Testing Department Newsletter
September Edition
September ACT Information
September MAP Information
September PSAT/NMSQT Information
Trainings
Please consider the following with regards to test trainings;
- All trainings and testing calendars are posted on the district Testing website. goo.gl/jxpJtm
- It is the expectation that all Testing Coordinators will attended scheduled trainings as indicated on the training calendars. Coordinators are expected to arrive and be in their seats prior to the start of the training. Please allow for traffic and trains.
- Please follow professional standards while attending trainings (i.e. no cell phone usage during training, be respectful of all other trainees and presenters, etc.).
- We know that everyone is busy and at times things come up that were not planned. Please do not hesitate to contact the Testing department if a problem arises or if you need assistance.
- TC Tuesday trainings are for high school Test Coordinators only
Test Hound
- September 25 - We will be offering a Test Hound Lab for all Testing Coordinators Please pick from one of the times offered. 8:30-11:30 or 1:00 to 4:00 and sign up in Performance Matters
STAAR
- The 5/8 SSI brochures for this years 5/8 students are in. Campuses can also print either an English or Spanish version that is currently available at https://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/ssi/. 5/8 parents must be notified by September 27, 2019
- Results and summer testing materials - All summer testing results are in and ready to picked up. Campuses, please send one of your certified professionals to pick up all your materials by Friday August 9.
District & Campus Coordinators Resources
- The 2019-2020 DCCR is now available for review at https://txassessmentdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ODCCM/overview
Accelerated Testers Guidance
- As was shared in the August 22 Enhancements and Updates to the Texas Assessment Program for 2019‒20 TAA, there will be no policy changes to the testing requirements for accelerated students for the 2019–20 school year, as the agency works to implement new funding established under House Bill (HB) 3. Districts should continue to follow existing policies and guidance concerning testing of accelerated students for the 2019–20 school year. HB 3 will provide funding for districts to administer the SAT or ACT; this funding will facilitate the implementation of federal testing requirements for accelerated students who have taken the STAAR Algebra I end-of-course (EOC) prior to high school. During the upcoming school year, the agency will complete the required process to include these outcomes in August 2021 accountability. See 3.1.1.1 Participation Requirements for Students Enrolled in Grades 3–8 Students in grades 3–8 must be tested at their enrolled grade level as required in the Texas Education Code (TEC) §39.023(a). Exceptions to this requirement may exist for students receiving instruction above grade level. These students should take State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) for the subjects in which they are receiving instruction if an assessment exists. For example, a student in grade 7 who is receiving instruction in grade 8 science would take the STAAR grade 8 science assessment and the STAAR grade 7 mathematics, reading, and writing assessments. For students who are receiving accelerated instruction across multiple grade levels, districts should carefully evaluate the content of the instruction as it relates to the STAAR grade-level assessments to ensure that students are provided the best opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the grade-level content. For example, if students are receiving instruction in all grade 6 and some grade 7 mathematics curricula during a school year, the students should be administered the STAAR grade 6 mathematics assessment. It would not be appropriate to administer the grade 7 assessment to these students since they have not been given the opportunity to learn all the grade 7 mathematics curriculum. Students in grades 3–8 who are enrolled in a high school course will take the corresponding STAAR End-of Course (EOC) assessment in place of their grade-level assessment in that subject area. These students must take all other STAAR grade-level assessments. For example, a grade 8 student enrolled in Algebra I will take the STAAR Algebra I assessment, as well as the STAAR grade 8 reading, science, and social studies assessments.
Reminder on Substitute Assessments in Accountability
- As a reminder, beginning with the December 2019 and spring 2020 STAAR EOC administrations, substitute assessments will no longer be included in accountability calculations. During the upcoming year, the agency will amend Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 19, §101.4002, as appropriate, and remove references to the inclusion of substitute assessments in accountability during the adoption of the 2020 Accountability Manual. Substitute assessments may continue to be used to meet individual student graduation requirements, as adopted under 19 TAC §101.4002.
- The Student Portal has been updated with the latest assessment information. Parents can access their child’s results using a unique access code, which can be found on their child’s Report Card. Additionally, parents can view their child’s performance relative to the campus, district, and state.
- Raw score to scale score conversion tables are posted here.
Programmatic Assessments
College Readiness
PSAT /SAT Testing
SAT School Day - Due to unforeseen changes by the Texas State Legislature and HB3, regarding funding and College Readiness, the district has made the decision to change to an additional SAT School Day for seniors on October 16th to give ALL students an equal opportunity to take the SAT exam. This was not an easy decision and many departments were involved to ensure that this was a student centered decision.
Juniors are already scheduled to take both the SAT and ACT during the school day in the Spring. This change only affects the Seniors in the Fall.
Seniors will now have the opportunity to take both the ACT and SAT during the school day without having to worry about being here on a Saturday (which is difficult for most of our students.)
All seniors should be encouraged to take both the ACT and SAT School Day.
I know that this may put additional burden on the you and the campus, but we are here to help support you in ensuring the students are provided another opportunity to test.
The AP Training for Testing Coordinators on Sept. 5th will include SAT School Day Fall training to help answer any questions you may have. We want to ensure that you are prepared. We will also ensure you all have access to College Board SAT during this time. All forms and needed information will be e-mailed to campuses to ensure that you are prepared for training.
Since students will take the SAT School Day on October 16th, the registration of students and submittal forms for Saturday testing is no longer necessary.
Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to the students of SAISD - we know that you have been working diligently to ensure students have an opportunity to test. We know that we are changing directions in mid-path, but it will ensure an opportunity for ALL students during the school day.
As always, if there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Mrs. Jaime Brown, Director of testing.
PSAT 8/9 and PSAT/NMSQT – the deadline to adjust your order and/or order accommodated materials (NMSQT) is September 15.
AP
- AP Coordinator Training is Sept 5, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
ACT
- Verify student enrollment for your campus by August 30th
- Enroll/unenroll students as needed.
Note: Students added after this deadline will not receive barcode labels
- Request for reconsideration of accommodations in TAA is due by September 6th
- Request for late consideration of accommodations and/or supports for eligible students is due by September 20th
- Order additional standard time materials for use on the initial test date of October 1, as needed
- Campuses should receive materials on September 16th for ACT testing
- Sessions for students to complete the non-test information needs to take place after materials are received. This must be concluded by September 30th.
- Training form room supervisors and proctors must be completed by September 30th.
- Rooms to be used for ACT testing must be prepared by September 30th
Key Dates
- September 5- 27 - Coordinators must read their manuals, work on test rosters and logistics, verify as needed in Pearson Access next & request from the Testing Office add or remove students by submitting the enroll or unenroll students file as needed
- September 6 -20 Testing Coordinators should order additional materials for standard time testers. Order non-college reportable accommodations (NCR) materials for the initial accommodations testing window for use starting October 1, as needed.
- September 16-20 Testing Coordinators receive test materials
- September 30 Testing Coordinators, after materials arrive, train room supervisors and proctors. Prepare rooms and materials. Conduct sessions for examinees to complete non-test information
See a list of important dates and information for the month of September above.
MAP
Administering MAP Assessments
- The BOY window for MAP is August 13-September 19th, this includes MAP Fluency for K-3
- New teachers and staff that have moved campuses since last year will need to request proctor access in order to test at their campus assignment.
For students in grades K-2
- IPads are recommended as the youngest learners are more familiar with touch screen technology
- Small group setting such as centers is acceptable
- Student should take MAP within 35 minutes
- Allowing students to test for minimal amount of time 5-10 minutes and then providing instruction is not allowed. This compromises the validity and integrity of the RIT score.
MAP Fluency
- MAP Fluency for grades K-3 is required. Please see the communication from C & I (see below)
- All teachers will need to access the online training through the NWEA Professional Learning site. https://community.nwea.org/community/professional-development/
1. Click on courses
2. Enter MAP credentials
3. Search for MAP Fluency in the search bar
4. Choose the MAP Reading Fluency Basics for Teachers course
Retest
- To request a retest for MAP, campuses must email Stephanie Quesada (squesada1@saisd.net) with the student name, ID#, test subject, teacher name and reason why.
Request for access
- Use the following link to request for additional MAP proctors https://forms.gle/frPLRFN3trSAVaXt7
- Use the following link to request access for principals, assistant principals and or instructional specialist https://forms.gle/3uc8X5Sz5WDtr9Ef7
Credit by Exam (CBE)
- CBE testing window is September 9th to the 13th
LAP - 3
https://forms.gle/zPwRjTfZkFShKHwT9
- The following website provides you with an easy and reliable age calculator to help you re-verify your work.
https://www.free-online-calculator-use.com/chronological-age-calculator.html
WMLS and LAS - Links / Pre-LAS
- Woodcock Munoz Language Survey for Bilingual identification will still be used until October 31.
- We will transition to preLAS (PK and K) and LAS (1 -12) on November the 1st.
Training dates available for preLAS / LAS are:
- September 23, 2:00 – 4:00 PM,
- September 30, 2:00 – 4:00 PM and 4:30 – 6:30
- October 21, 4:30 to 4:30 PM.
Testing's Mission Statement
Email: testingdept@saisd.net
Website: http://www.saisd.net/main/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5777&Itemid=0
Location: 1700 Tampico Street, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-554-2465