State of Texas Assessments of
Academic Readiness (STAAR®)
Grades 38 Reading
Grades 4 and 7 Writing
English I and II
Victoria Young
Director of Reading, Writing, and
Social Studies Assessments
Texas Education Agency
Grade 4 Expository Statewide Distributions
2013
2014
2
2013 Expository
Summed Scores
2014 Expository
Summed Scores
1/1 = 2
21%
1/1 = 2
17%
1/2 = 3
17%
1/2 = 3
14%
2/2 = 4
36%
2/2 = 4
38%
2/3 = 5
15%
2/3 = 5
15%
3/3 = 6
8%
3/3 = 6
11%
3/4 = 7
2%
3/4 = 7
3%
4/4 = 8
1%
4/4 = 8
1%
Grade 7 Expository Statewide Distributions
2013
2014
3
2013 Expository
Summed Scores
2014 Expository
Summed Scores
1/1 = 2
10%
1/1 = 2
10%
1/2 = 3
13%
1/2 = 3
13%
2/2 = 4
35%
2/2 = 4
44%
2/3 = 5
21%
2/3 = 5
17%
3/3 = 6
14%
3/3 = 6
10%
3/4 = 7
5%
3/4 = 7
3%
4/4 = 8
2%
4/4 = 8
1%
English I Expository Statewide Distributions
2013
2014 (First-time Testers)
4
2013 Expository
Summed Scores
2014 Expository
Summed Scores
1/1 = 2
18%
1/1 = 2
7%
1/2 = 3
18%
1/2 = 3
8%
2/2 = 4
35%
2/2 = 4
39%
2/3 = 5
14%
2/3 = 5
21%
3/3 = 6
9%
3/3 = 6
18%
3/4 = 7
3%
3/4 = 7
4%
4/4 = 8
1%
4/4 = 8
1%
English II Persuasive Statewide Distributions
2013
2014 (First-time Testers)
5
2013 Persuasive
Summed Scores
2014 Persuasive
Summed Scores
1/1 = 2
4%
1/1 = 2
7%
1/2 = 3
6%
1/2 = 3
9%
2/2 = 4
34%
2/2 = 4
32%
2/3 = 5
23%
2/3 = 5
21%
3/3 = 6
24%
3/3 = 6
20%
3/4 = 7
6%
3/4 = 7
6%
4/4 = 8
2%
4/4 = 8
3%
Score Point 2—Basic Writing
6
General Characteristics
 Essay is generally responsive to the task, but
writer often uses organizational strategies
that aren’t very effective (e.g., organizing the
development in unrelated clusters or using a
“flip-side” approach).
 Controlling idea or position statement is
evident, but it is often weak because it is too
general or broad to serve as a good central
“anchor” for the development.
Score Point 2—Basic Writing
7
General Characteristics
 Writer takes a long time (and often a lot of
space) to get into the actual explanation or
argument.
 Some sentences don’t contribute to the
development or contribute only marginally.
 Some connection problems are evident as
the writer moves from sentence to sentence
or idea to idea (or both)—the result of a
variety of writing weaknesses (repetition,
wordiness, “out of order” ideas, lack of
transitions, perfunctory transitions).
Score Point 2—Basic Writing
8
General Characteristics
 Development is often superficial because the
writing is too general, too brief, or too partial.
Formulaic approaches also keep the writing
from having depth or thoughtfulness.
 Writer often uses general, imprecise
language—which always affects the reader’s
ability to understand the point of the writing.
 Sentences tend to be uncontrolled, and
conventions tend to be glitchy.
Score Point 2—An Example at Grade 4
9
My favorite place to spend time is school. I like school
because you learn and you get to see your friends. My
favorite subject in school is science. In science we are
learning about African dwarf frogs. Did you know that
the frogs have to stay in the water or else they will not
survive? I also like social studies. We are learning about
the texas cattle drives. Before we got to frogs I
appsolutly didn’t know anything about them exept they
have long tonges. Now I know a bunch of stuff about
frogs. Frogs lay their eggs in a bunch. I think frogs are
cool and fun too! I think some teachers get to school at
about 6:30 A.M. just to get the day ready for the
students. Do you know what I can’t believe is that I don’t
think my sister likes school. I love school!
Score Point 2—An Example at Grade 7
10
Have you ever laughed at something that was funny? If you
have do you think it is important to laugh?
Sometimes it is good to laugh like when somebody tells a
joke, or does something funny. There are also some things that
you don’t laugh at like funerals, car wrecks, and when
somebody is in the hospital. It is important to laugh because it
shows you have a sense of humor or that you’re not a boring
person.
People also make you laugh when you are feeling bad about
yourself to try to make you cheer up. Sometimes laughing can
be a bad thing if you laugh at somebody you can hurt there
feelings.
It is important to laugh because if you don’t laugh you just
go along you’re life feeling sad or mad, always depressed and
never having fun.
I think people need to laugh sometimes just to have fun.
Score Point 2—An Example at English I
11
Motivation is the outcome of failure in my eyes.
When you fail at something, that should be your
cue to motivate to try again till you get it. My motto
has always been, “If your not first your last.” Once
again nobody is perfect.
“Every expert was once a beginner,” says Babe
Ruth. Babe Ruth didn’t get baseball right off the
back he practiced sometimes failed but failure
motivated him to be one of the greatest players to
step on a baseball field.
The Apollo missions took until the 8 mission to
make it. A failure after another but motivation kept
them going that’s determination on another
Score Point 2—An Example at English I
12
level. The scientists behind the missions were not
going to the road get bumpy. “Success was the
only option, failure’s not,” says Eminem.
Lance Armstrong won several Tour de France.
Then he was diagnosed with several cancers.
Everyone thought failure was coming through his
head, but came back to win seven more Tour de
France.
Not everybody can be Babe Ruth or be in a Apollo
mission or be Lance Armstrong. These legends are
not perfect they failed at one time in the careers
and definitely throughout their lifes. Let motivation
over power failure, it can take you a long way.
Score Point 2—An Example at English II
13
Learning something that nearly every person
wants to do. Learning is something that cant be
taken for granted some people don’t even get to
go to school where they live. Yet there are people
dropping out and quitting school. I believe that
everyone needs a good edjucation it can only
lead to good things in your life.
Look at some of the important people
throughout history who made a difference with
their knowledge. For example Albert Einstein a
man with a brilliant mind whose theroys and work
are still used in teaching to this very day. He is
just one example of what a person cand do with
Score Point 2—An Example at English II
14
enough knowledge.
Just think of what you can do if you get a good
edjucation and try hard enough. For all we know
you, me, or anyone could do great things with the
knowledge we gain. So all in all get a good
edjucation because knowledge truly is power.
Reading—The Four Big Skills
15


Understanding Author’s Craft—
being able to identify the “tools” an
author uses to craft a piece and to
pinpoint/ articulate how they affect
meaning.
Making Connections—being able to
make connections both within and
across texts at differing levels of
depth and complexity (including
making connections between a text
and its accompanying photograph or
procedural piece).
Reading—The Four Big Skills
16


Having a Command of Academic
Vocabulary—being able to apply the
specific academic vocabulary
associated with literary and
informational reading.
Using Text Evidence—being able to
“stay inside the text” and find and
use text evidence to confirm the
validity of an idea both within and
across texts.
Author’s Craft—Elementary
17
Grade 4 Drama—question 22
The playwright creates a surprise by —
*A. giving Carter’s cousin a name that can be
used for a boy 57%
B. revealing that David can’t play in the
tournament 23%
C. allowing Sam to make up the rules of the
challenge 8%
D. having Carter’s cousin come to visit for two
weeks 12%
Author’s Craft—Middle School
18
Grade 7 Expository—question 20
In paragraph 3, the author uses the example of the
3,000-year-old house in Tanis to —
A. prove that satellites are constantly taking
photographs to locate ancient cities 22%
B. demonstrate that sites once thought to be fictional
have been proved to exist 24%
*C. emphasize that satellite photography is powerful
enough to find a single building 43%
D. suggest that previously discovered sites may be
much older than originally thought 11%
Author’s Craft—High School
19
English I Fiction—question 20
The ball drops to the ground at the
boy’s feet. It lies there stunned,
quivering, containing flight beneath
its smooth skin.
Why does the author use personification in this quotation?
A. The baseball game symbolizes the love of the family.
8%
*B. The description mimics the boy’s disappointment. 60%
C. The author is comparing a ball to a bird. 12%
D. The author is showing the distance the ball has
traveled. 20%
Making Connections—Elementary
20
Grade 5 pair—question 38
Bristlecone pines benefit from their roots in
the same way that wood frogs benefit from —
A. fallen leaves 6%
B. the temperature of the environment 28%
*C. the ability to freeze 62%
D. the other animals in the area 3%
Making Connections—Middle School
21
Grade 6 Fiction—question 5
The qualities Brian is described as having in
paragraph 6 are most closely related to those
associated with the —
*A. logical side of Sophie’s mother 52%
B. dreamy side of Sophie’s father 6%
C. hardheaded side of Sophie 25%
D. good side of Uncle Dock 18%
Making Connections—High School
22
English II Persuasive—question 48
What does the boxed information on constructive
criticism have in common with the reading selection?
A. It emphasizes the importance of defending
yourself when you have been criticized. 12%
B. It reminds readers that different kinds of people
respond differently to criticism. 21%
*C. It offers specific pieces of advice for the reader to
use. 61%
D. It employs the viewpoint of a sympathetic firstperson narrator. 5%
Academic Vocabulary—Elementary
23
Grade 5 Fiction—question 23
Which sentences best help to create suspense in
the story?
A. “They’d come to $3.22,” she reported. “Shall I
ring them up for you?” 12%
*B. I hurried to the school supply station. The
pencils were gone. 70%
C. I looked toward the counter. She held up a set
of pencils. 10%
D. I dumped the coins out onto the counter. “Just
right,” she announced. 8%
Academic Vocabulary—Middle School
24
Grade 6 Drama—question 46
Why are the stage directions at the end of Scene 3
important?
*A. They tell the reader that the nightingale
abandons the emperor. 56%
B. They allow the reader to appreciate the beauty
of the mechanical nightingale. 9%
C. They help the reader visualize the comfortable
surroundings the emperor enjoys. 22%
D. They let the reader recognize the difference
between the two nightingales. 13%
Academic Vocabulary—Middle School
25
Grade 8 Persuasive—question 33
The author supports the article’s premise by
providing —
A. testimonials from students who have had
success with online education 10%
*B. examples of how online classes are improving
education 70%
C. statistics from various schools that offer online
classes 16%
D. quotations from people who have been involved
in organizing online classes 4%
Academic Vocabulary—High School
26
English II Poetry—question 40
In the first 12 lines of the poem, the poet uses
imagery to describe —
*A. a world apart from human culture 64%
B. a hostile environment of predators and prey 14%
C. an ancient pre-human landscape 7%
D. a community of anthropomorphic animals 14%
Text Evidence—Elementary
27
Grade 3 Poem—question 28
In the poem, which words help the reader imagine the
speaker’s experience —
A. And I thought to myself 21%
B. those things upon my back 10%
C. with great big trusting eyes 14%
*D. the cool of the gentle breeze 55%
Text Evidence—Middle School
28
Grade 8 Persuasive—question 35
Which sentence supports the belief that online education will be
more widespread in the future?
A. Students involved in extracurricular activities, those who have
been hospitalized, or those who are behind in earning required
credits can meet their educational needs though enrollment in
online classes. 19%
*B. U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan believes so strongly in
virtual education that he helped budget $500 million for the
development of online precollege and college courses over
the next 10 years. 59%
C. A 2009 Department of Education report suggests that students
enrolled in online classes performed better than those in
traditional schools. 14%
D. This “classroom” experience is far different that anything they
did in school. 2%
Text Evidence—High School
29
English I Literary Nonfiction—question 48
In which line from the article does the author reveal
how she would like others to respond to her lack of
hearing?
A. I had always hated to be seen as inferior, so I
never mentioned my lack of hearing. 20%
B. If I tell, people will see only my disability. 15%
C. Unlike a wheelchair or a white cane, my disability
doesn’t announce itself. 13%
*D. It’s a tender part, and you should handle it with
care. 51%
STAAR Short Answer Questions
What They Require
30
Students must generate a credible IDEA in
response to a question about a text or texts.

An IDEA represents the quality and depth of
the student’s thinking and understanding.
STAAR Short Answer Questions
What They Require
31
Students must use TEXT EVIDENCE to prove
that their ideas are valid/credible.

TEXT EVIDENCE substantiates the
student’s ideas; it reflects the degree to
which the student can connect his or her
own ideas with the pieces of the text that
best support the analysis.
STAAR Short Answer
32
English I Single Selection—Spring 2014
After reading “Hearing the Sweetest Songs,”
do you think the author considers herself
disabled? Explain your answer and support it
with evidence from the selection.
STAAR Short Answer
33
Score Point 0:
I think the author considers herself disabled but
she believes eventually everyone will have some
sort of disability. She states this when she says,
“We’re all just temporarily abled and everyone of
us, if we live long enough, will become disabled
in some way.
STAAR Short Answer
34
Score Point 1:
In the short story, “Hearing the Sweetest Songs”,
I think in a sense, the author knows shes
disabled in her hearing but doesn’t want to be
treated different. She wants to be treated just like
someone who is abled. “I wanted to listen to
Beethoven.”
STAAR Short Answer
35
Score Point 2:
After reading “Hearing the Sweetest Songs,” I
don’t think the author considers herself disabled.
For example when the author says, “We’re all just
temporarily abled, and everyone of us, if we live
long enough, will become disabled in some way.”
it shows that she believes disabilities are natural
and it will happen to everyone in time.
STAAR Short Answer
36
Score Point 3:
Though the author does state that she has a disability, it
can still be said that she doesn’t consider herself
disabled. The author acknowledges having a disability
by claiming that “like most people with a disability, [she
doesn’t] mind if you ask about it.” But having a
disability doesn’t mean she is completely disabled. She
states that she is also “a writer, a painter, a…
housekeeper” and “a gardener who grows wondrous
roses.” Though she may not be able to hear, she can
still do the same things that others with hearing can.
The author’s lack of hearing is “an important part” of
her and adds to her character. In her eyes, that doesn’t
make her believe she is disabled.
CONTACT INFORMATION
37
Victoria Young
Director of Reading, Writing, and Social
Studies Assessments
Texas Education Agency
512-463-9536
victoria.young@tea.state.tx.us