Reading Academies - Cohort Leader Screener Registration

1. What does the screener consist of? What is the general structure of the assessment?
The Screener consists of two main parts, an initial assessment (multiple choice and short answer), which requires an 80% passing rate to proceed to the next part.  The second part is a set of artifacts, which contain a variety of higher-level tasks to demonstrate competency in the science of teaching reading, both in ELA and SLAR (Biliteracy).

2. How does the Biliteracy screener differ from the General Ed. screener?
The Biliteracy Screener is more comprehensive and prepares a cohort leader to facilitate either/both General Ed. (ELA) and Biliteracy (SLAR) cohorts.  The initial assessment (multiple choice and short answer) consists of 69 total questions for the Biliteracy Screener, as compared to 34 questions for the General. Ed. Screener.  The artifacts section for each Screener contains the same general types of artifacts, but the Biliteracy Screener contains additional tasks.

3. How long will the screener take?
Overall the Screener should take between 3 to 5 hours to complete.

The Screener consists of two parts.  Neither part is officially timed.  However, we estimate that the initial assessment (multiple choice and short answer) should take between 30 - 60 min. (General Ed.) and 45 - 90 min. (Biliteracy).  We estimate that the artifacts section should take between 2.5 - 3 hours (General Ed.), and 3 - 3.5 hours (Biliteracy).  

4. Do I have to complete the screener all at once?
No. Once you have logged into the system, and started the Screener, you may log out and log back in anytime with your 7-day window. Your progress should be saved.

5. What happens if I do not complete the Screener by the end of the current window?
You will have to sign up to retake the Screener in a later window, and your progress will not be saved.

6. When will I find out if I have passed the Screener?
You will know right away if you passed the first part, an initial assessment (multiple choice and short answer), because you will automatically proceed to the next part of the Screener, the artifacts section, if you score an 80% or higher. However, some artifacts will be reviewed by a Cohort Leader Review Panel, that is set to convene after the end of the Screener window. 

To see the final screener results please sign into https://tra.esc11.net.

7. What happens if I do not pass the screener?
You will have to sign up to retake the Screener in a later window. You can attempt the Screener 3 times per year.

8. What are the next steps if I pass the screener?
You will need to be hired by an Authorized Provider. Once you are working with an Authorized Provider they will sign you up for Cohort Leader Training.

9. Can the Review Panel Artifacts be contested?
No. The Review Panel Artifacts are graded by our Westat panel of national experts in the Science of Teaching Reading. All panelists have received calibration sessions with our TEA Content team to ensure that grading is accurate with our standards. Each artifact is graded by 3 different panelists to ensure that the grade aligns to the rubric. 

10. Does passing the Cohort Leader Screener count towards HB3 credit?

No. In order to receive HB3 credit you must meet the following criteria:

• Pass the Cohort Leader Screener
• Hired by an Authorized Provider
• Attend Cohort Leader Training
• Lead a minimum of one cohort for the 12-month term