Smooth-running, secure STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) testing was the focus of three days of training at Forest Brook Middle School last week for 604 educators from HISD campuses.

The Leadership Development Department teamed up with representatives from Student Assessment, Multilingual Programs, and Special Education to offer practical exercises for those involved in the testing at all grade levels, both veterans and newcomers.

Veteran principals, assistant principals, deans, test coordinators, Special Education and LPAC chairpersons attended two-hour training on current updates related to the administration of the STAAR and EOC tests. A comprehensive four-hour session was also developed for first-time principals and their campus testing teams.

The emphasis, according to Kim Golden of HISD Leadership Development, was on situational exercises and scenarios – “things like what to do if a student refuses to take a test or how to handle a student getting sick during testing.”

Seventy-three veteran middle school personnel and 34 new principals and their teams attended the first day of training. Elementary school sessions the next day involved 259 veteran participants and 96 first-time team members. Finally, high schools were represented by 121 veteran principals and their teams and 21 new principals and campus representatives.

For the latest on STAAR testing in HISD, visit www.houstonisd.org/STAAR.