Online Student Test Settings File Specifications
Online Student Test Settings File Specifications
 All designated supports and accommodations must be set in the Student Profile Web form in the Test Operations Management
System (TOMS) or uploaded into TOMS using the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)
2015–16 ISAAP Tool or Excel template for it to appear in the Test Administrator Interface for the test administrator to enable it for
the student’s use during online testing. This includes stacked translations in Spanish for mathematics items.
 While the reminder is set in TOMS by the LEA CAASPP coordinator or the CAASPP test site coordinator, turning off universal
tools must be set by the test administrator in the Test Administrator Interface only.
 Unless specified, test settings are available for the California Alternate Assessments (CAAs).
These specifications provide information about the values in the Excel spreadsheet template. For more information about the use of each
universal tool, designated support, and accommodation, refer to the Smarter Balanced Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations
Guidelines and the CAA Test Administration Manual (for students taking the CAA), which are linked on the caaspp.org Instructions and
Manuals Web page at http://www.caaspp.org/administration/instructions/.
Col Display Name
Value
A
Student SSID
10 digits
B
Abacus
Blank (default)
NEA_Abacus
C
Alternate Response
Blank (default)
Options (including any
external devices/
assistive technologies)
NEA_AR
Legend:
English language arts/literacy (ELA)
extended time (ET)
Value Definition
Test
TOMS Type
Setting Definition
 all
numeric
State-assigned student
identifier which is unique
within that state. Every
student should have a unique
SSID.
This tool may be used in
non-embedded
place of scratch paper for
accommodation
students who typically use an
abacus.
Abacus is not
selected
Abacus is selected
 mathematics check box
Alternate Response
is not selected
 ELA
check box
 mathematics
 PT
Alternate Response
is selected
performance task (PT)
Statewide Student Identifier (SSID)
Alternate response options
include but are not limited to
adapted keyboards, large
keyboards, StickyKeys,
MouseKeys, FilterKeys,
adapted mouse, touch
screen, head wand, and
switches.
Type
non-embedded
accommodation
New fields are shaded in blue.
Page 1
Copyright © 2016 by the California Department of Education
Online Student Test Settings File Specifications
Col Display Name
D
E
American Sign
Language for ELA
Listening and Math
Items (N/A for CAA)
Value
Value Definition
Test
Blank (default)
Do not show ASL
videos
 ELA
check box
 mathematics
 PT
TDS_ASL1
Show ASL videos:
embedded
 Test content is translated
accommodation
into ASL video. An ASL
human signer and the
signed test content are
viewed on the same screen.
 Not available for the CAA.
Bilingual Dictionary
is not selected
 ELA
 PT
Bilingual Dictionary
is selected
Braille is not
selected
Braille is selected
non-embedded designated
 A bilingual/dual-language
word-to-word dictionary is a support
language support.
 Not available for the CAA.
 ELA
check box
 mathematics
 PT
 Braille is a language
support.
 Not available for the CAA.
embedded
accommodation
 mathematics check box
 A calculator can be
accessed for calculatorallowed items.
 The student may use the
calculator offered with
assistive technology
devices (such as a talking
calculator or a braille
calculator).
 Allowed in grades 6–8, 11.
non-embedded
accommodation
Bilingual Dictionary for Blank (default)
ELA Full Writes (ET)
NEDS_BD
F
Braille
Blank (default)
ENU-Braille
G
H
Calculator
Closed Captioning for
ELA Listening Items
Blank (default)
Calculator is not
selected
NEA_Calc
Calculator is
selected
Blank (default)
Closed Captioning is  ELA
not selected
TDS_ClosedCap1
Closed Captioning is
selected
Legend:
English language arts/literacy (ELA)
extended time (ET)
performance task (PT)
Statewide Student Identifier (SSID)
TOMS Type
check box
check box
Setting Definition
Type
Printed text that appears on
embedded
the computer screen as audio accommodation
materials are presented.
New fields are shaded in blue.
Page 2
Copyright © 2016 by the California Department of Education
Online Student Test Settings File Specifications
Col Display Name
I
Color Contrast
(EMBEDDED)
Value
Value Definition
Test
TOMS Type
Blank (default)
TDS_CCInvert
Color Contrast is not  ELA
drop-down
selected; the default  mathematics
is Black on White
 PT
Reverse Contrast
TDS_CCMagenta
Black on Rose
TDS_CCMedGrayLt Medium Gray on
Gray
Light Gray
J
Color Contrast (NONEMBEDDED)
Color Overlays
M
Magnification
Masking
By default, tests are
embedded designated
presented with black text on a support
white background. Students
who require a different
combination of text and
background should be
assigned the appropriate
setting.
Yellow on Blue
Blank (default)
Color Contrast is not  ELA
check box
selected
 mathematics
 PT
Color Contrast is
selected
Test content of online items
may be printed with different
colors.
non-embedded designated
support
Color Overlays is not  ELA
check box
selected
 mathematics
 PT
Color Overlays is
selected
Color transparencies are
placed over a paper-based
assessment.
non-embedded designated
support
 ELA
check box
 mathematics
 PT
The size of specific areas of
the screen (e.g., text,
formulas, tables, graphics,
and navigation buttons) may
be adjusted by the student
with an assistive technology
device.
non-embedded designated
support
 ELA
check box
 mathematics
 PT
Masking involves blocking off embedded designated
content that is not of
support
immediate need or that may
be distracting to the student.
Students are able to focus
their attention on a specific
part of a test item by
masking.
Blank (default)
NEDS_CO
L
Type
TDS_CCYellowB
NEDS_CC
K
Setting Definition
Blank (default)
Magnification is not
selected
NEDS_Mag
Magnification is
selected
Blank (default)
Masking is not
selected
TDS_Masking1
Masking is available
Legend:
English language arts/literacy (ELA)
extended time (ET)
performance task (PT)
Statewide Student Identifier (SSID)
New fields are shaded in blue.
Page 3
Copyright © 2016 by the California Department of Education
Online Student Test Settings File Specifications
Col Display Name
N
O
Multiplication Table
Noise Buffers
Value
Value Definition
Test
Blank (default)
Multiplication Table
is not selected
NEA_MT
Multiplication Table
is selected
Blank (default)
Noise Buffers is not
selected
NEA_NoiseBuf
Noise Buffers is
selected
TOMS Type
Setting Definition
Type
 mathematics check box
 A paper-based single-digit
(1–9) multiplication table.
 Allowed in grades 4–8, 11
non-embedded
accommodation
 ELA
check box
 mathematics
 PT
Ear mufflers, white noise,
and/or other equipment used
to block external sounds.
non-embedded designated
support
P
Print On Demand
Blank (default)
Print on Demand is
not selected
 ELA
N/A
 mathematics
 PT
Print-on-demand for test
non-embedded
stimuli and items, stimuli only, accommodation
or items only is set by having
the LEA CAASPP coordinator
contact CalTAC only.
Configuring this
accommodation in the upload
file will not automatically
activate it for the assigned
student. All requests must be
approved by CalTAC and the
CDE.
Q
Read Aloud for ELA
Blank (default)
Read Aloud for ELA
is not selected
 ELA
 PT
NEA_RA_Stimuli
Read Aloud for ELA
is selected
Text is read aloud to the
student by a trained and
qualified human reader who
follows the administration
guidelines provided in the
Smarter Balanced Test
Administration Manual. All or
portions of the content may
be read aloud.
Legend:
English language arts/literacy (ELA)
extended time (ET)
performance task (PT)
Statewide Student Identifier (SSID)
check box
non-embedded
accommodation
New fields are shaded in blue.
Page 4
Copyright © 2016 by the California Department of Education
Online Student Test Settings File Specifications
Col Display Name
R
Value
Read Aloud (for Math Blank (default)
and ELA Items) (NONEMBEDDED)
NEDS_RA_Items
S
Scribe
Blank (default)
Value Definition
Test
TOMS Type
Read Aloud for Math  ELA
check box
and ELA Items is not  mathematics
selected
 PT
Read Aloud for Math
and ELA Items is
selected
Scribe is not
selected
 ELA
 PT
check box
NEA_SC_WritItem Scribe is selected
s
T
Scribe (for ELA nonBlank (default)
writing items and Math
items)
NEDS_SC_Items
Legend:
English language arts/literacy (ELA)
extended time (ET)
Scribe for items is
not selected
 ELA
check box
 mathematics
 PT
Scribe for items is
selected
performance task (PT)
Statewide Student Identifier (SSID)
Setting Definition
Type
 Text is read aloud to the
student by a trained and
qualified human reader who
follows the administration
guidelines provided in the
Online Test Administration
Manual.
 All or portions of the items
may be read aloud.
 Does not apply to ELA
passages.
 Read Aloud for Math in
Spanish is set in field AG.
Students dictate their
responses to a human who
records verbatim what they
dictate. The scribe must be
trained and qualified, and
must follow the administration
guidelines provided in the
Smarter Balanced Test
Administration Manual.
non-embedded designated
support
non-embedded
accommodation
Students dictate their
non-embedded designated
responses to a human who
support
records verbatim what they
dictate. The scribe must be
trained and qualified, and
must follow the administration
guidelines provided in the
Smarter Balanced Test
Administration Manual.
New fields are shaded in blue.
Page 5
Copyright © 2016 by the California Department of Education
Online Student Test Settings File Specifications
Col Display Name
U
V
W
Separate Setting
Speech-to-text
Text-to-speech for
ELA Reading
Passages
Value
Value Definition
Test
Blank (default)
Separate Setting is
not selected
 ELA
check box
 mathematics
 PT
NEDS_SS
Separate Setting is
selected
Blank (default)
Speech-to-text is not  ELA
check box
selected
 mathematics
 PT
NEA_STT
Speech-to-text is
selected
Blank (default)
Text-to-speech for
ELA reading
passages is not
selected
TDS_TTS_Stim
Passages
Legend:
English language arts/literacy (ELA)
extended time (ET)
 ELA
 PT
performance task (PT)
Statewide Student Identifier (SSID)
TOMS Type
drop-down
Setting Definition
Type
 The test location is altered non-embedded designated
so that the student is tested support
in a setting different from
that made available for
most students.
 The test is administered at
the most beneficial time of
day for the student.
 Special lighting or acoustics
are to be used.
non-embedded
 Voice recognition allows
students to use their voices accommodation
as input devices to the
computer, to dictate
responses or give
commands (e.g., opening
application programs,
pulling down menus, and
saving work). Voice
recognition software
generally can recognize
speech up to 160 words per
minute. Students may use
their own assistive
technology devices.
 Not available for the CAA.
embedded
 Text is read aloud to the
student via embedded text- accommodation
to-speech technology. The
student is able to control
the speed as well as raise
or lower the volume of the
voice via a volume control.
 This accommodation is
available for all grades.
New fields are shaded in blue.
Page 6
Copyright © 2016 by the California Department of Education
Online Student Test Settings File Specifications
Col Display Name
X
Text-to-speech for
Math and ELA items
Value
Value Definition
Blank (default)
Text-to-speech for
 ELA
drop-down
math and ELA items  mathematics
is not selected
 PT
Items (ELA)
TDS_TTS_Item
Test
TOMS Type
TDS_TTS_Stim&TD Stimuli and Items
S_TTS_Item
(Math)
Y
Translated Test
Directions
Type
Text is read aloud to the
embedded designated
student via embedded text-to- support
speech technology. The
student is able to control the
speed as well as raise or
lower the volume of the voice
via a volume control.
TDS_TTS_ALL
Items (ELA) and
Stimuli and Items
(Math)
Blank (default)
Translated Test
Directions is not
selected
Translated Test
Directions is
selected
 ELA
check box
 PT
 mathematics
 PDF of directions translated non-embedded designated
support
in each of the languages
currently supported. A
bilingual adult can read to
student.
 Not available for the CAA.
Translation
Glossaries for math
is not selected
 mathematics drop-down
 PT
embedded designated
 Sets student’s glossary
accommodation. Students support
can open a glossary to view
terms presented on the test
that may be unfamiliar to
them.
 By design, all students can
access the English glossary
word list as a universal tool,
unless this is disabled
(“None”) or overridden by
another language.
 If a combination glossary is
selected (e.g., English and
Arabic or English and
Russian), then the student
will have access to both.
 If a single glossary is
selected (e.g., Mandarin),
NEDS_TransDirs
Z
Setting Definition
Translation Glossaries Blank (default)
for Math Items (ET)
(EMBEDDED)
TDS_WL_Glossary English
TDS_WL_ArabicGl Arabic
oss
TDS_WL_Cantones Cantonese
eGloss
TDS_WL_ESNGloss Spanish
ary
TDS_WL_KoreanGl Korean
oss
TDS_WL_Mandarin Mandarin
Gloss
TDS_WL_PunjabiG Punjabi
loss
TDS_WL_RussianG Russian
loss
Legend:
English language arts/literacy (ELA)
extended time (ET)
performance task (PT)
Statewide Student Identifier (SSID)
New fields are shaded in blue.
Page 7
Copyright © 2016 by the California Department of Education
Online Student Test Settings File Specifications
Col Display Name
Value
Value Definition
Test
TDS_WL_TagalGlo Filipino
ss
TDS_WL_Ukrainia Ukrainian
nGloss
TDS_WL_Vietname Vietnamese
seGloss
TDS_WL_ArabicGl Arabic & English
oss&TDS_WL_Glos
sary
TDS_WL_Cantones Cantonese &
eGloss&TDS_WL_G English
lossary
TDS_WL_ESNGloss Spanish & English
ary&TDS_WL_Glos
sary
TDS_WL_KoreanGl Korean & English
oss&TDS_WL_Glos
sary
TDS_WL_Mandarin Mandarin & English
Gloss&TDS_WL_Gl
ossary
TDS_WL_PunjabiG Punjabi & English
loss&TDS_WL_Glo
ssary
TOMS Type
Setting Definition
Type
then the student will only
have access to that
glossary. The English
glossary will not be
available.
 Select “Filipino” for students
requiring Ilokano and
Tagalog glossaries. These
students can subsequently
select the Filipino glossary
in the TDS and receive
each of the available
translations in the Tagal
family of languages.
 Not available for the CAA.
Note: The English glossary is
available for both ELA and
mathematics tests.
Translated glossaries are
available for mathematics
tests only.
TDS_WL_RussianG Russian & English
loss&TDS_WL_Glo
ssary
TDS_WL_TagalGlo Filipino & English
ss&TDS_WL_Gloss
ary
TDS_WL_Ukrainia Ukrainian & English
nGloss&TDS_WL_G
lossary
TDS_WL_Vietname Vietnamese &
seGloss&TDS_WL_ English
Glossary
Legend:
English language arts/literacy (ELA)
extended time (ET)
performance task (PT)
Statewide Student Identifier (SSID)
New fields are shaded in blue.
Page 8
Copyright © 2016 by the California Department of Education
Online Student Test Settings File Specifications
Col Display Name
AA
Value
Translation Glossaries Blank (default)
for Math Items (ET)
(NON-EMBEDDED)
NEDS_TArabic
Value Definition
Test
TOMS Type
Translation
 mathematics drop-down
Glossaries for math
items is not selected
Arabic
NEDS_TCantonese Cantonese
NEDS_TFilipino
Filipino
NEDS_TKorean
Korean
NEDS_TMandarin
Mandarin
NEDS_TPunjabi
Punjabi
NEDS_TRussian
Russian
NEDS_TSpanish
Spanish
NEDS_TUkrainian Ukrainian
NEDS_TVietnamese Vietnamese
AB
Permissive Mode
Blank (default)
Permissive Mode
disabled
TDS_PM1
Permissive Mode
enabled
Legend:
English language arts/literacy (ELA)
extended time (ET)
 ELA
check box
 mathematics
 PT
performance task (PT)
Statewide Student Identifier (SSID)
Setting Definition
Type
 Translated glossaries are a non-embedded designated
support
language support.
 Translated glossaries are
provided for selected
construct-irrelevant terms
for math.
 Glossary terms are listed by
item and include the
English term and its
translated equivalent.
 Select “Filipino” for students
requiring Ilokano and
Tagalog glossaries. These
students can subsequently
select the Filipino glossary
in the TDS and receive
each of the available
translations in the Tagal
family of languages.
 Not available for the CAA.
Permissive mode should be
embedded designated
enabled for students who
support
require access to approved
accessibility software and/or
devices in order to interact with
the test (e.g., screen readers,
magnifiers, speech-to-text,
braille screen readers and
refreshable braille displays,
etc.). When permissive mode is
disabled, the only application
that can be open on the
computer is the secure
browser.
New fields are shaded in blue.
Page 9
Copyright © 2016 by the California Department of Education
Online Student Test Settings File Specifications
Col Display Name
Value
Value Definition
Test
AC
Blank (default)
No default zoom
applied
 ELA
drop-down
 mathematics
 PT
TDS_PS_L1
1.5X
TDS_PS_L2
1.75X
TDS_PS_L3
2.5X
TDS_PS_L4
3X
embedded designated
 Sets student’s print size
support
accommodation.
 This is the print size the
student should have when
starting a test.
 The selected print size
becomes the default for all
items in that student’s test.
 The default print size for all
tests is 14 pt.
 The default font for ELA
tests is Times New Roman.
 The default font for
mathematics tests is
Verdana.
Blank (default)
Standard
 ELA
check box
 mathematics
 PT
TDS_SLM1
Streamlined
By default, all tests use the
embedded
standard interface. This
accommodation
interface is compatible with
all supported desktops and
tablets. The streamlined
interface presents the test in
an alternate, simplified format
in which the items are
displayed below the stimuli.
All tool and navigation
buttons are on the bottom of
the screen. Important: The
streamlined interface is not
intended to be tablet
compatible.
AD
Print Size
Streamlined Interface
Legend:
English language arts/literacy (ELA)
extended time (ET)
performance task (PT)
Statewide Student Identifier (SSID)
TOMS Type
Setting Definition
Type
New fields are shaded in blue.
Page 10
Copyright © 2016 by the California Department of Education
Online Student Test Settings File Specifications
Col Display Name
Value
Value Definition
Test
AE
Blank (default)
Stacked
Translations and
Translated Test
Directions for Math
are not selected
Stacked
Translations and
Translated Test
Directions for Math
are selected
 ELA
check box
 mathematics
 PT
embedded designated
 Embedded translation of
mathematics test items and support
directions, translated in
Spanish.
 Not available for the CAA.
Blank (default)
Reminder is not
selected
TDS_REM
Reminder is
selected
 ELA
check box
 mathematics
 PT
Test administrator receives a embedded designated
reminder to disable any
support
universal tools that might be
distracting or that students do
not need to use, or are
unable to use.
Stacked Translations
and Translated Test
Directions for Math
(Embedded)
Designated Supports
ESN
AF
Reminder to Turn Off
Any Universal Tools
AG Read Aloud in
Spanish (Math) (N/A
for CAA)
Blank (default)
Read Aloud in
Spanish is not
selected
NEDS_RA_Items_E Read Aloud in
SN
Spanish for items is
selected
TOMS Type
 Spanish text is read aloud
to the student by a trained
and qualified human
reader who follows the
administration guidelines
provided in the Online
Test Administration
Manual and the readaloud guidelines. All or
portions of the content
may be read aloud.
 Not available for the CAA.
non-embedded designated
support
 ELA
check box
 mathematics
 Provide additional CAA
instructional supports.
 Available for the CAA only.
non-embedded
accommodation
selected
NEDS_RA_Items_S Read Aloud in
timuli_ESN
Spanish for items
and stimuli is
selected
Manipulatives for
Blank (default)
Alternate Assessment
(NON-EMBEDDED)
NEA_AddAltRSC
Legend:
English language arts/literacy (ELA)
extended time (ET)
Manipulatives is not
selected
Type
 mathematics drop-down
NEDS_RA_Stimuli Read Aloud in
_ESN
Spanish for stimuli is
AH
Setting Definition
Manipulatives is
selected
performance task (PT)
Statewide Student Identifier (SSID)
New fields are shaded in blue.
Page 11
Copyright © 2016 by the California Department of Education