Concurrent Sessions

3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

Technology It’s Time to Go Online! Administering and Analyzing Data Cypress

Lynn Phillips, Director of Curriculum/District Testing Coordinator, Jefferson ISD Deanna Greene, DMAC Education Specialist, ESC Region 7 Learn how Jefferson ISD moved local assessments from paper to online, helping students and teachers become more familiar with the online process and online strategies. See how JISD monitors student assessments to ensure students are ready and fully understand how to respond to essays and griddables in an online format as well as student accommodations.

Accountability A Rural School’s Approach to Understanding Accountability Kilimanjaro 1

Jon Mize, Superintendent, Mineola ISD Kelly Blaylock, Accountability Specialist, Winona ISD John Abbott, Board President, Mineola ISD Take an in-depth look at the challenges small and mediumsized district superintendents, campus principals, and teachers face in creating systems to completely understand the Texas public school accountability system. Through the utilization of these various tools and practices, leaders are equipped with the capability to make decisions based on accurate data to drive decision-making at the most critical levels of a school system to improve student outcomes.

Campus Testing Coordinator Assessments! Assessments Everywhere! Kilimanjaro 2 Jennifer Woollen, Director of State and National State Assessement Programs, Katy ISD Hear how Katy ISD applies solution-focused strategies to balance and support AP testing, TSIA 2.0 testing, state testing, NAEP, CBE, ASVAB, SAT School Day, PSAT/NMSQT and college weekend testing. Assessments are indeed everywhere and constant, but with strategic planning you can support your district!

Data Best Practice Using Data to Promote Student Growth Kilimanjaro 3 Brad Scatterday, Educational Partner, Renaissance James Cureton, Director of Assessment, Tyler ISD Christy Hanson, Assistant Superintendent Curriculum & Instruction, Tyler ISD Pam Fite, Field Account Executive, Renaissance Learn how assessment plays a critical role in our schools, supporting our shared mission of academic excellence and strong student achievement. Learn how we use our data to make actionable decisions to boost our student growth, and build assessment understanding among all stakeholders.

Data Bang for the Buck: Making the Most out of Student Data

Janie Snyder, Associate Principal, Livingston ISD Kilimanjaro 4

Look at various ways to present and analyze data in order to work with teachers to target student needs, including electronic data walls. Also consider interventions and extensions in learning, as well as defining essential learning standards.

District Testing Coordinator Credit by Exam Data and Best Practices Kilimanjaro 7 Kristina Huff, Curriculum Coordinator, UT High School Beth Cooper, Superintendent, UT High School Ileana Mendez, Testing Services Coordinator, UT High School Texas’ credit-by-exams (CBE) policy requires providers of CBEs to Texas school districts to certify that their examinations meet specific rule criteria and to report student scores annually. During this session, analyze data from UT High School’s CBE program, including the number of testers and average score among subgroups, and those with or without prior instruction. Discuss best practices for campuses to maximize their CBE programs.

Standardized Assessment Above-Grade Assessment Practice: Leveling Up for Advanced Learners Kilimanjaro 8 Melissa Hinshaw, Assessment Director, Northwestern University Discover why above-grade-level assessment practice is an important tool and valuable in school data systems. Examine eligibility, access, and implementation processes. Consider appropriate ways to use above-grade data to better understand student readiness, ensure proper course placement, inform instruction, and monitor growth.

State Testing How Authentic are TELPAS Writing Collections? Portia Edgar Ibarra, Bilingual/ESL Specialist, ESC Region 1 Explore TEA’s TELPAS manuals to support district/campus testing staff to develop targeted systems. Such systems will be intended to ensure teachers provide students with authentic classroom experiences that directly support the process of completing the TELPAS Writing Collections.

Concurrent Sessions

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

TACTP TSIA2: What Changed? Cypress Kathie Montognese, Senior Director ACCUPLACER, Outreach, College Board Suzanne Morales-Vale, Director, Developmental and Adult Education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Keylan Morgan, Assistant Director | Developmental Education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board TSIA2 launched January 11, 2021. The Higher Education Coordinating Board, with input from Texas faculty members, made changes to TSIA. Join this session to understand the changes, the enhancements, and ways to help students practice with TSIA2 Learning Resources, prior to first-time testing or before retesting. In addition, learn new features that will assist with receiving scores for those who tested outside the district. This new enhancement is called ‘Shared Score Reports.’

Accountability All Aboard! The IGC Policy Express Kilimanjaro 1 Elizabeth Schrader, Regional Testing Coordinator/Data Analysis/ Accountability, ESC Region 11 Angel Lozano, Senior Education Specialist, Accountability & Leadership Solutions, ESC Region 4 Hop on board the IGC Policy Express with your R4 and R11 conductors to navigate the terrain of IGC. Join us as we travel through the winding roads of policy, scenarios, and graduation requirements.

Campus Testing Coordinator Get Organized: Get Ahead of the Testing Crunch Kilimanjaro 2 Manira Bassett-Raschke, Assistant Principal of Operations, KIPP Texas Public Schools Learn several best practice organizational strategies and procedures for preparing testing materials, communicating with test administrators, and training test administrators to run a high stakes test session. Strategies include bin organization, communication folders, accommodation organization, and training staff to apply it all.

College and Career Connecting Students to Opportunity and Success with the SAT Kilimanjaro 3 Jill Schott, Senior Director, State & District Partnership, College Board Tracy McDaniel, Director of Testing, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Jennifer Cobb, Assistant Superintendent, Spring ISD The SAT Suite of Assessments makes it easier to help students navigate a path from high school to college/career. The SAT Suite measures the same skills and knowledge in ways that make sense for different grade levels, so it’s easier for students, parents, and educators to monitor student progress. Session participants will learn about resources to support student success and will gain insight from a district that offers PSAT/ NMSQT and SAT to all students on a school day.

Technology Just Do It: Build that Google Site Kilimanjaro 4 Chris Julian, Coordinator of Student Data and Instructional Outcomes, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Want to build a Google site but struggling to find the time or the steps to get started? Session participants will get an overview of key steps and processes related to setting up and maintaining Google sites and Google folders. They will work with others and be provided time and assistance to create or improve their current Google site.

State Testing TEA’s General Texas Assessment Program Updates Kilimanjaro 6 Julie Cole, Director of Policy and Publications, Student Assessment Division, TEA This session will provide an overview of policy and test administration updates to the state and federally mandated assessments for the 2021-22 school year.

Data MAP vs. STAAR: Seeing the Bigger Picture Portia Jeff Hill, Principal, Kate Burgess Elementary, Wichita Falls ISD As the principal at a high SES, low achievement campus, it has been difficult to simply look at end-of-year STAAR scores to gauge overall performance for the year. MAP scores outline the journey while STAAR simply shows the finish line. Dive deep into how MAP scores can accurately assess the strengths and weaknesses of the district, school, or individual classrooms.

Tuesday, November 2

8 – 9 a.m.

Technology Online Testing, You’ve Got This! Cypress Patricia Baldwin, Coordinator of Testing and Instructional Resources, Tomball ISD Ready for online testing? Tomball ISD implemented districtwide online testing last year and learned a lot. Join this session to learn procedures that shape testing success. The presentation will include how to get all stakeholders on board, preparing for the transition to online, and tips for managing testing.

Campus Testing Coordinator Take Time for You: Self Care for Test Administrators Kilimanjaro 2 Kathy Conring, District Testing Coordinator/Counselor, Cisco ISD How can you be happier, healthier, and better equipped for the stress you face every day? The key to surviving in the work setting and outside the work setting is mindfulness, reflection, and daily self-care activities. This session provides techniques to take time for yourself. Leave this session with many great resources!

District Testing Coordinator A TELPAS District Plan: August to April Kilimanjaro 9 Lacy Packard, ESL/Bilingual Program Coordinator, Royse City ISD Katherine Milton, Director of Accountability and Assessment, Royse City ISD Learn about a TELPAS district plan for staying organized and ready for all that TELPAS greatness! Get tools and tips for getting it all done, roles, and how to share responsibilities district-wide. Receive a district planning template, training slides, and other planning documents to customize.

Data Bringing Data to Life: Development of Dashboards to Support Real-Time Learning Kilimanjaro 3 Jon Peters, Data Integration Specialist, Aldine ISD Sara Jones, Director of Research and Program Evaluation, Aldine ISD Mark Moreno, Data Analyst, Aldine ISD Aldine ISD’s data team will share their experiences collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to build data visualization dashboards to provide real-time information for district and campus administration. The session will highlight best practices for communication, processes for selecting key assessment and data, lessons learned, and strategies for continuous improvement.

Data Data, Data, Everywhere! Where to Start Kilimanjaro 4 Jennifer Mulkey, Director, Sanger ISD Kelly Bounds, Coordinator, Sanger ISD Educators know that effective collection, analyzation, and use of data can measure student progress, evaluate programs and instructional effectiveness, guide curriculum development and resource allocation, promote accountability and, most important, ensure that every child learns. Learn how Sanger ISD uses data to do all of these things and more!

District Testing Coordinator Becoming a More Effective Leader Kilimanjaro 7 Jana Eastham, District Testing Coordinator, Frisco ISD Want to improve leadership skills to become a more effective DTC? Internalize and apply the skills found in books such as Dare to Lead by Brene Brown, The Art of Persuasion by Bob Burg, or Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan and Switzler in the testing world. Come explore topics found in these, as well as other books, through the lens of a DTC. Come prepared to share and grow together!

Standardized Assessment Student-Centered Success Kilimanjaro 8 Sanjin Kolovrat, Regional Director, MasteryConnect Gretta Rogne, Director of Digital Learning, New Caney ISD This session will cover how districts use MasteryConnect to reteach and target instruction at the classroom, campus, and district level. Using mastery gradebooks, teachers help students to own their learning and monitor their progress, not just on grades, but on mastering the TEKS.

State Testing Investigating Test Security Issues

Julie Cole, Director of Policy and Publications, Student Assessment Division, TEA Portia

This session will outline the most appropriate actions to take when investigating a test security issue in a school district.

Tuesday, November 2

9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

Accountability Ensuring Equity in Your District through Achievement Gap Analysis Kilimanjaro 1 Emily Bain, Director of Digital Learning, Bastrop ISD Erin Winnicki, Regional Sales Executive, SchoolStatus This session will focus on how Bastrop ISD is analyzing and exploring student data to improve student equity. Data including benchmarks, state testing, attendance, discipline, and communication is aggregated in SchoolStatus to provide clear visualizations and dashboards. BISD is able to identify at-risk students, measure current and past data, and communicate effectively with parents as a result.

College and Career MISD’S Vision 2030: All Students Graduate College, Career, and Life Ready Kilimanjaro 2 Evans Onsongo, Director, Assessment & Accountability, Mansfield ISD Alf Nizam, Director, Mach B Technologies As part of the district’s strategic goal of ensuring each student graduates college and career ready, Mansfield ISD implemented the Vision 2030 district and board goals. A key component of Vision 2030 is for each student to take ownership of graduating with college, career, and lifeready skills. MISD partnered with Edugence to create a comprehensive framework to manage each student’s career, college, and life readiness indicators.

Concurrent Sessions

Concurrent Sessions

Designated Supports Dynamic Duo: Adaptive Assessment and MyPath K-12 Kilimanjaro 3 Tina Sillavan, National Curriculum Consultant, Edgenuity, Inc. Elizabeth Swanson, Ph.D., Research Associate Professor, University of Texas at Austin, Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk Bonnie Long, National Curriculum Consultant, Edgenuity Using the unique combination of skills prioritization and adaptive assessment, MyPath K-12 eliminates the redundancy of traditional intervention models and focuses relentlessly on acceleration to grade level. See how MyPath K-12 can make classroom intervention “more powerful than a locomotive” and support “superhero” efforts to ensure learning loss will not prevail.

Technology Online Testing, Monitoring, and Visualizing in ONE Place Kilimanjaro 4 Tiffany Rudolph, Account Executive, Illuminate Education Whitney Clark, Executive Director of Academics, Leadership Academy Network, Fort Worth ISD/Texas Wesleyan University Too much or not enough data? Rather than piece together disconnected solutions, a comprehensive model makes tracking the whole child more efficient. Implementing from a teacher to state lens in ONE location including attendance, discipline, SEL, and academics allows professionals to see large and small scale for maximum student success. Whole child visualizations help identify school academic gaps, attendance trends, target strategies for student SEL, and strategically plan for interventions.

State Testing CAI: Training A to Z Kilimanjaro 8 & 9 Katie Hamano, Training Specialist, Cambium Learning Group Emily Zucker, Program Manager, Pearson Learn how to use the new teacher training site in this session.

Accountability The Challenge of Change Kilimanjaro 7 Terry Faucheux, Associate, Moak, Casey & Associates Alicia Thomas, Consultant, Moak, Casey & Associates Toni Riester-Wood, Associate, Moak, Casey & Associates This interactive session includes a recap of 2021 accountability, and themes from the 87th Legislature. Examples will be shared about the use of data trends to create plans to navigate new STAAR item types and prioritize investments in technology and professional development to address unfinished student learning. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Standardized Assessment T-TRADE Assessment Item Development Pilot Cypress Jo Ann Bilderback, Director of Mathematics, Student Assessment Division, TEA T-TRADE is TEA’s innovative, collaborative system for teachers to develop and share high-quality assessment items. The T-TRADE process begins with professional development training on assessment best practices. Teachers then collaborate to develop new items and to review and evaluate other items created by fellow teachers. Items that are most highly rated may be field tested for possible use on state assessments. Other items may be made available for teachers to use in their local assessments.

Campus Testing Coordinator Testing Coordinator Strategies Kilimanjaro 2 Kayla Phiffer, Testing Coordinator, Grand Prairie ISD This session will cover how to best set up a digital platform through which campus staff members can access all testing instructions, rosters, training, and more. Participants will learn about ways to record videos to share tutorial videos for staff. A brief explanation of testing buckets and the process of what goes into them on testing days will also be discussed. Dos and don’ts for efficient testing days will also be presented.

District Testing Coordinator Bite-Sized Chunks: How to Accommodate all Stakeholders in a Large District Kilimanjaro 3

Charlenta Govan, Manager, Dallas ISD Emily Gaines, Districtwide testing Coordinator, Dallas ISD Angela Warner, Districtwide Testing Coordinator, Dallas ISD The Dallas ISD assessment team will provide session participants with information on a variety of training offerings for campus test coordinators. Get examples of how DISD hosts large and small group sessions to meet the needs of stakeholders, and discuss yearly successes and pitfalls within a large school district.

Data Democratizing Data to Ensure Equity Kilimanjaro 4 Adam Cibulka, Senior Manager, Forecast5 Analytics, Inc. Melissa DeSimone, Executive Director of Research, Accountability and Assessment, Northwest ISD Learn how Northwest ISD uses a variety of key metrics, from multiple data sources, to empower their leadership team to minimize any learning gaps for students. Through the professional development of their district and building leadership teams, NISD has created a series of interactive dashboards that support key district goals and provide disaggregated results to provide insight around student learning.

Campus Testing Coordinator Tips and Tricks for CTCs Kilimanjaro 10 Amy Evans, Assessment Coordinator, McKinney ISD Paula Kent, Associate Principal, McKinney ISD New CTCs sometimes don’t know where to start, and seasoned CTCs can get into a rut. This session will cover some tips and tricks that have helped organize and streamline STAAR, TELPAS, ALT2, and even PSAT and SAT! Bring your favorite tip to share with the group!

Designated Supports RtI: It’s not Just for Elementary Students Kilimanjaro 7 Brandon Enos, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction/ Federal Programs, Goliad ISD DeAna Helmer, Director of Instructional Resources and RtI, Goliad ISD By implementing RtI, students are able to catch up and regain the excitement of learning. Participants will learn how to decide which students to place in tier 2 and tier 3 and how to move them back to tier 1 once each meets established benchmarks. Hear how to schedule intervention into a master schedule so the student is able to get RtI services during the school day, and learn about planning at the individual student level with each teacher’s strengths in mind.

District Testing Coordinator Managing Testing from the Perspective of 5 School Districts in Region 4 Kilimanjaro 8 Jennifer Woollen, Director of State and National State Assessement Programs, Katy ISD Hear from the Region 4 testing experts panel. Region 4 is a diverse area of Texas that encompasses small to extra large school districts. This session will interview panelists on how five districts, varying in school enrollment, address the challenges of testing from the DTC perspective. Discussion will include materials, transition to online testing, training staff on the new vendor’s platform, and resources.

Karlynn Laraway, Senior Program Manager, Cambium Learning Group Learn how and where to access all your reporting data.

Tuesday, November 2

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Technology Transitioning to Online Testing - Lessons Learned in 2021 Cypress Randy Wuensche, Director of Assessment, Brazosport ISD Are you a new district testing coordinator trying to transition your district to an online testing mode for STAAR, but not sure where to start? In this session, hear about Brazosport ISD’s journey from a completely paper-based testing model to a successful online pilot of all secondary campuses and several elementary campuses. Learn the key pitfalls to avoid along with steps to make a transition to online testing a successful one.

Accountability The "Little" Junior High that Could Kilimanjaro 1 Tami Hargrove, Director of Student Services and Instruction, Spearman ISD Shane Whiteley, Assistant Superintendent, Spearman ISD Spearman Junior High, a rural Title I campus in the Texas Panhandle, has been nominated as a National Blue Ribbon School in Academic Achievement AND received an Exemplary Rating, earning ALL seven distinctions in 2019. Learn how a culture of excellence was created using data-driven instruction and research-based strategies such as creative scheduling and student grouping that resulted in student growth. Listen as we share best practices and tools that helped this campus defy the odds.

Standardized Assessment What Every New DTC Craves Kilimanjaro 9

TSNAP Officers and Board Members Carrie Allen, Assistant Superintendent, City View ISD Stephanie Cobb, Assessment and Accountability, Aransas County ISD Pam Brown, Director of Counseling & Assessment, LubbockCooper ISD TSNAP officers will present highlights from our New DTC Academy. Ever wonder where to start, how to know you're on the right path, and where it all ends? We will review what every new DTC needs to ensure they are on the right path to success from start to finish.

Performance Assessment Using SLO Doesn’t Have to be SLOW Kilimanjaro 2 Colette Pledger, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Robinson ISD Student Learning Objectives as a growth measurement can be difficult for teachers to understand and develop. This session will share some tips, tricks, and lots of resources pulled from texasslo.org to help with implementation. Dig into how to present, create the settings for tracking in Eduphoria, and find resources for continual monitoring. Follow up throughout the year so that the SLO improves pedagogy and student outcomes.

Concurrent Sessions

Concurrent Sessions

TACTP The New Norm: What Worked and What Didn’t Kilimanjaro 3 Alejandro Martinez, Director - Testing Services, Texas A&M International University Everyone had to adapt to COVID protocols, adhere to new types of proctoring, and address security concerns. This session will feature opportunities for attendees to share lessons, best practices, and learn from one another what worked and what didn’t in an IHE environment.

College and Career The ACT for All: Bringing the ACT to Texas Classrooms Kilimanjaro 4 Sauda Callahan, Director Client Relations - West, ACT, Inc. Stephanie Quesada, Testing Specialist, San Antonio ISD Learn the many benefits for educators that utilize the ACT® test, including how ACT scores predict important college outcomes. The ACT has more predictive evidence than any other assessment program, linking ACT scores to students’ performance in the first year of college through college completion.

State Testing TEA’s General Overview of House Bill 3906 and the STAAR Redesign Kilimanjaro 8 & 9 Iris Tian, Director, Student Assessment Division, TEA This session will provide updates about House Bill 3906 implementation, including a general overview of the STAAR redesign that will be implemented in the 2022-23 school year and the launch of a through-year assessment pilot.

Standardized Assessment Valid and Reliable Assessments: How Do You Know You are Hitting the Target Kilimanjaro 10 Rebeca Cooper, Assistant Professor, Texas A&M UniversityTexarkana Ann Goodman, Academic Services, ESC Region 3 Paul Polasek, Partner @ Aloesoft, Aloesoft Why do students pass local assessments but not meet the standard on the STAAR? School districts across the state routinely develop and administer common assessments to obtain a quick overview of current student performance, yet they seldom undergo statistical review. Though they may appear to be less important, they are used for so many highstakes reasons; therefore it is essential that the data provided are valid, reliable, and meaningful. Learn how to hit targets today in local assessments. 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.

State Testing Impacts of COVID-19 and Accountability Updates for 2022 and Beyond Cypress Jamie Crowe, Executive Director, Performance Reporting Division, TEA Review results from the 2020-21 STAAR administration and the impact analysis of COVID. Overview of parent/educator partnership tools available to navigate impacts from the 202122 school year.

Accountability Making Understanding Accountability Easy for All Kilimanjaro 1 Jennifer Hood, Teaching and Learning Consultant, ESC Region 10 Participants will show previous understanding and increase their knowledge of the A-F accountability system with a hands-on card sort. They will leave able to lead others through the same activity for training.

District Testing Coordinator Operation Organization: Timing is Everything! Kilimanjaro 3 Crystal Glover, District Test Coordinator, Amarillo ISD Courtney Blackmon, Director of Instructional Continuity and Innovation & District Testing Coordinator, Pampa ISD New DTC? Know when you need to do what to make testing happen? Train for TELPAS? Read the Calendar of Events? Really need to attend all those TETNs? Learn from two people at both ends of the DTC spectrum. Courtney just finished her first year as DTC, and Crystal’s been doing it for over a decade. Together they’ll guide new DTCs in the right direction!

Data The Qualtrics Chameleon: More than Just a Survey Tool Kilimanjaro 4 Christina Trotter, Director of Student Assessment & Research, Irving ISD Dorian Galindo, Executive Director, Planning, Evaluation, and Research, Irving ISD Roy Zamora, Coordinator of Performance Reporting & Analysis, Irving ISD Qualtrics is truly a chameleon because it can be used for surveys, ticketing systems, and even data visualization! Come and learn about Qualtrics and how our district and campus leaders were able to utilize the Qualtrics dashboards to analyze assessment data such as Interim Assessments and STAAR results. Gone are the days of static reports!

District Testing Coordinator NAEP 2022 Kilimanjaro 7 Kim Ackermann, Texas State NAEP Coordinator, TEA Hear an overview of the NAEP 2022 program, as well as of Texas’ participation in international assessments.

Standardized Assessment The Cambium Experience ... so far! Kilimanjaro 8 TSNAP Officers and Board Members Lisa Bolte, Southwest ISD Thomas Negri, Director of Testing, Fort Bend ISD Sharon Reckaway, Director of Assessment and Accountability, Gregory-Portland ISD Join TSNAP leaders as we discuss what new discoveries we have made as we transition to our new assessment partner, Cambium. We will share our experiences, our thoughts, our tips, and our hopes as we delve into this new platform.

Technology Best Practices for Online Testing Over a Large Window Kilimanjaro 9 Erin Todd, TestHound Product Specialist, Education Advanced, Inc. Jon Weisz, Assessment Advisor, Corpus Christi ISD With the transition to online assessments over larger assessment windows, efficient and accurate test coordination is essential for a successful student testing experience. Discover how one district has embraced Multi-Session Scheduling (MSS) to create rotation schedules through testing locations, mark students absent to reschedule at a later time, track changes, and more. Don’t miss out on this enhanced test scheduling feature in TestHound!

State Testing CAI: Managing Student Data Uploads Portia Charu Shukla, Senior Program Manager, Cambium Learning Group Learn all aspects of uploading and correcting student data in the Cambium System.

Tuesday, November 2

4 – 5 p.m.

Performance Assessment Pomp and Circumstance Under Different Circumstances: IGC/LGC Best Practices Kilimanjaro 1 Courtney Clearfield, Districtwide Testing Coordinator, Garland ISD Carrie Whitaker, Local Assessment Coordinator, Garland ISD Learn how a district of 56,000 students identifies, monitors, and manages Individual Graduation Committees and Local Graduation committees. Garland ISD administrators will share the process, provide tools, and highlight the successes they have experienced as a result of both programs.

Data The Data-ing Game Kilimanjaro 4 Monica Uphoff, Director of Planning, Assessment & Research, Birdville ISD John Warren, Data Manager - Assessment & Accountability, OnDataSuite If you are a single file person and looking for a new love, why not join our Data-ing game show to see how you match up to your True Love (of data)? Seeking stability? Then how about our College and Career-ready bachelor? Looking for the bad boy ‘At-Risk’ type? We have you covered. Or maybe you are just looking for someone who is an accelerated learner type? Check! The great thing is, these amazing bachelors have been under your nose the whole time; you just needed a little help to find them.

State Testing STAAR Redesign Updates for Math, Science, and Social Studies Kilimanjaro 6 Jo Ann Bilderback, Director of Mathematics, Student Assessment Division, TEA TEA will present current information about the STAAR redesign in accordance with House Bill 3906. This session covers how redesign impacts mathematics, science, and social studies.

Designated Supports Using Assessment Data to Propel Schools Forward Kilimanjaro 7 Sara Jones, Director of Research and Program Evaluation, Aldine ISD Dawn Ayers-Rodriguez, Chief of Strategic Initiatives and Accountability, Aldine ISD Jon Peters, Data Integration Specialist, Aldine ISD Mark Moreno, Data Analyst, Aldine ISD The Aldine ISD Department of Strategic Initiatives and Accountability will share their practice of equipping school leaders with the tools needed to use assessment data in their campus improvement planning process. This session will outline training and support for campuses as they utilize assessment data to identify growth areas, write SMART goals, and monitor progress throughout the year. Participants will gain insights into how assessment data can be used to drive change in their districts.

District Testing Coordinator The Other Accountability: How to Manage Poor Performance Kilimanjaro 8 Michael Allen, Assistant Principal, Grand Prairie ISD Performance accountability is a crucial component of any organization’s success. In this session, take a deep dive into the research of workplace accountability, the pitfalls to avoid, and how to create sustainable success while also strengthening relationships. The session culminates with a skills application that has been implemented by thousands of Fortune 500 executives in order to improve performance within their organization.

Concurrent Sessions

Concurrent Sessions

Technology Transitioning to Online Testing – No Problem! Kilimanjaro 9 Lara Miller, Regional Account Manager, Education Advanced, Inc. Christina Trotter, Director of Student Assessment, Irving ISD Transitioning from paper-based to online assessments doesn’t mean plans no longer work. The logistics of test coordination haven’t changed. Discover how systems evolve to complement changes in state-mandated testing. We’ll share TestHound updates that complement online testing, discuss data file formats, how to group students, and identify their test mode. Take advantage of Multi-Session Scheduling (MSS), Auto Pilot, and Performance Tracker to easily transition to online testing.

Wednesday, November 3

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Accountability Game Show Review of Assessment and Accountability Manuals Cypress

Jennifer Burr, Consultant, ESC Region 10 Melissa Shaw, Regional Testing Coordinator, ESC Region 10 Participants will participate in a game show format to locate information in both Assessment and Accountability manuals. This is not a sit-and-get session. Participants will need access to manuals either electronically or paper copies.

Data We have data ... Now what? Kilimanjaro 1

Rachel Haller, Director of Testing, Aldine ISD Katie Gomez, Program Director of Testing, Aldine ISD Learn about how the Student Assessment Department in Aldine ISD has streamlined access to data and enhanced data analysis procedures at the campus level. Participants will walk away with data analysis protocols, as well as ideas for how to implement procedures at their campus or district to support learning recovery and student performance.

District Testing Coordinator Varied Assessment Practices Showcase Student Learning Kilimanjaro 2 Emily Cram, Product Manager for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, eduphoria! Terra Weden, Professional Learning Specialist, eduphoria! Create learning opportunities for your students by engaging in data-driven instruction through the use of a varied assessment plan. Participants will review multiple methods of assessment structures to include technology enhanced items, rubrics, screeners, and more. A range of assessment purposes, from informal to formal, will be shared. Discussions will include how to select an appropriate assessment that aligns to the intended use of data to inform instruction and measure student outcomes.

State Testing TEA Updates: Assessments for Special Populations Kilimanjaro 6 Esmeralda Cavazos, Program Coordinator, Title III, TEA This session will focus on updates to STAAR, STAAR Alternate 2, TELPAS, and TELPAS Alternate. It will also include 2021-22 accessibility policy and resources. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the session.

Designated Supports Are Your High-Achievers Growing? Measuring Growth for Advanced Learners Kilimanjaro 7 Melissa Hinshaw, Assessment Director, Northwestern University Are your high-achievers growing? How do you know? How much growth is enough? Measuring growth and effect of programming in high-achieving populations can be difficult. Relying on consistent, high-achievement scores does not replace looking at appropriate growth measures. Bring your questions and your data as this session will investigate best practices in measurement, creating a robust data culture, data interpretation, defining growth and alignment of student services to student readiness.

Technology Un-Becoming a Paper Testing Coordinator Kilimanjaro 8 Holly Hawkins, Regional Testing Coordinator, ESC Region 9 Melissa Shaw, Regional Testing Coordinator, ESC Region 10 Zan Wilson, Regional Testing Coordinator, ESC Region 14 Learn which habits need to be broken and what new resources are available to help turn testing coordinators from paper testers to online testers. Many will suffer from Papertology, but help is out there. Learn what resources are new and which have become irrelevant as STAAR gets a redesign for online.

Data PLCs Gone Wrong Kilimanjaro 9 Alicia Martin, Student Assessment Director - DDIS, Houston ISD Cicely Ward, Student Assessment Manager, Houston ISD Michael Kucharczyk, Student Assessment Manager, Houston ISD Explore tools and strategies for navigating challenging situations in data PLCs. Participants will practice scenarios and discuss ways to turn around dysfunctional data PLCs “in the moment.” Participants will be able to facilitate effective data PLCs and incorporate the strategies learned in upcoming campus PLCs.

District Testing Coordinator Everything you Want to Know about Testing but are Afraid to Ask Portia

Crystal Glover, District Test Coordinator, Amarillo ISD Pam Brown, Director of Counseling & Assessment, LubbockCooper ISD This is an open forum session guided by experienced DTCs from small, medium, and large size districts to help answer any questions you might have about how to make testing happen in your district.

Wednesday, November 3

8:45 – 9:45 a.m.

State Testing Leveraging New Question Types to Promote Critical Thinking Skills Cypress Tosh McGaughy, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, McKinney ISD Come explore how McKinney ISD leveraged the new question types for STAAR to develop a consistent common language for critical thinking and critical response. Learn how to support teachers and administrators as they connect “showing thinking” across content areas. Leave with resources, templates, and professional development pieces to use!

Data When Opportunity Knocks Twice: Making the Most of Interim Assessments Kilimanjaro 1 Terri Heintschel, Coordinator of District Assessment, Clear Creek ISD Dustyn Richardson, Assessment Specialist, Clear Creek ISD Shift from proficiency-based performance measures to growth-based measures throughout the academic year. Learn to introduce a data protocol for identifying future learning obstacles that teachers and instructional leaders can plan to address ahead of time; advocate for celebrating growth milestones for learners across the achievement continuum; and encourage student involvement with goal setting and provide student goal setting examples.

Campus Testing Coordinator High School Testing Survival Kit Kilimanjaro 2 Karen Mayton, Coordinator for Testing & Accountability, ESC Region 12 High school testing can be overwhelming with all the different assessments, processes, procedures, rules, and vendors. Creating a system that works and gathering information from so many places takes time, and time is precious. Walk away with already created resources to utilize and customize.

TACTP TACTP Open Forum Kilimanjaro 3 Alejandro Martinez, Director - Testing Services, Texas A&M International University This session is a time for TACTP members to openly discuss current issues and concerns related to assessment changes and trends in the Texas higher education system. Please bring your questions or concerns for discussion.

Technology "Accessing" STAAR: Using Access to Prepare a Test Administration Kilimanjaro 4 Kyle Sanchez, Local Assessment Specialist, Katy ISD This session will provide an overview of the functional usage of Microsoft Access, in place of Excel or other test preparation programming, to manage student data (test history, designated supports, student schedules). The session will introduce a STAAR database that can be used to quickly generate test administration materials including Tub labels, door rosters, seating charts, test administration rosters, and designated supports verification sheets per testing room.

Technology Unplugged - Charged and Ready to Go for Online Testing Kilimanjaro 7 DeAna Helmer, Director of Instructional Resources, Goliad ISD Brittany Salazar, Counselor, CTC, Goliad ISD Shelby Taylor, Assistant Principal, Goliad ISD Goliad has tested online for the last 10 years and will share great practices and mistakes to learn from. Learn strategies for teachers and students for the digital environment. Leave this session energized and prepared for online testing and learning.

District Testing Coordinator Tales of a Testing Coordinator Kilimanjaro 8 Sharon Reckaway, Director of Assessment & Accountability, Gregory-Portland ISD Shannon Bozeman, District Testing Coordinator, Graham ISD Christina Trotter, Director of Student Assessment, Irving ISD Thomas Negri, Director of Testing, Fort Bend ISD Once upon a time, testing was overwhelming. Best practices processes developed over the years can make testing administrations run smoothly and efficiently. With decades of experience, the TSNAP officers will help prepare you for all aspects of testing from preparing calendars and checklists to organizational tools. Leave with ideas for getting organized to meet deadlines, managing your time, and ready to conquer all things testing!

Concurrent Sessions

Concurrent Sessions

Technology Online Testing, Data Reports, and Analytics Dashboards Kilimanjaro 9 James Cureton, Director of Assessments and Data Analysis, Tyler ISD Alf Nizam, Director, Mach B Technologies Four years ago, Tyler ISD adopted a new assessment system and transitioned from paper-based assessment to a fully online assessment protocol that provides instant assessment data in the form of reports and interactive dashboards. The dashboards take analytics to the next level by providing rapid disaggregation of assessment data and a unique perspective for identifying patterns in local, state, and national assessments.

State Testing TEA’s Optional Assessment Resources: STAAR Interim Assessments and TFAR Portia Jordan Runge, Director of Strategy and Operations, Student Assessment Division, TEA Learn more about STAAR Interim Assessments and TFAR (Texas Formative Assessment Resource), and how these tools can be utilized to support student learning. This session will cover updates for the 2021–22 school year, how to access and interpret student data, and how to perform common tasks within Cambium’s system.

Wednesday, November 3

10 – 11 a.m.

Technology Ready or Not? It is Time to Move Online Kilimanjaro 1 Shannon Kuhrt, Director of Assessment, Wichita Falls ISD Sharon Reckaway, Director, Assessment & Accountability, Gregory-Portland ISD Ready or not, the time is now! This session will provide new district testing coordinators with the basics of online testing, tips, plans, and best practices for success. Attendees will exit this session feeling prepared and ready to administer online tests!

Performance Assessment If Writing is Wrong, I Don’t Want to be Right Kilimanjaro 2 Ben Estrada, Director of Assessment, Research and Evaluation, Los Fresnos CISD Kathleen Estrada, RLA Specialist, ESC Region 1 There are so many benefits to writing. Writing aids retention, increases the depth of knowledge, develops critical thinking skills, promotes independent thinking, and strengthens fine motor skills in young learners. In short, writing is a big deal! With the changes coming to state assessments, writing is even bigger! Come explore easy and creative ways to incorporate writing into everyday lessons.

College and Career Ready, Set, Prep! Integrating ACT/SAT into the Curriculum Kilimanjaro 3 Anastasia Armstreet, CCMR Coordinator, Van Alstyne ISD This session will discuss the creation and implementation of VAHS’ “Next Step Prep” course. It will reflect on the reason behind the course, its setup, and content overview. This session will also include ideas for integrating ACT/ SAT prep through the created course, as well as core content areas. Time will be spent presenting, and also be given to discuss, share, and troubleshoot so that each school can leave with something beneficial.

Data Turn the Ship Around! Kilimanjaro 4 Marc Puig, Superintendent, South San Antonio ISD Theresa Servellon, Chief Academic Officer, South San Antonio ISD Nneka McGee, Executive Director, South San Antonio ISD Sailing in the wrong direction? Waters a little rough? Mutiny on the ship? You’re not alone. Join us for this interactive “how-to” intervention — and grab the helm and chart a new course today! Together, we will navigate through such obstacles as: how to get along (when you don’t get along); how to know where you’re going (when don’t have a map); and how to do less (but better).

Designated Supports Accelerating EL Progress through Cognitive and Linguistic Scaffolding Routines Kilimanjaro 7 Karina Chapa, Language Proficiency, Biliteracy and Cultural Diversity Director, ESC Region 1 Participants will learn about the development and implementation of a four-day TELPAS Academy in Region One ESC, in which 1200+ teachers and administrators have engaged in dynamic, hands-on, professional learning experiences to enhance their understanding of the TELPAS proficiency level descriptors and implement technology tools and innovative practices in their classrooms to increase language proficiency.

Standardized Assessment Don't Let TELPAS Drive You Crazy Kilimanjaro 8 Cristina Sandoval, Director of Assessment, Research and Evaluation, San Benito CISD TELPAS can be quite challenging for even the most seasoned DTC. Join a discussion focusing on TELPAS online testing best practices, troubleshooting common technology issues, and updates for this school year.

Technology A New Way Forward: Successfully Transitioning to Online Testing Kilimanjaro 9

Rachel Haller, Director of Testing, Aldine ISD Katie Gomez, Program Director of Testing, Aldine ISD Kappelle Traylor, Program Director of Testing, Aldine ISD The Student Assessment Department in Aldine ISD will share their experience in transitioning from the administration of paper-based STAAR assessments to fully testing online in the 2020-21 school year. This session will emphasize how a transition plan, supportive partnerships, and specific resources made the change a success for all involved. Participants will hear about lessons learned and gain a framework for planning the transition at their campus or in their district.

State Testing CAI/Pearson: Paper Ordering Made Easy Portia Ghi Crisafulli, Senior Program Manager, Cambium Learning Group Emily Zucker, Program Manager, Pearson This session will provide a walkthrough of all the steps of paper ordering and provide tips on how to avoid issues. Concurrent Sessions