Academics

Testing

MANDATORY ASSESSMENTS

Virtual Assessments

Virtual assessments include:

  • Screeners
  • Interims (this is a mandatory assessment for all TOPS students)
  • TSIA2
  • IBCs
  • TFARs (this is a mandatory assessment for all TOPS students)

Requirements and expectations:

  • Students may be scheduled to take each assessment with a staff member.
  • If assessments are proctored live, students are required to take their assessment with cameras on during the testing time period.
  • Students may be asked to be on camera during the assessment.
  • Microphones may be turned off for interims, but may not be turned off for TSIA2, screeners, and some IBCs.
  • Others (parents/learning coaches) are not to interfere or help students with the assessment.
  • Do not use outside sources (Google, etc.) during the assessment.
  • Testing accommodations will be provided, as aligned to 504, IEP, and RTI documentation.
  • Students who are absent or do not take assessment may be rescheduled until the assessment is complete.

In-Person Assessments

Continued enrollment with TOPS is contingent upon attending all required in-person state testing.

In-person assessments include:

  • STAAR/EOC
  • TELPAS
  • Advanced Placement (AP) – If student signs up but does not attend, the family will be responsible for the testing fees.
  • ACT – If student signs up but does not attend, the family will be responsible for the testing fees.

Parents are responsible for transportation to and from all in-person testing, regardless of distance.

A doctor’s note is required for missed in-person state testing.

Vacations, holidays, and/or doctor’s appointments are not to be scheduled during any mandatory assessment dates.

There is no “option” to permit your child to opt-out of STAAR testing per TEA:

TEC 26.010: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.26.html

STAAR results from grades 3–8 may be used as one data point in the decision for promotion to the next grade level and are intended to provide schools with an assessment of student understanding in order to guide future instructional decisions for students during the following school year.

Per HB1416, students who do not meet standard on STAAR/EOC will be required to participate in up to 30 hours of mandatory tutoring per subject during the summer and/or during the following school year.

STAAR TESTED SUBJECTS (Grades 3-8)

GradeReading & WritingMathScienceSocial Studies
3YESYES  
4YESYES  
5YESYESYES 
6YESYES  
7YESYES  
8YESYESYESYES

END OF COURSE EXAMINATIONS (Grades 9-12)

Algebra 1English 1English 2BiologyUS History

EOCs will be offered to students in the spring they take the corresponding course. Students who do not meet standard on the assessment will be provided with additional opportunities to pass every December and June until standard is met. Passing all five mandatory EOCs is a graduation requirement in the State of Texas.