Frequently Asked Questions

Item Creation

Q:What steps does an assessment item pass through in order to become part of the ClassScape Assessment System?
A: In order to create high quality items, every potential ClassScape item must pass through many levels of development and review. This flowchart illustrates the process in detail.
Q:How does a reading passage become part of the ClassScape Assessment System?
A: Reading passages and other stimulus materials have their own development process, including obtaining copyright privileges. This flowchart illustrates the details of this process.
Q:How many items are currently available?
A: ClassScape currently has 45,904 items available for use on assessments. More items are being added to ClassScape every day.

Technology

Q: What are the client side technical requirements?
A: We have designed the system to perform with both Internet Explorer and Mozilla FireFox Web browsers. Because the system uses graphics, an ISDN or greater Internet connection is preferred. A monitor resolution of 800 * 600 will allow the user to see the full item with some scrolling. Finally, javascript, cookies, and pop-ups (for classscape.org) must be enabled in your web browser. For information on Firefox's technical requirements, click here.
Q: How do I setup a Windows-based computer for student logins to ClassScape?
A: Save this ClassScape icon to the computer to be used for student assessments. While on the ClassScape main page, click on the icon to the left of "http://www.classscape.org/" in the address bar, then drag it to your desktop and release. This will create a shortcut on your desktop named "ClassScape". Right click this new icon on your desktop, then select properties. This will open a "ClassScape Properties" window with the "Web Document" tab selected. In the URL text field, replace the existing text with "http://www.classscape.org/student". Next, click the "Change Icon" button and select the icon previously saved to your computer. Finally, click the "General" tab and in the first text field (should have "ClassScape" in it), replace the text with "ClassScape Student Login". Finally, click the OK button in the ClassScape Properties window. When a student double clicks this new icon, the student interface will load in the computer's default web browser.
Q: How do I enable pop-ups in Firefox for ClassScape?
A: In order for the ClassScape Assessment System to work properly, javascript must be allowed to run. This can be set using the Tools->Options->Web features.
Q: How do I enable pop-ups in Internet Explorer for ClassScape?
A: In order for the ClassScape Assessment System to work properly, pop-ups must be enabled. To enable pop-ups for ClassScape in Internet Explorer, click Tools -> Pop-up Blocker -> Pop-up Blocker Settings. Next, enter classscape.org in the field for Address of Web site to allow. Click the 'Add' button, then click the 'Close' button.
Q:I'm using Internet Explorer and I am getting a popup window that says "A Runtime Error has occurred. Would you like to debug?". Is there a way I can prevent this window from appearing.
A: In Internet Explorer, click Tools in the menu tab, then select Internet Options. In the window that appears, click the Advanced tab. The second section header is labelled browsing. Uncheck the checkbox with the option for "Disable Script Debugging (Internet Explorer)". Click the apply button, then the ok button. You may also need to close your Internet Explorer brower(s), then re-open them.
Q: Our school computers are behind a proxy server. How do we configure the proxy server for ClassScape use?
A: Proxy servers must not cache content from classscape.org. Proxy servers ( and firewalls or other internet filtering / security technologies ) should also be configured to pass traffic on remote TCP ports 80 and 443 for classscape.org.
Q: What are the technical requirements for read-alouds?
A: Computers to be used for read-aloud assessments must have a sound card installed with a pair of headphones connected. Browsers, network applicances, and content filters must not block MP3 files from classscape.org. Web browsers must also have the Adobe® Flash® Player installed.

Student Assessments

Q:What is the average time a student takes to complete the various pre-made assessments?
A: On average, it takes students fifteen (15) minutes to complete a pre-made Objective Quiz, thirty (30) minutes to complete a pre-made Goal Scan quiz, and forty-five (45) minutes to complete a pre-made Goal Summary Quiz.
Q:Can I print ClassScape items, passages, or assessments?
A: ClassScape items are copyrighted. NC State University and the Department of Public Instruction have sole ownership and control over all ClassScape test items and reading passages. If copyright permissions were necessary in order to use certain reading passages, the ClassScape Assessment System has paid a fee for its use and has agreed to specific conditions of use. Any person who prints ClassScape items is subject to scrutiny under copyright law.

Data Upload

Q:Why won't my class roster file load?
A: Most file upload issues can be corrected by ensuring that file contents conform to all of the following rules:
  • Only District administrators, District Benchmark Builders, and Super Test Administrators may upload multiple schools in a single file.
  • Student ids must be unique within a district; use the NCWISE number, if possible.
  • Student ids must be 5 to 20 characters in length.
  • Student logins must be unique within ClassScape.
  • Student logins must be 5 to 20 characters in length.
  • Student passwords must be 8 to 20 characters in length.
  • Student password must not contain or match the login.
  • Student passwords cannot contain any of the following words:
    apple, password, teach, school, change, hello, or classscape.
  • Remove any header rows from the file.
  • Remove spaces and double quotes from the data.
  • Remove empty category columns from the file.
  • Remove commas from the data (e.g. Smith, Jr.)
  • Remove the school code column from files for a single school.
  • Student login and password must be specified for each student.
  • Data columns must be in the following order (Category is optional):

    MULTIPLE SCHOOL UPLOAD:
    School Code, Last Name, First Name, Student ID, Date of Birth, Gender, Grade, Ethnicity, Login, Password, Category

    SINGLE SCHOOL UPLOAD:
    Last Name, First Name, Student ID, Date of Birth, Gender, Grade, Ethnicity, Login, Password, Category