Student Achievement Module FAQ
General Application Questions
What is SAM?
SAM, the Student Achievement Module (housed within TCS), was introduced during the 2021-22 school year. The module is used to collect various credentials earned by students. From 2021-22 to 2024-25 it was used only for Seal of Biliteracy reporting. In the current 2025-26 school year it has expanded to Industry Recognized Credentials (IRCs).
Is this collection mandatory?
Yes - if any students in your district attempted a Seal of Biliteracy test or if any students earned an IRC they must be reported.
What if a district does not have any records to report?
Certify the collection – if no records are reported there is a statement signifying that is correct.
Is there a SAM User/Certifier role?
This module does not have a separate role in Directory Manager. The TCS User and TCS Certifier roles are used for SAM.
Can an individual other than the current TCS Application Manager(s) complete this upload?
Yes. Your LEA Security Manager for Directory Manager can assign additional TCS User roles to those who will be responsible for this module. Note that those with the TCS User role will have access to both the TCS application and the Student Achievement Module.
Is SAM required to be certified?
Yes – there is a certification page within the SAM module.
Who should certify SAM?
As with all other applications, an Administrator holding an 092 or 093 must complete certification.
Seal of Biliteracy (SoB) Reporting Questions
General - SoB
What is the Seal of Biliteracy?
Visit the Connecticut State Seal of Biliteracy web site for more information on what the Seal is, it's guidelines, and FAQs pertaining to the Seal.
Did my school district report data last year?
Log into SAM and select the prior year on the right side of the green page header of the header. You can then view or download any data reported that year.
If we did not report last year, does my school district need to report this year?
Contact your Director of World Languages, Director of Multilingual Learners or Director of Bilingual Programs to see if any students attempted to earn Seal of Biliteracy in your district. If there were any attempts those records must be reported regardless of if your district reported records in any prior year.
Which school districts should report data in this collection?
Every district with a high school should offer the opportunity for students to earn the Seal of Biliteracy – however there may not be any students who attempt the test in a given year. Contact your Director of World Languages, Director of Multilingual Learners or Director of Bilingual Programs to see if any students attempted to earn Seal of Biliteracy in your district.
Which Records to Report - SoB
Should school districts wait until a student earns the Seal before reporting their record? (i.e. they passed the test, but not yet completed the English language component)
All grade 10-12 students who took the test between July 1 and June 30 of the collection year should be reported regardless of their English Language component status. Once they graduate, SDE can determine if that portion has been fulfilled via Teacher Course Student (TCS) and the Public School Information System (PSIS).
If a single-part test is given more than once, should all attempts be reported?
Yes. each attempt should be reported.
Some tests are multi-part, does the SDE want records for each part?
No. Once all parts are administered the overall outcome should be reported.
Should all attempts be reported if a school district does not award the Seal of Biliteracy to any students?
Yes
If a student takes two different tests for a single language should both be reported?
Yes. Each outcome should be reported.
Should a student be reported if they passed their test in a prior school year?
No. Only report tests that took place during the collection school year (July 1- June 30).
Industry Recognized Credentials (IRC) Questions
General
What is an Industry Recognized Credential?
An Industry Recognized Credential (IRC) is a certification that validates an individual’s knowledge, skills, and competencies within a specific industry. The CSDE Credential Registry is a curated list of industry recognized credentials and authorizing organizations. IRCs on the CSDE Credential Registry that are issued by the Authorizing Organization to students in your high schools in a given year can be reported through the Student Achievement Module. Contact the CTE-Perkins coordinator, Workforce Development Contact, or Postsecondary Readiness Lead for students in your district who may have been awarded an IRC in the year.
Which Records to Report
Which school districts should report data in this collection?
Every district that had a student earn an IRC must report. Districts use the Student Achievement Module (SAM) in TCS to report the data.
Some IRCs are multi-part, does the SDE want records for each part?
No. Once the IRC is earned it should be reported.
Should all IRC attempts be reported?
No, report only IRCs earned, not attempts.
Should a student be reported if they earned the credential in a prior school year?
No. Only report IRCs earned during the collection year.
What school year does this collection pertain to?
This collection begins with IRCs earned during the current 2025-26 school year (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The data are due August 19, 2026. If your district also reports Seal of Biliteracy records via SAM, this is the same deadline.
Which grade levels should be included in this collection?
Grades 9 -12 only.
What if the IRC we offer does not use any of the Vendors listed in the table?
Use CVM99 and email SDE.IRC@ct.gov to request the vendor be added in 2026-27.
Do IRCs align with specific courses? Is there a map of SCED codes and IRCs?
IRCs do not align with any specific courses; they are a credential earned.
Do we report IRCs earned by students outside of school (such as an OSHA course, etc.)?
Yes, if it is on the CSDE IRC Registry. Continue to encourage students and parents to report to the district any credentials earned outside of school. Districts should obtain a copy of the certification for their records.
What do we do if we want to report an IRC that is not on the list?
For the current 2025-26 school year only IRCs on the registry can be reported in SAM. Your district can award credit or offer the IRC even if it’s not on the current registry. To request the IRC be added for 2026-27 email SDE.IRC@ct.gov.