EDSCLS Platform/VM 4.1

On December 4, 2018, the EDSCLS VM 4.1 was released. This webpage provides information about the EDSCLS VM 4.1, links to download, instructions for how to use it and keep your VM secure, and information on other related updates. 


If you have already downloaded an older version of the EDSCLS VM and wish to download the new EDSCLS VM 4.1, make sure to save or export your data to PREVENT DATA LOSS. You can create a back-up copy by cloning your VM to be safe. (See the EDSCLS User Guide, Section 2.1.4 Virtual Machine Back-Up for instructions.)

See the Recommended Steps for updating the latest EDSCLS VM below for more information. Also, for questions, consult the EDSCLS Frequently Asked Questions and/or contact the EDSCLS Help Desk at at EDSCLS@air.org or (866) 730-6735.

 

Changes Made to EDSCLS Platform/VM 4.1

Installation

Updated Python 2.7.12, Python 3.5.2, MySQL 5.7.24 (replacing 5.7.23),  OpenSSH 1:7.2u2.6 (replacing 1:7.2u2.5), and Linux Kernel 4.4.0.139 (replacing 4.4.0.137).
What users need to do: For users who are currently using an earlier version of the EDSCLS platform/VM, IT administrators can (1) install the EDSCLS VM 4.1, which includes these updates, or (2) manually apply patches from the terminal command line (see EDSCLS User Guide Sections 2.1.1 Installation and Configuration and 2.1.5 Security Patches and Upgrades for instructions). Users can also power the older platform/VM off after a data collection has ended to prevent cyber-attacks (see EDSCLS User Guide Section 2.1.1 Installation and Configuration) and download the most recent VM before the next data collection.

Results and Reporting

No changes were made to the results and reporting functions in this update.

Administration

No changes were made to the administration functions in this update.

Recommended Steps for Users of Past EDSCLS VM Versions Transitioning to EDSCLS VM 4.1

If you have already downloaded a previous version of the EDSCLS VM and wish to transition to the latest EDSCLS VM, review the options below to prevent a loss of data.

Option 1: Keep the older EDSCLS VM on your server to house data from previous survey administrations. Then simply download the new EDSCLS VM and follow the installation instructions. Thus, you will have multiple VMs on your server storing your older and newer data.

Please see User Guide Section 2.1 System Setup in Virtual Environment for updated VM installation technical requirements. Note: Your server will require sufficient RAM and free hard disk space if you run multiple VMs on the same server. You also need to power off your old VM to prevent security breaches.

Option 2: If you do not wish to keep multiple versions of the EDSCLS VM on your server, and want to delete the older EDSCLS VM, you must first export all data reports you would like to save and export the raw data from the older EDSCLS VM for future use. If you do not, you will lose all the data stored in the older VM when it is deleted. It’s always a good idea to clone your current VM so that you have a back-up copy (see User Guide Section 2.1.4 Virtual Machine Back-Up for cloning instructions).

If you are currently collecting data using the EDSCLS VM, we recommend you NOT transition to the new EDSCLS VM until your data collection is complete.

Instructions on How to Download and Start Using the EDSCLS VM 4.1

To help you navigate the administration of the EDSCLS, we have created a variety of tools. Below you will find links to download the latest EDSCLS VM, the EDSCLS User Guide which has been updated to reflect lessons learned, the updated EDSCLS Survey Item Lists, the updated EDSCLS Codebooks, and the Nonresponse Bias Worksheet.

We recommend that you download and read the EDSCLS User Guide before downloading the EDSCLS VM. Section 2.1 System Setup in Virtual Environment in the User Guide, which was just carefully updated, is intended for the education agency’s IT staff who will be in charge of downloading, installing, and configuring the EDSCLS web-based platform. Section 2.2 EDSCLS Administration is intended for Survey Administrators, who oversee the survey data collection through the EDSCLS dashboard.

 

Lessons Learned to Keep in Mind
As You Get Started:

Install the EDSCLS VM to a physical server, not another virtual machine, such as VMWare. See Section 2.1 System Setup in Virtual Environment (for IT Staff) in the User Guide.

Use one of the three methods to keep your EDSCLS VM secure from cyber-attacks. See the Technical Platform Capabilities section of the EDSCLS Frequently Asked Questions.

Contact the EDSCLS helpdesk at EDSCLS@air.org or 866-730-6735, between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST, if you need assistance.

 

Downloadable Materials 

EDSCLS Administration and Installation User Guide

 EDSCLS Survey Item Lists

EDSCLS Code Books

Nonresponse Bias Worksheet

 

EDSCLS VM Installation Materials

EDSCLS Logo

EDSCLS Web-Based Survey Administration Platform VM 4.1
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Additional Resources

School Climate Improvement Resource Package Logo

School Climate Improvement Resource Package. This resource package is designed to help schools and districts improve school climate. It includes a variety of resources to meet a range of needs among stakeholders interested in improving school climate. While it is intended for a universal audience, the resource focuses on providing more guided instruction to EDSCLS users.

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DISCLAIMERS

General Disclaimer

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (THE DEPARTMENT) AND/OR ITS RESPECTIVE SUPPLIERS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE SUITABILITY, RELIABILITY, AVAILABILITY, TIMELINESS, AND ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND RELATED GRAPHICS CONTAINED ON THIS WEB SITE FOR ANY PURPOSE. ALL SUCH INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND RELATED GRAPHICS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. THE DEPARTMENT AND/OR ITS RESPECTIVE SUPPLIERS HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS WITH REGARD TO THIS INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND RELATED GRAPHICS, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE DEPARTMENT AND/OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE WEB SITES, WITH THE DELAY OR INABILITY TO USE THE WEB SITES OR RELATED SERVICES, THE PROVISION OF OR FAILURE TO PROVIDE SERVICES, OR FOR ANY INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND RELATED GRAPHICS OBTAINED THROUGH THE WEB SITE, OR OTHERWISE ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE WEB SITE, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF THE DEPARTMENT OR ANY OF ITS SUPPLIERS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGES. IF YOU ARE DISSATISFIED WITH ANY PORTION OF THE WEB SITE, OR WITH ANY OF THESE TERMS OF USE, YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY IS TO DISCONTINUE USING THE WEB SITE.  USERS WHO CHOOSE TO USE THE WEB SITE DO SO WITH THE UNDERSANDING THAT (1) IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE END USER TO CHECK THE WEB SITE FOR UPDATE AND TO USE THE “UPDATE” FEATURE DESCRIBED IN THE USERS MANUAL TO DESCRIBE UPDATES, (2) THE DEPARTMENT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SECURE HOSTING OR ADMINISTRATION OF THE WEB SITE AND REALATED APPLICATIONS ONCE INSTALLED ON USERS’ INFRASTRUCTURE AND (3) ONLY QUALIFIED IT ADMINISTRATORS WHO UNDERSTAND BEST PRACTICES IN SERVER ADMINISTRATION AND RELATED SECURITY CONTROLS SHOULD DOWNLOAD, INSTALL CONFIGURE AND ADMINISTER APPLICATIONS AND SOFTWARE IN UTILIZING THE DEPARTMENT’S APPLICATION.

Limitations Disclaimer

The EDSCLS can accommodate up to 500 concurrent respondents using the minimum requirements as detailed above. Up to 500 additional concurrent respondents can be supported if dual servers are used with the following server settings: 8 vCPU, 16GB Memory, 100GB disk.

If a user wishes to support more than 500 concurrent respondents, multiple copies of the EDSCLS platform can be installed and results from the multiple copies can be combined (see 2.2.10 Exporting and Importing Respondent-Level Survey Results). Due to these load limitations it is recommended that large education agencies (for example, State Education Agencies) install multiple copies of the platform. Large education agencies may also wish to reduce the load on the EDSCLS platform by staggering their survey administration such that a limited number of students attempt to access the platform at once. 

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