Parent Resources

Is the design of this test based on some other test?

The state of Texas first started a statewide assessment program in 1980. The first exam was TABS, that was then followed by TEAMS, followed by TAAS and then followed by newest assessment, STAAR. Each exam reflected greater rigor and complexity than its predecessor. STAAR is the next generation in the Texas assessment program.

Who built it? What makes them experts?

According to the “Texas Assessment Program Test Development Process” educator committees representing the state geographically, ethnically, by gender, and by type and size of school play a large role in the development process. The educator committees work with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to review the state standards (TEKS) and to prepare draft objectives and to determine how these objectives will be assessed. Professional assessment item writers develop the items measuring each objective. TEA curriculum and assessment specialists as well as educator committees review the items prior to field testing including many students from across the state.

The development of end-of-course assessments also includes faculty from higher education and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Did students help design? Did teachers?

Just as they have in the past, educator committees have been involved in the development of the assessment. Students have not been involved in the design development of a Texas state assessment. Students play a major role in the field testing of potential test items.

Is it still paper and pencil?

STAAR assessments for grades 3-8 will be paper and pencil. The end-of-course assessments for high school will be available in paper and pencil and online formats.

Alternate versions for kids with disabilities?

Alternate versions of the STAAR assessment are being created for grades 3-8 and nine of the end-of-course exams. Modified assessments are not being developed for Algebra II, Chemistry or Physics. Linguistically accommodated STAAR assessments will be available for eligible students in grades 3-8 and high school.

How many times a year will they take this exam?

Typically, students will take these exams for the first time in the spring of the school year. Students who are in grade 5 or 8 will have a second opportunity in late spring to pass the test. If they are still unsuccessful, they may attempt a third time in July. Students in grades 5 and 8 must pass the STAAR, just like TAKS, before being promoted to the next grade level. Students who do not pass end-of-course exams on their first attempt, may take the exams again in July and/or October of the same year. High school students may continue to take the exams until they meet the passing standards.

When will the test be given?

According to the calendar for the 11-12 school year STAAR assessments will begin taking place on March 26th for grade 5 and 8 mathematics and reading, as well as grade 7 writing and English I, II, and III end-of-course assessments. The majority of testing for other grade levels takes place in late April and early May. TEA calendar.

What subject areas will be included in the exam?

Students in grades 3-8 will be assess in the same content areas in STAAR as they were in TAKS: Grade 3: mathematics and reading Grade 4: mathematics, reading, and writing Grade 5: mathematics, reading, and science Grade 6: mathematics and reading Grade 7: mathematics, reading, and writing Grade 8: mathematics, reading, science, and social studies Students in High School will take up to 12 end-of-course assessments, depending on graduation plan. The end-of-course assessments will be taken as the students take the course rather than at a particular grade level. Mathematics: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics English: English I, English II, English III Social Studies: World History, World Geography, U.S. History

Are the students still being tested on TEKS or are there new standards?

The TEKS are the same; however these standards do have a revision time line as well. Recently the standards for English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies have been revised. The TEKS can be found at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=6148.

What is the Curriculum STAAR will focus on and are the schools prepared?

Districts implementing a curriculum based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and who align the instructional program with these standards are preparing students for STAAR.

How does it correlate with end of course?

End-of-course assessments will measure student learning in relation to the course content. The TEKS for a particular course will be the focus for the assessment items. Previously, students taking a TAKS test in 10th grade might encounter items in mathematics from several grade levels below. Under STAAR, students will be held accountable for demonstrating mastery of the TEKS tied a specific course.

Do all kids take STAAR?

The short answer is yes, the vast majority of students will be taking STAAR. Under STAAR, students in grades 3-8 will take exams in reading, math science and social studies just as they do in the current TAKS. Spanish versions of the STAAR exams in grades 3 through 5 will be available for English Language Learners. Students receiving Special Education services will have the decision as to which exam they will be taking determined by the Admissions, Review and Dismissal Committee (ARD), in which parents are invited to participate. High school students beginning with the freshman class of 2011-2012 will see the most changes. As a result of changes enacted by the 81st Legislature, high school students will take more exams. These exams, called end- of-course exams, will be taken by students enrolled in the following courses:

• English I, II, III
• Algebra I, II
• Geometry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• U.S. History
• World History
• World Geography
• U.S. History

Why is Texas phasing in the EOC performance standards?

When compared to the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), the STAAR EOC Assessments represent an increase in difficulty and cognitive complexity. The Performance Standard phase-in provides schools with time to adjust instruction, increase teacher effectiveness, and close knowledge gaps before the recommended standards take effect in the 2015-2016 school year.

How do I know which STAAR EOCS my child must take?

There are three high school graduation programs in Texas: Minimum High School Program (MHSP), Recommended High School Program (RHSP), and Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) . Your child will take the STAAR EOC Assessments associated with their specific degree plans. It is important to also note that there are specified expectations of performance on English III and Algebra II EOC Assessments aligned to the RHSP and DAP graduation plans. These are noted below.

EOC Course Requirements:

MHSP: English I, II and III; Algebra I and Geometry; Biology; US History and EITHER World History or World Geography

RHSP: English I, II and III; Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II; Biology, Chemistry, and Physics; US History, World History, and World Geography. A student must meet or exceed the Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance standards for the STAAR English III reading & writing, and Algebra II EOC Assessments.

DAP: English I, II and III; Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II; Biology, Chemistry, and Physics; US History, World History, and World Geography. A student must meet or exceed the Level III: Advanced Academic Performance standards for the STAAR English III reading & writing, and Algebra II EOC Assessments.

Does my child have to retake a course if they "fail" the EOC?

No. Your child will only be required to retake a course if he or she has a failing final grade in the course, NOT the EOC. Your child will be required to retake an EOC if they score below the minimum score for the STAAR EOC assessment.

Why have the performance standards been set for STAAR EOC, but not for STAAR 3-8?
The timeline for standard-setting activities will differ for STAAR 3-8 and STAAR EOC because of the timing of available assessment data and different legislative requirements. For STAAR EOC, operational assessment data are available from the spring 2011 administrations. Therefore, performance standards were set in April 2012, prior to the spring administrations. However, operational assessment data for STAAR 3-8 will not be available until after the spring 2012 administrations; for this reason performance standards will be set in the fall of 2012.

What information will be reported to me, the parent, for spring 2012 STAAR?
For STAAR EOC assessments, you will receive a Confidential Student Report (CSR) for each STAAR assessment your child took. The CSR will include your child's test results for each reporting category as well as an overall scale score and the performance level achieved by your child. The CSR will also include a unique access code for the student data portal which can be found at http://www.TexasAssessment.com/students. Through this portal, you can see test results across administrations and years. For STAAR 3-8 assessments, you will receive CSRs in January of 2013 for the spring 2012 administration.

What is a performance standard?

Performance Standards are the degree to which your child demonstrated mastery of the required content and skills for a specific subject or course.
On the STAAR EOC, there are three levels that describe student performance:
Level III: Advanced Academic Performance
Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance
Level I: Unsatisfactory academic Performance

How do I know which EOC performance standards my child is held accountable to?
The Performance Standards your child will be held accountable to is dependent on the year that your child takes his or her FIRST STAAR EOC Assessment in a given content area.
For example, if your child takes his first EOC in Algebra during the 2012 spring administration, then he or she is held to the first phase-in Performance Standards for ALL of his or her EOC Assessments in Mathematics.

To view the performance standards for all EOCs at each phase-in, click here: EOC Performance Standards.pdf

What is a STAAR EOC cumulative score? How does it relate to my child's high school graduation?
A STAAR EOC cumulative score is the combined individual EOC assessment scores within a content area (English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies).
In order to graduate, your child must reach or exceed their cumulative score target in each of the four content areas (English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies). These targets are based on the Level II performance standard for each content area. Your child's specific cumulative score target will vary depending upon their graduation plan. For instance if your child is on the MHSP, they will need a cumulative score in Mathematics that is 2 X the Level II Performance Standard because they are required to take Algebra I and Geometry.

Why isn't the passing standard for STAAR set at 70% of the questions correct?
The STAAR program uses scale scores rather than a raw score, which is the number of questions answered correctly, to communicate passing standards and performance levels. This is because a scale score is a more exact way to determine mastery in a content are. Scale scores consider the difficulty level of the individual test questions as well as whether or not your child answers the questions correctly.