DTC Chatter

Hello everyone! We have all received several assessment emails the past couple of weeks. I thought it would be easiest to put them all in one place.

You will also find the plans for DTC training this fall. SAVE A DATE

I am happy to announce we have the same ESC assessment team this year: Andie Smith (TELPAS), Linda Moran (STAAR ALT 2), Pam Loper (Accessibility/Accommodations), and Zan Wilson (State Assessment).

If you are interested in attending the TSNAP New DTC academy virtually this fall for free, click on the button at the bottom of the newsletter to access registration.

BOY Registration opened today for district registration

• Registration Form
• BOY Webinar Presentation
• BOY Registration Presentation
• BOY Assessment FAQ
• BOY Schoolnet Overview for Districts
• BOY Answer Document Scanning

Updates to the STAAR Online Testing Platform secure browser application are now available. The updated version of the application can be downloaded from http://TexasAssessment.gov/staar/administrators/technology and is required to access the STAAR online practice tests and tutorials, STAAR interim assessments, and STAAR online administrations for the 2020–2021 school year. Prior versions of the application for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux must be uninstalled before installing the latest updated version (3.19.0). Districts should enable automatic updates for mobile secure browsers so the browsers will automatically update as necessary on iOS and Chromebooks. The updated version for iOS (2.80.0; 2.73 in Apple Store) and Chromebook (2.65.0; 1.32.0 in Chrome web store) will auto-update upon launch of previously installed versions of the application.

Additional information about the application previously provided in the STAAR Assessment Management System (Online Testing > Secure Browser) has been moved to a new Secure Browser Application Page outside of the Assessment Management System to facilitate district and campus technology staff access.

The following training webinars are coming soon. Select the link to register for the training. Webinar information and registration links are also available at http://TexasAssessment.gov/staar/administrators/training.

• The “Interim Assessment Overview and Updates” webinar will take place Tuesday, August 11, 2020, 1:30–3:00 p.m. (CT).
  
• The “Interim Student Registration” webinar will take place Thursday, August 13, 2020, 1:30–3:00 p.m. (CT).
  
• The “Classroom Teachers: Interpreting Student Interim Scores” webinar will take place Tuesday, August 18, 2020, 1:30–3:00 p.m. (CT).
  
• The “A Deep Dive into the Online Reporting Suite (ORS)” webinar will take place Thursday, August 20, 2020, 1:30–3:00 p.m. (CT).

For questions or assistance regarding the information in this communication, contact the Texas Assessment Support Center at 855-333-7770, STAAR3-8@ets.org, STAAREOC@ets.org, or via live chat through the Assessment Management System.

The release includes the TELPAS listening and speaking tests and the TELPAS reading tests that were administered for grades 2–12 in spring 2020. These tests are available through the TestNav 8 login screen in the installable app under the Practice Tests link. Answer keys for these released tests are available at TELPAS Released Tests and at Texas Resource Center.

In addition to the TELPAS released tests, the Texas Student Assessment Program developed speaking scoring guides to accompany the released tests. Each scoring guide includes exemplar student responses to four questions from the speaking assessment for that grade band, the score that each response received, and an explanation of why the response received that score. Scoring guides can be found at the Texas Resource Center.

If you have any questions about the 2020 TELPAS released materials, please contact us at the Student Assessment Division Help Desk or by phone at (512) 463-9536. For assistance accessing the released materials contact Pearson’s Customer Service Center using the live chat feature, the Pearson Customer Support Form, or by calling 800-627-0225.

• Standard Reports
  
  Shipments of printed copies of TELPAS Alternate Report Cards and confidential student labels were returned to Pearson from districts that were closed on July 10 and unable to receive shipments. Districts that did not receive printed reports and have not scheduled a new delivery date with Pearson should contact the Customer Service Center.
  
  
• Updated District Reports
  
  Updated TELPAS Alternate Report Cards and data files for the 2020 administration have been posted to the STAAR Alternate 2, TELPAS, and TELPAS Alternate Assessment Management System. The files can be accessed under Reports > Published Reports via the 2020 TELPAS Alternate administration. The updated report cards and data files reflect changes submitted during the test information changes window. In addition, all district data files that did not require updates will be included.
  
  
• Final Region Reports
  
  Final region reports and student data files for the 2020 TELPAS Alternate administration have been posted to the Assessment Management System. The files can be accessed under Reports > Published Reports via the 2020 TELPAS Alternate administration.
  
  

For questions or assistance regarding the information in this communication, contact the Customer Service Center using the live chat feature, the Pearson Customer Support Form, or by calling 800-627-0225.

All 20 ESC assessment consultants from across the state have been working closely with the TEA assessment team to unite for a thorough state-wide DTC training. In doing so, one can expect the DTC training to look a little different this year with more emphasis and details being given in all training sessions.

Here at ESC 14, we are offering 3 session opportunities: October 20, 22 and 29. Participants will be allowed to attend one session. As we get into the month of October, we will decide if we will be able to offer face to face, virtual or a mix. I will notify you all when the links are live for registration.

New this year for ESC 14 DTC training:

• Districts will be allowed and encouraged to invite principals and campus test coordinators. However, the training is intended for DTCs. Any CTC that attends should still receive CTC training from their DTC.
• An assessment training for principals will be offered in the spring. This will be an optional training and will focus on principals roles/responsibilities with state assessment and CTC responsibilities. More details will come later.

Zan Wilson

zwilson@esc14.net

325-675-8620

Andie Smith

asmith@esc14.net

325-675-7039

Linda Moran

lmoran@esc14.net

325-675-8635

Pam Loper

ploper@esc14.net

325-675-8633