L.I.S.D. Staff Development State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness 1 August 2011

 WELCOME  Share what you know about STAAR 2

 What do we know about STAAR?  Will begin in  Grades 3 through 8  First year 9 th graders  Will be “significantly more rigorous” than TAKS  Will measure student performance AND academic readiness  Grade 3-8 STAAR tests in Reading and Math will be linked (from grade to grade) to performance expectations for  English III STAAR and  Algebra II STAAR 3

Keep in mind... we’ve been walking this path for a while! 4 TAAS TABS TEAMS TAKS [SDAA/LDAA] TAKS (Acc/M/Alt)

Episode V – The Birth of STAAR After nearly 30 years of state testing, Texas announces the “Next Generation” of tests. Beginning in TAKS (the descendant of TABS, TEAMS and TAAS) will be replaced with STAAR (the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness). STAAR will be significantly more rigorous than TAKS.

 What does STAAR include?  12 end-of-course assessments  Mandated by SB 1031 in 2007  Grade 3-8 assessments (replacing TAKS)  Mandated by HB 3 in

The tests….. Grades 3-8 Reading – Gr. 3-8 Math – Gr. 3-8 Writing – Gr. 4 & 7 Science – Gr. 5 & 8 Soc. Studies – Gr. 8 7 High School MathEnglishScienceSoc Studies Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Eng I Engl II Eng III Biology Chemistry Physics World Geo. World Hist. U.S. History The high school level STAAR tests are COURSE tests, NOT grade level tests

– A New World – A New World  Must be linked to college readiness  Will have “clearer, fewer, deeper” focus  Provides a more clearly articulated assessment program  Focuses on fewer skills  Addresses those skills in a deeper manner 8

What does it mean to be an assessment of academic / college readiness?  TAKS Question: Question: Did I pass 6 th grade? Did I pass 6 th grade?  STAAR Questions Questions Did I pass 6 th grade? Did I pass 6 th grade? Am I ready for 7 th grade? Am I ready for 7 th grade? And 8 th grade? And 8 th grade?

 In a STAAR world, college readiness starts early 10

11 One Step: 1.Fewest barrels TABS Exit Level Math (1982) Two Steps: 1.Find point on graph 2.Multiply 30 pupils x $300 = $9,000 TEAMS Exit Level Math (1986) Three Steps: 1.Find paper on pie chart 2.Divide tons of paper by total tons: 72/180 3.Convert to 40% TAAS Exit Level Math (1999) Five Steps: 1.Add all votes = 1,200 2.Determine which student finished 3 rd (Bridget: 240 votes) 3.Determine Bridget’s %age of votes 240 / 1,200 = 20% 4.Know that a pie chart has 360 total degrees 5.Determine 20% of 360 degrees:.20 x 360 = 72 TAKS Exit Level Math (2002 Field Test) Five Steps: 1.The student must know how to apply the quadratic formula to find the value of the discrimant 2.Find quadratic equation on formula chart: 3.If there are two real number roots of the equation and the graph of the parabola crosses the x-axis at those roots 4.If there is a “multiple” or repeated root of the equation and the vertex of the graph of the parabola touches the x-axis at that root. 5. If the roots of the equation are imaginary numbers and the graph of the parabola does not intersect the x-axis STAAR Exit Level Math? (2012) Where were you and what were you doing the year each test was administered?

STAAR Passing Standards: What does it take to pass? 13

STAAR Passing Standards: When will we know what they are? High School STAAR tests High School STAAR tests Fall 2011 Fall 2011 Grades 3-8 STAAR tests Grades 3-8 STAAR tests Fall 2012 Fall

Other Considerations… 15

Other Considerations… Degree of difficulty the result of a variety of factors: Degree of difficulty the result of a variety of factors: Length of test (STAAR longer than TAKS) Length of test (STAAR longer than TAKS) Difficulty of questions (STAAR will include the hardest questions from TAKS Difficulty of questions (STAAR will include the hardest questions from TAKS Multiple steps required for identifying correct answer Multiple steps required for identifying correct answer 16

What can Parents do to Prepare Their Child for STARR? Read with your child every night! Read with your child every night! Let your children tackle problem solving activities so they can process the questions: “Why does this happen?” & “What would happen if we did this? Why?” Let your children tackle problem solving activities so they can process the questions: “Why does this happen?” & “What would happen if we did this? Why?” Create a system and provide structure for your child in terms of homework, and if possible, check over their work. Create a system and provide structure for your child in terms of homework, and if possible, check over their work. 17

 One thing that teachers can do to help get kids ready for STAAR is to use Higher Level Questioning Strategies…especially in the middle to end of the year when they are tired. It is at this time when the curriculum usually gets more difficult and teachers need to focus on asking good questions.  For more information on STAAR check out the TEA website: 

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