STAAR
"The single best way to improve student achievement is to teach students what is being tested in a manner in which it is tested."
Tested subjects:
- Grade 3: Reading / Math
- Grade 4: Reading / Math / Writing
- Grade 5: Reading / Math / Science
- Grade 6: Reading / Math
- Grade 7: Reading / Math / Writing
- Grade 8: Reading / Math/ Science / Social Studies
Source: TEA website
Readiness Standards vs. Supporting Standards:
- In 2011 - 2012 STAAR test was implemented- The change reflects the shift in focus from current achievement to assessment of academic readiness for future success
- Tighter alignment between the taught and tested curriculum
- Aligning rigor of test item with the rigor with TEKS
- This helps the teacher to see how students will be assessed and subsequently prepared for the next step
- Readiness for students:
o Ready for the next grade
o Ready for the next course
o Ready for college and career
- In the past, all TEKS were equal
- The state did not identify which skills were more important
- Now all skills are not equal in the eyes of the state
- Academic Standards are now categorized as Readiness Standards and Supporting Standards
- Readiness Standards
o Essential for success in current grade / course
o Important for preparedness in next grade / course
o Support college and career readiness
o Require in-depth instruction
o Address significant content and concepts
- Supporting Standards
o Introduced in current grade / course but emphasized in the next year
o Reinforced in current year / course but emphasized in a previous year
o Address more narrowly defined content / concepts
o Play a role in preparing students for the next grade / course but NOT a central role
o May not be tested each year
- 70% supporting standards, 30% readiness standards (when looking at blueprint)
- 65% of what is tested – from readiness standards, 35% tested – from supporting standards
- 65% of tested material comes from 35% of the TEKS
- How do you know which TEKS are readiness or supporting?
o TEA – STAAR assessed curriculum
o www.lead4ward.com
Video from Mansfield ISD - click here
- Grade 3: Reading / Math
- Grade 4: Reading / Math / Writing
- Grade 5: Reading / Math / Science
- Grade 6: Reading / Math
- Grade 7: Reading / Math / Writing
- Grade 8: Reading / Math/ Science / Social Studies
Source: TEA website
Readiness Standards vs. Supporting Standards:
- In 2011 - 2012 STAAR test was implemented- The change reflects the shift in focus from current achievement to assessment of academic readiness for future success
- Tighter alignment between the taught and tested curriculum
- Aligning rigor of test item with the rigor with TEKS
- This helps the teacher to see how students will be assessed and subsequently prepared for the next step
- Readiness for students:
o Ready for the next grade
o Ready for the next course
o Ready for college and career
- In the past, all TEKS were equal
- The state did not identify which skills were more important
- Now all skills are not equal in the eyes of the state
- Academic Standards are now categorized as Readiness Standards and Supporting Standards
- Readiness Standards
o Essential for success in current grade / course
o Important for preparedness in next grade / course
o Support college and career readiness
o Require in-depth instruction
o Address significant content and concepts
- Supporting Standards
o Introduced in current grade / course but emphasized in the next year
o Reinforced in current year / course but emphasized in a previous year
o Address more narrowly defined content / concepts
o Play a role in preparing students for the next grade / course but NOT a central role
o May not be tested each year
- 70% supporting standards, 30% readiness standards (when looking at blueprint)
- 65% of what is tested – from readiness standards, 35% tested – from supporting standards
- 65% of tested material comes from 35% of the TEKS
- How do you know which TEKS are readiness or supporting?
o TEA – STAAR assessed curriculum
o www.lead4ward.com
Video from Mansfield ISD - click here
History of the Texas testing programs
Texas Assessment of Basic Skills (TABS) – First state-mandated test, in use from 1980-1985, administered to students in grades 3, 5 and 9 in reading, mathematics and writing.
Texas Educational Assessment of Minimum Skills (TEAMS) – In use from 1986-1990, tested reading, mathematics and writing in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11; first state test students were required to pass to earn a diploma.
Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) – In use from 1990-2002, tested reading, mathematics and writing, ultimately given to students in grades 3-8 and 10, additionally science and social studies tested at eighth grade, Spanish-language tests available for students in grades 3-6, four end-of-course exams provide optional method for meeting graduation requirements.
Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) – In use from 2003 -2012, assesses mathematics, reading, writing, English language arts, science and social studies, students tested in grades 3-11; promotion tied to test results for students in grades 3, 5 and 8; graduation requirements expanded to include English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.
TEA Link