• February 11 - Work Session (register and confirm details in Kickup), See some suggested tasks at the end of this email
• March 27 - Work Session (register and confirm details in Kickup), See some suggested tasks at the end of this email

Students were updated in TIDE on January 24. I'll work on another update later this week.

User accounts have been updated in TIDE. Some users (those with accounts created by the STAAR coordinator earlier in the year) may log in as usual and select the "Campus Coordinator" user role. Other users, with new accounts, will receive an email (dated 1/30/2025) with instructions to access their user account. All users can choose "reset password" as need to access their own user account. Step-by-step instructions are available here. Remember that campus coordinators do not have permission to contact Cambium about user accounts or anything else without permission from Kelly.

The first TIDE task for TELPAS campus is to verify accuracy and completion of Years in U.S. Schools. This is due complete by February 21. Instructions

Campus training materials were posted earlier this week. Find these materials here.

All campus trainings should be completed and documented by February 21. Find the documentation spreadsheet at this link.

Campus coordinators for TELPAS have been granted access to Testhound. You may need to reset your password. Give me a call if you have questions or need help getting started. You can also get in person help at the Feb. 11 work session.

SECURE passcodes for TELPAS calibration sets have been shared with each TELPAS Campus Coordinator in TIDE. In TIDE, click on "Secure File Center" (see below) at the top of the screen to find the document. Contact Kelly at least 1 day prior to calibration if you do not have the code you need.

The document includes a calibration roster, but we do not use this version. Find the PfISD "Monitored Calibration Roster" at this link.

Do not share these secure codes until the day of your scheduled calibration.

I have ordered reference materials to be copied and delivered to the campus coordinator by April 1. Please mark your calendar to expect these in March and notify me no later than April 1 if you do not have these in your hands. (I said at training you would need to order these, but it seemed like everyone wanted copies, so I have already submitted the order.)

You should be prepared to make additional copies if you do not receive sufficient quantities. Find the materials at this link to make copies AFTER you receive the quantities I have ordered.

ES - Mathematics reference materials by grade enrollment and grid paper; a small quantity of Spanish have been ordered for bilingual campuses

MS - Mathematics reference materials by grade enrollment and grid paper; Algebra 1 reference materials by enrollment and grid paper; science reference materials by grade

HS - Algebra 1 reference materials by enrollment

One of our campus coordinators has shared an innovative room arrangement that has worked well and helps to prevent students from seeing other screens. Check out the photos to learn more.

(Disclaimer - photos were not taking during a secure test administration!)

The AVID AD-39 headset is the only model we support for TELPAS Listening/Speaking and text-to-speech. Use other devices at your own risk.

Here's an updated quote if you need to make a purchase.

Campus coordinators should be familiar with manuals prior to attending training in January.

Requests submitted in December & January are being reviewed and processed. Stay tuned for updates.

Eligibility Requirements (with examples)

Accommodation Cannot be Applied

✔️a student requires braille materials for Interims (does not require TEA approval for STAAR)

Unable to Participate in One Domain of TELPAS

✔️a student communicates with eye blinks and ARD committee has determined the student cannot be assessed by an online speaking assessment (TELPAS), student will be holistically rated in listening

✔️a student is deaf and ARD committee has determined the student cannot be assessed in listening, student will be holistically rated in speaking

Technology Access is Precluded

✔️a student experiences adverse health (seizures, spasms, headaches) when exposed to certain types of monitors

✔️a student is participating in an assessment in a setting that does not offer reliable internet access
✔️a student is precluded by a court order from accessing the internet

Be aware:
🚫A special administration will not be approved because a student knows very little English.

🚫A special administration will not be approved because a student has limited exposure to computers.
🚫A special administration will not be approved because another mode (paper, holistic) is preferred.

Always check here first when you are looking for something that I have shared.

Resources from recent trainings as well as other resources for use during each administration are available and periodically updated. Be sure you have this site bookmarked.

Secondary campuses are encouraged to create a system for students to look up test site assignments rather than posting on walls. Post QR codes or email the link to students so they can easily find their assigned test sites.

Elementary campuses are also welcome to use this method if it's helpful.

Instructions for a simple method are available at this link.

Each campus coordinator is expected to have at least one administration created in Testhound for an interim or other local administration no later than January.

👉Ellevation Update:

I've finally found a process that prevents Ellevation from sending accommodations to Testhound. Here's what happens:

• An LPAC administrator asks teachers to make recommendations for accommodations in Ellevation.
• When the teacher goes into Ellevation and makes recommendations, these recommendations override what was previously marked and NOTHING IS SENT TO TH.
• Your LPAC administrator has to go into Ellevation and accept those recommendations.
• When this is completed, TH will receive an update (overnight).

Upcoming Training Opportunities - Preregister at this link (must be logged in to Testhound).

• Testhound Tune-Ups (live work sessions, bring your questions)
• Thursday, February 6, 9:00-9:30 AM CT
• Monday, February 10, 2:00-2:30 PM CT
• Thursday, February 13, 9:00-9:30 AM CT
• Monday, February 17, 2:00-2:30 PM CT
• Thursday, February 20, 9:00-9:30 AM CT
• Monday, February 24, 2:00-2:30 PM CT
• Thursday, February 27, 9:00-9:30 AM CT
• Monday, January 27, 2:00-2:30 PM CT
• Thursday, January 23, 9:00-9:30 AM CT

• Changing Your Testing Schedule
• Wednesday, February 12, 10-10:30am

🦉Testhound meets the VMES Owl! Valerie says TH is not as scared as he may look.🐶

Share your puppy pics here, please! Include the name of your campus when you save your photo in the designated folder.

Tuesday, February 11, Confirm time and location in Kickup

Individual assistance as needed. TIDE & Testhound support available at all sessions. Attendees may come and go at any time, but all must register in advance. Bring laptops and other necessary resources. Confirm time and location in Kickup.

Suggested Tasks: TELPAS scheduling, Identify special needs for TELPAS, prepare training materials, verify accommodations in Testhound, online TELPAS setup

Thursday, March 27, Confirm time and location in Kickup

Individual assistance as needed. TIDE & Testhound support available at all sessions. Attendees may come and go at any time, but all must register in advance. Bring laptops and other necessary resources. Confirm time and location in Kickup.

Suggested Tasks:Final preparations for April/May STAAR administrations