TO THE ADMINISTRATOR/SUPERINTENDENT ADDRESSED:
SUBJECT: Revised Test Schedule for the Student Assessment Program, 2000-2001 School Year
This letter and the attached revised Student Assessment Calendar serve to inform you of adjustments to test dates for the 2000-2001 school year.
As originally scheduled, there were two days for the administration of the State-Developed Alternative Assessment (SDAA). One day was scheduled for the administration of the baseline test, and the other day was scheduled for the field test. This two-section test booklet format was field-tested in spring 2000. According to results from the surveys completed after the field-test administration, administering the prototype test and the field-test items within the same time frame was considered to be problematic. Based on the surveys, specific changes in the SDAA testing schedule are reflected below and on the attached calendar.
- A separate SDAA field test will now be administered during the same two-week window as the TAAS writing field tests from January 29 - February 9. All students enrolled in Grades 3 through 8 who are receiving instruction in the TEKS in a subject area tested by TAAS but who are ARD-exempt from TAAS will be required to participate.
- Chapter 39.023 (b) of the Texas Education Code mandates that the SDAA be administered to eligible students "… on the same schedule as the assessment instruments administered under Subsection (a)." The SDAA baseline tests will be administered on the same dates as the TAAS tests for Grades 3 through 8, with the writing test administered in February and the mathematics and reading tests administered in April.
I realize that the testing schedule may present some districts with logistical challenges, but I am confident that these challenges can be overcome. I appreciate your understanding on this difficult issue. The Student Assessment Division will meet with educators regarding SDAA administration issues to obtain suggestions for solutions to the logistical challenges faced by some districts. If you have suggestions for how to accomplish the administration of TAAS and SDAA on the same schedule, please contact the Student Assessment Division via email at studenta@tea.state.tx.us or by calling (512) 463-9536. Afterward, agency staff will be working with education service center personnel to provide you with information on a full range of options to alleviate problems with shortages of personnel and testing sites.
If you have questions regarding the changes outlined in this
letter and the attached revised calendar, please contact the Student
Assessment Division at (512) 463-9536.
Sincerely yours,
Jim Nelson
Commissioner of Education
For further information on this topic, contact the Student Assessment Division at (512) 463-9536.