July 17 UPDATE-- July CAT Testing Blackout Canceled.  Please read the background information to this post  here.

Dear TASPA members,

I received the email below this morning.  I spoke with Janet Cook of ETS as well, and she clarified that the online ETS registration system is the only item to shut down, and will not be available from August 6, 2008, through August 10, 2008.

 During the online registration blackout, candidates will still be able to test, and scores will still be available through the SBEC system.  Registration for the 2008-09 testing year will open at 8:00 a.m. CT on August 11.

We appreciate the responsiveness of ETS and SBEC upon learning of our concerns.

Best,

alex

Attention: Educator Preparation Programs

We have good news! The July CAT testing blackout has been cancelled. After further discussion with TEA and various stakeholders in Texas, we have a better understanding of the potential impact to districts and to test takers of scheduling the CAT maintenance window during the latter part of July. Therefore, we have determined that the work planned on the iBT/CAT system will be postponed to a later date and we will be opening up testing from July 19-July 31^st. 

Candidates will be able to start registering online by 4:00 p.m. Central Time today for dates after July 21st. Since it is not possible to schedule appointments online fewer than four days prior to the test date, we have taken the following steps to allow test takers to register for tests on July 19, 20, and 21.

1. We have arranged for our call center staff to be able to override the four-day advance registration rule and schedule test takers within 24 hours of the test date. 

2. In addition to regular customer service hours, we will have call center staff available from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT to take phone registrations on Saturday, July 19^th and Sunday, July 20^th.

3.  We will be posting a notice on www.texes.ets.org outlining these procedures for test takers.
4.  We ask your assistance in notifying your educators/interns of the need to call to register for dates between July 19 and July 21.

We value our partnership in support of Texas candidates, and know that good communication with you and input from you is essential to our success. Please contact us via the EPP Admin mailbox at EPPAdmin@ets.org if you have any questions or concerns, or need help scheduling a candidate for testing.

Sincerely,

Janet Cook

__________________________
Janet Cook
Executive Director, Texas Educator Certification
Higher Education & School Assessments
Educational Testing Service