TestHound Data Integration
- Former user (Deleted)
- Starrla Bond
Welcome to TestHound Data Integration!
Follow this guide to send data from your SIS to TestHound
Introduction
TestHound is a premiere education administration software. Your district and school-level testing coordinators will use TestHound to assign, manage, and report standardize tests/scores for your students.
Data Sets:
TestHound will require at least four of the below data from your SIS. See Part 4 on details on your state’s data requirements.
Minimum Data Sets:
The following data sets are required for all TestHound districts:
Schedules Data: Contains current semester/term course schedules for your students. These are the courses that students are taking right now.
Students Data: Contains basic data for your students.
Teachers Data: Contains basic data for your testing administrators; staff that are in the room overseeing students taking their standardized tests.
Users: Contains basic information (not passwords) for your district/school testing administrators who will be using TestHound.
Additional Data Sets:
These additional data sets may be required for your district:
Demographics Data: Contains additional data for TX state reporting; required for TX districts.
Accommodations Data: Contains data for student testing accommodations. In most cases, this data will be sent directly to TestHound from your Accommodations Vendor.
Adding Users:
Please email the completed User List to your DI Engineer, who will add the bulk of your users to TestHound. Additional users will be added/removed by your district’s TestHound admin.
SFTP & Send Schedules
Data sets (except the user list) will be sent to TestHound using SFTP. Please schedule all files to send nightly (including weekends) before 1am CST.
Hostname: uploads.testhound.com
Port: 22
Credentials: will be provided by your DI Engineer in a separate email. This one-click link will expire in 48hrs.
Please send the User List directly to your DI Engineer via email. For security reasons, please do not send any other data sets via email.
Data Transfer & Responsibilities
TestHound views your SIS as the Single Source of Truth for all data. Please review the steps below for how data is sent from your SIS to TestHound.
1 - Manage Data in SIS – Sending data to TestHound begins with adding, updating, and maintaining the accuracy of course request, student, and teacher data within your SIS.
2 - Export Data from SIS – Your district IT, with help from your TestHound Data Integrations Engineer, will configure SIS data exports that create the TestHound data files.
3 - Send Files to EAI – Your SIS/District IT will send data files to TestHound on a regular basis (via SFTP or API, depending on your SIS).
4 - Maintain Servers – TestHound will create and maintain servers for the purpose of securely retrieving data from your SIS.
5 - ETL & Data Security – EAI will retrieve the data files from SFTP, encrypt, and store data using AWS. See EAI’s Data Privacy page for more information on how EAI secures your data.
6 - EAI Product - EAI will display your district data in TestHound.
Timeline & Checklist
Ideally, your TestHound data Integration will take two weeks to complete. The actual timeframe will depend on your regional center and other 3rd parties who may need to send data to TestHound.
Day 1: Tech KO:
A meeting with your TestHound DI Engineer to review the data requirements and/or configure exports in your SIS. This meeting can be up to 45 minutes.
Weeks 1: Send First Files:
By the end of the first week, SFTP will be configured and the first files (data sets) sent to TestHound.
Please configure all files to be sent nightly (including weekends) before 1am CST.
Week 2: Data Validation:
Your TestHound DI Engineer will review and validate the sent data, then follow up with you for any needed adjustments to the exports.
After: Data Management:
Once the data in TestHound is validated, you will continue to maintain data within your SI; you may be contacted by your staff if data abnormalities are discovered in TestHound.
Please reach out to your DI Engineer if you need assistance troubleshooting any of these data abnormalities.
Data Requirements
See below for TestHound’s data requirements. Note that Florida and Texas districts will need to send additional data sets.
All States
The following data sets are required by all districts using TestHound:
Data sets sent via SFTP
Contents: data for current-semester courses for your full-time students.
File Naming Convention: d_th_schedules_ST_ST-District-ID.csv
Example Filename = d_th_schedules_tx_123456.csv
Best Practices:
Use the exact filenames provided by your TestHound DI Engineer.
Do not send Social Security Numbers for any of the requested data.
Export your state-assigned district id as the "District ID" on this file.
Export your local school ids as the "CampusID" on this file.
Headers are required and all elements must be in the order above.
Whitelist all recommended TestHound IPs.
Data Requirements:
Example Output:
Contents: data for full-time students taking standardized tests at your district.
File Naming Convention: d_th_students_ST_ST-District-ID.csv
Example Filename = d_th_students_tx_123456.csv
Best Practices:
Use the exact filenames provided by your TestHound DI Engineer.
Do not send Social Security Numbers for any of the requested data.
Export your state-assigned district id as the "District ID" on this file.
Export your local school ids as the "CampusID" on this file.
Headers are required and all elements must be in the order above.
Whitelist all recommended TestHound IPs.
Data Requirements:
Example Output:
Contents: data for teachers and staff who administer standardize tests for your district.
File Naming Convention: d_th_teachers_ST_ST-District-ID.csv
Example Filename = d_th_teachers_tx_123456.csv
Best Practices:
Use the exact filenames provided by your TestHound DI Engineer.
Do not send Social Security Numbers for any of the requested data.
Export your state-assigned district id as the "District ID" on this file.
Export your local school ids as the "CampusID" on this file.
Headers are required and all elements must be in the correct order.
Whitelist all recommended TestHound IPs.
Data Requirements:
Example Output:
User List:
Please also complete and email the below user list to your DI Engineer.
Instructions: Download and fill out the Users Template in the Downloads section below. Then email the completed Users List to your TestHound DI Engineer.
Contents: Account information for district and school testing coordinators who will be using TestHound
File Naming Convention: NA
Best Practices:
Leave CampusIDs blank (NULL) for district staff.
Email is the primary key for TestHound users; each staff person on the file must have a unique email.
Only include staff person’s primary school. Contact your DTC about staff that coordinate tests for multiple schools.
Roll Types:
Data Requirements:
Example Data:
Florida - Additional Data
Students’ accommodation data is also required for Florida districts. This data set will be sent with the other files via SFTP.
Accommodations Data Template:
Accommodations Data Requirements:
Contents: data for student testing accommodations.
Ideally, all accommodations data should be sent on a single file. Please email your TestHound DI Engineer if you need to send multiple accommodation files.
District File Naming Convention: d_th_ia_ST_ST-District-ID_auto1.csv
Example Filename = d_th_ia_in_123456_auto1.csv
Vendor File Naming Convention: v_th_ia_ST_ST-District-ID.csv
Example Filename = v_th_ia_in_123456.csv
Best Practices:
Use the exact filenames provided by your TestHound DI Engineer.
Do not send Social Security Numbers for any of the requested data.
Export your state-assigned district id as the "District ID" on this file.
Export your local school ids as the "CampusID" on this file.
Headers are required and all elements must be in the order above.
Whitelist all recommended TestHound IPs.
Data Requirements:
Example Output:
Texas - Additional Data
Students' demographics data is also required by Texas districts. This data set will be sent with the other files via SFTP.
Texas Data Templates (all files):
Demographics Data Requirements:
Contents: additional student demographics data for TX state reporting.
File Naming Convention: d_th_demographics_ST_ST-District-ID.csv
Example Filename = d_th_demographics_tx_123456.csv
Best Practices:
Use the exact filenames provided by your TestHound DI Engineer.
Do not send Social Security Numbers for any of the requested data.
Export your state-assigned district id as the "District ID" on this file.
Export your local school ids as the "CampusID" on this file.
Headers are required and all elements must be in the order above.
Whitelist all recommended TestHound IPs.
Data Requirements:
Example Output:
Instructions for Exporting SIS Data:
Ascender
Instructions:
Contact your Regional Center and provide them with the following information so they can open a ticket and begin sending the Students, Schedules, Teachers, and Demographics data sets to TestHound.
Your district’s SFTP creds for TestHound.
cc your DI Engineer to the email.
Complete User List:
Please complete the User List and email it to your DI Engineer; users are the one data set not provided by your Regional Center.
eSchool & eSchoolPLUS
Locate your state, download the SQL scripts, and follow the instructions below.
All State Cognos Templates:
Texas Demographics Cognos Template:
Instructions:
Download and import the above templates to Cognos.
Run and review the CSV exports; edit the templates, as needed.
Schedule and send each CSV using the SFTP details provided by your DI Engineer.
PowerSchool
Locate your state, download the plugin file, and follow the instructions below.
California Plugin File:
Indiana Plugin File:
Texas Plugin File:
Instructions - All States:
Install the unzipped plugin file at your District Office. Then enable the TestHound plugin file.
Log into PowerSchool and select the District Office (location ‘000’ for most districts)
Go to Setup → System. Then scroll down and select System Settings.
Select Plugin Management Configuration.
Click the Install button and search for the unzipped TestHound plugin file.
Find the Education Advanced - TestHound* plugin on your list and click the Enable/Disable box.
Finally, click Enable to confirm. The Enable/Disable box will turn blue when the plugin is enabled.
*Note - your plugin name may differ from the one shown in the screenshot.
Next, add a new TestHound SFTP config. This config will be used/selected for each of the data exports.
Go to Setup → System → System Settings → Plugin Management.
Select Remote Connection Manager.
Click Create Connection.
Name the connection TestHound SFTP and select the Protocol SFTP, as shown below:
Next, enter the following and click Test Connection.
Hostname = uploads.testhound.com
Port = 22
Authentication Type = Password
username/password provided by your DI Engineer
Click Allow Upload and then Submit. Leave the Remote Path blank.
When completed, TestHound SFTP will appear on the Manage Remote Connections Table:
Configuring Schedules Export
Go to System → System Administrator → Page and Data Management.
Scroll down to Data Export and select Export Data.
Select the Show All category and select the following query:
NQ - com.educationAdvanced.testHound.schedules
Select the PowerSchool attributes in the order shown below. Then remove the Table Names in the Labels Used on Export:
Test the export by clicking Show Data. Then click Next.
Enter the following details and click Save Template:
Export File Name = use the Teachers filename provided by your DI Engineer
Line Delimitator = CR
Field Delimitator = Comma
Character Set = Windows ANSI
Under Export Options, select Include Column Headers
Assigning/Scheduling SFTP
Go to the My Templates Tab and find the TestHound Schedules template. Click on the calendar icon to begin scheduling the feed.
Select the following settings and Save the export schedule.
Finally, go back to the My Templates Tab and click the Play Button to send the first Schedules file TestHound.
Configuring Students Export
Go to System → System Administrator → Page and Data Management.
Scroll down to Data Export and select Export Data.
Select the Show All category and select the following query:
NQ - com.educationAdvanced.testHound.students
Select the PowerSchool attributes in the order, as shown below. Then remove the Table Names in the Labels Used on Export:
Test the export by clicking Show Data. Then click Next.
Enter the following details and click Save Template:
Export File Name = use the Teachers filename provided by your DI Engineer
Line Delimitator = CR
Field Delimitator = Comma
Character Set = Windows ANSI
Under Export Options, select Include Column Headers
Assigning/Scheduling SFTP
Go to the My Templates Tab and find the TestHound Schedules template. Click on the calendar icon to begin scheduling the feed.
Select the following settings and Save the export schedule.
Finally, go back to the My Templates Tab and click the Play Button to send the first Schedules file TestHound.
Configuring Teachers Export
Go to System → System Administrator → Page and Data Management.
Scroll down to Data Export and select Export Data.
Select the Show All category and select the following query:
NQ - com.educationAdvanced.testHound.teachers
Select the PowerSchool attributes in the order, as show below. Then remove the Table Names in the Labels Used on Export:
Test the export by clicking Show Data. Then click Next.
Enter the following details and click Save Template:
Export File Name = use the Teachers filename provided by your DI Engineer
Line Delimitator = CR
Field Delimitator = Comma
Character Set = Windows ANSI
Under Export Options, select Include Column Headers
Assigning/Scheduling SFTP
Go to the My Templates Tab and find the TestHound Teachers template. Click on the calendar icon to begin scheduling the feed.
Select the following settings and Save the export schedule.
Finally, go back to the My Templates Tab and click the Play Button to send the first Teachers file TestHound.
Instructions - Indiana Accommodations File:
Coming Soon. Contact your DI Engineer for assistance.
Instructions - Texas Demographics File:
Configuring Demographics Export
Go to System → System Administrator → Page and Data Management.
Scroll down to Data Export and select Export Data.
Select the Show All category and select the following NQ Query:
Select the PowerSchool attributes in the order, as show below. Then remove the Table Names in the Labels Used on Export:
Test the export by clicking Show Data. Then click Next.
Enter the following details and click Save Template:
Export File Name = use the Teachers filename provided by your DI Engineer
Line Delimitator = CR
Field Delimitator = Comma
Character Set = Windows ANSI
Under Export Options, select Include Column Headers
Assigning/Scheduling SFTP
Go to the My Templates Tab and find the TestHound Teachers template. Click on the calendar icon to begin scheduling the feed.
Select the following settings and Save the export schedule.
Finally, go back to the My Templates Tab and click the Play Button to send the first Teachers file TestHound.
Skyward Q
Follow the instructions below to add the built-in TestHound exports within Skyward Q:
Instructions - All Districts:
Follow the steps below in Skyward Q’s Report Manager to add the following reports:
In Report Manager, search for “Test Hound” to locate the Students, Schedules, and Teachers reports.
Search for Test Hound and add the following Reports:
Open the report and click on Scheduled Reports. Then Add Scheduled Report.
Enter a report name of your choice and a Start Time before 1am CST.
Click on Save & Add Export Location.
Enter the Skyward @ Report Name from the chart in Step 1, above.
Click Add FTP/SFTP Connection or search for your existing Pathways SFTP connection.
Use the hostname and credentials provided by your Pathways DI Engineer to add a new SFTP connection in Skyward Q. Please click Test Connection before saving.
Save and manually send the file. Then email your Pathways DI Engineer to notify them that the files have been sent.
See Skyward Q’s Technical Knowledge Base for more information on configuring data exports.
Instructions - Texas Demographics File:
Follow the above instructions to also add the Test Hound Demographics report to Skyward Q.
Skyward SMS
Download the Skyward SMS exports for your state and follow the instructions below.
Download File Exports - Students, Schedules, and Teachers:
Download Texas Demographics Exports:
Instructions:
Complete the following Steps for each of the Interface Files, above.
Run the Interface/report by clicking Export on the far-right menu.
Go to My Print Queue (the printer icon, top-right)
Select Tasks and then Schedule This.
Set the following:
Start Time = before 1am CST
Days of the Week = All Days
Then, click the blue link that reads FTP Connection at the bottom under the FTP section.
Click Add in the buttons on the upper right, then fill out the Host, Port, Filename, Username, & Passwords for each.
Click Save, then Select from the buttons on the upper right, and finally Save.
Then click Save and Run Now to send files immediately to TestHound.