T-SNAP Working with You and for You

1. T-SNAPWorking with You and for You Texas Assessment Conference December 2008

2. What is T-SNAP? • As stated in the constitution of the Texas Statewide Network of Assessment Professionals, we are an organization whose purpose is to • Share information about testing in educational settings • Encourage the appropriate use of testing • Improve the applications of measurement to students and educational programs • Encourage research in the area of elementary and secondary school testing and measurement

3. What T-SNAP Offers Its Members • Opportunities for training through coordinator academies • Discussion of important topics through TETN sessions held in collaboration with TEA and Pearson • Notification of events and critical information through web site postings and e-mail broadcasts • Representation in the planning and conducting of the Texas Assessment Conference

4. Academies • New District Testing Coordinator Academy • Held in Austin each fall • Specifically geared to district coordinators with no experience to one year of experience • A full day of training provided by T-SNAP members, TEA staff, and Pearson staff • Opportunities for networking and sharing with job-alike professionals

5. Academies • Not-So-New District Testing Coordinator Academy • Held in Austin each fall • Specifically geared to district coordinators with two to five years of experience • A full day of training provided by T-SNAP members, TEA staff, and Pearson staff with a slant on reporting and accountability • Opportunities for networking and sharing with job-alike professionals

6. TETNs • Texas Education Telecommunication Network Sessions • Opportunities for testing coordinators to hear updates from TEA and Pearson and to ask questions pertaining to all aspects of the assessment program • Participation available at all twenty Education Service Centers and at numerous satellite locations

7. Web Site • www.tsnap.org • A source for information about T-SNAP • Access to conference handouts • Links to TEA materials and notifications • Alerts regarding TETNs and other events • Links to regional group web sites

8. Assessment Conference • T-SNAP participation in the Texas Assessment Conference • Members of T-SNAP serve on the planning committee. • Numerous members present preconference and concurrent sessions. • The annual business meeting is conducted during the T-SNAP breakfast.

9. Regional Groups • Regional groups affiliated with T-SNAP • BRATS – Bayou Regional Area Test Supervisors (Houston Area) • CATS – Capital Area Testing Supervisors (Austin Area) • DRATS – Desert Region Area Testing Supervisors (El Paso Area) • MATS – Metroplex Area Testing Supervisors (Dallas and Fort Worth Area) • NEATS – North Eastern Area Testing Supervisors (ESC Regions 7 and 8) • RATS – Regional Association of Testing Supervisors (San Antonio Area)

10. Collaborations • Throughout the year, T-SNAP representatives have the opportunity to communicate with and collaborate with TEA and Pearson staff in planning and preparing for the academies, TETNs, and Texas Assessment Conference. • Members also enjoy opportunities to collaborate with each other at T-SNAP sponsored events and through regional group meetings.

11. Membership • Annual dues for T-SNAP are $25.00 and provide membership from December 1 to November 30. • Dues cover expenses associated with the academies, the assessment conference, the web site, mailings, and member gifts. • You can join at the conference by going to the T-SNAP booth or by sending payment to: TSNAP C/O Joe Garrison, Treasurer PO Box 7733 Tyler, Texas 75711