Testing and Assessment

The Testing and Assessment department coordinates the administration and processing of local, state and federally mandated assessments, provides training and support for test coordinators and principals, and ensures that appropriate test administration and security procedures are followed at all testing sites.  The department also provides guidance on changes to the state assessment program and coordinates online testing. Our department develops reports, and data analysis tools that support continuous school improvement and increased student achievement. Our work is responsive to and reflective of ongoing changes to the state’s accountability system, as well as to the needs of campus and district leaders.
Assessment facilitates the administration of the following assessments:
• State Assessments o The State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) program includes annual assessments for the subject areas and courses below. The STAAR testing program is a more rigorous testing program that emphasizes “readiness” standards, which are those Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) student expectations that are considered most important for success in the grade or course subject that follow and for college and career. The EOC assessments are course-based exams. - Reading (grades 3-8) - Math - Science - Social Studies - End-of-Course assessments in Algebra I, Biology, English 1, English 2, and US History o STAAR-Alternate 2 (grades 3-8 and EOC courses) - STAAR Alternate 2 is an assessment based on alternate academic standards and is designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities receiving special education services. Additionally, the students must meet participation requirements. o TELPAS, TELPAS Alternate - The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) is an English language proficiency assessment aligned to the Texas English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS). This assessment is designed to assess the progress that emergent bilingual (EB) students make in learning the English language. - The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) Alternate is a holistic inventory aligns to the Texas English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPs); however, TELPAS Alternate is based on alternate proficiency level descriptors. This assessment is designed to address the specific access needs of emergent bilingual (EB) students in grades 2–12 with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
• Local Assessments o NWEA MAP Growth - NWEA MAP Growth is an online adaptive normative assessment that provides growth data that can be used over time to ensure that students are meeting growth expectations according to the standards outlined by the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. - It measures what learners know and informs what they are ready to learn next by using a computer adaptive test that adjusts to the ability and knowledge of the learner. - MAP Resources - Family Toolkit - Family Guide to MAP Growth o CLI Suite of Assessments - CLI Engage Suite of Assessments provide data to be used to help early childhood teachers understand student skill levels and individualize instruction to support areas in which students are at-risk for falling significantly behind.  The assessments to be administered in DeSoto ISD are: - CIRCLE for Pre-Kindergarten students - TX-KEA for Kindergarten students - TPRI (English) and TEJAS LEE (Spanish) for First and Second Grade students
• Federal Assessments o National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
• Other Assessments o College Board Assessments – SAT, PSAT NMSQT, and PSAT 8/9
Contact Information: LaKedra Cardell Director of Assessment and Evaluation (972) 223-6666 ext.8407 [email protected] Charles Thomas Coordinator of Assessment and Evaluation (972) 223-6666 ext.5403 [email protected]