A Microsoft Word version of this letter is available for download and PRINTING.

March 30, 2010

SUBJECT: College Preparation Program

TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is pleased to announce the first opportunities provided through a new college preparation program. As part of this program, the 81st Texas Legislature has made available to Texas students and districts certain college readiness assessments, appropriate assessment data reporting, and professional development for using the data for improving instruction.

The Texas Education Code (TEC) §39.0261, provides for districts and charter schools to administer, at state cost, a college preparation assessment at grades 8 and 10. Students in grade 11 may also choose to take a college readiness assessment at state cost.

Two components of this program are now available for the 2009-2010 school year:

1. A Texas public school district or charter school may establish an agreement with one of the approved vendors to provide grade 8 assessments to occur between now and the end of the 2009-2010 school year. The agreement will include the specific date on which the assessment will be provided and appropriate data-reporting and professional development on the use of the data for improving instruction. The establishment of such an agreement at this time constitutes a preliminary commitment to expand the agreement to include grade 10 for the 2010-2011 school year.
2. Funding is available for the 2009-2010 school year that allows approximately one third of individual students who are enrolled in the 11th grade in a local Texas public school district or charter school the opportunity to take one college readiness assessment in late spring or early summer 2010 at the state’s expense. Students may register for either the SAT or the ACT, and the state will pay the cost of their regular registration fees to the extent that funding is available. Students may access this opportunity on a first-come first-serve basis and can check on the availability of free testing daily at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=8292 . Students who have already registered and paid for an April, May, or June administration of one of these college readiness exams may be eligible to be reimbursed by the applicable vendor. Each vendor has a process in place to assist individual students to obtain this reimbursement. Students should contact the vendor directly.

Two vendors have been approved through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to implement this program: The College Board and ACT. Each has established processes to provide immediate access to the following:

• A grade 8 nationally norm-referenced preliminary college preparation assessment instrument for the purpose of diagnosing the academic strengths and deficiencies of students before entrance into high school
• Waivers/reimbursements for a nationally norm-referenced assessment instrument used by colleges and universities as part of their undergraduate admissions processes for grade 11 students (April, May, or June 2010 administration only)

Details regarding the implementation of this program are currently being provided to districts through the approved vendors.

In the 2010-2011 school year, each Texas public school district or charter school will have the opportunity to establish an agreement with one of the approved vendors to provide students with both a grade 8 and a grade 10 college preparation assessment. The agreement established and funded by the state will include appropriate data-reporting and professional development on the use of the data for improving instruction.

Additional details will be available soon at http://www.tea.state.tx.us. Questions regarding this program may be directed to Kelly Callaway, Foundation Curriculum Director, at kelly.callaway@tea.state.tx.us or Shelly Ramos, Acting Policy Director, at shelly.ramos@tea.state.tx.us. Both can be reached by phone at (512) 463-9581.

Questions regarding the process through which districts and students may participate should be directed to the appropriate vendor using the following contact information:

ACT
Southwest Regional Office in Austin
Contacts: Karen Pennell or Lorna Lowke
Phone: (512) 345-1949 e-mail: austin@act.org
To place an order: http://www.act.org/aap/texas/

The College Board
The Southwestern Regional Office of The College Board
Phone: (866) 392-3017 Extension 0
email: roswro@collegeboard.org

Thank you for all you do to prepare Texas students for post-secondary success.

Sincerely,

Anita Givens
Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs