
- Online Answer Sheet allows students to take the assessment online in the Student Portal with an uploaded PDF of the assessment. If the assessment includes an EBSR item, the only delivery method will be the Online Answer Sheet.
If the Online Answer Sheet method is enabled, select the Intended User, either Student or Teacher.
- Selecting Student means that the students will be completing the test online via the Student Portal.
- Selecting Teacher means that the teacher will be entering the students’ answers on the Online Answer Sheet after they have taken the test on paper. This is intended to be used by teachers whose students may have difficulty bubbling in the answer sheet themselves or taking an online test, such as K-1 students or special education students.
If the Online Answer Sheet method is enabled, select Online Preview to view how the answer sheet will appear to students, as well as any Student Assessment PDF that has been uploaded.
If the Online Answer Sheet method is enabled, select the folder icon to Upload a Student Assessment. Drag and drop or select PDF files to upload.
(Optional) Use the toggle to Enable Browser Lock Down, if the district has enabled the Respondus Lockdown Browser.

Online Settings

If the Online Answer Sheet method is enabled, Online Settings are available to customize administration properties and tools settings. Hover over the info icons for a short description of each setting. Note that each property and tool can be locked by using the padlock icon. This will ensure that the property or tool selected will be the default setting for this assessment.

Use the toggle to show the Online Settings.
Use the toggle to enable Duration for a timed test. This pre-sets the duration in hours and minutes for users in the assessment setup.
Use the Default Time Increment to pre-set the time increment proctors can add while online assessment is in progress.
Enter a Time Window to pre-set which hours during the day assessments will be accessible to students in the Student Portal.
Select the Days Window to pre-set which days of the week assessments will be accessible to students in the Student Portal.
Select the desired assessment Properties:
- 4 Digit PIN Verification: Pre-selects the requirement of a 4 Digit PIN number for students to take an online assessment in the Student Portal.
- Auto Activation: Scheduled students will be automatically activated once the assessment is published and the assessment window is open.
- Auto Reactivation: Once a test is activated, students will be able to re-enter an assessment during the administration window as long as the assessment has not been submitted. The following scenarios will allow the student to re-enter the assessment if auto-reactivation is enabled: student closes/refreshes the browser; the application times out; connection to the Internet was temporarily lost; student selects the exit button.
- Display Item Details in Student Portal: Pre-selects to display the item details in the Student Portal when reviewing scores. This can be turned on and off at any time in the testing process.
- Display Timer: Pre-selects the display of the timer (countdown clock) in the Student Portal.
- Thermometer: Pre-selects the display of a thermometer that visually shows the student's score when they submit their assessment in the Student Portal.

An example Online Tools section of the Online Settings menu, with the calculator options labeled as step 7, Equation Editor labeled as step 8, Media Upload labeled as step 9, Translation labeled as step 10, and Other Tools labeled as step 11.

Selected Online Tools appear in the Student Portal for students to use while taking the online assessment. Desmos and TI Calculator options are available, including Basic, Graphing, and Scientific Calculator levels for each. Only one calculator may be opened at a time.
The Equation Editor is part of the CKEditor text box formatting tools, and allows students to create equations. There are four levels of editors: Elementary, Algebra, Algebra with Trigonometry, and Advanced.
The Media Upload tools allow students to upload media when completing Constructed Response items, with the options for Images, Audio, and/or Video.
The Translation tools allow students to translate specified portions of assessments into specified languages.
Multiple Other Tools options are available for students in testing:
- Answer Eliminator: Allows students to mark answer options as potentially correct or definitely incorrect.
- Closed Captioning: Enables the use of subtitles that transcribe or translate the dialog and other additional or interpretive information for videos that have closed captioning available.
- Color Contrast: Allows students to adjust screen background or font color, based on student needs or preferences.
- English Dictionary: Monolingual English word dictionary tool for students to look up words during online testing.
- Graph: Virtual graphing paper in which students can add points and form lines.
- Highlighter: A tool to highlight text in various colors.
- Line Reader: A movable, resizable frame to help students read without losing their place.
- Notes: Allows students to type item- and comment-level notes.
- Periodic Table: Allows students to view a periodic table reference image.
- Picture Dictionary: A tool for students to look up visuals during online testing.
- Protractor: A protractor for measuring angles in images.
- Rollovers:
- Ruler: A ruler for measuring length in images.
- Spanish Dictionary: Monolingual Spanish word dictionary tool for students to look up words during online testing.
- Spell Check: Provides spell checking and word suggestion assistance for students when completing Constructed Response items during online testing.
- Text Magnifier: A magnifying pane that follows the mouse pointer. This tool allows students to enlarge a part of the testing screen by moving the pointer over the desired area.
- Text to Speech: A tool to read text aloud to students in the student portal.
- Underline: Allows students to underline text within an item or passage.
- Writing Checklists: A checklist for Constructed Response items that allows students to mark objectives as complete for expository or persuasive writing.
- Zoom: A tool to enlarge or shrink text and controls.

Answer Sheet and Scheduling Settings

An example Express creation screen, with Answer Sheet Template labeled as step 1, Bubble Size labeled as step 2, Answer Sheet Printing Start Date labeled as step 3, Scoring End Date labeled as step 4, Student Selection labeled as step 5, and Personalized Review Assignment labeled as step 6.

If Scanning is selected as a Delivery Method, select the desired Answer Sheet Template.
Select the desired Bubble Size for Answer Sheets.
Select the desired Answer Sheet Printing Date to determine when answer sheets can be printed before the administration window start date.
Set a Scoring End Date to set a date beyond the closing date of the assessment window to allow more time to score Constructed Response or Short Answer items.
Select the desired Student Selection to schedule students for administration.
(Optional) Select the Personalized Review Assignment button to set up a PRA for the assessment.

Student Selection Options

Schedule All Students to Take This Assessment

This option schedules the assessment to all students within the purview of the assessment author user. If you are a teacher-level user, then "all students" encompasses all the students on your roster(s). If you are a school-level user, then "all students" encompasses all rostered students at your school site. If you are a district-level user, then "all students" encompasses all students across the district.

Schedule Students by Grade Level

This option schedules the assessment to all students within a specific grade or grades. Select the checkboxes for the desired grades to be scheduled.

Schedule Students by Course Group or Course

This option schedules the assessment to all students within a specific Course Group, as created in the Group Manager, or rostered to a specific Course. Select the desired Course Group or Course from the appropriate dropdown to schedule.

Include All Rostered Students' Teachers for Assessment Administration

When students are scheduled by Course Group or Course, by default, only users who teach the selected Course have the ability to administer the assessment to the included students. Selecting Include all rostered students' teachers for assessment administration allows any of a selected students' teachers to administer the assessment, even those not teaching the selected Course.

Note that:

Only students rostered under the selected Course can take the assessment.
Only teachers rostered with students under the selected Course can administer the assessment.
Teachers outside of the selected Course cannot administer to any scheduled student, only their rostered students.
Teachers outside of the selected Course administering the assessment do not appear on related reports; only the selected Course teachers appear on reports.
This option is only available for School, Network, and District level assessments.

This feature can be useful in multiple scenarios. For example:

Student Jordan missed school on the Monday of their Science test. Tuesday morning, their Homeroom teacher administers that Science test for Jordan to make up.
Student Ari receives pull-out instruction for SPED, and needs to take a short, weekly evaluation related to that instruction. His History teacher administers this evaluation every Thursday afternoon during in-class homework time.
Student Kylie has been out sick, and the SAT deadline is approaching fast. To ensure that she can begin applying to colleges, her Physical Education teacher administers the reading portion of the SAT, and her Physics teacher administers the math portion of the SAT during the next period.

Schedule Students by Student Group

This option schedules the assessment to all students within a specific Student Group, as created in the Group Manager. Select the desired Student Group from the appropriate dropdown to schedule.

Save, Save & Close, Publish

Three options are available at the bottom of the creation page. Select Save to save all current selections and continue working. Select Save & Close to save the current selections and close the assessment, to return at a later date. Select Publish if the assessment is ready to administer to students.

Next Steps

To learn more about the next steps in administering your newly created Express assessment, take a look at Monitoring an Online Assessment - Activating Students for online administration, or the Print Answer Sheets & Test Documents for paper-based administration.