TEXAS ASSESSMENT PROGRAM TESTING WINDOW EXTENSIONS FOR 2020–2021 Updated: June 16th, 2020 The purpose of this Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) guidance is to provide Texas school districts and open-enrollment charter schools with information related to the optional extended online testing windows for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR(R)) administrations and the extension of the testing window for STAAR Alternate 2 for school year 2020– 2021 due to the impact of the current public health crisis. This FAQ will continue to be updated as more information becomes available. STAAR ONLINE TESTING WINDOW EXTENSION 1. How long is the extended STAAR online testing window? The online testing window is extended for both STAAR 3–8 assessments and STAAR end-of-course (EOC) assessments: • two weeks for the December 2020 STAAR EOC assessments (December 8–18), • five weeks for the April 2021 STAAR grades 3–8 and EOC assessments (April 6–May 7), • five weeks for the May 2021 STAAR EOC assessments (May 4–June 4), • five weeks for the May 2021 STAAR grades 3–8 assessments (May 11–June 11), and • two weeks for the June 2021 STAAR grades 3–8 and EOC assessments (June 22–July 2). 2. Is the optional extension for the STAAR online testing window only for school year 2020– 2021? Yes. The optional online testing window extension for STAAR applies only to the 2020–2021 school year. 3. Will the optional online testing window extension be only for STAAR online administrations and not for paper administrations? Yes. The option of the extended testing window is only for STAAR online administrations during the 2020–2021 school year. The testing calendar for STAAR paper administrations has not been changed; the test dates for paper remain the same. 4. When can a district schedule tests within the optional online testing window? By registering to test STAAR online, a district is choosing more flexibility associated with online testing. This flexibility allows a district to schedule STAAR math, reading, science, and social studies tests on any school day during the optional, extended, online testing window. Due to test security issues, tests with writing components do not have the same flexibility. STAAR grade 4 writing, grade 7 writing, English I, and English II are included in the five-week online testing window extension but have been assigned designated days within each week of the extension. 5. May a district test earlier than scheduled if it chooses? No. The statewide testing dates are established to provide a standardized and equitable testing experience for all students across Texas. 6. Will some STAAR administrations overlap? Yes. Based on the optional online testing window extension, the last week of the April administration will coincide with the first week of the May administration. However, some tests (i.e., STAAR grades 5 and 8 math and reading) require time for remediation or accelerated instruction between administrations. A district that chooses the optional online testing window extension will need to ensure that sufficient time is provided between administrations for required remediation or accelerated instruction. 7. Will there be enough time for remediation or accelerated instruction between the spring and summer STAAR administrations? Yes. The optional online testing window extensions for May and June do not overlap. However, a district that chooses the optional online testing window extension will need to ensure that sufficient time is provided between administrations for required remediation or accelerated instruction. (This includes retesters for STAAR grades 5 and 8 math and reading and STAAR EOC assessments.) 8. How much time is needed for remediation or accelerated instruction before a student can take a retest? Students learn in different ways and on different timelines, so districts should determine the type of remediation and amount of time needed for each student on an individual basis. 9. Is a district required to notify the Texas Education Agency (TEA) or its testing vendor if it is opting into the optional online testing window extension? 2 No. By registering students to test STAAR online instead of on paper, a district is choosing more flexibility associated with the optional online testing window extension. 10. When will the updated testing calendar be available? The revised Student Assessment Testing Calendar for school year 2020–2021 will be posted by the end of June. 11. How does the optional online testing window extension affect the timeline for reporting results? Districts will have access to new on-demand data files with individual student results in the STAAR Management System. The on-demand data files will be in the same format as the 2020–2021 district data files but will have limited fields populated (i.e., student demographics and student scores). The initial availability of the on-demand data files will be noted on the Calendar of Events, which will be posted in August. Once the new on-demand data files become available, districts can request updated files at any time until the closing of the testing window. A district should allow at least eight hours from the time a student completes testing for his or her test results to be included in the updated data file. The availability of the new on-demand data files will allow districts to access students’ test results much quicker than in previous years, allowing districts to make decisions related to accelerated instruction, retesting, and graduation sooner. 

 12. Is a district required to notify TEA or its testing vendor when it is finished testing so that reports may be processed? No. Districts will have access to new on-demand data files with individual student results in the STAAR Management System. At the end of the testing window, standard reports will be provided. 13. Will there be a testing window extension for students who do not have the option to test online due to a particular accommodation needed? Yes. Students who cannot access the online test because of a required accommodation (e.g., a Braille administration or an approved paper administration of STAAR with embedded supports) may also receive the flexibility associated with the testing window extension. More information regarding return dates for scoreable materials for these cases will be provided soon. 3 STAAR ALTERNATE 2 TESTING WINDOW EXTENSION 14. How long is the extended STAAR Alternate 2 testing window? The STAAR Alternate 2 testing window has been extended to include: • a two-week preview window (March 15–26) and • a six-week test administration window (March 29–May 7). 15. When will reports be available for STAAR Alternate 2? Reports for STAAR Alternate 2 will be processed after the window has closed. Specific dates will be communicated in the Calendar of Events, which will be posted in August. TEXAS ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (TELPAS) AND TELPAS ALTERNATE 16. Will the TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate test administration windows also be extended? TEA is currently looking at a potential extension to the TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate testing windows. More information will be provided soon. 4