The NISD Testing Office is responsible for ensuring the fidelity of the following test administrations and delivering valid, reliable data to inform instruction that promotes student growth:
- CogAT
- Credit by Exam
- STAAR Interim Assessments
- STAAR 3-8, STAAR EOC & STAAR Alternate 2
- TELPAS & TELPAS Alternate
- PSAT/NMSQT & SAT
- TSIA2
- Other National Assessments
Northside ISD implements a Balanced Assessment System, using a variety of assessments to provide evidence of student learning and growth to inform instructional decision making.
The Northside Testing Office facilitates group assessment activities for large-scale administrations including but not limited to state mandated assessments and delivers valid, reliable data to inform instruction that promotes student growth. NISD has long felt that local-option testing programs are vital to provide information that is crucial to further excellence in teaching.
We invite you to contact us at 210-397-8726 with any questions you may have regarding the assessments listed below.
STAAR/STAAR ALT 2
The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) program, which was implemented in spring 2012, includes annual assessments for
- reading and mathematics, grades 3–8
- science at grades 5 and 8
- social studies at grade 8
- end-of-course (EOC) assessments for English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology and U.S history.
STAAR Alternate 2 assesses students in grades 3–8 and high school who have significant cognitive disabilities and are receiving special education services.
TELPAS/TELPAS ALT
- Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System
- Is designed to assess the progress that limited Emergent Bilingual (EB) students make in learning the English language.
- Is taken in kindergarten through grade 12 in four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- Assesses students in alignment with the Texas English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS), which are part of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The ELPS proficiency level descriptors (PLDs) present the major characteristics of each language proficiency level in each language domain. The PLDs define how well ELLs at the four proficiency levels are able to understand and use English in grade-level academic settings.
Student performance is reported in terms of four English language proficiency levels: beginning, intermediate, advanced, and advanced high.
All limited English proficient students as identified by the bilingual student placement center.
An online reading test based on multiple choice questions used to determine students English reading levels.
- Teachers are trained to use proficiency level descriptors to determine the English language proficiency levels of students based on classroom observations and written student work.
- Teachers are required to go online and pass calibration tests that assess the teacher’s knowledge of rating various student TELPAS writing, listening and speaking samples. A teacher must successfully calibrate every year in order to qualify to assess students TELPAS ratings. After passing the TELPAS calibration test the teacher is also required to go online and pass a refresher TELPAS training course where the teacher rates various writing samples.
TELPAS results are used to meet state and federal reporting and accountability requirements teachers are trained to use proficiency level descriptors (assessment guidelines) to determine the English language proficiency levels of students based on classroom observations and written student work.
- Beginning (Little or no English ability)
- Intermediate (Limited ability, simple language structures, high-frequency vocabulary, routine contexts)
- Advanced (Grade appropriate, with second language acquisition support)
- Advanced High (Grade appropriate, with minimal second language acquisition support)
- To help parents monitor the progress their children make in learning English.
- To inform instructional planning and program exit decisions for individual students.
- To report performance to local school boards, school professionals, and the community.
- To evaluate programs, resources, and staffing patterns.
- To evaluate districts and campuses in a variety of state and federal accountability measures.
COGAT
COGAT 07 Information
The Cognitive Abilities Test™ (CogAT) measures general reasoning abilities in three domains: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. CogAT’s measurement of three different content domains ensures that educators receive a balanced view of the child. Although its primary goal is to assess students’ reasoning abilities, CogAT can also provide predicted achievement scores when administered with The Iowa Tests.
- A Parents' Guide to Ability and Student Learning
- How CogAT® Provides Insight into Student Ability and Learning
PSAT
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It's a standardized test that provides first hand practice for the SAT®. It also gives students a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools.
NISD currently offers the PSAT test to all sophomores and juniors as a tool to prepare for the SAT and National Merit Scholarship program. The test is given once a year in October. For questions regarding this test, please contact your high school Counselor.
NEW for Fall 2023: PSAT will be delivered on a digital platform. For additional information visit the College Board Digital Suite of Assessments webpage.
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PSAT/NMSQT Testing Dates for 2023-2024 |
Registration for 10th & 11th grade homeschool students will open on Monday, August 28, 2023. The deadline for homeschool students to register for the October 17, 2023, PSAT administration is Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Due to College Board’s test ordering deadline and planning, no late registrations will be accepted. Review the 23-24 Homeschool PSAT letter for additional information. Register online. Registration opens August 28, 2023, and closes September 26, 2023. |
Out of School (OOS)/Out of District (OOD)
Northside ISD does not offer Out of District testing to students enrolled in other districts or virtual academies. If your child is an Out of District student, please contact your child’s school or virtual academy to arrange testing.
Northside ISD offers STAAR EOC testing to Out of School students only who are no longer enrolled in any school, in person or virtual. Examinees who have not passed a STAAR EOC assessment and are no longer enrolled in school but have otherwise completed requirements for graduation should register for STAAR OOS testing. Registration forms will be available here in early October.