AUSTIN, Texas – July 1, 2022 - Today, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) released spring 2022 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) results for Grades 3-8. The results include exams in mathematics and reading for grades 3–8, 5th and 8th grade science, and 8th grade social studies. This year’s STAAR results show across-the-board improvements in all grades and subjects from 2021, with significant gains in reading.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said of the results, “The investments that the state is making in reading academies and accelerated instruction are clearly paying dividends for our students, and the results are a testament to the hard work of teachers across our state. While we still have much work to do to recover from COVID-related learning loss in mathematics, the improvements our students have made in reading are clear."

The full STAAR results for grades 3-8 can be found here: http://tea.texas.gov/staar/rpt/sum

Several pieces of legislation passed in recent years have focused on improving academic support programs for Texas students in both reading and math:

• House Bill 3, passed in 2019, established a requirement for all K-3 educators to participate in reading academies, built around evidence-based reading practices.

• House Bill 1525, passed in 2021, launched Texas COVID-19 Learning Acceleration Supports (TCLAS), which provided districts with $1.4B in learning acceleration services and grants for strategic planning, instructional materials, teacher pipelines, more instructional time, and innovative school models.

• House Bill 4545, also passed in 2021, provides targeted tutoring for the students who need it most—thirty hours of additional instruction for each test a student did not meet grade level on.

State policy changed one aspect of STAAR testing this year. Per HB 4545, which passed during the 87th Legislative Session, the 5th and 8th grade promotion requirement associated with STAAR was eliminated so there are no longer any high-stakes for elementary and middle school students taking the STAAR. School systems, however, may have local policies related to how students are promoted to the next grade or retained.

Next year, more changes will be coming to the STAAR. TEA will be implementing changes from House Bill 3906 (86R), which requires the STAAR test to be redesigned to better align with classroom instruction. The STAAR will also transition to a full online administration. Writing will also be assessed as part of the reading/language arts assessment in grades 3-8 for the first time. These changes aim to improve student engagement and reduce teaching to the test. These changes will fully take effect in spring 2023.

Both federal and state laws require school systems to offer end-of-year assessments like the STAAR. State law requires that students take the assessment. Additionally, STAAR fulfills the federal requirements as established in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Laws have been adopted at both the state and federal level as evidence shows that using common assessments aligned to rigorous state standards helps improve the quality of education students receive. Similarly, data shows that without a common statewide system to determine student mastery, certain groups of students disproportionately received educational opportunities that were consistently at a lower rigor level than their peers.

In June 2022, the Agency released this year’s STAAR EOC assessment results, which showed progress in the three tests that saw a decline during COVID-19. In these three tests, Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History, Texas student performance in the “meets grade level” category improved. As the percentage of high school students meeting grade level is moving closer to pre-pandemic levels, these improvements are a welcome sign that Texas students are moving in the right direction in their post-pandemic academic recovery. In the two tests that did not show a negative impact from COVID-19, English I and English II, results stayed largely consistent from last school year.

To Learn More
TEA conducted additional analysis on this year’s data as part of an enhanced due diligence process. More information on that process, and more information about all state-level results can be found at: http://tea.texas.gov/staar/rpt/sum.

Parents are encouraged to log in and learn more about their child’s results by going to TexasAssessment.gov. Parents can view a variety of resources and assessment components, including each STAAR question and answer—along with their child’s answers. The website also provides resources designed to help parents adequately prepare their sons and daughters as they progress from grade level to grade level. Resources include tools to support a student’s ability to read and write, as well as tips and questions to help prepare for parent-teacher conferences in the 2022-23 school year.

The preliminary data files for the spring 2022 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) grades 3–8 and end-of-course (EOC) administrations that were published in June 2022 contained Ethnicity/Race Reporting data in position 99, as listed on the STAAR grades 3–8 Data File Format, which were incorrectly calculated for some students. These data do not match the district summary reports, which contain the correctly calculated data. This will be updated in the final files when they become available for districts on July 13, 2022 for EOC assessments, and July 15, 2022 for grades 3–8.

For questions or assistance regarding the information in this communication, contact Texas Testing Support at 833-601-8821, TexasTestingSupport@cambiumassessment.com, or via live chat at TexasAssessment.gov.

Share your thoughts now. It is always helpful to hear what others are seeing in their data. In an effort to allow you to collaborate as data is coming in, here is a jamboard to share your initial thoughts. Share and read what others are saying. You can include your name and district if you wish. What outliers are you seeing? What is better/worse than you expected? What is surprising you? . . .

2022 Data First Thoughts

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We had a great turnout last year and you asked to have it open all day.

Come and Go for as long as you need. Come alone or bring a team for a data work session away from distractions. Region 10 experts will be around to answer questions and collaborate with you as needed.

-2022 Data will be added when scores go public on August 15

-Parent Resources

-Analytic Tools

-A-F Resources

Only 29 people sent in comments on the 2022 Accountability Manual. Let your voice be heard and send Performance Reporting your comments on the 2023 Accountability Framework.

The Preliminary 2023 Academic Accountability System Framework is now available. As part of the continuous improvement process, the agency spent two years consulting with stakeholders on enhancements to the accountability system. The proposed enhancements described in the preliminary framework are designed to provide parents, community members, and educators with the data essential to drive improved outcomes for all Texas children.

This document provides an overview of the proposed adjustments and is intended to guide discussions and spur additional stakeholder feedback, which will be gathered through fall 2022.

Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback through October 1, 2022, to help inform an updated October accountability system framework, which will be published in late October 2022. The proposed 2023 Accountability Manual will be published in early 2023 for additional feedback prior to becoming rule in summer 2023. Questions and/or feedback can be sent to performance.reporting@tea.texas.gov.

Region 10 2022 STAAR EOC Preliminary Data

Txschools.gov

2022 Data First Thoughts (jamboard)

Cecilia Oakley- Dallas ISD

Anjanette Murry- Crandall ISD

N Blaylock- Dallas ISD

Nadine Raybourn- Faith Family Academy

Brian Fry- Palmer ISD

Congratulations to these top readers. Winners were chosen by how many times they opened last week's newsletter and how many times they clicked on links.

❓ If a student is enrolled in a district for the October snapshot, then tests in May in another district, where does that score get reported for accountability?

If a student does not meet the accountability subset as s/he moved districts, the result would not be included for either district. If the student moves campuses, but remains within the same district, the result would be included for the district but not for either campus. The student must test in the same campus/district as the October snapshot in order for their result to be included. If the student does not meet district subset, then the student will not count for either district; that result would be rolled up into state accountability calculations.

❓ How do we handle student score codes if they do not show up for June testing?

Paper Testers

Do NOT submit an answer document for a student who does not show up for the June EOC test administration. There is no “A” (Absent) score code on the answer documents for the June EOC test administration. DNR/Void the answer document.

Online Testers

The following list outlines the most common instances when a score code does not have to be applied in TIDE for a registered student to take an online test:

• The student takes the tests on paper.
• The student is not enrolled in your district at the time of testing (exception: the student is an OOD or OOS examinee).
• The student has previously taken a STAAR EOC assessment and passed the test.
• The student does not show up for the June administration.

See below from the HB 4545 FAQ

❓ What documentation is required to prove compliance, and what process is used to enforce compliance?

Documentation that would serve as evidence of compliance includes student schedules that include dates and duration of the tutoring, the tutor assignment, the tutor-to-student ratio, subject area, and minutes completed. Other documentation that may be needed are any parent/guardian waivers that indicate a group greater than 3:1 was approved by the parent/guardian.

The process to ensure HB 4545 compliance with the local educational agency (LEA) would start at the local level with a stakeholder accessing the LEA’s grievance process, and, if a resolution is not achieved, the complainant could file a complaint with TEA. A complaint filed with TEA raising this allegation will likely be referred to the Compliance Review Unit, which will work with the identified LEA to come into compliance to the extent it is not. Should the LEA remain out of compliance, TEA may investigate and issue sanctions against the LEA for ongoing noncompliance with HB 4545 requirements.

❓ Do hours compound for retests for EOC administrations?

Please note that students who fail to pass STAAR EOC exams have multiple retest opportunities during the school year that could result in the students not needing to complete unfinished accelerated instruction if the students pass the retest exams. If a student retakes an EOC exam and does not pass the exam, the student will be required to complete an additional 30 hours of accelerated instruction in addition to any accelerated instruction hours that remain uncompleted after the previous EOC exam failure.

❓ Will we have to notify parents of any failures in STAAR grades 3–8?

Although the specific notice requirement in TEC, §28.0211(d) was repealed, LEAs are still required to notify the parent or guardian of each student of STAAR results for grades 3–8 and high school.

❓ If an LEA opts to use the summer as the primary time for delivery of required accelerated instruction are students required to attend?

There is not a statute that explicitly requires a student to attend accelerated instruction offered during the summer. The LEA can have a local policy or decision based on other legal requirements to require summer attendance (such as a student must attend to be promoted). If a student misses summer opportunities and the parent had not sought to opt-out of the offered accelerated instruction (as noted above in question 18), the missed instruction will need to be provided in the fall semester by the LEA.

Update to FAQ #32:

The superintendent may designate one person (and this can be more than one person across the district) to meet with Accelerated Learning Committee in the superintendent’s place. A superintendent has broad flexibility in determining who may be a designee, such as a deputy/associate/assistant superintendent, chief officer, academic/learning/instructional specialist, coach, facilitator, director, etc. The statute also provides that the superintendent’s designee under TEC, §28.0211((f-4), may be an employee of a regional education service center but may not be a person who served on the student’s accelerated learning committee.

**This can also be a principal or assistant principal as long as the designee did not serve on the original ALC committee

❓ Are the Federal Identifications Updates final for 2022?

The agency intends to submit an amendment to the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan to adjust the methodology used in August 2022 to identify and exit schools for federal support and improvement.

All comments on this proposed amendment are due by April 4, 2022, by email addressed to performance.reporting@tea.texas.gov

When, and if, TEA receives USDE approval of the amendment, additional information will be provided to LEAs on the impact to August 2022 identification and exit of schools for improvement.

❓ When will the 2022 Accountability Ratings go public? August 15, 2022

❓ When will the information about the 2023 Accountability Reset and new targets come out? September 2022

❓ What is TPRS? Is it the same as TAPR?

The Texas Performance Reporting System (TPRS) integrates state and federal reporting requirements into a single reporting system that can be viewed at the campus, district, region, and state level. As the most comprehensive reporting system published by TEA, TPRS provides additional performance reports, results, and indicators for student groups not previously reported on state accountability data tables, the Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR), or the School Report Card. TPRS is the enhanced online version of TAPR. It has been recently updated with Remote vs. In-Person Data. TEAL Accountability application will show you unmasked data.

The TPRS Glossary provides definitions, describes methodologies, and lists sources for each tab in the TPRS system.

❓ What am I forgetting to do?

Don’t forget to check the What’s New page in the DCCR.

Check your TIDE inbox and download and save contents to your computer.

Need Direct Services, Consultations or Specialized PD?

Final Accountability Ratings come out Aug. 15. Region 10 has scheduled School Improvement 2022-2023 ESF Priority Trainings for July, August, and September for campuses that are designated as Improvement Required. If you are anticipating that you will need this training sign up early.

School Improvement Trainings for 2022-2023

Contact Ben.dickerson@region10.org for more information.

Why is the agency resetting the academic accountability system?

In the wake of COVID-19, we must set meaningful goals for students that help guide Texas schools back on track for success. We must leverage lessons learned over the years to improve the rigor, transparency, and fairness of the accountability system, while maintaining a design that allows all schools in the state the opportunity to earn an A. As part of the continuous improvement process, the agency spent two years consulting with stakeholders on enhancements to the accountability system. The proposed enhancements are designed to provide parents, community members, and educators with the data essential to drive improved outcomes for all Texas children.

What information will be shared during the Summer Roadshow?

Performance Reporting is offering the opportunity to participate in a training and feedback session on the Preliminary 2023 Accountability System Framework during the summer of 2022. The session preliminary framework. will consist of an overview presentation, Q&A, and an opportunity to provide feedback on the preliminary framework.

TEA’s Performance Reporting staff will conduct a training and feedback session for Region 10 LEAs on the Preliminary 2023 Accountability System Framework. The session will be led by Agency staff as they provide an overview presentation as well as an opportunity for district leaders to offer input and ask questions.

Due to limited space, face-to-face registration is limited to 2 individuals per LEA (i.e., optimally individuals tasked with leading C&I and/or district accountability efforts). We will provide a remote/Zoom option for any other personnel in your district who wish to hear the information presented.

Aug. 2, 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm

Location: Richardson ISD Professional Development Center (PDC)

701 W Belt Line Rd, Richardson, TX 75080

Registration Links:

· Face to Face Session #2648496 (limited to two participants/LEA)

· Virtual Session #2648498

Contact Jennifer.hood@region10.org for more information.

Join with other district and campus leaders to hear assessment and accountability updates, ask questions, and collaborate with others. We are all better together. All sessions are 10 am on Wednesdays.

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These brief remote Question & Answer sessions will be focused on the 2023 Accountability Reset Information. All participants registered on the Region 10 website will receive information to log in to the webinar the morning of the webinar.

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Register here: Edugence #2645226 Eduphoria #2646841

This newsletter compiles weekly information from Region 10 and TEA, as well as timely reminders. Read and Share.

❓ Need help with the new vendor?

Cambium Office Hours

You can set up office hours by contacting 833-601-8821 or texastestingsupport@cambiumassessment.com

Test Information Distribution Engine

Manage Students and users for testing and reporting, order test materials, and track student participation.

Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) User’s Guide

This user guide provides instructions on how to use TIDE. At its core, TIDE is a registration system for users who will access CAI systems and students who will take CAI tests. Users of all CAI systems must be added to TIDE before they can access any CAI system. Students must be added to TIDE before they can test in the Test Delivery System (TDS). Rosters must be added in TIDE so Reporting can display scores at the classroom level. During testing, TIDE users can print test tickets, manage invalidation requests, and monitor test progress. After testing, TIDE users can clean up data and track return shipments of paper testing materials.

Note: Task available in TIDE vary based on your user role and assessment program.

Test Delivery System (TDS) User Guide

This is the system used to deliver online assessments.

This user guide supports Test Administrators who manage testing for students participating in the Texas Assessment Program practice tests and operational tests.

Please send to your technology department/team at the district and campus level.

Secure Browser System Requirements

Bandwidth Check

2022-2023 Scoring and Reporting for New Item Types

Math (PDF posted 1/27/22)

Reading Language Arts (PDF posted 1/27/22)

Science (PDF posted 1/27/22)

Social Studies (PDF posted 1/27/22)

Spanish Reading Language Arts (PDF posted 1/27/22)

Updated test blueprints

STAAR Redesign FAQ

Preliminary New Question Types by Grade Level and Content Area

STAAR Redesign Page

ELAR Redesign

❓ How will a student qualify for a paper test next year?

Special Paper Administration of an Online Test Policy

❓ What is the final word on English Learners TELPAS for 2022 Accountability calculations?

The ELP methodology will be updated to account for the impact of COVID on 2021 and 2020 TELPAS administrations.

• A student is considered having made progress if the student advances by at least one score of the composite rating from the prior year to the current year, or the student’s 2022 result is Advanced High or Basic Fluency.

• If the composite rating from 2021 is not available, the 2020 composite rating is compared to the 2022 composite rating. As the completion of TELPAS was optional in 2020, if the 2020 composite rating is available but does not show progress, the 2019 composite rating is compared to the 2022 composite rating.

• If the composite rating from 2020 is not available, the 2019 composite rating is compared to the 2022 composite rating.

• If the composite rating from 2019 is not available, the 2018 composite rating is compared to the 2022 composite rating. The ELP component will evaluate three years of TELPAS Alternate data in addition to TELPAS data. Current year TELPAS Alternate composite scores will be compared to the 2021, 2020, or 2019 (if 2020 is not available).

For specific TELPAS questions contact

Kimberly Northcutt kimberly.northcutt@region10.org

The purpose of this communication is to provide information regarding the release of the College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) Tracker. The CCMR Tracker is released in two stages.

· March 31, 2022: CCMR outcomes reported though TSDS PEIMS, TSIA results, and OnRamps course completion through the 2020–21 school year

· July 1, 2022: CCMR outcomes for SAT, ACT, AP, IB, and level I/II certificates through the 2020–21 school year

Background

The CCMR Tracker is a tracking tool within the TEA Login (TEAL) Accountability application. This tool provides districts with an early preview of CCMR status for students who were in grades 9–12 during the 2021–22 school year. The CCMR Tracker contains lagging data as is detailed in the chart below. While the Tracker contains students who were in grades 9–12 on the 2021–22 PEIMS snapshot, the 2022 version does not contain results from school year 2021–22 as those data have yet to be reported.

The first release contained 2020–21 PEIMS, TSIA results, and OnRamps course completion data. The SAT, ACT, AP, IB, and level I and level II certificates data provided were through the 2019–20 school year. Today’s second Tracker release contains updated data for these indicators through the end of the 2020–21 school year.

Indicators are credited if earned within date ranges provided below for students beginning with grade 9 enrollment. TSI assessments are the only CCMR indicator that may be earned prior to grade 9. Indicators reported upon graduation (IEP and workforce readiness graduates and special education graduate with advanced diploma plan) do not appear in the Tracker.

Indicator Data Reported For the 2022 Second Release

ACT college admissions test: Tests from grade 9 through July 2021 administration

AP examination: Tests from grade 9 through June 2021 administration

IB examination: Tests from grade 9 through May 2021 administration

TSI assessment: Tests from June 2011 through October 2021 administration

SAT college admissions test: Tests from grade 9 through June 2021 administration

OnRamps dual enrollment course completion: Courses completed from grade 9 through 2020–21 school year

Level I and level II certificates: Certificates earned from grade 9 through 2020–21 school year

Dual credit course completion :Courses completed from grade 9 through 2020–21 school year

Industry-based certification: Certifications earned from grade 9 through August 31, 2021

Associate degree: Degrees earned from grade 9 through 2020–21 school year

College prep course: Courses completed from grade 9 through 2020–21 school year

Action

Corrections cannot be submitted to TEA; this report is for informational purposes only. If districts find errors, they are encouraged to work with testing vendors to make corrections prior to the student’s graduation. TSDS PEIMS data are final and cannot be corrected.

If you have questions about the Tracker, please contact the Performance Reporting Division at (512) 463-9704 or performance.reporting@tea.texas.gov.

The Performance Reporting Resources webpage has a tab dedicated to College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) resources. Visit this tab under the Frequently Asked Questions Documents section to learn more about CCMR data sources and how CCMR in accountability and the CCMR Outcomes Bonus differ. You may also view related webinar recordings under the Webinar Recordings section.

On June 10, TEA released 2022-2024 Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles (CSP) Grant. The purpose of this grant is to improve Advanced Placement course offerings within regions, increase the number of students meeting College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) outcomes, and prepare students to succeed in a computer science related profession. This grant opportunity allows each LEA to achieve this by providing funds to plan, implement and sustain an AP CSP course.

The deadline to submit the LOI Application is July, 12, 2022. You can find the Program Guidelines and other documents posted to TEA Grant Opportunities page. Listed below are dates/deadlines leading up to the submission deadline as well as links to resources that will be helpful if you decide to apply.

Key Dates in Application Process

(see LOI Application for more detail for complete grant timeline and links)

June 29, 2022 FAQs posted to TEA Grant Opportunities page

July 12, 2022 Due date for the LOI application

*TEA staff member should be contacted with questions about the LOI: Tracy Johnson, Statewide Coordinator of College and Career Readiness College, Career and Military Preparation tracy.johnson@tea.texas.gov; Phone: (512) 463-9762.

College Board Resources

Teacher Training and Curriculum

The College Board has endorsed innovative AP CSP curricula and professional development offered by well-regarded computer science organizations. Curricula from these organizations include preapproved syllabi, lesson plans, formative assessments, and professional development for teachers who are both experienced and new to the course.

AP CSP Course Page

The AP CSP Course page provides educators with resources to support implementation, from a recruitment toolkit and strategies to teacher resources to our 2020 research findings, showing that AP Computer Science Principles often serves as an entryway to STEM fields for female, Black, Hispanic, and first-generation students.

Jennifer Gunn, Advanced Academics jennifer.Gunn@region10.org

Julie Anderson, CTE julie.anderson@region10.org

Brandi Fennell, Counseling brandi.fennell@region10.org

TEA has released a grant opportunity for LEAs to offer an Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles (CSP) course at their campuses. TEA hosted a webinar for interested applicants on June 21st. The recording can be found here.

The grant application closes on July 12, 2022.

The 87th Texas Legislature, Second Called Session, enacted Senate Bill (SB) 12. SB 12, effective January 1, 2023, added Texas Education Code, §48.2556, and requires the TEA to post the following information on it’s website for the purposes of allowing the chief appraiser of each appraisal district and the assessor for each school district to make the calculations required by Texas Tax Code, §§11.26(a-5), (a-6), (a-7), (a-8), (a-9), and (a-10).

• school district’s maximum compressed rates (MCR) determined under TEC, §48.2551, beginning with tax year 2019, as well as the preliminary MCR for the current tax year once determined
• tier one tax rates for tax year 2018 as provided by TEC, 45.0032(a).
• 
  

A file containing this information can be accessed at this link:

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/mcr-for-tax-years-2018-2021.xlsx

The bill also requires the TEA to notify the chief appraiser of each appraisal district and the assessor for each school district when the agency has posted the information and where it is located on the website. TEA is working to obtain contact information for chief appraisers and assessors for each school district and notify them separately. However, please forward this communication to your district’s chief appraiser and assessor. Thank you.

2022 issue. To view the notices in the Texas Register, go to the Secretary of State website.

Proposed Review of 19 TAC Chapter 149, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Educator Standards, Subchapter AA, Teacher Standards, and Subchapter BB, Administrator Standards
Summary: As required by Texas Government Code, §2001.039, TEA will accept comments as to whether the reasons for adopting 19 TAC Chapter 149, Subchapters AA and BB, continue to exist.
Public Comment Period: July 1, 2022-August 1, 2022. A form for submitting public comments on commissioner rule review is available on the commissioner rule review web page.

Please see the TEA website to view commissioner of education 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

Date Title Division

June 30, 2022 Required School Safety Action Steps This Summer School Safety

June 30, 2022 2022-23 Texas Reading Academies Implementation Early Childhood Education

June 30, 2022 CPE Exemption Request SBEC Policy Development and Support

June 30, 2022 Extension of School Safety and Security Grant State Grant Funding

👉 Things happening this week

✍ Dates for your calendar

❓ Region 10 FAQs

Assessment Master Consultant

Email: melissa.shaw@region10.org
Phone: 972-348-1210

Accountability Consultant

Email: jennifer.hood@region10.org
Phone: 972-348-1404