Subject: Reminder 2016 STAAR Participation Collection for May Administrations

January 22, 2016

To the District and ESC Testing Coordinator Addressed:

ACTION REQUIRED

This is a reminder that participation counts for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) May 2016 grades 3‒8 and EOC administrations, including English III and Algebra II, must be submitted by 11:00 PM (CT) on Friday, January 22, 2016.

NOTE: English III and Algebra II assessments will be available for districts to administer on an optional basis. Districts that elect to offer either English III or Algebra II, or both assessments, must administer the applicable tests TO ALL STUDENTS in the district who are enrolled in these courses.

Districts will not have an opportunity to update participation counts after the close of the collection window. If participation counts are not entered, information previously submitted for the spring 2015 STAAR grades 3‒8 and EOC administrations through the Texas Assessment Management System (TAMS) will be used. It is therefore important to use this opportunity to ensure that participation counts are accurate.

Refer to the STAAR Assessment Management System User’s Guide for questions about submitting participation counts, or contact the Texas Assessment Support Center by phone at (855) 333-7770, or by email at [email protected] or [email protected].

If you have questions or need additional information about the 2015–2016 assessment activities and rules, please call TEA’s Student Assessment Division at (512) 463-9536.