STATE OF TEXAS ASSESSMENTS OF

ACADEMIC READINESS (STAAR)

STAAR Reading and Writing

What is STAAR?

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) program beginning in spring 2012.

The STAAR program at grades 3–8 will assess the same grades and subjects as were assessed on TAKS.

3rd Grade – Reading and Math 4th Grade – Reading, Math and Writing 5th Grade – Reading, Math and Science

What are the most significant differences between the STAAR assessments and the TAKS assessments?

The rigor of items has been increased by assessing skills at a greater depth and level of cognitive complexity. In this way the tests will be better able to measure a greater range of student achievement and establish stronger links to postsecondary readiness.

The total number of test items for the STAAR assessments has been increased for most grades, subjects, and courses.

A four-hour time limit has been established for STAAR assessments, as opposed to TAKS, which was untimed.

STAAR writing assessments at grades 4 and 7 will be extended to two days.

Grade 4 Writing will now have make-up testing.

What are the most significant differences between the STAAR assessments and the TAKS assessments?

The test designs for STAAR grade 4 will require students to write two essays addressing different purposes for writing rather than one longer personal essay, which TAKS required.

In reading assessments for STAAR, greater emphasis will be given to critical analysis rather than literal understanding.

STAAR grade 3 assessments will have separate answer documents instead of scoreable test booklets.

How will student performance be

described on STAAR?

Level III: Advanced Academic Performance (Previously Commended)

Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance (Previously Passed)

Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance (Previously Failed)

What is the timeline for establishing student performance standards for the

STAAR program? Timeline

Grade 3-8 STAAR: October 2012 Will include growth measures (student progress) Raw score information will be available in late

spring 2012 First reports with performance standards

applied will be available in late fall 2012 There will not be retest opportunities for SSI

grades and subjects in 2011-2012

Writing Test DesignGrade 4

Assessment split evenly over two daysDay 1–First half of multiple-choice

questions and 1 promptDay 2–Second half of multiple-choice

questions and 1 prompt

Students will write two one-page essays (26 lines maximum) addressing different types of writing

Grade 4—personal narrative and expository

Essays will be weighted equally

No “gatekeeper” (automatic fail of the writing test for a 1)

Dates of STAAR Testing

Grade 3 Math: April 24 Grade 3 Reading: April 25 Grade 4 Writing: March 27 Day 1

March 28 Day 2 Grade 4 Math: April 24 Grade 4 Reading: April 25 Grade 5 Math: March 27 Grade 5 Reading: March 28 Grade 5 Science: April 26

Student Portal of the Texas Assessment Management

System

Texas Assessment Student Portal