The Examiner
UPD AT ES, R EM IN D ER S, AN D T IPS FO R A SU CC ESSF UL T EST ING ADM INIST R AT ION
February Trainings
Register in ePath
March TAKS & 11th ITBS Training
8:00-9:00– please note time change!
February 2015
February 5
(ES LPAC Coordinators)
Test
February 6
1:00-2:30
 TAKS Testing Plan Part B
 GT Testing Roster Due
San Antonio ISD
February Assessments
(Optional for all TELPAS CTCs)
Supplemental Support Training for
TELPAS
4:00-6:00
(Required for any TELPAS Rater who did
not pass the first two calibration sets)
February 6
February
19, 20 or 23
February
25, 26 or 27
 DAEP Moratorium Date for March
NAEP
TAKS
National Assessment of Educational Progress
(Select Campuses)…………………February
4 & 26
STAAR Alternate 2 Test Window
(3-12 eligible students only)...……….….February 9-27
GT Testing Window
(K-12 by nomination only)………….....February 17-27
 Evidence of Effectiveness Rosters
 ITBS Order Form Due for 11th
Preview Period
 All TAs should have daily access to test materials only when they are working on it
 All preparations should be complete prior to February 9
 TAs should be checking out BOTH the Test Administrator Manual and Student Test
Booklet per student
 TAs are allowed to write notes in the Test Administrator Manual
 For instructions on making copies refer to page T24 in Non-Secure Front Matter
 Materials must be kept secure at all times
 Board Maker is an acceptable tool to make images
Testing Window
 Testing begins on February 9 and continues each day after until testing is complete
 Calculators, manipulatives and other math tools are appropriate response modes for
students to arrive at and display answers
 You must make copies of the Scoring Document for each student per subject
 Students enrolling on or after February 10th from out of district do not have to be
assessed with STAAR Alternate 2
 All test materials (including copies) and binder is due on February 27 by 2:00 pm
February 20
Grade LEP Students
 List of Raters needing
Supplemental Support Training DUE
February 23
 E11 Deadline for March STAAR/EOC February 27
STAAR Alternate 2 Basic Reminders
Campuses that have Form 05 for 4th grade Math has a revised TA Manual.
Please pick up these new TA Manuals from 8:00-4:00 at the Johnson Center.
February 13
(submit list to Shara Contreras at
[email protected])
(AC, MS, HS, Special Campus
LPAC Coordinators)
TAMS Lab for TELPAS
1:00-3:00
 E11 Deadline for March TAKS
 TELPAS Campus Test Plan DUE
 E11 Deadline for TELPAS
 CBE Application DUE for March
(HS & Special Campuses)
Woodcock Munoz/ITBS Online
Scoring Training
9:00-10:30
Important Dates
TELPAS Tips:
 New Raters should be completing the





“Online Basic Training” in the Texas
Training Center
(training available now until Feb 7)
Verifiers should be completing the
“Verifying Writing Collections” module in
the Texas Training Center
(training available now until Feb 23)
Begin collecting writing samples on
February 16
Train Raters/Verifiers by February 16
Calibration Sets for Raters open in the
Texas Training Center on February 17
If your campus plans to test outside the
designated window for the Online
Reading Test, you must complete the
form on the following link http://
www.saisd.net/admin/newtech/
testing/TELPAS_dates.html
More STAAR A FAQs
Will taking STAAR A affect graduation plans?
No. STAAR A is the same test as STAAR just without the field test questions. Taking STAAR A will not affect graduation plans.
How will STAAR A impact accountability?
For 2015 Accountability, STAAR-A and STAAR Alt-2 will be “Held Harmless” for Index 1 and will not be included in Index, 2, 3, or 4.
“Hold Harmless” means that if including the performance of students on these tests causes the campus to miss Index 1, then these
students will not be included. If the performance of these students help the campus to meet the Index 1 standard, then the students will
remain included in Index 1.
Which students is STAAR A intended for?
The test design of STAAR A is intended for students who require more assistance than just STAAR with Type 1 or 2 accommodations.
Students must meet the eligibility criteria.
Can a student who is VI only or Speech only qualify for STAAR A?
Yes, if the student receives the classroom accommodations on the back of the STAAR A Eligibility form. The eligibility criteria is not
disability specific. Any student who receives Special Education Services can qualify for STAAR A.
Do I have to print out Reference Material?
Reference Material for math and science will be available in the exhibit window tool, however, Reference Material can still be printed out
and provided to the student. When printing materials, make sure to use the non-ruler version that is located on the Pearson website.
What about calculators?
A calculator tool is provided in STAAR A only for assessments that require a calculator. Campuses must also ensure that students are
provided with the appropriate handheld calculator as part of the Calculator Policy (grades 8-12).
Calculators are not included on STAAR A grades 3–7 mathematics assessments or the STAAR A grades 5 and 8 science assessments.
However, if a student meets the eligibility criteria for the Calculation Devices accommodation, he or she may use a handheld calculator.
What will STAAR A Writing look like?
Students will be expected to type compositions and short answers. There are character limits of 1750 for compositions and 675 for short
answers. There will be a character count and bar to alert students when they are running out of characters. Students should be given
scratch paper to draft compositions. Students should be exposed to the Writing tools while completing the tutorials. The Revising
and Editing sections of STAAR A may be read to the student using the text-to-speech feature only.
Will I experience technical difficulties similar to GT Testing ?
No. STAAR online testing is a different platform than what is used for GT Testing. Campuses must complete the TestNav System
Check. A link is available on the Testing Office Website. Students are also expected to participate in the tutorials.
Do you have a suggestion for future newsletter topics and discussions? Please send ideas to [email protected]
Testing Department Mission Statement
To provide
To provide
support,support,
information,
information,
and technical
and technical
assistance
assistance
for successful
for successful
and effective
and effective
implementation
implementation
of all state
of alland
state
federal
and federal
test requirements.
test requirements.
Testing Department
Testing Department
Cindy Blair
Cindy
Blair
Director of Testing
Ed Garza
Garza
Ed
Nicole Taguinod
Nicole
Taguinod
Assistant
Director of Testing
Arthur
ArthurV.V.Valdez
Valdez
Shara Contreras
TestingContreras
Specialist
Shara
Testing
Specialist
Daniel Pacheco
Testing Data Analyst
Daniel
Pacheco
Testing Data
Analyst
Teresita
Oyakawa
Debra Guerrero
Debra Guerrero
Steve Lecholop
Steve Lecholop
Patti Radle
Patti Radle
Director of Testing
Assistant Director of Testing
Department Secretary
Teresita Oyakawa
Department Secretary
SAISD Board of Education
President
President
Olga
Olga M.
M.Hernandez
Hernandez
James
James Howard
Howard
Vice President
Vice President
Secretary
Secretary
Assistant
Secretary
Assistant
Secretary
Superintendent
Superintendent
Dr.
Sylvester Perez
Dr. Sylvester Perez
Testing Department . Johnson Center . 1811 South Laredo Street . 78207 . Phone 228-0055 . Fax 299-1007
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