There are three different Scores Layout options available for importing test scores into Focus. The appropriate selection depends on the structure of the source file or whether it has been processed with a File Parser. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct an initial review of the file to be imported and carefully examine the specifications, particularly if the file originates from a third-party system.
It is possible to rearrange the data from the source file to create a new extract or to modify it with a File Parser to transform the data in such a way that it conforms to one of the predefined formats:
1. Test Part & Score Types are combined into one or more columns
This structure is commonly used by third-party systems for data extraction. It consists of multiple sets of score columns, each representing specific test parts or subjects along with their corresponding score types. The file structure does not contain a separate column for the test's Part IDs. It also tends to have only one record per student and test administration date.
File header example:
|Student_ID|Admin_date|...|Eng-SS|Eng-RS|Eng-NP|Math-SS|Math-RS|Math-NP|Sci-SS|Sci-RS|Sci-NP|This option is the default when a test is selected from the Standardized Test pull-down. Only scores for the selected test can be included in the file to be imported.
File layouts are provided by the third-party provider.
2. Score Types are split from Test Part columns
This file structure features a single set of score columns, along with columns for Test ID and Part ID to identify the respective test and test part for each of the scores. Multiple rows of data may exist for the same student and test administration.
File header example:
|Student_ID|Admin_date|...|Test_ID|Part_ID|Raw_Score|Scale_Score|National_percentile|If your source file doesn't include a Test ID or equivalent column, you have several options:
- Choose the test from the Standardized Test pull-down and then select Score Types are split from Test Part columns from the Scores Layout pull-down.
- Pre-process your file to include a Test ID column before uploading it, or incorporate it into your data with a File Parser.
- Default the Test ID (short name equivalent) in your mapping template.
This option allows for the import of import multiple tests from a single source file, provided that a Test ID column is available for distinctly specified test records.
3. Standard (Focus data structure)
This option adheres to the required data structure of the Focus School Software system, allowing inclusion of individual Test ID, Part ID, Score Type ID, and Score columns. Multiple rows are expected for the same student and test administration. Additionally, you can import multiple tests from a single source file using this format.
File header example:
|Student_ID|Admin_date|...|Test_ID|Part_ID|Score_type_ID|Score|This format is the one provided by Focus School Software. For more details, please review our Test History Layout attached below.
While it is unlikely that a third-party provider will generate a file with this structure, you always have the option to rearrange your file(s) to standardize your data. Standardizing your files simplifies the import process by eliminating the need to create or select different mapping templates for each import file.
For additional information please read our documentation on the Scores Layout import setting.