TO THE ADMINISTRATOR/SUPERINTENDENT ADDRESSED:
SUBJECT: Test Schedule for the Texas Student Assessment Program, 2000 - 2001 School Year
This letter and the attached Student Assessment Calendar outline the testing schedule for the 2000 - 2001 school year. These test dates were chosen to minimize conflicts with religious,
state, or national holidays and nationally scheduled examinations, such as the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT), the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT),
and the American College Testing (ACT) program.
Please note the following significant points in the 2000 - 2001 calendar:
- Alternative assessments for eligible students receiving special education services in Grades 3 through 8 will be baselined in spring 2001.
In preparation for implementing the 2003 testing requirements established by Senate Bill 103, this will be the last year for separate TAAS year-round education (YRE) testing dates.
Several other activities that involve a selected sample of students are planned for the 2000 - 2001 school year. Field tests of the end-of-course English II exam and the TAAS writing test for Grades 4 (English and Spanish versions), 8, and 10 will be administered in spring 2001. Additional field testing may be needed for the alternative assessments. In October 2000 a fall study will be conducted to further the development of the Reading Proficiency Tests in English and the alternative assessments for eligible students receiving special education services. The fall study may include other assessments as needed. Additional activities may be necessary to implement the testing requirements of Senate Bill 103 and Senate Bill 4. Districts will be given ample notification if they are chosen to participate in one or more of these activities.
Please contact the Student Assessment Division at (512) 463-9536 if you have any questions regarding the testing activities outlined in this letter or the attached calendar.
Sincerely yours,
Jim Nelson
Commissioner of Education
For further information on this topic, contact the Student Assessment Division at (512) 463-9536.