New Texas Assessment Program Vendor Information
As announced in fall 2020, the Texas assessment program will transition to a new vendor team—Cambium Assessment, Inc. and NCS Pearson, Inc.—starting on September 1, 2021.
Cambium will host and manage the testing platform for all assessments and manage the registration, administration, scoring, and reporting for the entire assessment portfolio. Cambium delivered more than 60 million online tests in 2018–2019 and currently serves 28 states and territories, as well as the College Board. Pearson will be responsible for item development and test form construction. Pearson has supported Texas assessments for 40 years and will be a valuable resource in developing items that strongly align to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Cambium, Pearson, and TEA will work closely with educators across Texas to ensure a seamless transition of vendor services and support.
Transition Resources
Use the links below to find general resources for the transition to our new testing vendors:
New Vendors Overview (Video posted 06/23/21)
Assessment Management System Transition Timelines
Data File Format for Student Registration and Data File Format for Test Attributes
Minimum System Requirements (PDF posted 07/01/21)
User Role Permissions for the Texas Assessment Program (PDF posted 07/23/21)
Training Resources
The table below provides information on training opportunities that have been scheduled through the summer to support a successful transition to new assessment vendors. Registration links for the applicable trainings will be posted in the new Learning Management System (LMS) on July 12, 2021.
| Training Events | Brief Description | Audience and Access | Date |
|
New Vendors Overview |
Learn about assessment vendors CAI and Pearson |
Audience: All Access: Recorded presentation on this webpage under Transition Resources |
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 |
|
Introduction to the Learning Management System (LMS) |
Learn how to access training for the Texas Assessment Program |
Audience: All Access: Recorded presentation in LMS |
Monday, July 12, 2021 |
|
Technology Requirements Overview |
Learn how to prepare network and student devices to support the testing |
Audience: Technology coordinators Access: Register for live webinar in LMS |
Tuesday, July 20, 2021 |
|
District Testing Coordinator Overview |
Get an overview of the new systems supporting the Texas Assessment Program |
Audience: District testing coordinators Access: Register for live webinar in LMS |
Tuesday, July 27, 2021 |
|
Beginning-of-Year (BOY) Assessment Overview |
Get an overview of this free, optional assessment to measure student learning |
Audience: Testing coordinators Access: Recorded presentation in LMS |
Friday, July 30, 2021 |
|
Campus Testing Coordinator Overview |
Get an overview of the new systems supporting the Texas Assessment Program |
Audience: Campus testing coordinators Access: Register for live webinar in LMS |
Tuesday, August 3, 2021 |
|
Virtual Practice Training |
Practice registering users, adding student test settings, and other administrative activities |
Audience: Testing coordinators Access: Register for only one live webinar in LMS |
Wednesday, August 4, 2021 Thursday, August 5, 2021 Tuesday, August 10, 2021 Thursday, August 12, 2021 |
|
STAAR Interim Assessment Overview |
Get an overview of this free, optional tool that provides educators with actionable data |
Audience: Testing coordinators and other educators Access: Recorded presentation in LMS |
Friday, August 20, 2021 |
|
Introduction to the Centralized Reporting System (CRS) |
Learn about the CRS that provides student performance reports |
Audience: Testing coordinators Access: Register for live webinar in LMS |
Tuesday, August 31, 2021 |