STAAR Alternate 2

Presented by the Department of Research, Assessment and Accountability

Campus Testing Coordinators

Training

04/15/2023

Meeting Reminders

Welcome to our Assessment Training. As we work to improve our safety culture, we want to take care of a few housekeeping details before our session begins.

• Bathrooms and drinking fountains are located in the main hallway to the left of the1200s and behind us in the back corner of the ESC.

• In case of an emergency, please listen to the directions being offered by district staff.

• Primary emergency exits are located behind us towards KHS and back out the front exit towards the main parking lots. Once in the hallway, follow the illuminated exit signs out of the building.

• We will assemble in the parking lot of the Credit Union. 2

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Cell Phone Courtesy We respectfully request that you turn off the sound or set electronic devices to vibrate as a courtesy to everyone. All calls must be answered outside of meeting rooms. Thank you!

In an effort to provide you the very best training, we ask that you comply with this request. We will utilize technology during our trainings, but will prompt you when it is acceptable to take those devices out.

For longer training days, we will build in time for a “technology break.” That would be a great time to catch up on an email or text.

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Debrief & De-stress aboutSTAAR Alternate 2 Activity

Eyeball – An observation or explanation of what you saw.

Question Mark – A question that arose.

Light Bulb – A new idea or awareness.

Brain – Something you learned. A thought you have.

Foot – A next step. A different direction.

Heart – A positive or negative feeling you experienced.

Hand – How someone helped you or you supported them.

Ear – Something you heard that surprised you.

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Disclaimer• The information presented in this PowerPoint is subject to change.

• The information presented in this PowerPoint has been adapted from TEA’s STAAR Alternate 2 Training Presentation.

• This PowerPoint does not replace the need for reading the appropriate state assessment manuals.

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Why did the test have to change?

• STAAR Alternate 2 was developed to meet federal requirements of both the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). • ESEA requires that all students be assessed in specific grades and subjects throughout their academic career, whereas IDEA requires that students with disabilities have access to the same standards as their non-disabled peers and be included in statewide assessments.

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Why the change occurred continued…• As a result of House Bill 5 of the 83rd Texas Legislative Session, TEA has redesigned the STAAR Alternate assessment to meet the diverse needs of students with significant cognitive disabilities. • STAAR Alternate 2 is a standardized item-based assessment administered individually to each eligible student enrolled in grades 3 through 8 and end-of-course (EOC) subjects.

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Federal Law Regarding Alternate Assessment Did Not Change!

• NCLB still requires an assessment that can be applied to 1% of the tested population for AYP purposes.• This 1% group is made up of students with significant cognitive disabilities. 8

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Exemptions from STAAR Alternate 2

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• At least one of the specific medical conditions listed should describe the medical condition of the student.

• The ARD committee must discuss the three assurances and initial each one after they are discussed.

• The medical exception should be documented in the student’s IEP and this form included in the IEP.

• Students are not required to participate in the administration of STAAR Alternate 2 for any courses or subjects for which they are enrolled in for the current year.

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Medical Exemption Documentation Form

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• One “Yes” will need to be circled on the form.

• The ARD committee must discuss the two assurances and initial them after they are discussed.

• The NAAR designation should be documented in the student’s IEP and this form included in the IEP.

• Students are not required to participate in the administration of STAAR Alternate 2 for any courses or subjects for which they are enrolled in for the current year.

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No Authentic Academic Response (NAAR) Documentation Form

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CTC’s must receive a completed copy of the STAAR Alternate 2 Participation Requirement form, the

medical exemption or the NAAR forms.

For a medical exemption, a score code of “M” will be recorded for all tests the student would have taken.

For a NAAR exemption, a score code of “N” will be recorded for all tests the student would have taken.

(SPED program specialist will approve these prior to an ARD)

Required Forms for CTC’s

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STAAR Alternate 2 Assessment Timeline

•The preview window begins on January 26, 2015 and is open for 10 school days.•All accommodations must be in place prior to February 9, 2015.•The testing window is open February 9–20, 2015.•Administer assessments individually with no specific time limit; but must be completed within the testing window. •Inputting the performance data into TestNav can begin February 9, 2015 and MUST be completed by Tuesday, February 24, 2015. 13

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STAAR Alternate 2 Process

Who does what…

Test

Administrat

or Campus

Testing

Coordinat

or

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Campus Testing Coordinator Responsibilities Overview• Attend required district training.• Inventory materials when they arrive on your campus.• Train test administrators, paraprofessionals who will be in the testing room, and nurses in test security and confidentially.• Train test administrators in using TAMS for student’s answer submission. • Collect and maintain oaths.• Maintain test security and confidentially at all times.• Using a materials control form, check out test administrator manual, a student test booklet, and a scoring document for each assessment, that will be given for each student including any accommodations created during the 10 day preview period (all items are secure).

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Campus Testing Coordinator Responsibilities Overview Continued• Check assessments in and out to test administrators during the 10 day preview period and collect any accommodations created each day. Documented on the materials controls form.• Set up test sessions into TAMS.• Ensure test administrators have completed the online scoring component.• Return nonscorable testing materials to RAA.• Maintain Required documentation (example; seating charts, campus monitoring sign-in sheet, materials control forms, oaths). •Assist Homebound teachers giving STAAR Alternate 2.

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Maintaining Test Security and Confidentially with all the accommodations for STAAR Alternate 2 will require special

organization and coordination between the CTC and the test administrator.

Campus Testing Coordinator Things to remember…• Each campus will administer the same form; therefore,

materials cannot be shared between campuses or districts.• STAAR Alternate 2 materials should not be shipped with test materials for other state assessments. A STAAR Alternate 2 test administrator may not work with another test administrator to make copies or other accommodations for a student. Each test administrator MUST prepare the accommodations individually. • Test administrators may not check out the materials and keep them in the room unless they are actively working with the materials. If a test administrator has other responsibilities during the day, you must return the secure materials to the campus testing coordinator.• Only trained test administrators/CTCs who have signed the oath of security and confidentially may have access to, handle, or otherwise interact with testing materials.

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Take two minutes and discuss the following question with your group:What type of test security concerns

come to mind regarding STAAR Alternate 2?

Learning Point Activity

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Secure testing materials will be delivered to your campus about 2-3 weeks prior to the test administration.

Verify the # of boxes received upon delivery to your campus. Verify all boxes are labeled with your campus name. Immediately move the materials to the secure storage location (previously determined area). Inventory all secure materials as soon as possible; report any discrepancies to the

Assessment Department.

Once the CTC opens the plastic packages (test booklets), the CTC owns the responsibility of shortages.

Materials Delivery & Review Materials Lists

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DCCM: S-21

Packing Lists – Advanced Materials LetterElectronic copies will be put on your k-drive 2-3 weeks prior to testing. A copy will also be provided with your materials.

Materials ShortagesUse the Google Additional Materials Order form to place your order.RAA is not keeping secure materials at the ESC, you will be notified by the Assessment Department when your order is ready to be picked-up at the warehouse by Elizabeth (Bitsy) Cobb.

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Training Test Administrators in T.A.M.S.

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More information to come in the Online Training for T.A.M.S. presentation

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Oaths All persons who are present in the testing environment or who assist in ANY way must be trained and sign an oath for each administration, including anyone who…

Administers a test Relieves a test administrator Provides instruction to students who are not

testing but are in the same room as the student who IS testing

Supervises/monitors test administrations Supports the test administration process

(campus nurse/private duty nurse)

Pull oaths from current test administration manuals and/or make copies

*Support Personnel/Paraprofessional oath is a district handout

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Materials Security…•All individuals who will have anything to do with the test, or have the possibility of being in the vicinity of the test must be trained in test security and confidentially.

•A STAAR Alternate 2 test administrator may not reveal, or discuss the contents of a test booklet before, during, or after a test administration.

•Test Security must maintained during the preview period, while making accommodations, giving the assessment, entering the responses into TestNav, and after the administration.

•A STAAR Alternate 2 test administrator may not work with another test administrator to make copies or other accommodations for a student.

Each test administrator MUST prepare the accommodations individually. • Test Administrators may not check out the materials and keep them in their room unless they are actively working with the materials. If Test Administrators have other responsibilities during the day, They must return the secure materials to the campus testing coordinator.

Keep in locked storage when not in use – limit access – which means you are the only one with access to the key!

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Check out procedures for materials during preview period.

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Seating Charts Seating charts for each test session and subject must be maintained at the campus level and completed by trained testing personnel.

Seating Charts must have the following listed:Location of testing session, including district and campus names, room number, and room description (such as library, classroom, etc.)

Start and Stop Times

Record date, test administered, subject, grade level

First and last name of test administrator(s)/monitor(s) conducting or involved in the test session

First and last name for each student in the room, including location where each individual is seated

KISD recommends that campuses list test booklet numbers on the seating chart. Two of the samples on TEA’s website have columns for test booklet numbers

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Campus Monitoring Sign-In Sheet

Any person entering a room MUST sign in and record time of entry and exit.

The TA/Monitor document is used to track monitoring in testing areas.

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Distribute Test Materials Use Materials Control Form to document transfer custody of testing materials from one party to another on the day of testing.

Document all secure materials and include test booklet numbers

Signed out by the test administrator each day

Signed in by the campus testing coordinator each test day

Student authorizations will be printed and checked out to TA’s using the materials control form.

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• Check information on seating charts.• Make sure all oaths are signed.• Copy all secure paperwork and have originals ready for submission to Assessment Department.

Oaths (CTC and principal oaths only, after the last administration)

Materials Control Form• TA may not use electronic devices while administrating the assessment• You must keep copies of materials control forms, seating charts, campus monitoring sheets, oaths, PPT training in your five year documentation file.

Test Security Paperwork Verification

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Campus Testing Coordinator Materials Return:

Items to be returned with nonscorable materials:• All photocopies of the images and text in the student

booklet, including braille items.• Scoring documents• Test booklets• Test administrator manuals (the * next to the answer is

the correct answer choice and must be securely maintained. This is unlike regular STAAR test administrator manuals)

Items that DO NOT need to be returned with nonscorable materials:• Any accompanying real/boardmaker pictures, objects,

textured materials, or instructional tools used during the assessment.

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Test Administrators Responsibilities

• Attend district provided STAAR Alternate 2 test administrator training.•Review the “STAAR Alternate 2” section of the Educators Guide to STAAR A and STAAR Alternate 2. • Sign appropriate oath at appropriate times.• Determine the accommodations that will be used for a specific assessment based on the documented accommodations in the student’s IEP and the TEA guidelines for allowable accommodations for STAAR Alternate 2.• Maintain test security during the preview period, during the test administration AND after the test administration.• Administer assessments individually to each qualifying student.• Submit student’s data into the online transcription form in TestNav.

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Test Administrators Responsibilities continued…• Preview the “Guidelines for STAAR Alternate 2 Test

Administrator Instructions” and “Scoring” sections of this manual to become familiar with the policy for presenting and scoring questions.• Practice reading the script and following the presentation instructions for actual questions while maintaining the secure contents of the assessments.• Review the “Scoring Instructions” for actual questions and plan teacher assistance for specific questions.• Preview the student booklet to plan and prepare accommodations for any student that may need an accommodation according to the guidelines outlined in the “Accommodations” section of the manual. Testing materials should be checked out during the 10-day preview period only when needed by the test administrator to become familiar with the test and prepare for accommodations.

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All accommodations must be planned and prepared before the testing

window begins on February 9, 2015.

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Teacher of Record Clarification…The STAAR Alternate 2 needs to be administered by:

1. A teacher who teaches the student in the specific content.

2. A teacher who knows the student very well and is knowledgeable in his/her learning styles.

Who should be the test administrator?

(Q) Billy’s math teacher is a resource teacher and has one section of life skills math. The remainder of the day he is in life skills.

(A) Either - The resource teacher or the life skills teacher. They would work together to decide who would be the best person to administer the math assessment.

(Q) Suzy is in co-teach for science and social studies. She has resource for math and language arts. She does not go to life skills.

(A) Not the life skills teacher. Not the science or social studies general education teacher. Probably the resource teacher since they have an intimate knowledge of the student.

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Allowable Accommodations

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Allowable Accommodations STAAR Alternate 2 is a standardized assessment that is intended to be appropriate for eligible students in its original intact form. However ARD committees and test administrators may elect to provide appropriate accommodations to some students whose disability precludes them from participating meaningfully in a two-dimensional standardized assessment. • These accommodations must be routinely used with the

student.• The accommodations must be listed in the student’s ARD

paperwork.• Some classroom accommodation may invalidate the

content or compromise the integrity of the test and therefore may not be used. (i.e. errorless learning, highlighting only the correct answer, paired learning)

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All accommodations should be applied by the test administrator in accordance with the accommodations outlined in the student’s IEP. Accommodations should be provided only when needed for student accessibility to the testing materials. If a student needs additional accommodations beyond what is described on the chart, contact Texas Education Agency for guidance - 512-463-9536.

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Photocopying Guidelines• In some cases, it may be necessary to make a photocopy of the stimuli in the student booklet.

• The student booklet cannot be disassembled.• Photocopying must be done within the district by a trained test administrator who has signed an oath. (paraprofessionals may not make any of the photocopies – KISD Decision)

• Test security and confidentially MUST be maintained when making photocopies.• The copy machine memory must be cleared after photocopying the secure test booklet. (clear all modes on copy machine and turn it off and then back on)

• All photocopied pages of the test booklets must be returned with the nonscorable materials.

• Any accompanying real/boardmaker pictures, textured materials, or instructional tools used during testing do not need to be returned to the state.

• If copying is done in the workroom, no other staff members or volunteers may be present.

Shut down the copying area while copying secure materials! 34

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Photocopying mathematics test reminder

If the mathematics test is photocopied but not enlarged, the copier must be set to copy 100% and the scaling option set to “no scaling” or “zero” to ensure that the graphics results in the intended measurement.

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If accommodations are used, they must be indicated on the scoring document when transcribing the student’s scoring information into TestNav. Refer to the “Complete Test Administration Process” page T-40 section of the STAAR Alternate 2 Test Administrator Manual for more information about indicating accommodation information.

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Documenting Allowable Accommodations

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Assistive Technology

Assistive technology that is documented in the student's IEP and is routinely used may be used to provide the student ACCESS to the assessment. The use of technology should be used primarily for communicating an answer by the student or presenting answer choices by the test administrator. Because the assessment is secure, some devices are NOT allowed include the following:

• Tablets or computers with internet access that cannot be turned off.

• Inputting answer choices into a device that has stored memory that cannot be erased.

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• All assessments must be administered within the testing window

• Individual student administrations may be started or stopped at any time within the testing window.

•The test administrator manual has the actual questions and answers in it identified by and *. This is different from other STAAR administration manuals.

• The test does not have to be given in one session if the student is not able to maintain stamina or focus.

• Test items must be administered in the order they appear in the student booklet.

• If you need stop the assessment, TEA requires that the it be stopped after a cluster.

• At no time may a student go back to previously answered items, including after an administration has been stopped and resumed for an emergency.

Administering

the Assessment

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• Test administrators must prepare the environment for the administration of STAAR Alternate 2. • STAAR Alternate 2 is administered to students in a one-on-one setting. •Test sessions must be conducted under the best possible conditions with minimal distractions and in a setting that is arranged in the most appropriate way for individual students. Some options include:

Administering the test in a separate location. Administering the test in a location with

others that is distraction free. Providing adaptive or special furniture. Providing special acoustics.

Preparing the Testing Environment

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• No element of the testing room environment should hinder any student’s performance.• A “Testing—Do Not Disturb” sign should be posted outside the testing room.• Bulletin boards and instructional displays that could aid students during testing must be covered or removed.• Clocks (either analog or digital) in the testing room do not have to be covered or removed.• All desks used for testing must be cleared of books and other materials not required for the test.• Test administrators must prevent students who are not part of the current testing session from viewing another student’s test administration.

Preparing the testing Environment

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The test administrator will determine the most appropriate seating

arrangement based on individual student needs.

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Learning Point

What is something you heard during the training that

surprised you?

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Test DesignHow STAAR Alternate 2 is formatted…

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• 10 essence statements are available for testing;

5 for the base test items.

5 for the field test items.

• Each of the 6 essence statements is measured with 4 items presented together in a cluster.

• 6 clusters are tested: 24 items per test, 20 for the base test and 4 for the field test.

• The cluster design requires the student to make 6 concept transitions throughout the test.

• The four items per cluster range in difficulty, starting with the easiest item and moving toward the hardest item.

• The difficulty of the items is based on the skill being tested, the selected prerequisite skill, and what the student is being asked to do.

• Each item measures a specific prerequisite skill.

• Each student regardless of ability is expected to attempt all questions.

Test Design

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Test Design and Scoring Samples

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Test Presentation Instructions

• Each test is individually administered.• Students are not expected to read, write, or manipulate the test booklet.• The test administrator is given directions to present the item, specifically what to direct the student to,

and what to communicate to the student.

• Sometimes a cautionary phrase such as “Direct the student to the house in Stimulus 2b without naming the shapes on the house,” is used to ensure that the answer is not revealed during the presentation.

• It is important for the test administrator to read and practice the presentation instructions before administering the assessment, because the instructions are unique for each item.

• The guidelines for “present,” “direct,” and

“communicate” must be looked up in the test administrator manual and followed as outlined.

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Student Response OptionsStudents need to be given an opportunity to respond to test questions using a mode of response that is typical of the way the student responds during instruction. It is not important how a student responds – only that the teacher is able to discern the student’s preferred answer. Response modes do not need to be predetermined as in the past.Response modes can be:

verbal physical visual

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Scoring process for STAAR Alternate 2

How to record a students score for grading…

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Student Absences and Incomplete Assessments

• Every attempt must be made to complete the assessment during the window.• If the assessment cannot be completed within the window, enter the score for the portion of the testing the student was able to complete into the online transcription form in TestNav.• If a student cannot complete testing within the window due to his or her disability, contact the Assessment Office for guidance.• A test administrator not having enough time is not a reason.• If the student is absent for the entire assessment window, his or her assessment should be marked with a score code of “A” for absent.

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Recording Responses• After the student responds to each question, the

test administrator will evaluate the response according to the scoring instructions.• The test administrator will record the score on this

document and use the information to complete the online transcription form in TestNav.• The A, B, C determinations for each question,

along with the accommodations used during the assessment, must be entered into TestNav.

• The form shown here is provided in the test materials and is required to ensure that the student performance is accurately transcribed into TestNav.

• Once the information has been transcribed, the test administrator will turn in the form(s) to the testing coordinator.

• The form(s) must be returned in the nonscorable shipment.

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Enter Student Scoring and AccommodationsInformation

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Transcribe Answers Online • Creating and managing test sessions is part of the STAAR Alternate 2 administration. (Just like STAAR L)

Student authorizations will be printed and checked out to TA’s using the materials control form.

•Students taking the STAAR Alternate 2 administration communicate answers directly to the test administrator. • The test administrator records the student’s answer on the STAAR Alternate 2 Scoring Document based on scoring information provided for each item. • The scoring information is transcribed into an online transcription form. • There is a separate online transcription form for each grade, subject, and form number. • CTCs will train test administrators on transcribing into TestNav and using TAMS.

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Standards - Setting Process• After the 2015 February administration of STAAR Alternate 2, student scores will be used to set standards for the new assessment.

• A team of administrators, educators, parents, and other stakeholders will be assembled in April to review the scoring results and set a passing standard.

• Districts will receive Confidential Student Reports for STAAR Alternate 2 at the same time as results are received for STAAR test takers.

• STAAR Alternate 2 score reports will include the individual performance level ratings of students, scaled scores, and number of questions answered correctly within each reporting category for each of the assessed grades and content areas.

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Resources for STAAR Alternate 2:http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/special-ed/staaralt/

Participation requirementsEducators GuideSTAAR Alternate 2 Test Administration ManualAccommodationsMedical eligibility requirementsNo Authentic Academic response eligibility requirementsSample test QuestionsEssence StatementsTEKS Resources

Important reminders handout

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In review… Answer “yes” or “no” to each question below. • You check out materials to the CTC and they have your paraprofessional make enlargements of questions.

•The TA makes copies after school. • The TA asks another trained test administrator advice on how to create a specific accommodation.

• A TA checks out material in the morning and checks them in after school.• Two or more trained test administrators share the copying work load. • The STAAR Alternate 2 assessment is given in the same room as your other students who are appropriately engaged with other staff.

• A TA takes the accommodations you made home to work on.• Several students have the same accommodations. •You need a copy the medical or NAAR exemption forms. • The TA doesn’t preview the test prior to giving the assessment.• You complete a materials control form for TA’s during the preview period.• You will provide training to TA .

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In review… Answer “yes” or “no” to each question below. • You check out materials to the CTC and they have your paraprofessional make enlargements of questions. •No•The TA makes copies after school. •Yes – if the CTC is there to check out/in materials• The TA asks another trained test administrator advice on how to create a specific accommodation. •No• A TA checks out material in the morning and checks them in after school. •No – unless the teacher has all day to work on the materials (i.e. a substitute) and will need to keep them in locked storage for lunch (or return them to the CTC)

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In review… Answer “yes” or “no” to each question below. •Two or more trained test administrators share the copying work load. •No• The STAAR Alternate 2 assessment is given in the same room as your other students who are appropriately engaged with other staff. •Yes• A TA takes the accommodations you made home to work on. •No• Several students have the same accommodations. •Yes – that is ok•You need a copy the medical or NAAR exemption forms. •Yes!! 56

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In review… Answer “yes” or “no” to each question below. •The TA doesn’t preview the test prior to giving the assessment. •No – the preview period is for previewing• You complete a materials control form for TA’s during the preview period. •Yes!!• You will provide training to TA. •Yes – Test Security and TAMS/Online Training

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Questions and Answers… This is new for everyone. We are here to support you with the STAAR Alternate 2 test administration.

Please contact us for assistance: Paula Donnella - Secondary Program Specialist 237-5823 Liz Moreland-Mason – Elementary Program Specialist 396-7063 Dr. Jennifer Tracy – Coordinator for State Assessment 396-7638 Jud Anderson – Area 1 Assessment Specialist 396-2029 Dr. Christy Gregory – Area 2 Assessment Specialist 396-2128 Gail Mikeska – Area 3 Assessment Specialist 396-2233 58