1 Overview of STAAR State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness Academic Achievement Distinction Designation Committee (AADDC) April 16, 2012

2 The STAAR Program For elementary and middle school grades 3–8 mathematics grades 3–8 reading grades 4 and 7 writing grades 5 and 8 science grade 8 social studies For high school Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II English I, English II, and English III biology, chemistry, and physics world geography, world history, and U.S. history

3 STAAR Graduation Requirements To graduate on the Distinguished Achievement Program, a student must take all 12 STAAR EOC assessments meet the cumulative score requirement for each of the four core content areas achieve Level III: Advanced Academic Performance on English III Algebra II

4 STAAR Graduation Requirements To graduate on the Recommended High School Program, a student must take all 12 STAAR EOC assessments meet the cumulative score requirement in each of the four core content areas achieve Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance on English III Algebra II

5 STAAR Graduation Requirements To graduate on the Minimum High School Program, a student must take STAAR EOC assessments for courses in which they are enrolled and for which an EOC assessment exists (8–12 tests) meet the cumulative score requirement for each of the four core content areas for courses specifically required on the MHSP (could be as few as 8 tests)

6 STAAR vs. TAKS Compared to TAKS, the STAAR program will have a stronger emphasis on rigor be a more comprehensive system with standards aligned from elementary to high school have performance standards that are more fully supported by empirical studies

7 STAAR vs. TAKS The process for setting performance standards for STAAR will differ from the process used for TAKS. An empirical link will exist between performance on a STAAR assessment and performance on other assessments in the same content area. Standards will be externally validated. Standards will be reviewed every three years.

8 Legislative Requirements Federal Three achievement levels are required for accountability (AYP) purposes. State Performance levels must indicate satisfactory performance advanced-course readiness postsecondary readiness (STAAR Algebra II and English III) Feasibility of establishing postsecondary-readiness performance standards for science and social studies STAAR EOC assessments must be explored

9 Postsecondary Readiness Texass goal is to be in the top 10 states in terms of postsecondary readiness by 2019– Comparisons of Texas performance standards to national and international standards are important in meeting this goal. Studies will be conducted at least every three years to potentially update the standards as additional data become available.

10 Performance Labels and Policy Definitions Were developed by a committee convened in September 2010 Describe the general level of knowledge and skills evident at each performance level Describe students in the middle of each performance level Apply to all assessments

11 STAAR Performance Labels There will be two cut scores identifying three performance categories Level III: Advanced Academic Performance* Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance *For Algebra II and English III, this level of performance also indicates students postsecondary readiness.

12 Preliminary Phase-in Plan for Level II Standard There will be a phase-in standard and a recommended standard established. The phase-in standard for Level II would apply to the first three school years of STAAR (2011– 2012, 2012–2013, 2013–2014). Entering freshmen in 2014–2015 would be the first cohort of students required to meet the recommended standard for Level II. 12

13 Implementation of Performance Standards STAAR EOC assessments are scheduled to be administered in March and May This will be the first high-stakes administration for first-time 9 th graders. New standards are expected to be used in state and federal accountability systems beginning in

14 Other STAAR Standard Settings Additional STAAR standard-setting committees will be convened. STAAR EOC ModifiedAugust 2012 STAAR AlternateSeptember 2012 STAAR 3–8October 2012 STAAR 3–8 ModifiedNovember