State Assessment News & Updates

• March 23 - First Day of STAAR Alternate 2
• March 27 - Work Session (register in Kickup)
• 10 people are currently registered - see you soon!
• March 27 - STAAR Alternate 2 is 25% complete
• April 2 🐦 - STAAR Alternate 2 Early Bird Check-in
• Time expanded to 10am - 3pm

Reach me at my desk most days from about 7:30-4:30. I'm always happy to stay later if you let me know you need help after 4:30pm.

Please clean up your rosters in TIDE to ensure RLA, math, science and social studies teachers are attached to their students so they will have access to STAAR results when those are published in May/June. Additional rosters can be deleted. If rosters were created only for the purpose of printing tickets, please delete those rosters.

Let teachers know they will continue to have access to their accounts through June.

In July, I will begin updating access for the next school year.

I am routinely looking for new students in Skyward to add to TIDE and will do a big update later this week.

You may continue to add new students as needed according to the instructions on our Quick Guide. You may also use the request form below. You are not authorized to edit EB, SE or SA2 fields in TIDE.

🔥Hot tip: If the student was previously enrolled in another Texas campus or district, including within PfISD, call me with the student's TSDS ID. I can very easily transfer the student for you. This can help to avoid mistakes.

During the Test window, March 24 - April 13, test administrators are allowed to check out materials and keep them in their room while they are being used. When not in use, materials must be returned to the campus coordinator.

Test administrators are not allowed to keep STAAR Alternate 2 materials overnight. All materials must be signed in by the campus coordinator at the end of each day.

Sign up for your check-in appointment at this link. You may revisit to change your appointment as needed.

The following need to sign up immediately: Latoiya, Lisa, Milton

Several folks were able to get a few tests and score codes submitted Monday, so we're off to a good start. All campuses should be 25% complete Friday with tests completed this week submitted in TIDE. If your test administrators complete some tests Friday, you can enter those Monday.

I argued with myself about where to post this on the website, and I lost the argument. In the meantime, find the checklist at the link below. I know many of you like to have the checklist in hand before the administration begins.

Make a copy of the slides and customize for your campus. As you prepare to train campus staff, notice sections of the slides in red that require your attention.

Test administrators must have access to their manual prior to attending training. You can provide link to the .pdf or the hard copy. If you provide the hard copy, be sure you have a system in place so manuals aren't lost before testing. If sharing the .pdf, I recommend you download the .pdf, save it in your Google Drive and share a link to your saved copy.

I have ordered reference materials for grade 3-8 math, Algebra I and grade 8 science. Expect these to be delivered to you by March 27. Please call me no later than April 2 if you have not received these.

Every student taking one of these tests will receive a hard copy of these reference materials. For math, students will also receive the grade-appropriate grid paper.

Important: If you happen to have old copies laying around, be sure to destroy any copies of the grade 8 science reference materials. This year's version is updated to reflect the new TEKS, and it's important you use the updated version.

If you need to make additional copies, find them at this link. (Please don't run copies now! Wait to receive your delivery.)

Access Key Date below to keep your work on schedule. Please check the document periodically for updates. A printed copy is not your best friend.

TELPAS coordinators are invited to participate in a brief survey to help inform planning for 2027.

The survey is very short and will not take more than 5 minutes. Your input is appreciated.

Our TELPAS coordinators did a nice job with the administration. It seems like we're finishing in better shape this year on several campuses.

Please take a look at the reporting timelines. Use your Calendar of Events to see the complete details. Work with your campus principal to ensure you have a plan in place for the reporting window.

I'll remove TELPAS campus coordinators from this mailing list after spring break.

When you copy seating charts to save in your designated folders, please ensure they are legible. If the writing is light, you may need to darken the copies. Colored paper can also be problematic. Please make sure these are legible before your save them in your folders.

I have updated a set of generic seating charts that you can use for consolidation. You'll want to print these to have available.

You may also choose to reassign students in Testhound and print a new seating chart. However, this is not required!

These seating charts are only allowable for consolidated test sites.

What is your plan to ensure technology is in good working order, updated and ready for test days? Routine technology checks are recommended. Schedule a day for everyone to launch the Secure Test Browser (or something else) in class and establish a reporting system for teachers to document the check. You'll need to have a system to capture any problems and submit "Technology Help" requests if any devices are not functioning properly.

Schedule your campus technology checks at least 4-6 week prior to a test administration to allow time for any repairs or troubleshooting.

Campus coordinators for state assessments should be reading the weekly Principals' Newsletter. Additionally, I will send a weekly email most weeks. Please be sure to schedule time to read each weekly email.

If you need to catch up on my weekly email, find links on the Resources page of our PfISD State Assessments website. You'll find last week's email there if you missed it.

Find the archives of the weekly PfISD Principals' Newsletter at this link. If you're not receiving these, ask your principal to get you added to the mailing list.

Please give me a call if you're having any problems in Testhound. You may notice some alerts that popped up today and yesterday as I was working on a specific campus issue with math. The solution to these problems varies by campus, so it's important that you report any problems to me so I can take a look. I expect most problems have been resolved by now, but quirky things can pop up.

Find the link and/or preregister at this link (must be logged in to Testhound).

When logged into Testhound, click "Help" to find more information and links to register or access recordings.

• From "Help", navigate to
• "Register for a Live TestHound Educational Session" or
• Watch a Recorded Testhound Educational Session.

Upcoming Sessions

• Verifying Accommodations, March 18, 10-10:30
• Campus Reports, March 25, 10-10:30am
• Testhound Tune-Ups (live work sessions, bring your questions)
• Mondays, 2:30-3pm
• Thursdays, 9-9:30am
• Additional Wednesday sessions have been added in March/April

As you're putting the finishing touches on your STAAR prep, take some time to consider how you can make things easier for everyone. Most of the supplies needed for testing can be made accessible and reduce the need for you to personally respond. Save your energy for the issues that truly require your attention.

Below is a picture of Tiffany Greene's "TESTING TROLLEY" to help you think creatively. If you have another example, send me a picture!