Monday Matters
Texas Assessment and Accountability Info: 3/2/2020
TEA is Closely Monitoring Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
AUSTIN, Tex. – February 28, 2020 - The Texas Education Agency is closely monitoring media reports and information shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding growing concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and is working closely with other Texas state agencies to prepare effective guidance for public school districts across Texas.
Though the situation is changing rapidly, it’s important for school districts and community leaders to bear in mind how to prevent respiratory illnesses like the novel coronavirus.
Based on the most currently available information, health officials are recommending local communities and schools take the same necessary steps to protect against coronavirus that we take to prevent the spread of illnesses such as the flu.
All individuals are encouraged to:
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- If you’ve not already gotten one, a flu shot is encouraged.
While these measures are simple, they work.
TEA is in the process of developing guidance for districts in the unlikely event of an escalation of the virus. The Agency is in regular contact with the state’s 20 regional Education Service Centers (ESCs) across Texas, multiple school districts, and the University Interscholastic League (UIL).
TEA is committed to ensuring that clear communication and guidance is provided to the state’s 1,200 school districts, so that misinformation does not spread and misplaced fears can be properly addressed.
It’s worth noting that in recent weeks, TEA has worked closely with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to monitor the number of flu cases in communities across the state. This effort will increase statewide awareness.
During this year’s flu season, upwards of 50 public schools in the state have temporarily closed due to high absenteeism among students and staff. These closures have also meant the cleaning and disinfecting of entire campuses to help prevent the ongoing spread of the flu.
While there are a small but increasing number of reported cases of novel coronavirus in the United States, to date, there are no confirmed cases that originated in Texas.
TEA encourages the use and promotion of verified sources of information about the flu and coronavirus. On the national level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides “Guidance for School Administrators to Help Reduce the Spread of Seasonal Influenza in K-12 Schools” on its website (https://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/guidance.htm) and information on the rapidly changing coronavirus situation (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/index.html).
On the state level, the Texas Department of State Health Services provides valuable information regarding the flu (https://www.dshs.texas.gov/flu/) and coronavirus (https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/).
DSHS continues to mobilize, prepare, and plan for ways to keep Texans safe as new information emerges.
TEA will continue working closely with its interagency partners to ensure that school districts across Texas have access to and awareness of the most current and valuable information on the virus.
The Agency’s paramount concern here is that districts, students, and parents remain informed and stay healthy and safe.
Can a campus be identified for targeted support and additional targeted support simultaneously?
Region 10 Info
Hint: There is an answer key for the calculations.
Upcoming Accountability/Assessment Training Opportunities
Save the Date! Region 10 & 11 Assessment Conference January 20, 2021 at Region 10 ESC
Additional Upcoming Trainings
Administrative Services Spring Offerings: https://www.smore.com/4mdhx
From Our Inboxes to Yours
Upcoming STAAR Activities: March 2, 2020
To the District and ESC Testing Coordinator Addressed:
This communication is to inform you of the following upcoming activities for the 2019–2020 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readines (STAAR®) administrations.
APRIL 2020 STAAR ADMINISTRATIONS
- District Testing Coordinator Kits
The District Testing Coordinator Kits will be posted to the Help Documentation section of the STAAR Assessment Management System on March 16, 2020.
- Specific Braille Instructions
Specific braille instructions are included in the braille kits that are scheduled to be delivered to districts by March 30, 2020. These instructions will also be available for download beginning March 16 in the Help Documentation section of the Assessment Management System. For more information, district testing coordinators should review the Specific Braille Instructions section of the online resources.
- Transcribing Griddable Questions Student Document
The General Instructions for Transcribing the Griddable Questions Student Document should be downloaded and printed as needed prior to the administration of the test. This material will be available March 16, 2020, in the Help Documentation section of the Assessment Management System. For more information, district testing coordinators should review the Transcribing Griddable Questions Student Document section of the online resources.
- Additional Materials Ordering
Districts needing more test materials for the April 2020 STAAR administrations must place additional orders through the Assessment Management System. For instructions on ordering additional materials, district testing coordinators should review Section 8.2 Additional Materials Orders of the STAAR Assessment Management System User’s Guide. The window to order additional materials for these administrations is March 9–31, 2020.
MAY 2020 STAAR ADMINISTRATIONS
- Initial Orders Reminder
This is a reminder that initial materials orders for the May 2020 STAAR grades 3–8 and EOC administrations are determined by paper registrations identified in the Assessment Management System at the close of the paper registration window, March 6, 2020, for EOC and March 13 for grades 3–8. For the May grades 3–8 administration, districts should indicate whether a district file will be uploaded or if the PEIMS source file should be used. If a decision is not indicated by March 2, ETS will upload the PEIMS source file.
NOTE: Large print, oral administration, and Spanish test booklet requests should be identified directly in a student’s test registration and may be entered into the Assessment Management System manually via the student’s profile or a registration upload file.
Districts can view registration-based quantities of test booklets to be received, by campus, and input additional quantities of large print, oral administration, and Spanish test booklets needed. Authorized staff can also use the Test Mode/Materials Report to verify counts prior to the close of the paper registration window. Refer to Section 8.2 Initial Material Orders of the STAAR Assessment Management System User’s Guide for additional information and instructions.
- Online Infrastructure Readiness
Technology infrastructure and readiness must be assessed before administering online versions of the STAAR assessments. It is recommended that district and campus testing coordinators work closely with technology staff to prepare for STAAR online testing.
To prepare the district for online testing, district coordinators and technology staff should use the available resources and complete the tasks listed below. The resources listed are available at http://TexasAssessment.gov/technology/.
STAAR ONLINE INFRASTRUCTURE READINESS CHECKLIST
Task Resource Additional Information
Verify that the district's network meets requirements and is properly configured for testing.
STAAR Online Testing Platform Technology Guide
Conduct network diagnostics to estimate district and campus network user capacity and to plan for concurrent testing volumes. Online Readiness Tools
Verify that all devices used for online testing meet the minimum hardware and software requirements. Common Specifications for the Administration of All Online Testing (STAAR, STAAR Alternate 2, TELPAS, TELPAS Alternate)
Install the appropriate STAAR Online Testing Platform Secure Browser application on all testing devices. STAAR Online Testing Platform Technology Guide If automatic updates are enabled, the application will automatically update as necessary on iOS and Chromebooks. For Windows, Mac and Linux, districts that installed the application prior to August 5, 2019, must uninstall the previous version and install the latest version of the application for the May 2020 STAAR EOC administration.
Confirm successful installation and operation of the STAAR Online Platform Secure Browser application. STAAR Online Testing Platform Technology Guide
Test the compatibility of computers and gauge technology infrastructure readiness. STAAR Online Testing Practice and Tutorials Practice tests and tutorials can be accessed through the STAAR Online Testing Platform. Multiple student workstations can be used simultaneously to mimic live testing situations and to determine school bandwidth capacity.
Prepare all computers for online test delivery. Close all web browser windows, disable any automatically launching applications, and check for sufficient power source. Quick Guide to Online Testing Automatically launching applications include screensavers, screen readers, scheduled virus scans, email notification alerts, detectors, instant messaging programs, and power management software.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
A new training webinar has been scheduled for March 2020. Select the link below to register for the session. Webinar information and the registration links are available at http://TexasAssessment.gov/administrators/training.
- Spring 2020 Materials Return webinar will take place Tuesday, March 24, 2020, 1:30–3:00 p.m. (CT).
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The Assessment Management System will be unavailable from 8:00 p.m. (CT) March 20, 2020, through 8:00 p.m. (CT) March 22.
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.
Metro Area Testing Specialist (MATS) Surveys
MATS would appreciate your help asking the appropriate person in you district to help us gather data on these surveys:
This Week in Performance Reporting: Feb. 28, 2020
Good afternoon, Performance Reporting bulletin members.
Have a coworker who needs to sign up? Bulletin subscriptions can be managed on TEA’s website at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXTEA/subscriber/new.
What’s New in Performance Reporting
A–F Accountability
Waiver Request for Accelerated Students
The public comment period regarding proposed testing requirements for accelerated students begins today and ends Monday, March 30, 2020, at 5:00 PM (CT). This waiver requests that all middle school students enrolled in a high school level course be exempt from taking the grade level STAAR assessment in addition to the corresponding STAAR EOC assessment; thereby eliminating the double testing burden for accelerated students. The approval of this waiver would not exempt any sixth through eighth grade students enrolled in advanced courses from federal assessment requirements. It would, however, align the assessment requirements with students’ instruction, where possible. The proposed amendment would also require high school students who complete state testing requirements prior to grade 9 to take either the ACT or the SAT once to fulfill federal testing requirements. A copy of the waiver request is available on the TEA website at https://tea.texas.gov/about_tea/laws_and_rules/essa/every_student_succeeds_act/.
All comments on this proposed amendment are accepted via electronic mail addressed to performance.reporting@tea.texas.gov. For additional information, please see the February 20, 2020 To the Administrator Addressed letter.
Local Accountability System
TEA is offering region-specific webinars this month through early March. The hour-long webinar will introduce district responsibilities, statute requirements, local accountability system plan development, how to get started, and more! Time will also be allotted for participant questions.
Interested participants need to attend only a single webinar. Multiple dates and times are offered to allow participants flexibility and choice when registering for a region-specific webinar. Districts are encouraged to register for a webinar associated with their education service center to facilitate communication among districts within a region.
District timelines, including plan submission deadlines, are now posted on the local accountability website.
Please reach out to the local accountability system team at LAS@tea.texas.gov, call (512) 463-9704, or check the website if you have questions.
Assessment Scoring and Reporting
Raw score to scale score conversion tables for all state assessments are posted here.
Parents can access their child’s assessment results in the Student Portal. Teachers and other authorized personnel can access student-level assessment results in the Teacher Portal. Assessment results at the campus/district/region/state level can be viewed in the Analytic Portal.
For questions or help with accessing and interpreting STAAR, STAAR Alternate 2, TELPAS, and TELPAS Alternate results, please email assessment.reporting@tea.texas.gov or call (512) 463-9704.
This Week’s FAQ
Can a campus be identified for targeted support and additional targeted support simultaneously?
A campus may receive only one label. Based on the campus’ outcomes in the Closing the Gaps domain, the agency identifies comprehensive support and improvement schools. Then, those campuses that were not identified for comprehensive support and improvement are evaluated for targeted support and improvement. Lastly, those campuses that were not identified for comprehensive or targeted are evaluated for additional targeted support.
Accountability Winter/Spring Learning Webinars
The upcoming webinars will explain the identification of schools for improvement and the College, Career, or Military Readiness Outcomes Bonus. This series is designed for audiences who are not familiar with the topics or need training on the most crucial components.
All webinars are offered through Zoom, a free video conference service. You can sign up using a Zoom, Google, or Facebook login. If you don't have an account, you can sign up for free.
If you were unable to participate in a webinar, you can view archived recordings at this link.
Accountability Winter/Spring Learning Webinar Dates
Understanding the Identification of Schools for Improvement—March 10, 2020 at 1:00 pm
Understanding the College, Career, or Military Readiness (CCMR) Outcomes Bonus —May 8, 2020 at 1:00 pm
Utilizing the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) Data Download recording—Feb 7, 2020
Performance Reporting Calendar
March 30 through April 10—2020 alternative education accountability registration
April 27 through May 8—2020 pairing decisions submitted in TEAL
Contact Information
Texas Education Agency
Performance Reporting Division
(512) 463-9704
performance.reporting@tea.texas.gov
To the Administrator Addressed Update: Feb. 28, 2020
The following new Texas Education Agency Correspondence has been posted at the TEA website:
Date Title Division
2020-02-27 Senate Bill 11 (SB 11) and Other School Safety-Related Legislation Operations
2020-02-27 House Bill 3 (HB 3) Implementation: Extension: Full-Day Prekindergarten Waiver School Programs
2020-02-27 House Bill 3906 (HB 3906) Transition to Electronic Assessment: Online Feasibility Study Launch Assessment
2020-02-27 LEA Preparation for 2018–2019 Preliminary IDEA-B LEA MOE Compliance Reviews Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting
2020-02-27 Clarification Regarding House Bill 3 Dyslexia Allotments, Use of PIC 37, and IDEA-B LEA MOE Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting
2020-02-27 Principal and Teacher Surveys to Evaluate Texas Educator Preparation Programs Educator & Systems Support
2020-02-27 District Equity Plans Educator & System Support
2020-02-27 School Breakfast Week 2020 Educator and Systems Support
👀* Be on the lookout for email from TAMU ERC in March/April for Online Feasibility Launch Survey
Commissioner of Education Rule Updates Feb. 28, 2020
The following rule action was filed with the Texas Register for publication in the February 28, 2020 issue:
Summary: The proposed amendment would modify the rule to provide clarification for the assessment of English learners with significant cognitive disabilities.
Publication in the Texas Register: February 28, 2020
Public Comment Period: February 28, 2020-March 30, 2020. A form for submitting public comments is available on the proposed commissioner of education rules web page.
Proposed Effective Date: May 31, 2020
Please see the TEA website to view proposed commissioner of education rules.
Commissioner of Education Rule Review
The following rule review notice was filed with the Texas Register for publication in the February 28, 2020 issue:
Adopted Review of 19 TAC Chapter 157. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) adopts the review of 19 TAC Chapter 157, Hearings and Appeals, Subchapter AA, General Provisions for Hearings Before the Commissioner of Education; Subchapter BB, Specific Appeals to the Commissioner; Subchapter CC, Hearings of Appeals Arising Under Federal Law and Regulations; Subchapter DD, Hearings Conducted by Independent Hearing Examiners; and Subchapter EE, Informal Review, Formal Review, and Review by State Office of Administrative Hearings, pursuant to Texas Government Code, §2001.039.
Summary: The TEA finds that the reasons for adopting Subchapters AA-EE continue to exist and readopts the rules. The TEA did not receive any comments related to the review. No changes are necessary as a result of the review.
Publication in the Texas Register: February 28, 2020
Please see the TEA website to view commissioner rule reviews.
Unforeseen circumstances may delay publication of the agency rules in the Texas Register. The Rules website will be updated to reflect any changes.
Please contact us if you have any questions. Thank you.
Rulemaking
Texas Education Agency
(512) 475-1497
Need Direct Services, Consultations or Specialized PD?
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Melissa Shaw, M.Ed.
Email: melissa.shaw@region10.org
Phone: 972-348-1210
Staci Barker, M.A.
Email: staci.barker@region10.org
Phone: 972-348-1068
Jennifer Hood, M.Ed.
Email: jennifer.hood@region10.org
Phone: 972-348-1404