TEST INFORMATION
DISTRIBUTION ENGINE
(TIDE)
(REQUIRED
DTCS,
RECOMMENDED FOR STCS)
FOR
TIDE
Objectives

Understand the role and purpose
of TIDE in supporting student
success and achievement.
TIDE
Overview
Definition: Test Information Distribution Engine

Available through the OAKS Portal
Purpose:

To provide authorized users with access to:
 User Information
− Add new users or modify existing accounts

Student Information

Student Restrictions


Upload Paper-Based Writing Test Orders
New this year: Chromebooks
− View/Edit student test settings for a student
− Search for students. New this year: Advanced search using
additional fields.
− View/Edit or Add restrictions for a student
− Upload restrictions for a batch of students
− Designate schools or students to test using
Chromebooks.
TIDE
User Information
User Roles and Access



OAKS users (DSA and lower) are associated
with a district and/or institution(s).
Current district/school roles are: DSA, DTSA,
STC, TA, TT, District Report Viewer, and School
Report Viewer.
Passwords are encrypted.
Add/Modify User Accounts
Add users
 View/edit users
 Upload users

TIDE
Add Users


District users: select a role, district and institution from
the drop-down menus. The district and institution lists
will automatically update after you select a role from the
drop-down menu.
Note: While this page can be used to add a new user to
TIDE or to add a District/Institution to a user’s profile,
no other user attributes may be modified on this page.
Those changes must be done using the Upload Users
feature.
TIDE
View/Edit Users




Select a role, district, and institution from
the drop-down menus. The district and
institution lists will automatically update after you select a role
from the drop-down menu.
Select a role, district, and institution from the drop-down menus. The
district and institution lists will automatically update after you select a
role from the drop-down menu.
Click the [Edit] button for a user whose information you want to view and
update. You will be directed to the Edit User page. You can only update
the user’s first name, last name, and phone number.
If you need to re-associate the user with a different district or institution,
you will need to follow the process outlined in the Upload User section.
TIDE
Upload Users
Upload a group of users to TIDE or modify profiles for existing
users


TIDE accepts uploads of user information in CSV (ASCII) format.
CSV files can be opened/edited using spreadsheet applications such
as Microsoft Excel or a notepad application
Add Users to Multiple Institutions
 Enter users on separate lines in the upload file – one
line for each institution
 For the first institution, enter “ADD” as the action
TIDE
Passwords




Passwords must have a minimum of eight characters
including one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, and
one number.
Passwords will be encrypted. If users request their
password they will be emailed a link rather than the
actual password. Links will expire in 24 hours.
All passwords will be reset on October 1. All users will
need to request their password the first time they log in
after October 1. Users will be prompted to change their
password after logging in for the first time.
Users will be prompted to select and answer a security
question the first time they log in after October 1.
TIDE
Requesting a Password



When logging in for the first time this year, state- and
district-level users will need to enter their email address in
the username box and then click “Request Password.”
Users will receive an email with a link that is good for 24
hours. Clicking on the link will allow them to log in. They will
be prompted to change their password after logging in.
School-level users will be sent an email with a
link when they are added to the system. If the
link expires before they log in, they can follow
this procedure to request a password.
TIDE
Student Information




Student Information and Student Settings are combined in
a single tab.
Search for a group of students (e.g., by grade or school) or
for an individual student (e.g., by first name, last name, or
SSID)
Advanced Search (new this year). Search by additional
fields stored in TIDE (student settings, etc.)
Once the search is complete a student table is generated
TIDE
View/Edit Students


All users can view student settings.
Users can only update test settings if
their role in TIDE permits. Note:
Only DSAs and DTSAs can update
Restricted Resources
TIDE
Student Settings
 Color
Choice
 Language
 Print Size
 Computer-Based Read Aloud
 Suppress Score
 Item Types Exclusion
 Print on Request
 Modification Codes
 Accommodations and Accommodation Codes
 ELPA Exclusions
TIDE
Upload Student Settings
Can Batch Upload:

Color Choice

Language

Print Size

Accommodations

Computer-based read aloud

Suppress Score
Cannot Batch Upload:

Item Type Exclusion

Print on Request

ELPA Exclusions
TIDE
Chromebook Accounts




New this year: accounts must be created in TIDE for students who will test
using Chromebooks.
Entire schools or individual students can be designated for Chromebook
accounts.
After a Chromebook account is requested in TIDE, there will be a wait of 2 to
5 days (depending upon the number of requests being processed) before the
account is created and the student can test using a Chromebook.
Districts and schools are encouraged to request Chromebook accounts for all
students who may need one as soon as possible after TIDE opens.
TIDE
Student Restrictions



View and edit test restrictions for students within a
district and/or institution.
Test restrictions prevent students from testing in a
specified subject.
Note: if a student transfers schools or district, his or her
test restriction settings will not be reset.
TIDE
View/Edit Restrictions


Select the district and/or institution from the list(s) and click
[Search]. To narrow the search, select an enrolled grade, or
enter a student's SSID, first, or last name.
Each row displays information for students, including test
settings and accommodations. Each row also contains an
[Edit] button.
TIDE
View/Edit Restrictions


TIDE accepts uploads of student restrictions in CSV (ASCII) format.
CSV files can be opened/edited using spreadsheet applications such as
Microsoft Excel or a notepad application.
TIDE
TIDE: Paper Writing
(DTSAs and DSAs only)




Orders may be placed by uploading a pre-code file for
multiple students or by editing individual student settings.
Pre-code files must include the following fields:
 SSID (required)
 DOB (required)
 Teacher Name (optional)
 Class Period (optional)
District-level users can export order information to Excel.
For students that are testing in Braille, the
District must be sure to order both a paper
Writing booklet via TIDE and a Braille form
from ODE.
TIDE
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s


Use the LEP flag for those students who will take
the ELPA.
Use student test settings to assign system features
and restricted resources to students by test subject
(e.g., language, zoom, print-on-request).

Use student restrictions function to manage student
access to specific assessments in OAKS Online.

Use the order function to place orders for the winter
and spring Writing Performance Assessments.
TIDE
Do’s and Don’ts, cont’d
Don’ts


TIDE users must not share their TIDE log-in
information and passwords, even with other
authorized TIDE users.
DTSAs or DSAs must not set the item printon-request restricted resource for students
without a documented need (e.g., IEP, 504
Plan, or other district documentation)
TIDE
Promising Practices


The district uses the Student Restriction
function to restrict students who are
designated to take OAKS Extended from
accessing the Online test.
The district applies student test settings for
students by test subject to ensure that
students have appropriate access to OAKS
Online. For students with IEPs or 504 Plans,
the district consults the student’s plan before
applying test settings to ensure compliance
with the student’s plan.
TIDE
In a Nutshell


TIDE is available through the OAKS Portal
Use TIDE to manage user accounts, student
test settings, and order Writing tests
OAKS Online
Online Resources

OAKS Online User Guides
http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=391

OAKS Portal (includes Training Site
and Practice Tests)
http://www.oaks.k12.or.us
TIDE
Acorns for Storage


What are the functions available through
TIDE?
How can district users use TIDE to manage
appropriate student access to OAKS
Online?