State Assessment News & Updates

⏰I am usually available at my desk from 7:30am - 4:30pm. I'm happy to stay later on request.

💬Reach me via chat, email or phone. Sometimes I overlook chat, so feel free to nudge.

📞My new phone number at LTC is 512.594.9223.

Most TIDE modules, including CRS, are temporarily inaccessible for annual updates. Access will be restored next week. Once access is restored, I will need to upload our students. I will let you know when this is complete.

Training will be required for returning and new users.

Returning users can now access the "What's New...." training in TIDE's LMS. (The LMS is still accessible.) There are some cool new features! Use the button below to find the tile for the LMS. Additional training may be required, but this is not yet available.

Training requirements for those who are new to the role of campus coordinator for state assessments in PfISD will be shared soon. These trainings are not yet available.

More information about access to TIDE for various users is available here.

The trainings listed below are now available in Kickup. Please register right away. Important details and updates will be communicated to those who are pre-registered.

TIP: In Kickup, search for "State Assessments," and all available sessions should appear.

Trainings scheduled for 2027 will be added to Kickup later.

Scroll down to see in-person training opportunities with Testhound staff. These opportunities were a big hit last year, so we've paid to have them come to PfISD again. Take advantage of these opportunities!

IMPORTANT CHANGE:

TELPAS Trainings dates in January have changed.

TELPAS Campus Coordinator Training dates will be January 8 & 11. (Choose 1.) Please share this update with your TELPAS Coordinator.

❓Need more information? Find the updated training schedule with details at the link below.

To spice it up, I'm adding a "Lunch with Leaders" opportunity to each work session. Lunch with Leaders will be led by YOU! Participants will bring their lunch and share some learning on a particular topic. Volunteer hosts will plan together for an engaging conversation that may include a presentation, sharing of materials, discussion questions, make/take, Q/A, etc… .

Signing up to be a host does not imply you're an expert. Hosts should be from all levels with very little to lots of experience. All perspectives are welcome and valuable. You are invited to sign up to host as many times as you'd like. Leading a group of leaders is challenging, but it's a fantastic experience.

Work Sessions/Lunch with Leaders Topics

• Oct. 2, 11:30-1 - Technology - Register in Kickup
• Nov. 19, 11:30-1 - Organization - Register in Kickup
• Dec. 15, 11:30-1 - Communication - Register in Kickup
• Jan. 28, 11:30-1 - Test Day
• March 24, 11:30-1 - Final Prep

STAAR campus coordinators should begin planning NOW for Interims (Window 2) for Science & Social Studies. The Key Dates document below is available to help. Some dates are tentative at this time, so check back.

We'll cover interims in depth at training in September. See you there.

All campuses should plan to participate in the Student Success Tool (SST) Stand-Alone Field Test scheduled for February 1-5, 2027. Field testing is usually limited to a single day, but this administration may require participation in multiple subjects over multiple days. Detailed selections for each campus are expected THIS WEEK! Stay tuned.

From TEA: Building on STAAR's core strengths, SST, scheduled for implementation in 2027-2028, draws from an item bank vetted by current Texas public school teachers, with all items approved by grade- and subject-specific committees to ensure rigorous TEKS alignment. It maintains the most comprehensive set of universal accessibility accommodations available, closely mirroring those used during everyday instruction. Together, these features establish a strong foundation for Texas's transition to a new, student-centered assessment system.

Find more information here.

Bookmark our website linked below. You will use our website to access most of the resources you will need throughout the year. It is important to have this bookmarked prior to attending any training sessions.

Campus coordinators for state assessments should be reading the weekly Principals' Newsletter. Additionally, I will send a weekly email (just like this one)...most weeks. Please be sure to schedule time to read each weekly email in full.

If you need to catch up on my weekly email, find links on the Resources page of our PfISD State Assessments website.

To find Principals' Newsletters, navigate to "Shared with Me" in your Google Drive and search for "Principal's Newsletter."

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 In Person Opportunities! 🐶

Testhound staff will be in PfISD for the following opportunities. Show up and get your questions answered!

🐶 September 2, 1-4pm - Testhound Introduction - register in Kickup

🐶 October 2, 8:30-1pm - Work Session with Testhound staff present - register in Kickup

Upcoming Online Sessions

• Auto Pilot Refresher, Wed., Aug. 26, 10-10:30am
• New Test Configuration Features, Wed. Sept. 2, 10-10:30am
• I'm New - what do I need to do?, Wed., Sept. 16, 10-10:30am
• Testhound Tune-Ups (live work sessions, bring your questions)
• Mondays, 2:30-3pm
• Thursdays, 9-9:30am

Campus coordinators will use these resources or call Kelly for support. Campus coordinators will not submit tickets, utilize chat or call Testhound for support.

Leo just hit the 5lb mark and he's ruling our house. The other kitties are not big fans, but mostly tolerant as long as he doesn't try to eat their food. He loves playing with toys, flying across the house, eating everyone's food, napping on the couch or near the window, hunting bugs and birds from the window, biting and occasionally snuggling.

Sidenote...I was sharing cute kitty pics way before the PfISD Staff Newsletter started doing so!