Assessment

AP Exam Ordering Information:

The preferred ordering deadline is October 4, 2022 for all AP exams.  The last day to submit your order without any additional fees is November 15, 2022.  Exams orders submitted after this date will incur an additional $40 per exam late order fee, with some exceptions. 

AP Exam Schedule:

The 2023 AP Exams will be administered in School over two weeks in May: May 1-5 and May 8-12.

The ACT test covers four academic areas (English, math, reading, and scientific reasoning), with an optional writing test.  The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete, including a short break (or just over four hours if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing). Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (plus 30 minutes if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing).  Students receive a composite score of a 1 to a 36.  On all, questions there is no penalty for guessing.  As you begin to study, check out these helpful tips for taking the ACT.

Here are the  2022 - 2023 testing:

The SAT is a three hour test and consists of three tests: (1) the Reading Test, (2) the* Writing and Language Test, and (3) the Math Test.  Most of the questions are multiple choice, though some of the math questions ask you to write in the answer rather than select it.  On all, questions there is no penalty for guessing.  Students receive a total score of a 400 to a 1600.  As you begin to study, check out these helpful tips for taking the SAT.

Here are the 2022-2023 testing dates:

*Texas City HS is a testing site for the dates indicated above.

The basic registration fee includes score reports for up to four college choices, if you list valid codes when you register.

The PSAT/NMSQT give insight into the student's progress towards college and career readiness and success.  The PSAT/NMSQT is an excellent way for students to preview and practice for the SAT because they are tightly aligned with the new SAT.

In addition to preparation for the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT provides:

• Students access to free personalized SAT studies

• Connect students to AP courses, scholarships, and colleges

• the official route of entry to the Nation Merit® Scholarship Program

Texas City ISD offers the PSAT/NMSQT to every student during the fall of their sophomore year.  For more information on the PSAT/NMSQT, please refer to the College Board's website.

The Texas Assessment Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) is the assessment instrument used to determine college readiness for students who do not receive an exemption score on the SAT or ACT as required by the Texas Success Initiative. The TSIA2 consists of two multiple choice sections: Math and English Language Arts Reading. The TSIA2 also includes a WritePlacer essay section. Students who do not pass one or all parts of the TSIA2 must enroll in an appropriate developmental education course before enrolling in college-level work.

Texas City ISD high school campuses are official TSIA2 testing sites for enrolled students and we offer the TSIA2 to every student during their junior year.  The English Language Arts/Reading assessment and WritePlacer essay is administered in the fall and the Math assessment is administered in the spring.

For more information on the TSIA2, please refer to the College Board's website.

Click here to take a practice TSIA2 assessment.

Credit by Exam for Acceleration (K-8) or Academic Course Credit (9-12) Process:

• Students must be enrolled in Texas City ISD in order to participate in a Credit by Examination for Acceleration or Academic Course Credit.  This includes students entering the district for the first time.

• The parent or legal guardian must complete the form and then submit the form to the school counselor for signed approval.  The form is then forwarded to the Director of Accountability and Assessment who will order the exams.

• There is no charge for these exams for all students enrolled in Texas City ISD.

• After the exams are ordered, the campus counselor will schedule the date/time/location for the administration and notify the students and parents at least one week in advance.  The district does not provide study guides, textbooks, or other resource materials to students to prepare for the examinations.  However, resources are available to students and parents at: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/k12/cbe/review/.

• Exams will be sent to Texas Tech University for scoring once the test has been administered.  Score reports will be delivered upon receipt from TTU.

• A student may not attempt an individual Credit by Examination for Acceleration or Academic Course Credit more than two times.

Grade Acceleration

Exams for Acceleration or Academic Course Credit are offered in July, October, February, and June for students enrolled in TCISD.  Application should be made through the school counselor.  Application deadlines for exam sessions are listed on the registration form and the district website.  No other Credit by Examinations for Acceleration or Academic Course Credit are offered during the school year.  Student placement in a new grade level will only occur at the start of a school year.  Once a student has begun a grade level or course, the student is no longer eligible to take the corresponding Credit by Examination for Acceleration or Academic Course Credit.

Kindergarten Acceleration

State law requires students to be five years old by September 1^st for entry into Kindergarten.  Consequently, TCISD Board Policy does not provide for early admittance to Kindergarten.  A student who attends private Kindergarten when the student is five years old may take the Kindergarten Exams for Acceleration the following year.  A student must be enrolled in Texas City ISD in order to participate in the Kindergarten Exams for Acceleration during the summer.  There will be only one Kindergarten Exam for Acceleration administration each year, and it will take place in July.  Students will take four exams: Reading Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.  Per TCISD Board Policy EHDC (LOCAL) a student must receive a score of 80% or higher on all four exams in order to be considered for acceleration to first grade.  Other requirements include:

• A recommendation from the kindergarten or preschool the student has attended.
• The students will be enrolled in kindergarten for the first four weeks of school to allow campus staff to observe the student’s social and emotional development.
• The student will be given the district approved beginning of the year screener.  The student must score at the “Independent Reading Level” equivalent to the beginning of first grade on this screener.
• The student will be interviewed by a campus committee composed of the principal, counselor, kindergarten teacher and first grade teacher.  A standardized set of questions will be used for each applicant.
• A committee composed of the campus principal, counselor, kindergarten teacher, first grade teacher, and parent will review the above data to make a recommendation regarding placement.
• A district level designee will review all data and the committee’s recommendation before a placement is made.

Acceleration for Grades 1 through 8

Students will take four exams: Reading Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.  Students must receive a score of 80% or higher on all four exams in order to be considered for acceleration to the next grade level.  Students testing during the fall window are eligible to accelerate immediately, while those who test during the spring and summer windows will become eligible for acceleration the following year.  As per TCISD Board Policy EHDE (LEGAL), a district representative must recommend the acceleration of a student in grades 1 through 5.

Academic Course Credit for High School

Students must take an exam for each semester of an academic course for which they are attempting to earn credit.  The student must earn at least an 80% on both semesters exams to receive credit for the course.  If a student is given credit in a subject on the basis of an exam in which the student scored an 80% or higher, then the exam score will be entered on the student’s transcript.  The exam score will not be computed in class rank.

Review this important information prior to completing the CBE application:

• Testing is available to Texas City ISD students who are currently enrolled in a Texas City ISD school.

• Students may not attempt CBE for a grade or course that they are currently enrolled in.

• Students in Grades K-8 who are attempting to test out of the NEXT grade level may register to test on any of the dates below. If criteria for acceleration are met, placement in the next grade level will only occur at the start of the following school year.

• All tests are available in English only.

• Completed applications are due by the application deadline. Counselors will verify the information, sign, and submit the form to the Student Assessment office.

• Applications must be received in the Student Assessment office by 5:00 PM of the day listed as the deadline date.

• Late application will be transferred to the next available test date.

2022-2023 Credit by Examination Application

The CIRCLE Progress Monitoring System is a standardized, criterion-referenced measure that enables a teacher to quickly assess a child’s progress in a particular skill area.

The CIRCLE Progress Monitoring System provides teachers immediate feedback that shows children’s progress in:

• Language & Communication
• Emergent Literacy: Reading
• Emergent Literacy: Writing
• Mathematics
• Social and Emotional Development

Teachers use information from the CIRCLE Progress Monitoring System to inform instructional decision-making for small group and individual lesson planning.

For more information about CIRCLE Progress Monitoring System, please visit the CLI Engage website.

MAP Growth testing is available for student in grades Kindergarten - 12th in reading and math.

MAP Growth, a computer adaptive interim assessment, creates a personalized assessment experience by adapting to each student's learning level - precisely measuring student progress and growth for each individual.

To learn more about the test, visit the NWEA Map Growth website.

The Texas Kindergarten Entry Assessment System (TX-KEA) is the result of a collaborative effort between the US Department of Education, the Texas Education Agency, and the Children’s Learning Institute (CLI) at UTHealth to develop and validate a kindergarten entry assessment that can be reliably administered by kindergarten teachers in Texas at the beginning of the school year. It covers multiple child development domains to provide a holistic understanding of each student and better informs kindergarten teachers about the children in their classes, helping them to design differentiated instruction to meet students’ needs and share information with families.

For more information about TX-KEA, please visit the CLI Engage website.

The Texas Primary Reading Inventory (TPRI)  is an early reading assessment that provides information about your child’s reading development, including strengths and difficulties. Your child’s teacher uses this information to plan lessons to best meet your child’s individual needs while supporting them in becoming a successful reader.  

Texas City ISD administers this assessment to all 1st and 2nd grade students.  The TPRI and Tejas LEE can be used:

• to detect early reading difficulties, and identify students who may be at risk of struggling with reading.
• to provide s summary of reading skills that teachers can use in planning individual and/or group instruction
• to fullfill the requirements of the Texas education Code §28.006, requiring an early reading inventory for each child in the state

For more information about the TPRI and Tejas Lee, please visit the CLI Engage website.

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) is designed to test students’ knowledge and skills in a deeper way, STAAR is based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

Elementary Assessments

• 3rd – Mathematics and Reading/Language Arts (including English and Spanish versions)
• 4th – Mathematics and Reading/Language Arts (including English & Spanish versions)
• 5th – Mathematics, Reading/Language Arts and Science (including English & Spanish versions)

Middle School Assessments

• 6th – Mathematics and Reading/Language Arts
• 7th – Mathematics and Reading/Language Arts 
• 8th – Mathematics, Reading/Language Arts, Social Studies and Science

High School Assessments

• English I
• Algebra I
• Biology
• English II
• U.S. History

TEA has provided the following document for parents to better understand STAAR:

What Families Should Know About STAAR (English PDF or Spanish PDF)

For more information, visit The Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment page.

Accelerated testers are defined as students who complete a STAAR EOC at the Approaches Grade Level or above standard in Algebra I, English II, and/or Biology prior to grade 9.

To comply with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), all students who take a STAAR EOC prior to their 9th grade year will be required to take either the ACT or SAT before graduating.  This allowance was granted by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to prevent students in middle school from having to take both a STAAR grade level assessment and EOC in the same year.

2023 Update:

The Texas Education Agengy is delaying the release of the Spring 2023 results due to the redesign of the assessment.  The Spring 2023 STAAR Reporting Timelines released by TEA can be found below for both End-of Course exams and 3-8 STAAR:

Spring 2023 STAAR Reporting Timelines End-of-Course (English PDF or Spanish PDF)

Spring 2023 STAAR Reporting Timelines Grade 3-8 (English PDF or Spanish PDF)

Once official scores become available, they will become accessible through Skyward using the directions provided below:

Texas City ISD will be providing families with STAAR and other state test results electronically utilizing the Texas Assessment Student Portal. The Student Portal provides students and parents with online access to a student’s state assessment scores. This includes STAAR grades 3 – 8, STAAR End-­of-­Course, STAAR Alternate, TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System) and TELPAS Alternate.

Skyward has worked with TEA to implement a single sign on option to provide parents with direct access to the online Student Assessment Portal to access state testing results. To enable this access, follow the steps below.

To access the Student Portal via single Sign on in Skyward:

• Login to Skyward Family Access
• If a family has more than one student enrolled in TCISD, select one student at a time from the All Students dropdown
• Then, click on District Links, on the far right, and select TEA Assessment to view all of your student’s state testing results
• Click here if you are having difficulty and need assistance.

For more information about your child’s score, visit Texas Assessment Family Portal.

TEA designed the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) to assess the progress that Emergent Bilingual (EB) students, also referred to as English learners (ELs), make in learning the English language. Texas annually assesses students in kindergarten through grade 12 who have been identified as EB in four language domains - listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 

The results indicate how well students understand and use English during academic instruction. Students not making steady progress may require additional assistance at school.

TEA developed TELPAS to meet state and federal requirements. More information can be found at https://tea.texas.gov/student-assessment/testing/telpas/telpas-resources

The Texas City ISD Curriculum & Instruction Department often receives questions from the community about "opting out" of state testing.  Please see the FAQ Opting Out of State Testing document to clarify state requriments.

For more information regarding Opting Out of Standardized Tests (TASB, Texas Association of School Boards, Legal Services), please visit the linked FAQ document.

Texas City ISD is committed to complying with state and federal laws related to state assessments.

Texas education code outlines parental rights related to STAAR Testing.  According to the education code shown below, Texas Education Agency (TEA) does not allow parents to remove a student from tests.

EDUCATION CODE
TITLE 2. PUBLIC EDUCATION
SUBTITLE E. STUDENTS AND PARENTS
CHAPTER 26. PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

     Sec. 26.010.  EXEMPTION FROM INSTRUCTION.  (a)  A parent is entitled to remove the parent's child temporarily from a class or other school activity that conflicts with the parent's religious or moral beliefs if the parent presents or delivers to the teacher of the parent's child a written statement authorizing the removal of the child from the class or other school activity.  A parent is not entitled to remove the parent's child from a class or other school activity to avoid a test or to prevent the child from taking a subject for an entire semester.  (b)  This section does not exempt a child from satisfying grade level or graduation requirements in a manner acceptable to the school district and the agency.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.(Texas Statutes, accessed 28 Feb. 2022,  http://statues.capitol.texas.gov/?link=ED)

According to House bill 4545 and the Texas Education Agency, students who do not meet standard on a subject area STAAR test (or do not take the test) are required to attend a 30-hour per subject Accelerated Instruction.  For additional information, contact TEA using the Student Assessment Help Desk or call 512-463-9536.

El Distrito Escolar Independiente de Willis está comprometido a cumplir con las leyes estatales y federales con lo que respecta a las evaluaciones estatales.

El código de educación de Texas describe los derechos de los padres relacionados con las pruebas STAAR. De acuerdo con el código de educación que se muestra a continuación, la Agencia de Educación de Texas (TEA) no permite que los padres retiren a un estudiante de las pruebas.

CÓDIGO DE EDUCACIÓN
TITULO 2. EDUCACIÓN PÚBLICA
SUBTÍTULO E. ESTUDIANTES Y PADRES
CAPÍTULO 26. DERECHOS Y RESPONSABILIDADES DE LOS PADRES

     Sec. 26.010.  EXENCIÓN DE LA INSTRUCCIÓN.  (a) Un padre tiene derecho a retirar a su hijo temporalmente de una clase u otra actividad escolar que entre en conflicto con las creencias religiosas o morales del padre si el padre presenta o entrega al maestro del hijo una declaración escrita autorizando el retiro del hijo de la clase u otra actividad escolar.  Un padre no tiene derecho a retirar a su hijo de una clase u otra actividad escolar para evitar un examen o para impedir que el niño curse una asignatura durante todo un semestre.  (b) Esta sección no exime a un niño de satisfacer el nivel de grado o los requisitos de graduación de una manera aceptable para el distrito escolar y la agencia.

Agregado por Actos 1995, 74ava Leg., cap. 260, Sec. 1, eff. 30 de mayo de 1995. (Estatutos de Texas, consultado el 28 de febrero de 2022, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?link=ED)

De acuerdo con el proyecto de ley 4545 y la Agencia de Educación de Texas, los estudiantes que no cumplan con el estándar en un examen STAAR de una materia (o no toman el examen) están obligados a asistir a una Instrucción Acelerada de 30 horas por materia. Para información adicional, contacte a la Agencia de Educacion de Texas (TEA) por sus siglas en inglés, usando la Mesa de Ayuda para la Evaluación de Estudiantes o llame al 512-463-9536.

Beginning with the 2017–2018 school year, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) assessments will no longer be administered. Students for whom TAKS is a graduation requirement, including former TAAS and TEAMS examinees, may pursue the following options to receive a Texas high school diploma.

Request a District Decision

A former student should contact the school district where he or she was last enrolled to request a district decision regarding whether he or she qualifies to graduate and receive a high school diploma. More information about this option can be found in Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 74.1027.  If you finished your high school coursework in Texas City ISD and would like a district decision, please contact Dr. Randy Willison at jwillison@tcisd.org. 

If you have questions about TAC §74.1027, please contact the Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division at 512.463.9581 or curriculum@tea.texas.gov.

Achieve Satisfactory Performance on an Alternate Assessment

The alternate assessments allowed for TAKS are SAT, ACT, TSI, and STAAR. Former TAKS, TAAS, and TEAMS examinees should take only the appropriate part of the alternate assessment he or she needs to fulfill testing graduation requirements. More information about this option can be found in TAC 101.4003.

If you have questions about TAC §101.4003, contact the Student Assessment Division at 512.463.9536 or student.assessment@tea.texas.gov.