Assessment Resources for Parents Brenda de la Garza Education Specialist School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

What are standardized tests?  Usually created by commercial test publishers, standardized tests are designed to give a common measure of students' performance. Because large numbers of students throughout the country take the same test, they give educators a common yardstick or "standard" of measure. Educators use these standardized tests to tell how well school programs are succeeding or to give themselves a picture of the skills and abilities of today's students. School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

Why do schools use standardized tests?  Standardized tests can help teachers and administrators make decisions regarding the instructional program. They help schools measure how students in a given class, school, or school system perform in relation to other students who take the same test. Using the results from these tests, teachers and administrators can evaluate the school system, a school program, or a particular student. School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

How do schools use standardized tests?  Different types of standardized tests have different purposes. Standardized achievement tests measure how much students have already learned about a school subject. The results from these tests can help teachers develop programs that suit students' achievement levels in each subject area, such as reading, math, language skills, spelling, or science.  Standardized aptitude tests measure students' abilities to learn in school - how well they are likely to do in future school work. Instead of measuring knowledge of subjects taught in school, these tests measure a broad range of abilities or skills that are considered important to success in school. They can measure verbal ability, mechanical ability, creativity, clerical ability, or abstract reasoning. The results from aptitude tests help teachers to plan instruction that is appropriate for the students' levels. Educators most commonly use achievement and aptitude tests to:  Evaluate school programs  Report on students' progress  Diagnose students' strengths and weaknesses  Select students for special programs  Place students in special groups  Certify student achievement (for example, award high school diplomas or promote students from grade to grade) School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

What is STAAR?  The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) is the testing program for students in Texas public schools. The assessments are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the state-mandated curriculum. The curriculum contains the content and skills students need to learn in order to be successful in the current grade and to make academic progress from year to year. Each STAAR assessment measures what students are learning in a specific grade. STAAR L is a version of STAAR for students who are learning English. STAAR L uses linguistic accommodations to help students understand the language of the tests so that they can demonstrate their knowledge and skills. STAAR A is an online accommodated version of STAAR. It provides embedded supports designed to help students with disabilities access the content being assessed. School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

What is the STAAR Alternate 2?  STAAR Alternate 2 is a standardized, item-based assessment that is administered to eligible students in grades 3 through 8 and high school. Students respond to questions asked by a trained test administrator in a one-on-one setting. Test questions are based on prerequisite skills linked to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the statewide curriculum. The content and skills tested on each STAAR Alternate 2 assessment are grouped together into reporting categories. School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

Who is eligible for STAAR Alternate 2?  The ARD committee determines whether a student with a significant cognitive disability is eligible to take STAAR Alternate 2 based on the following criteria. To be eligible to participate in STAAR Alternate 2, the answer to all four questions must be “yes.” Evidence for each “yes” answer must be documented. Evidence for a cognitive disability must be based on assessment data provided by an assessment specialist. 1. Does the student have a significant cognitive disability? 2. Does the student require specialized supports to access the grade- level curriculum and environment? 3. Does the student require intensive, individualized instruction in a variety of instructional settings? 4. Does the student access and participate in the grade-level TEKS through prerequisite skills? School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

What is STAAR A?  STAAR A is an online accommodated version of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®). STAAR A provides embedded supports designed to help students with disabilities better access the test content being assessed so they can demonstrate their academic knowledge and skills.  When students take a STAAR A test on the computer, they may click on certain underlined words and phrases to see definitions, synonyms, pictures, animations, or rewording of text. They may also hear words read aloud.  STAAR A is available for all the same subjects tested by STAAR. Students may be eligible to use additional allowable accommodations on STAAR A. Detailed information about these additional accommodations can be found on the Accommodation Resources webpage of TEA's Student Assessment website at School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

Who is eligible for STAAR A?  Students may be administered STAAR A in one or more subjects if they  have identified disabilities and are receiving special education services; or  are identified with dyslexia or a related disorder (as defined in Texas Education Code §38.003) and are receiving services under Section 504.  If your child falls into one of these categories and receives accommodations during classroom instruction similar to those found in STAAR A, review the STAAR A Eligibility Requirements document. The eligibility criteria found in that document must be met in order for your child to take STAAR A. School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

State Required Assessments  3 rd grade  Math and Reading  4 th grade  Math, Reading and Writing  5 th grade  Math, Reading and Science  6 th grade  Math and Reading  7 th grade  Math, Reading and Writing  8 th grade  Math, reading, Science and Social Studies  EOC- End of Course  Algebra 1, English I, English II, Biology and US History School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

Calendar- Fall 2015  Fall Administration- EOC  December 7- English I  December 9- English II  December 11- Make up sessions due  December Algebra 1, Biology, US History School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

Calendar- Spring 2016  TAKS  February 29- ELA  March 1- Math  March 2- Science  March 3- Social Studies  STAAR  March th and 7 th Writing, 5 th and 8 th Mathematics, and English I  March th and 8 th Reading  March 31- EOC- English II  April 1- Make ups due  STAAR Alternate 2- assessment window April 4-22 School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

Calendar- Spring 2016  May 2-6  EOC- Algebra I, Biology and US History  May 9  3 rd and 4 th Mathematics  6 th and 7 th Mathematics  5 th and 8 th Mathematics (retest)  May 10  3 rd and 4 th Reading  6 th and 7 th Reading  EOC- English III  5 th and 8 th Reading (retest) School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

Calendar- Spring 2016  May 11  5 th and 8 th Science  EOC- Algebra II  May 12  8 th Social Studies  May 13  Make ups due School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

Calendar- Summer 2016  June 21  5 th and 8 th Mathematics (Retest)  June 22  5 th and 8 th Reading (Retest)  June 24  Make ups due School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

Calendar- Summer 2016  July 11  EOC-English I  TAKS ELA  July 12  TAKS Mathematics  July 13  English II  TAKS Science  July 14  TAKS Social Studies  July 15  Make ups due  July  EOC- Algebra I, Biology and US History School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

Graduation Requirements  Passing all 5 EOCs  English I  English II  Algebra I  US History  Biology ****Current Juniors and Seniors An Individual Graduation Committee (IGC) may decide to allow the student to graduate if the student meets the following criteria:  Students have to pass 3 out of the 5 EOCs  Submit a project or portfolio for the 2 EOCs that the student did not pass  Additional remediation School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

IGC  The IGC must be composed of:  the principal or his/her designee;  the teacher of the course for which the student did not pass the EOC assessment;  the department chair or lead teacher supervising the teacher of the course; and  as applicable, the student’s parent or guardian; a designated advocate; or the student, at the student’s option, if the student is at least 18 years old or is an emancipated minor [TEC, § (b)]. School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

Tips for Parents- Tips for Parents- Before the Test  Be prepared  Help your child in areas that are difficult for him/her  Give your child a chance to practice  If you have concerns about the test or testing situation, talk with your child's teacher School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

Tips for Parents- Tips for Parents- On Test Day  Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats a healthy breakfast  Make sure your child is prepared  Remain positive School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

Tips for Parents- After the Test  What about the results?  Review tests with your child School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

Tips for Parents- On a Daily Basis  Assisting your child with homework and ensuring that your child is completing all homework assignments  Helping her to develop good study habits, thinking skills, and a positive attitude towards education from an early age  Ensuring that your child has good attendance at school  Staying in communication with your child's teacher  Encouraging your child to read as much as possible, and to increase her vocabulary - even reading magazines, newspapers, and comic books regularly will help improve her reading skills  Looking for educational games and programs that engage your child  Helping your child learn how to follow directions carefully (Dietel, 2008; IRA (2002); Narang, 2008). School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance

References  Colorin Colorado. Parent Tips: How to Help Your Child Prepare for Standardized Tests. Retrieved from  Dallas ISD. STAAR Videos. Retrieved from  East Brunswick Public Schools. Standardized Test Preparation Video. Retrieved from  Good Housekeeping. How Parents Can Help Their Children on Standardized Tests Video. Retrieved from standardized-tests-video /  International Reading Association (IRA). (2002). Prepare your child for reading tests [Brochure]. Bachman, T.M.: Author.  Narang, S. (2008). Standardized tests: What you should know before your child sharpens his #2 pencil. Retrieved April 2, 2008, from  Texas Education Agency. Student Assessment. Retrieved from  Texas Education Agency. Parent and Student Resources. Retrieved from  US Department of Education. Retrieved from School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance