The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR):

What You Need to Know

January 2012

HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

ELEMENTARY

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What we’ll talk about today

Overview of STAAR Looking ahead to middle school and high school Some frequently asked questions Your questions

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Before we begin …

This information is the latest we have at this time. TEA has yet to finalize several crucial decisions regarding STAAR.

HISD is reevaluating and modifying policies, regulations and procedures to fit the new structure and purpose of STAAR.

As HISD receives updates from the TEA, specific details will be communicated to all students and parents/guardians.

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A new accountability system starts this year

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What is the STAAR test?

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)

Based on Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

Will be administered in Grades 3-8 and as subject-area End-of-

Course exams in high school

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How is STAAR different?

Questions require higher-level thinking

Questions are more complex

Designed to measure whether students are on a path to college and meaningful careers

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How is STAAR different?

Time limit None Four hours

Performance categories

Did not meet standard.Met standard.Commended performance.

Level I – Unsatisfactory Academic PerformanceLevel II – Satisfactory Academic PerformanceLevel III – Advanced Academic Performance

GraduationRequirements

Four exit-level tests

End-of-course exams (EOCs) for 12 high school courses

Rigor Multiple steps with some open-ended questions

High level of cognitive complexity, multiple steps, critical analysis, open-ended questions

Goal Measure student achievement

Measure college and career readiness; make Texas students more competitive nationally and internationally

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Performance standards are linked from grade to grade

STAAR: A Vertical System - Mathematics

8.1A Compare and order rational numbers in various forms including integers, percents, and positive and negative fractions and decimals.

7.1A Compare and order integers and positive rational numbers

6.1A Compare and order non-negative rational numbers

5.1B Use place value to read, write, compare, and order decimals through the thousandths place

4.1B Use place value to read, write, compare, and order decimals involving tenths and hundredths, including money

3.1B Use place value to compare and order whole numbers through 9,999

2.1A Use concrete models of hundreds, tens, and ones to represent a given whole number (up to 999) in various ways

1.1A Compare and order whole numbers up to 99 (less than, greater than, or equal to) using sets of concrete objects and pictorial models

K.1B Use one-to-one correspondence and language such as more than, same number as, or two less than to describe relative sizes of sets of concrete objects

Readiness Standards Supporting Standards

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What exams will elementary students take?

In elementary (and middle school), STAAR will assess the same subjects at the same grade levels that have been covered by the TAKS:

Grade 3: Math and Reading Grade 4: Math, Reading, Writing Grade 5: Math, Reading, and Science Spanish versions and other accommodations available

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Measuring performance in elementary and middle school

All tests will be scored and reported, and a raw score will be returned. Students may be required to attend summer school or take remedial classes based on their performance. A student’s performance on the STAAR test may determine placement in pre-AP classes for middle school, so it’s important for students to do their best on this exam.

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What will this mean for my child?

STAAR assessments at Grade 3 will have a separate answer document instead of scorable test booklets STAAR writing assessment at Grade 4 will be two days Accommodations during testing will be available for:

• Students who receive special education services• Students who are identified for support under Section 504• Students with a specific need who meet established

eligibility criteria set by TEA for certain accommodations

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Exactly how is the STAAR test more rigorous?

By focusing on the course level curriculum (TEKS) that is most critical for success, known as Readiness Standards

By adhering to a time limit of four hours More rigorous/increased number of items Greater emphasis on critical analysis More difficult testing methods, such as

open-ended questions and additional compositions

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What grade level is this problem?

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STAAR and TAKS questions Side by Side

(Grade 3 Math)

No scoreable in test booklet

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STAAR and TAKS questions Side by Side

(Grade 4 Math)

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STAAR and TAKS questions Side by Side

(Grade 5 Math)

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STAAR transition plan

Grades 3-8

Grade 9

Grade 10

Grade 11

Grade 12 & out-of-school

2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016

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How will performance be measured?

Level IUnsatisfactory Academic Performance

Level IISatisfactory Academic Performance

Level IIIAdvanced AcademicPerformance

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Looking ahead: Middle school

•Mathematics and Reading

Sixth grade

•Mathematics, Reading and Writing

•STAAR writing assessment will be two days

Seventh grade

•Mathematics, Reading, Social Studies and Science

Eighth grade*

* Middle school students enrolled in high school-level courses will be required to take the corresponding STAAR end-of-course (EOC) assessment

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Looking ahead: High school

Math English Science Social Studies

Algebra I English I(Reading & Writing)

Biology World Geography

Geometry English II(Reading & Writing)

Chemistry World History

Algebra II English III(Reading & Writing)

Physics U.S. History

Students will take 12 STAAR end-of-course assessments developed in foundation subjects

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Looking ahead: High school Students must achieve a minimum score* on all EOCs in which they are enrolled, other than English III and Algebra II; Students must meet the cumulative score* requirement in each of the four foundation subjects; and Students must earn Level II or III performance in English III and Algebra II (depending on graduation program)

* Neither score has been set at this time by the TEA.

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Looking ahead: High school

Beginning this year for first-time ninth-graders, the STAAR End-of-Course assessment will count for 15 percent of the student’s final grade in the course. This change also affects middle school students who are taking high school courses that require EOC exams.

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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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Students served by Special Education

The Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) committee will decide which STAAR assessments (STAAR, STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate) a student served through the special education program should take based on his/her abilities and eligibility requirements Individual ARD committees will continue to consider the needs of each student and select additional accommodations and supplemental aids that are necessary to support the student’s success during assessment

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Key dates

March 26-30: English I, II and III, Grades 4 & 7 Writing, Grades 5 & 8 Math and Reading April 24-27: Grades 3, 4, 6 & 7 Math and Reading, Grades 5 & 8 Science, Grade 8 Social Studies May 7-18: Assessment window for EOC subjects (except English I, II and III)

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How HISD is preparing teachers, students for STAAR

Training for teachers, principals Coaching, co-teaching, and model teaching based on STAAR STAAR-focused assessments and feedback throughout the year Revised spring teaching calendar focused on STAAR standards Recruitment of tutors for high-need campuses

Resources for you

Houstonisd.org/STAAR

www.tea.state.tx.us

Questions