The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR): What You Need to Know January 2012 HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT ELEMENTARY

2 What we’ll talk about today  Overview of STAAR  Looking ahead to middle school and high school  Some frequently asked questions  Your questions

3 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.

4 A new accountability system starts this year

5 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

6 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

7 How is STAAR different? Time limitNoneFour hours Performance categories Did not meet standard. Met standard. Commended performance. Level I – Unsatisfactory Academic Performance Level II – Satisfactory Academic Performance Level III – Advanced Academic Performance Graduation Requirements Four exit-level tests End-of-course exams (EOCs) for 12 high school courses RigorMultiple steps with some open- ended questions High level of cognitive complexity, multiple steps, critical analysis, open-ended questions GoalMeasure student achievement Measure college and career readiness; make Texas students more competitive nationally and internationally

8 Performance standards are linked from grade to grade

9 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

10 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.

11 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

12 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

13 What grade level is this problem?

14 STAAR and TAKS questions Side by Side (Grade 3 Math) No scoreable in test booklet

15 STAAR and TAKS questions Side by Side (Grade 4 Math)

16 STAAR and TAKS questions Side by Side (Grade 5 Math)

17 STAAR transition plan Grades 3-8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 & out-of-school

18 How will performance be measured?

19 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

20 Looking ahead: High school MathEnglishScienceSocial Studies Algebra IEnglish I (Reading & Writing) BiologyWorld Geography GeometryEnglish II (Reading & Writing) ChemistryWorld History Algebra IIEnglish III (Reading & Writing) PhysicsU.S. History Students will take 12 STAAR end-of- course assessments developed in foundation subjects

21 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.

22 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.

23 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

24 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

25 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)

26 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

Questions