10 Ways to Prepare Your School's EdTech for Testing Season

State testing is one of the most critical times of the year for K-12 schools. While administrators and curriculum teams focus on student readiness, IT teams must ensure that networks, devices, and software are running without issues.

Even a minor crack in your EdTech infrastructure can cause problems that are stressful to fix during one of the most high-stakes times of the year. 

Here are 10 ways to prepare your EdTech for testing season: 

1) Review Technical Requirements

Every state’s testing platform is different. Some require Chrome extensions or Kiosk Mode, while others rely on secure browsers or web-based platforms. Even the most seasoned state test preppers should review these requirements each year. 

Action Steps:

• Review the latest guidance from your state education agency and testing provider
  • For example, the New York State Testing Program has an official School Administrator’s Manual containing tech requirements for Nextera, its testing vendor
• Ensure required testing apps, extensions, or secure browsers are installed and cannot be disabled
• Verify that student laptops, Chromebooks, or tablets meet system requirements

2) Create a "Test Period" Web Filtering Policy

A dedicated “state testing” web filtering policy is the bread and butter for proactive preparation. These policies can be refined and recycled year after year; give them plenty of thought and consideration well in advance.

Action Steps:

• Whitelist required test domains and IPs
• Disable SSL decryption and DPI selectively (if required)
• Ensure students can't switch networks
• Restrict non-essential web categories
• Apply your testing policy to student accounts 
• Test your policy
• Test your policy again 

3) Optimize Network Performance 

Network stabilization and and bandwidth prioritization should be top of mind.

Action Steps:

• Prioritize test traffic with QoS settings 
• Close non-essential background apps and auto-syncing services
• Restrict bandwidth-heavy services
• Check your filter's bandwidth reports for historical data on potential issues

4) Freeze Software Updates 

Unexpected updates disrupt testing and create an escalation frenzy. 

Action Steps:

• Pause automatic updates for operating systems and browsers 
• Disable sleep mode/screen timeouts, auto-logouts, and power-saving settings
• Close non-essential background apps and auto-syncing services (e.g., Google Drive, OneDrive) to free up resources

5) Authenticate Student Logins 

Login failures are common disruptions during state testing and most happen because of small oversights; save yourself the headache with a few steps:

Action Steps:

• Ensure student credentials are active and accessible
• Disable forced password resets during the test window
• Verify that students are logged into the correct accounts before launching the test
• Test SSO integrations

6) Configure Secure Testing Environments 

Restrict unauthorized access to applications, websites, or tools during testing. Schools using Chromebooks should prep Kiosk Mode or Single App Mode, while schools using macOS devices should configure Assessment Mode

Remember: using Kiosk Mode may restrict all third-party monitoring software, which can conflict many monitoring tools and create gaps for filter circumvention. Keep this in mind as you create policies, OUs, and rules for your testing environment. 

7) Prep Classroom Management EdTech

Sometimes classroom management tools conflict with testing platforms or cause unexpected disruptions. Here's how you can mitigate these challenges:

Action Steps:

• Verify whether the testing platform allows screen monitoring tools — some tests block them for security
• Temporarily disable real-time classroom monitoring (if required)
• If possible, use passive monitoring mode
• Inform teachers on what monitoring tools will and won't work during testing

8) Assess Your Student Safety Solutions 

Student safety monitoring tools flag concerning online behavior such as cyberbullying and self-harm in real time. However, these tools may be restricted in testing environments like Kiosk mode.

Action Steps:

• Reach out to your student digital monitoring vendor for information on how the solution can be adjusted to accommodate testing season
• Set up automated reporting for alerts triggered before and after testing sessions so nothing is overlooked
• Notify student services or safety teams of adjusted monitoring schedules
  
  

9) Train Staff on Basic Troubleshooting

Provide basic training for teachers and exam proctors to prepare them for what to expect and how to resolve common issues. This can save IT teams plenty of time and free up resources for other testing priorities. 

Action Steps

• Hold a brief training session to teach & practice resolving basic tech issues
• Provide a clear escalation process so staff know when to contact IT
• Create a troubleshooting guide for staff

10) Create a Teacher’s Troubleshooting Guide for State Testing

A simple troubleshooting guide can help teachers resolve basic issues and keep testing on track. Teachers don’t need a deep dive into network infrastructure, but they do need basic guidance and simple instructions.

What to include in your state testing teacher’s guide:

• How to troubleshoot common issues such as:
  
  • What to do if a Chromebook exits Kiosk Mode 
  • Login failures
  • Wi-Fi disruptions
  • Frozen screens
• How to restart a test session
• How to re-authenticate a student without restarting the device
• How (and when) to escalate to IT

Conclusion

State testing is one of the busiest times of the year, and it's all hands on deck. Communication, pre-testing, and backup plans will play a vital role in your school's state testing experience. 

As you prepare your EdTech for exams, don't forget to utilize your software and hardware vendors' support and customer success teams. Chances are they receive the same questions around this time of year and can quickly support your district's unique needs.