June 2, 2010

SUBJECT: College Preparation Program–District Participation Agreement

To the Administrator Addressed:

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is gathering information regarding school district and charter school participation in the College Preparation Program for the 2010–2011 school year. The College Preparation Program offers Texas public school districts and charter schools the opportunity to establish an agreement with one approved vendor to provide state-funded college readiness assessments for grades 8 and 10 (Texas Education Code, §39.0261).Please note that the agreement must include both grade levels. Agreements established and funded by the state will include appropriate data-reporting and professional development on the use of the data for improving instruction.

The TEA will track vendor selection through the District Participation Agreement survey. The survey is available online at

A survey must be completed and submitted by eachschool district and charter school that plans to participate in the College Preparation Program.Please note that participation agreements completed with an approved vendor are not a substitute for the TEA District Participation Agreement.

The two vendors approved through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to implement this program are ACT, Inc. and The College Board. The determination of which assessment program to use is a district-level decision. Individual schools may not choose a test vendor different from the one chosen by the district. Districts are encouraged to select the assessment that best suits the needs of their schools and students. For more information regarding the College Preparation Program and the approved vendors, please visit the program website at

Please complete the survey online at: and submit it electronically by July 2, 2010.

If you have any questions regarding this survey or the College Preparation Program, please contact Kelly Callaway, Foundation Curriculum Director, at Shelly Ramos, Acting Policy Director, . Both can be reached by phone at (512) 463-9581.

Sincerely,

Anita Givens

Associate Commissioner

Standards and Programs