STAAR Alternate Test
Administration Training 2014
DATE, 2013
NOTICE
This training does not replace your
requirement to read and follow all
appropriate manuals associated with
state testing
Information subject to change
READ THE MANUALS!
Refer to the TEA STAAR Alternate web
site
Dates
All modules are to be reviewed or completed
by Oct 30th
Window opens January 6th
Tasks must be assigned by February 1
All evaluations completed and entered into the
computer by April 4th
Students arriving after March 28th will not be
assessed but do need to be enrolled in TAMS
See Special Education Handout for other dates
Features of STAAR Alternate
■ Mandatory teacher training including four online training
modules (Texas Training Center)
■ Successful completion of qualification activities for each module
required of all STAAR Alternate test administrators
■ Four state-required essence statements that summarize the
grade-level content to be measured with STAAR Alternate per
assessed subject
■ Rigorous standardized assessment tasks at three levels of
complexity developed from state-selected prerequisite skills linked
to the grade-level curriculum
■ Three state-developed predetermined criteria for each
assessment task designed to measure the student’s performance
on the tested skill
 The ARDC sets the complexity level not the teacher. This must
be check by the CTC
■ Standardized defined expectations for the verbs used
in each predetermined criteria
■ Completed state-required documentation forms
recording student performance as evidence of the
reported score
■ Online submission of the evaluated student
performance by the test administrator through the
Texas Assessment Management System (TAMS)
■ Online automated scoring based on test
administrator evaluation of student performance
Key Changes
Test administrators will be required to record a
description of the materials/ approach provided during
instruction on the last page of the documentation form
A larger space to record the change in materials for
generalization is also provided on the last page of the
documentation form
A document providing additional information regarding
the grade-level content being measured will be
provided when appropriate and attached to the
beginning of the assessment tasks for each grade and
course subject
Key Changes
Combinations of Complexity Level allowed between Level 1 and 2
and Level 2 and Level 3
The admission, review, and dismissal committee (ARDC) selects
the complexity level most appropriate for the assessment. Once
the complexity level or combinations of levels is determined, the
test administrator will use this decision to guide the selection of
the assessment tasks for each subject
Only a total of three observations will be allowed for an
assessment tasks. Any started observation will be counted in the
total number of three whether it is a completed observation or
not
Which Students Take STAAR Alternate
Only students for whom the ARDC has completed the
“State-required form” on can take. If a student takes
one STAAR Alternate test then all tests are done as
STAAR Alternate. Be sure the students have the current
form accomplished . All high school students must be in
the CO22 course numbers
For all students in the alternate testing program, the
ARDC will assign the complexity level for the 2013-2014
testing year
Training Requirements
New STAAR Alternate test
administrators must take and
pass with an 80% or better all
four modules. TAs have two
attempts. A third attempt is
available after supplemental
training by district
Failure to pass a module will
result in supervision during the
activities covered by the
module
Teachers that passed all
modules last year only need to
review modules this year. If a
module was failed last year,
that module must be reviewed
and the evaluation taken and
passed
All tests administrators must be
trained on test security and
confidentiality and sign an oath
prior to any observations or
access to TAMS
All teachers are to have
reviewed or taken the four
modules by October 30th
If Supervised for the Test Administration Process
due to failing a module
Test Security & Confidentiality
Only authorized personnel may have access to STAAR Alternate
student information and must have a signed oath BEFORE handling
confidential student information.
Student performance information used or obtained
during the administration is confidential:
Teacher notes
State required form “STAAR Alternate Documentation
Form of Student Performance”
CTC Manual: p. 34
Teacher Manual: p. 7
Test Security & Confidentiality
Student confidentiality must be
maintained at all times!
All teacher notes and required forms always secured.
No discussion of student performance data
CTC Manual: p. 34
Teacher Manual: p. 7
Viewing Documentation Forms
PRIOR to observation
Supervisors should view and assist teachers develop:
Preplanned supports & materials (aka accommodations)
Response modes
View the “Description of Materials/Approach Provided
During Instruction” section
CTC Manual: p. 34
Teacher Manual: p. 7
Viewing Documentation Forms
AFTER observation
Test administrator must secure pages 2 and 3
of documentation form at ALL times!
Contains actual student assessment data
No one but test administrator is allowed to
view these pages until the close of the ALT
window.
CTC Manual: p. 34
Teacher Manual: p. 7
Viewing Documentation Forms
AFTER online submission of documents
Test administrator provides documentation
forms to the STAAR ALT CTC for storage.


Maintained in labeled binder
Not stored individually or in multiple locations
CTC Manual: p. 34
Teacher Manual: p. 7
Oaths of Test Security & Confidentiality
Each test administrator participating in the STAAR Alternate
assessment must complete and sign the “Oath of Test Security &
Confidentiality for STAAR Alternate Test Administrator” BEFORE
beginning observation.
A general oath may be provided to non-certified personnel.
CTC Manual: p. 36
Teacher Manual: p. 8
TAMS Online System
Students have been uploaded into TAMS.
Once a student observation is conducted, student
assessment information is entered into the online
system beginning January 6th.
TAMS user names and passwords are NOT to be
shared.
ONLY the trained, authorized test administrator
may enter student information into the system.
CTC Manual: p. 38
Teacher Manual: p. 10
Testing Irregularities
All persons participating in STAAR ALT program are
directly responsible for reporting immediately to the
CTC any violation or suspected violation of test
security or confidentiality.
Failure to report violates 19 TAC § 101.65(d)(7)and can
result in sanctions.
CTC Manual: p. 39
Teacher Manual: p. 11
Confidentiality and Security
Cannot be given access to TAMS until qualified and
have signed an oath
Never share TAMS password with anyone
Keep student documentation secure at all times
Never let anyone see beyond page 1
Never leave the computer once logged in
Never allow another individual to input student
testing information into TAMS
STAAR ALT Standardized Assessment
Tasks and Resources
Posted resources and assessment tasks on
TEA’s STAAR Alternate Resources website are NOT
considered secure.
Confidential Information
All student assessment information used or
obtained DURING STAAR Alternate administrations
as documented in notes or on the state REQUIRED
form is CONFIDENTIAL.
Each person with access to student information
must maintain and preserve the confidentiality of
the information.
ONLY authorized personnel may have access to
STAAR Alternate student information.
Testing Irregularities
Eligibility Error
Improper Accounting for confidential
Information
Procedural Error
Potential Referral to the Education Certification
and Standards Division
Testing Irregularities
If a student is enrolled in an alternate high school course that has
a corresponding STAAR Alternate assessment, the student must
take the assessment .
Students who transfer into the district on or before
March 28, 2014 must be assessed by
the receiving district.
Testing Irregularities
Testing Irregularities
Teachers must check all the evaluation data carefully before submitting
the assessment. Remember that all the assessment data that is in the
system will be submitted on
April 4, 2014.
Testing Irregularities
Incident Reporting
All incidents are to be reported to the campus
testing coordinator (CTC) as soon as possible
Investigations and district determination will be
accomplished by the DTC
Teachers must comply with reporting requirements
in the manual
Penalties for Prohibited Conduct
Restriction of education certificate
Reprimand
Suspension of education certificate
Revocation of education certificate
How can teachers help monitor the test
administration?
Let CTC know when:
You have not passed a module after two attempts
ARD committees has changed the assessment decision
A student has extended absences and the completion of the
assessment is in jeopardy
A student transfers in or out of the district and needs to be
registered or unregistered for STAAR Alternate
Problems are occurring with the documentation forms
You are not seeing the correct student information or tested
subjects/courses when the test administrator first accesses the
assessment management system in January
TA Checklist
See TA manual
page vi
The Big Picture Process
Step One: Select the assessment task for each
required essence statement
Step Two: Determine implementation of the
assessment task (the document “Presentation
Supports/Material of STAAR Alternate”)
Step Three: Observe and document student
performance
The Big Picture Process
Step Four: Evaluate student performance and enter
information into TAMS
Cannot have access to TAMS until window opens
and an oath has been signed
First action will be to confirm student’s
demographics and grade level
TAs are responsible for notifying CTCs for needed
changes
Must use and complete state documents
Resources
Web site:
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assess
ment/special-ed/staaralt/
Texas Assessment Management System
Please see page 73 of the TA manual
http://pearsonaccess.com
Remember to set the test and save as default
Once submitted you cannot change any
information
If you need to use NRO, you must have DTC
approval prior to April 4th
Manual and Document Review
Review of manual
Review of documents
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessme
nt/special-ed/staaralt/
Reminder: Keep documents secure and do
not share students testing information. All
documents must be turned in by April 18th
Questions
Please contact Special Education department if
you need materials or curriculum assistances
Please complete you oath
County – Bexar
County District Code 015-907