Q. What is Edusoft?
Edusoft is a Web-based assessment platform. We help districts, administrators and teachers track student performance on state standards through three kinds of tests: state exams, district benchmarks and teacher tests. Our testing and reporting solution gives districts the information they need to help improve instruction and student performance. For more information, visit the Products section of our website.

Q. Do students take the tests online?
Students do not take Edusoft tests online. Edusoft is designed to work the way you do. All the tests are given on paper answer sheets.

Q. What subjects and grades are covered?
Edusoft works across all core K-12 academic subjects and standards: math, English language arts, science and social studies.

Q. Who developed the standards in your system?
Each state uses its own set of standards. For each district we use the standards developed, adopted and used by your state.

Q. What test content is in the system?
Content comes from two sources:
• From teachers, districts or other sources.
• From Edusoft's Item Bank which consists of standards-aligned questions that you can use to create tests, homework and review sheets.

Q. Can I administer only multiple choice tests?
No. Tests can have any combination of multiple choice, short answer or teacher-graded items (e.g., essays, word problems or performance assessments).
• Multiple-choice questions are automatically graded by the Edusoft grader. Subjective questions are graded by teachers who mark incorrect answers on the teacher-only section of the answer sheet.
• Oral reports, word problems, art projects and essays can be scored on the Edusoft answer sheet.

Q. How does Edusoft work for essays?
Teachers can grade essays on a multi-part rubric that they develop. For example, up to 10 points for vocabulary, 10 points for synthesis of main idea, 10 points for incorporation of primary source information, and 10 points for writing style. Edusoft tracks the scores on the answer sheets based on the teachers’ review.

Q. Can I use my own questions?
Yes. You can use your own questions or create answer sheets to existing exams by adding test answers and standards alignment. If you are using your own questions, you can add pictures and equations.

Q. What kinds of tests can be used?
You can use a variety of tests including written, oral, performance projects and reading exercises.

Technology

Q. How do I access Edusoft?
Use Microsoft Internet Explorer (Version 6.0 or higher) to access Edusoft at www.edusoft.com

If you currently use Netscape, we suggest you do one of the following since Netscape is not supported:
• Windows 98SE/2000/XP: switch to the current version of Internet Explorer.
• Mac OS 9 through 10.2: switch to the current version of Internet Explorer.
• Mac OS 10.3: switch to the current version of Apple’s Safari.

Q. What are the technology and system requirements?
Edusoft is compatible with PCs and Macs running a current Internet browser and a (free) Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• On PCs, use Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher; on Mac OS 9.2-10.2, use the current version of Internet Explorer; on Mac OS 10.3, use the current version of Apple’s Safari web browser.
• In addition, make sure you have the current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader (5.x or higher required, 6.x recommended) installed on your computer.
• Districts need an inexpensive scanner to grade tests. Refer to Scanner Questions for more information

Q. Where are the servers and data hosted?
Edusoft's servers are located in a state-of-the-art facility with a back-up power supply, environmental controls, 24-hour on-site security and fail-over, and redundant Internet access. The facility guarantees 99.9%+ uptime. No data storage investment is required from districts.

Q. How can I be sure my data is secure?
Edusoft is protected by firewalls that restrict unauthorized access. The physical location is protected by 24-hour security. All data in the Edusoft system is password protected. Users have access only to the data that they are entitled to see.

Q. What happens if the Edusoft database goes down?
All databases are backed up daily to alternate locations.

Q. How scalable is the Edusoft system?
Edusoft's system is designed for scalability. Our customers range from less than 100 students to more than 720,000 students at the second largest school district in the U.S., the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Q. How do I get upgrades to the Edusoft system?
Because Edusoft is a Web application, any time a new feature is added, you have access to it the next time you visit the website. There is no need to download any software or make system adjustments.

Data Integration

Q. What kind of data does Edusoft need from us to get started?
Edusoft needs to bring in data about your students from two sources: the CDs or electronic files you get back from your state exam, and data residing in your Student Information System (SIS). This provides us with tests results, the demographic data from your state tests, and student roster data from your SIS.

Q. Why do you need roster data?
The roster enables us to show teachers data from students who are in their classes this year. It also enables us to show the appropriate data when administrators run reports. Without the roster, teachers would not be able to print reports on the students in their classes.

Student Information System (SIS) Integration

Q. What Student Information Systems does Edusoft work with?
All major vendors including, but not limited to, NCS SASI, Schoolwise, PowerSchool and EagleSoft Aeries.

Q. What does 'integrate' mean?
Our data integration team works with the department that manages your SIS to run a simple query that enables us to export the relevant data from the SIS (student names, courses, etc) and upload the information to the Edusoft system. This query can then be easily re-run to update the Edusoft system as rosters change and students switch classes.

Q. How often is it updated?
The district can send in updated roster files as often as every two weeks.

Q. What about student mobility (especially between schools)?
With the regular updates to your roster, the Edusoft system is kept in sync with all of the changes in students and staff throughout your entire district. Student data moves with them as they move between schools.

Q. Exactly what data do you need from the SIS?
The data we take from the SIS includes the teacher's name, teacher ID, student name, student ID and birthday for each course the student is enrolled in.

Q. Where does Edusoft get the demographic data about students in the system?
Demographic data is taken primarily from the information provided as part of the state testing process. The SIS is primarily used for course roster information.

Scanner Questions

Q. What scanners can I use?
Our system is compatible with the Brother MFC-8440, Brother DCP-8040, and Brother DCP-8045D. These scanners are inexpensive, have a large document feeder (50 pages) and scan very rapidly (~20 pages per minute).

Q. How much do they cost?
The scanners range in price between $450 and $500.

Q. What are the system requirements for the scanner?
• The scanner must be connected to a PC (not a Mac) that is connected to the Internet.
• That PC runs the software that controls the scanner and uploads the grading results to Edusoft.
• The scanner is the only non-Web-based part of the service. Everything else can be done from any computer (Mac or PC) from any location.

Q. How many scanners do I need?
We recommend one per school site.

Gradebook

Q. Can this replace my current gradebook program?
The Edusoft grade book is not intended to be a fully functioning, self-sufficient grade book. It is intended as an information and analysis source for student performance and standards. You can copy the data from the Edusoft standards-based gradebook and import data into your own grade book, as needed.

Q. Can I use this for my student report card system?
The data in the Edusoft system is great for a student report card system, especially if you want to be standards-based. You can copy the data from the grade book and paste it in Microsoft Excel or any other database system.

Pricing

Q. How do I pay for Edusoft?
Districts pay a yearly licensing fee, as well as a data integration fee for state tests and roster information. Contact Edusoft directly for pricing estimates.

Q. Do I have to buy for the whole district?
No. You can purchase the system for individual schools within your district.

Q. Do I have to buy the entire system?
No. The Edusoft system consists of State Analysis, Benchmark and Teacher Toolkit modules. You can license any combination of these modules.

Q. Do I have to buy the same number of modules for each of my schools?
No. You may license any combination of Edusoft modules for each of your schools

Q. What about next year's data integration?
You should expect it to be approximately 30% of the first year's data integration costs.

Q. Is there a maintenance fee?
No. System maintenance is covered in the price.

Q. What about the scanner?
We do not sell scanners to our customers. Scanners may be purchased directly from any local office or computer store. We can provide a list of vendors that carry the correct models.

If you have questions or need additional information about our products or services, please fill out our online contact form or call us at 1-866-4-EDUSOFT.