• STAAR

     

     

    STAAR: The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) program, which was implemented in spring 2012, includes annual assessments for

    • reading and mathematics, grades 3–8
    • writing at grades 4 and 7
    • science at grades 5 and 8
    • social studies at grade 8
    • End-of-course (EOC) assessments for English I, English II, Algebra I, biology and U.S history.

    Beginning in spring 2016, STAAR English III and Algebra II will be available for districts to administer as optional assessments.

    The resources on this website provide information to familiarize Texas educators and the public with the design and format of the STAAR program. The information should help educators understand how the STAAR program measures the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum standards. These resources should support, not narrow or replace, the teaching of the state-mandated curriculum, the TEKS. 

    STAAR A: STAAR A is an accommodated version of STAAR©, it is offered as an online assessment in the same grades and subjects as STAAR. The passing standards for STAAR A are the same as any STAAR test. STAAR A will provide embedded supports designed to help students with disabilities access the content being assessed. These embedded supports include visual aids, graphic organizers, clarifications of construct-irrelevant terms, and text-to-speech functionality.

    Students receiving the following services may be administered STAAR A in one or more subjects:

    • Students with identified disabilities who are receiving special education services
    • Students identified with dyslexia or a related disorder (as defined in Texas Education Code §38.003) and are receiving Section 504 services

    If a student falls into one of these categories and receives accommodations in instruction similar to those found in STAAR A, the STAAR A Eligibility Requirements should be reviewed. Additional eligibility criteria found in this document must be met in order for a student to take STAAR A.

     

    STAAR L: STAAR L is a linguistically accommodated English version of the STAAR grades 3–8 and end-of-course (EOC) mathematics, science, and social studies assessments. TEA provides the STAAR L for English language learners (ELLs). ELL students must meet participation requirements for a substantial degree of linguistic accommodation in these subject areas. STAAR L is an online testing program. 

     

    STAAR Alternate 2:

    TEA has developed the STAAR Alternate 2 assessment to meet the federal requirements mandated under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), a federal education law previously known as No Child Left Behind. TEA designed the STAAR Alternate 2 to assess students in grades 3–8 and high school who have significant cognitive disabilities and are receiving special education services.