1. CLOSING
As we have conducted focus groups, webinars, road shows, and even at our launch event in Austin we have heard from many educators across the state. We track the questions we are asked about TX-KEA in order to better support teachers, schools, and districts. As we come to the end of today’s training, we would like to spend a b
Let’s begin with questions pertaining to the development and design of TX-KEA.
it of time covering some of the most frequently asked questions.

2. FAQs Will TX-KEA become a progress monitoring tool?
This was not part of the scope of the TX-KEA development grant, but the Children’s Learning Institute recently received funding to begin developing progress monitoring tools for several domains.
Q: Will TX-KEA become a progress monitoring tool?
A: This was not part of the scope of the TX-KEA development grant, but the Children’s Learning Institute recently received funding to begin developing progress monitoring tools for several domains.

3. FAQs Will TX-KEA become a state mandated assessment?
TX-KEA itself is not required. It is listed on the Commissioner’s List of Approved Kindergarten Assessment Instruments ( ).
Q: Will TX KEA become a state mandated assessment?
A: TX-KEA itself is not required. It is listed on the Commissioner’s List of Approved Kindergarten Assessment Instruments ( ).
Note: For questions about TEA’s requirements, you may contact TEA’s Statewide Coordinator of Early Childhood Education, Howard Morrision, at

4. FAQs How were items developed?
Content was developed to align with Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and kindergarten Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). A range of items, from easy to hard, are represented. It is not expected that all students will answer all items correctly. The purpose is to learn about the instructional needs and abilities of students.
Q: How were items developed?
A: Content was developed to align with Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and kindergarten Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). A range of items, from easy to hard, are represented. It is not expected that all students will answer all items correctly. The purpose is to learn about the instructional needs and abilities of students.

5. FAQs
Can I compare end-of-year CIRCLE Progress Monitoring data to TX-KEA data?
CIRCLE Progress Monitoring and TX-KEA are conceptually aligned. However, they are not vertically or horizontally equated so their scores are not comparable at this time.
Q: Can I compare end-of-year CIRCLE data to TX-KEA data?
A: CIRCLE and TX-KEA are conceptually aligned. However, they are not vertically or horizontally equated so their scores are not comparable at this time.

6. FAQs Are scores norm-referenced?
Yes. TX-KEA reports students’ percentile ranks.
Q: Are scores norm-referenced?
A: Yes. TX-KEA reports students’ percentile ranks.

7. FAQs
Can you provide background on the selection of Spanish words, prompts, letter pronunciations, etc.?
The selection of prompts, words, and general item content used in the Spanish TX-KEA was guided by criteria related to the construct assessed in each subtest. In general, selection was guided by curricular relevance, linguistic and conceptual features targeted by an item, and other developmental criteria such as age of acquisition, and age of instruction. All items in Spanish were reviewed by committees of Spanish speakers representing various dialects of Spanish. Item translations were also done in committee and when appropriate underwent back translation procedures to ensure adherence to the construct being measured.
Q: Can you provide background on the selection of Spanish words, prompts, letter pronunciations etc.?
A: The selection of prompts, words, and general item content used in the Spanish TX-KEA was guided by criteria related to the construct assessed in each subtest. In general, selection was guided by curricular relevance, linguistic and conceptual features targeted by an item, and other developmental criteria such as age of acquisition, and age of instruction. All items in Spanish were reviewed by committees of Spanish speakers representing various dialects of Spanish. Item translations were also done in committee and when appropriate underwent back translation procedures to ensure adherence to the construct being measured.
Let’s now address some of the more general questions we have received.

8. FAQs Can TX-KEA be used at the end of prekindergarten?
TX-KEA is intended to be administered between early September and the end of October of the kindergarten school year. Assessment items are specifically designed for children at that age, so giving it several months early may invalidate the results.
Q: Can TX-KEA be used at the end of prekindergarten?
A: No. TX-KEA is intended to be administered between early September and the end of October of the kindergarten school year. Assessment items are specifically designed for children at that age, so giving it several months early may invalidate the results.

9. FAQs
What if a child comes into my classroom after the recommended window? 
If TX-KEA was administered to the student at the previous school, there will be a way to request the data on CLI Engage. Otherwise, you can give TX-KEA up to the Christmas holidays. Beyond that, the data would no longer be valid.
Q: What if a child comes into my classroom after the recommended window? Can I still administer TX-KEA?
A: If TX-KEA was administered to the student at the previous school, there will be a way to request the data on CLI Engage. Otherwise, you can give TX-KEA up to the Christmas holidays. Beyond that, the data would no longer be valid.

10. FAQs Is TX-KEA computer adaptive?
TX-KEA is not an adaptive assessment.
Q: Is TX-KEA computer adaptive? 
A: TX-KEA is not an adaptive assessment.

11. FAQs Will CLI Engage be able to handle additional users for TX-KEA?
Yes. Additional servers are being added. In addition, extensive testing is now being conducted to determine capacities and identify where bottlenecks would occur in so that adjustments can be made to the system.
Q: Will Engage be able to handle additional users for TX-KEA?
A: Yes. Additional servers are being added. In addition, extensive testing is now being conducted to determine capacities and identify where bottlenecks would occur in so that adjustments can be made to the system.

12. FAQs Who will have access to student data?
On CLI Engage, available TX-KEA reports include individual reports for parents and teachers, and group reports for teachers and school administrators.
Q: Who will have access to student data?
A: On CLI Engage, available TX-KEA reports include individual reports for parents and teachers, and group reports for teachers and school administrators.

13. FAQs How do I receive information and updates about TX-KEA?
Join the TX-KEA mailing list at
Q: How do I receive information and updates about TX-KEA?
A: Join the TX-KEA mailing list at Click on the “Sign Up Now” button on our home page.
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On the TX-KEA website homepage you will find a blue “Sign Up Now” button.

14. Frequently Asked Questions can also be found on the TX-KEA website at This page is updated periodically to include common questions received by the TX-KEA team.
If you have a question about the TX-KEA assessment that you cannot find an answer for, simply use the “Ask a question” button on the FAQ page. You will receive an answer in the form of an reply.

15. For questions specific to the Engage platform or electronic administration of TX-KEA, users should submit a Help Ticket through Engage.

16. Remember, CLI Engage also houses a number of helpful resources
Remember, CLI Engage also houses a number of helpful resources. You must be logged into Engage to access these resources.

17. After you click on “How-To Guides,” you will see a number of ways to filter the available resources. An easy way to find the TX-KEA resources is to scroll to the “Find How-To Guides by Category” section and click the button for the Texas Kindergarten Entry Assessment.

18. ?
Questions
Now that we’ve discussed the most frequently asked questions we’ve received over the past year, we would like to provide time for you to ask any additional questions you may have.