Preparing for LAS Links Online Testing – FAQs

How/What do I order for online testing?
Please refer to the Ordering and General information - FAQs for guidance.

How do I gain access to LAS Links Online?
Once your LEA has submitted a purchase order to DRC, within 7-10 business days your POC will be notified that LAS Links Online has been added to your INSIGHT account.

How do I give other users access to LAS Links Online?
You may add them as a new User (at your level or lower) to the portal. Guidance is found in the DRC INSIGHT Portal. Go to My Applications > General Information > Documents > Texas Specific Resources (under Document Type).

How do I change the Point of Contact for our LEA?
DRC has posted a Point of Contact change form to www.LASLinks.com/Texas under the Customer Support dropdown menu. Allow 2-3 business days for the change to take effect.

How do I add or change a school?
DRC has posted a Site change form to www.LASLinks.com/Texas under the Customer Support dropdown menu. Allow 2-3 business days for the change to take effect.

How do I prepare for testing (i.e. register students, create test tickets, run reports)?
Resources for administering the assessment are available in the DRC INSIGHT Portal. Go to My Applications > General Information > Documents > Texas Specific Resources (under Document Type). Additionally, Professional Learning courses are available for users on DRC INSIGHT Portal.

What do we need to do to set up the student devices for testing?
There are steps that your IT department will need to take prior to student testing. For resources, go to My Applications > General Information > Documents as well as on the website under the Customer Support tab.

What is the practice test and is it required?
The practice test allows students to "practice" using the online tools as well as a few items in each domain of speaking, listening, reading and writing. The practice test is highly recommended but not required.

How much time does the practice test take?
The first domain used to practice takes the longest. The same navigation video and tools practice is provided in each domain's practice test. Once the student watches the video and practices with the tools the first time, the student can bypass this part of the practice test for the remaining subtests and go straight to the LAS Links practice items. So, for the first domain, it takes approximately 8-10 minutes with the subsequent domains taking approximately 3-5 minutes each.

What are the grade spans of the LAS Links assessments?
There are 5 grade spans of LAS Links: K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8 and 9-12. In Texas, LAS Links starts at 1st grade for the purpose of Emergent Bilingual student identification. PreK4, preK5 and Kindergarten students take PreLAS for this purpose.

What domains are tested with LAS Links Online?
English:

  • 1st Grade: Speaking and Listening
  • 2nd - 12th Grade: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing
  • Spanish (if you have a bilingual program):
  • 1st - 6th* Grade: Hablando y Escuchando

*6th if associated to the elementary

How long does it take students to be assessed?
The test is not a timed test and the following are all approximations:

  • Speaking = 10-15 minutes
  • Listening = 15 - 20 minutes
  • Reading = 35 - 45 minutes
  • Writing = 35 - 45 minutes

All times are actual testing time and do not include housekeeping items such as handing out test tickets, logging in, administering the practice test, etc.

Do we need to administer the domains in a particular order?
You may administer the test in any order.

Does a student have to finish all 4 domains in one day?
No. You may administer the 4 domains on different days if needed. One recommendation is to finish the domain started in the same sitting, but this is not required.

What is the turnaround time to get results when taking the test online?

  • 30-60 minutes from local educator scoring to reporting (Speaking and Writing)
  • 30-60 minutes from test completion to reporting (Listening and Reading)

Can the data from the reports be transferred into our data management system?
Yes. You may purchase a Student Data File (available for both PreLAS Online and LAS Links Online which is provided nightly via the INSIGHT portal.

This export of your online test data can be imported into any data management system. For pricing, please utilize the "Additional Services" order form found at www.laslinks.com/Texas.

Who do I contact if I have ordering questions?
For assistance with ordering, contact Customer Support at 833-867-5679 Option 1 or email LASOrderTX@datarecognitioncorp.com during the hours of 8:00 am - 4:30 pm CST M-F.

How do I contact Tech Support?
For assistance with testing or administrative functions in the DRC INSIGHT Portal, contact Tech Support at 833-867-5679 Option 2 or email LASTechTX@datarecognitioncorp.com during the hours of 8:00 am - 4:30 pm CST M-F.