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STAAR STATE ASSESSMENT INFORMATIONAL
SESSION FOR PARENTS
Fall 2014
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STAAR
STAAR
Grades 3–8 include assessments of
mathematics, reading, writing, science, and
social studies at different grade levels. In
addition, STAAR Spanish is available for all
tested subjects in grades 3–5. STAAR Endof-Course
(EOC)
assessments
are
available for Algebra I, English I, English II,
biology, and U.S. history.
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STAAR, with or without
allowable or approved
accommodations*, should be
the first consideration.
*Refer to the 2015 Accommodation Triangle
DRAFT Texas Education Agency – Student Assessment Division
9/24/2014
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Students with disabilities
 A student may be eligible for accommodations on a
state assessment if he or she
 receives special education services and meets established
eligibility criteria for certain accommodations
 receives Section 504 services and meets established eligibility
criteria for certain accommodations
 does not receive special education or Section 504 services but
has a disabling condition and meets established eligibility criteria
for certain accommodations (i.e., general education)
DRAFT 2014-2015 Texas Education Agency's Student Assessment Division
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ACCOMMODATIONS
The decision to use an accommodation during
a state assessment is made on an individual
student basis and considers the needs of the
student and whether the student routinely
receives the accommodation during classroom
instruction and testing.
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STAAR L
A linguistically accommodated English
version of the STAAR grades 3–8 and EOC
assessments in mathematics, science, and
social studies for English language learners
(ELLs)
who
meet
participation
requirements. The passing standards for
STAAR L are the same as any STAAR
assessment.
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STAAR A
An accommodated version of all STAAR
grades 3–8 and EOC assessments for
students receiving special education
services and students identified with
dyslexia or a related disorder receiving
Section 504 services who meet specific
eligibility criteria. The passing standards for
STAAR A are the same as any STAAR
assessment.
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STAAR A Eligibility Requirements
9/24/2014
Classroom Accommodations and the Link
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to STAAR A
 Accommodations used on STAAR A offer new opportunities for students with
disabilities to meaningfully access the required state assessment.
 TEA accommodation policies and STAAR A Eligibility Requirements indicate that
accommodations documented for use during a statewide assessment should
 be made on an individual basis,
 consider the needs of the student, and
 be routinely used during classroom instruction and testing.
 Although students will not routinely use the computer-based STAAR A
accommodations during classroom instruction, they may use variations of the
accommodations.
DRAFT Texas Education Agency – Student Assessment Division
9/24/2014
Introduction to STAAR A
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 STAAR A will be administered online and will include online tools,
embedded accommodations to selections and test questions, and
accessibility features.
Tools
Embedded
Accommodations
Accessibility Features
Answer Eliminator
Pop-ups
Text-to-Speech
Highlighter
Rollovers
Zoom
Eraser
Blank Graphic Organizers
Color and Contrast
Pencil
Writing Checklists
Place Marker
Notepad
Dot Tool*
Line Tool*
Ruler*
Calculator*
DRAFT Texas Education Agency – Student Assessment Division
Reference
Materials*and only appear in subject tests where they are relevant.
*These tools
are subject-specific
9/24/2014
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Sample STAAR A Tutorial
9/24/2014
Where
can
I
find
information
about
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STAAR A?
 While the TEA website is being updated, information
will be posted sporadically.
 In the meantime, go to
http://texasassessment.com/staara for information
about STAAR A.
 Once the new TEA website has been completed,
you can access information about STAAR A on the
STAAR A webpage.
DRAFT Texas Education Agency – Student Assessment Division
9/24/2014
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STAAR ALTERNATE 2
An assessment based on alternate
academic achievement standards for
students with significant cognitive
disabilities receiving special education
services. Additionally, students must meet
participation requirements.
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STAAR Alternate 2
Eligibility requirements
Resources
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 CAMPUS:
Special Education Department Chair- Richard Wiggins
Richard.Wiggins@boerne-isd.net
Section 504 Coordinator- Sherry Mireles
Sherry.Mireles@boerne-isd.net
Campus Test Coordinator-Celia Collard
Celia.Collard@boerne-isd.net
 DISTRICT:
Special Education Department-Annie Unruh
annie.Unruh@boerne-isd.net
Testing Department-Carol Nietenhoefer
carol.Nietenhoefer@boerne-isd.net