We are being thrust into TIA next year. We have presented our district with options for how we would like to proceed and they aren't willing to pay much for assessments. We really wanted to use Music First, but it looks like we are going to have to create assessments on our own. Has anyone had to do this on their own? What kinds of assessments did you create? We want this to be simple in terms of how it is done: we have chromebooks to use, so a digital exam is fine. Thanks in advance.
Re: TIA assessment
Posted by Utility Instrument on 12/14/2025, 6:57 pm, in reply to "TIA assessment"
Last I checked. Texas Tech has to review your assessment, you test it, make changes if necessary so its statistically viable, then they will APPROVE it or deny it, then do a base group, year 2 then you run it. Collect data for the year, if you meet the threshold AND your TTESS matches the growth, THEN you are compensated.
YUP, it takes that long. If you don't have it. It seems like the Music First might have the least friction.
The one we used we designed and have been fine tuning it for OVER 2 years and NEXT year will be year 1 for compensation.
GOOD LUCK!
Re: TIA assessment
Posted by HoustonCCCBD on 12/10/2025, 6:19 pm, in reply to "TIA assessment"
I was told by a FAD, the district can use TIA money to pay for Music First. I will be finding out soon also. Ask someone in Klein ISD what they do also.
Re: TIA assessment
Posted by Keith Dye on 12/11/2025, 7:14 am, in reply to "Re: TIA assessment"
As many of you know, I head up Fine Arts Assessment by MusicFirst. I'm not adding this to trumpet our offerings, but rather to say that, as someone who is working with more districts in their TIA Fine Arts assessments than anyone else, I might be able to offer some clarity.
TIA is NOT "one size fits all"; there are regulations, but it is a unique TEA program in that it allows districts to design their own individual plan that best fits their community, and the way the factors are assessed and administered is determined by each district. In short, there is not a single path to design the program. While this leads to confusion and often miscommunication, it is terrific that districts can "own" their decisions about what is best for their community, as long as their plan is ultimately approved.
The one commonality is that individual student growth must be measured and documented.
As a former fine arts administrator at the collegiate level, I would absolutely argue that portfolios are the most accurate way to document student growth in the creative arts. HOWEVER, teachers don't have time to maintain them, iron-clad rubrics need to be created, and then you have to find reviewers whom you can trust to accurately apply the rubrics in a way you are comfortable with. Remember, we have three judges at UIL in the spring for a reason!
In music, performance assessments are often favored using machine assessment. However, remember, you have to administer the pre-tests in the first grading period (marching season!), and they need to be monitored in an isolated space (practice rooms and personnel). Depending on staffing and facilities, this can be a heavy lift - but many do it.
Well over 90% of the districts I work with elect to use pre- and post-tests using knowledge-based assessments. TEA is getting much tighter on regulating the degree to which these are teacher-created, hence the need to use a third-party service. In the Fine Arts these CANNOT be generic - they need to be customized to the TEKS each area and community prioritizes. Example: there probably isn't a need to have a host of questions on music history or musician health. Not that this isn't essential knowledge, but it probably isn't what you prioritize on a day-to-day basis. (Simpler yet - if it doesn't make your band sound better, it probably isn't a priority!)
I hope this helps clarify some aspects; I'm happy to discuss with anyone who needs more information. There truly is no need to overcomplicate the plan to initiate this potentially lucrative opportunity!
Re: TIA assessment
Posted by Obi Ron Kenobi on 12/10/2025, 1:52 pm, in reply to "TIA assessment"
I had someone suggest record your band during rehearsal the first day, then use a recording from each contest to show improvement.
Okay, but you have to have some data points to definitively show growth. A recording that someone says "sounds good" does not meet that criteria.
Re: TIA assessment
Posted by In progress on 12/10/2025, 11:52 am, in reply to "TIA assessment"
We are also working on this process, currently looking at music first and whatever smart music is called now. Look into how your district is splitting up the TIA money. Our district keeps 10% for program administration, giving 90% to the teachers. The 10% is more than enough to cover the cost of either of those systems.
If that doesn't work, I would use a basic music theory assessment. There is an Alfred book that covers music theory basics, there is a teacher reproducible book you can buy. Pick an appropriate level from there, give the kids the unit test during the first week of school, give it to them again in December, compare the scores. For 6th grade that could be a simple notes on the staff assessment. For high school, you might pick something from a later unit that would cover basic concepts of form, Italian musical terminology, maybe labeling some more complex rhythms.
Re: TIA assessment
Posted by Respectfully on 12/9/2025, 1:57 pm, in reply to "TIA assessment"
Ask them to COMPENSATE YOU for creating an assessment system. That's not in your job description. You're not a curriculum specialist.
Re: TIA assessment
Posted by Uhh... on 12/10/2025, 7:59 am, in reply to "Re: TIA assessment"
The TIA *IS* the compensation for creating the assessment system. You do that, and that completes a requirement for the first level of the TIA...which is about $5K.
Re: TIA assessment
Posted by BIG *IF* on 12/11/2025, 7:58 am, in reply to "Re: TIA assessment"
That is *IF* you receive the compensation. There is no guarantee that you will be successful in submission to receive the reward.
So our English teachers, science teachers, and the like all also had to create their own assessment?
Obviously not.
No, creating the assessment is not part of the bonus. And anyone who sold it to you that way got free work out of you.
Re: TIA assessment
Posted by Interesting on 12/10/2025, 3:32 pm, in reply to "Re: TIA assessment"
Creating the assessment earned Recognized in your district? We have to meet a student growth component on SLO and a minimum score in TTESS. Are you suggesting that creating the assessment earns credit/evidence towards TTESS domains?
