The State of Texas Assessments of
Academic Readiness (STAAR):
What You Need to Know
November 2011
HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
What we’ll talk about today
 Overview of STAAR
 Some frequently asked questions
 Your questions
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Before we begin …
This information is the latest
we have at this time.
HISD is deciding how to
shape and implement
policies and procedures.
We are committed to
keeping you up to date
about STAAR.
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A new accountability system
starts this year
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STAAR transition plan
2011-2012
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
2015-2016
Grades 3-8
Grade 9
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12
& out-of-school
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What is the STAAR test?
 A new statewide testing system for
elementary, middle, and high school
students.
 Like TAKS, it is based on the Texas
Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
 STAAR is designed to measure a
student’s college and career readiness.
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What is the STAAR test?
Elementary and middle school
Tested on same subjects/grades as TAKS
High school
Students take “end-of-course” exams
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What tests will my child take?
Grade
3
4
5
6
7
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Subjects tested
Math
Math
Math
Math
Math
Math
Reading
Reading
Reading
Reading
Reading
Reading
Writing
Science
Writing
Science
Social
Studies
9-12 End-of-course exams in: Algebra I, Geometry,
and Algebra II ; English I, English II, and English III;
Biology, Chemistry, and Physics ; World
Geography, World History, and U.S. History.
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Is STAAR more difficult than the
TAKS test?
STAAR will assess students’ knowledge
in a deeper way. Questions are:
 More complex
 Open-ended
 Focused on
critical thinking
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Is STAAR more difficult than the
TAKS test?
Also, the STAAR test is timed – students
will have four hours to complete the tests.
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What’s a griddable item?
 Requires students to
derive answers without the
influence of answer choices
 3-5 griddable items will
be included in most science
and math assessments
 Students must enter their
answer in the boxes and
then fill in the
corresponding bubbles
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How will performance be
measured?
Level I
Unsatisfactory
Academic
Performance
Level II
Satisfactory
Academic
Performance
Level III
Advanced
Academic
Performance
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Example: TAKS question
(Grade 3 Math)
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Example: STAAR question
(Grade 3 Math)
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What is an EOC?
High school students will take 12
STAAR end-of-course assessments
developed in foundation subjects.
Math
English
Science
Social Studies
Algebra I
English I
Biology
World
Geography
Chemistry
World History
Physics
U.S. History
(Reading & Writing)
Geometry
English II
(Reading & Writing)
Algebra II
English III
(Reading & Writing)
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Three important considerations
about the EOC
1:
Students must also
2: meet the cumulative
Students must achieve
a minimum score.
score requirement in
each of the four
foundation subjects.
Math
English
Social
Studies
Science
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Three important considerations
about the EOC
3:
The score a student receives on a STAAR EOC
assessment is required to count for 15% of the
student’s final grade in the course.
Student’s FINAL GRADE
EOC=15%
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The bottom line:
A student’s performance
on a STAAR EOC can affect
GPA and class rank.
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Understanding cumulative scores
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Example: STAAR question
(Algebra I EOC)
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Example: STAAR question
(Chemistry EOC)
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Example: STAAR question
(World Geography EOC)
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Example: STAAR question
(World Geography EOC)
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What accommodations are
available?
Accommodations during testing will be
available for students who:
 Receive special education services
 Are identified for support under
Section 504
 Who have a specific need and
meet TEA criteria for certain
accommodations
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What test versions are available?
 Spanish versions for eligible
English Language Learners in
grades 3-5
 Linguistically accommodated
versions of STAAR, called STAAR L
 STAAR Modified and STAAR
Alternate for Special Education
students
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Will STAAR be used as a
promotion standard this year?
 In the 2011-2012 school year ONLY,
the test will not be used as a
promotion standard.
 Students will be assessed for
promotion to the next grade by other
academic information.
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How can I help my child prepare
for the STAAR test?
 Emphasize the importance of
participating in school daily
 Monitor your child’s progress on
Parent Student Connect (PSC)
 Know the testing schedule
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Resources for you
Houstonisd.org/STAAR
www.tea.state.tx.us
Questions