1. State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness

2. General Information
STAAR is a criterion-referenced test that measures a student’s performance in comparison to the curriculum standards, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), for each subject and grade level.

3. STAAR Standards •Readiness Standards… Supporting Standards…
-are essential for success in the current grade or course.
-are important for preparedness for the next grade or course.
-support college and career readiness.
-necessitate in-depth instruction.
-address broad and deep ideas.
Supporting Standards…
-may be introduced in the current grade or course.
-maybe emphasized in a previous or subsequent year.
-may be reinforced in the current grade or course.
-play a role in preparing student for the next grade or coarse – but not
a central role.
-address more narrowly defined ideas than Readiness Standards.

4. STAAR Tests Grade 3 : Reading and Math
3rd grade does not have the opportunity to retest.

5. Testing Dates May 14th : 3rd Grade Math May 15th : 3rd Grade Reading
Each testing session is 4 hours.

6. Accountability

7. READING STAAR

8. STAAR is Rigorous! The reading passages are long.
Questions are complex and require deep thinking.
3rd grade students read 4-5 selections.
- With up to approximately 40 questions
3rd grade students are required to read, comprehend, and analyze up to a maximum 3,400 words in 4 hours.

9. Genres Assessed- Literary
Students in 3rd grade are assessed using:
Fiction
Literary Nonfiction
Poetry
Media literacy (technology) is embedded throughout the test.

10. Genres Assessed- Informational
Students in 3rd grade are assessed using:
Expository
Procedural
Media literacy (technology) is embedded throughout the test.

11. Students must be able to…
analyze a variety of texts, their organizational patterns, and make connections between texts in a logical way.
draw conclusions about the interaction of characters and the changes they undergo throughout the text.
make complex inferences within and between a variety of text using text evidence.
recognize how the structure of the text affects meaning.
determine the meaning of unfamiliar and multiple-meaning words using context, prefixes, suffixes, and roots.

12. Students must be able to…
understand how the author uses sensory language to create imagery and how figurative language contributes to the meaning.
identify the theme, determine the order and importance of the plot’s main events.
summarize the plot and describe the interaction of characters.
identify the author’s purpose.
use text features to locate information that supports meaning.

13. How can parents help?
Make sure that students read at least 30 minutes daily!
Read with your children, have conversations about what they are reading and ask questions.
A list of question stems is available to help start reading conversations.
“Think out loud” to help your child understand how to logically think through the information.
Make sure that your child does their homework and that they show all work clearly.
Make sure your child’s work shows clear thinking, as well as the depth of their thinking.

14. MATH STAAR

15. STAAR MATH GRADES 3 More Rigorous? What does that mean?
Uses complex questioning that requires analysis and logical reasoning to understand the task.
Multiple-step problems with fewer key word indicators to help determine appropriate strategies.
More fill-in griddable questions without answer choices. Computation errors can go undetected.
Test is longer and time is limited to 4 hours
3rd Grade – about 40 questions

16. STAAR Math Griddables

17. STAAR MATH GRADE 3 What is being tested and what are the expectations?
The Math Reporting Categories and Student Expectations
Numerical Representations and Relationships
Computations and Algebraic relationships
Geometry and Measurement
Data analysis and personal financial literacy
* Underlying Processes and Mathematical Tools concepts are embedded within multi-step problem solving. The students will need to read carefully to identify the appropriate steps.

18. STAAR MATH GRADE 3 How Parents Can Help?
Help your child memorize multiplication facts- practice with flashcards
Encourage your child to show all their work and explain it to you
Model your thinking aloud to solve problems and then have your child solve a similar problem
Use math vocabulary with your child
Make connections to every day math
Find online resources (Google specific skills to locate practice)
Make your child read EVERYDAY. Good reading skills are essential to understanding STAAR math problems.

19. How Parents Can Help? (cont.)
Ask Your Child Higher Level Questions
How would you explain ….?
Why does this work/not work …?
How could you verify…?
How would you prove… or disprove…?
What can you conclude about…?
What information lead you to draw this conclusion?
Where else could you apply this thinking?

20. It’s all about ATTITUDE!

21. HOW THE STAAR TESTING WILL GO:
Details:
We will provide breakfast as usual.
Testing begins ASAP
4 hours to test (unless student is testing in non-native language or addressed in IEP)
Clock stops for lunch, medical breaks, emergencies
No Specials (PE/Music/computers)
Closed Campus (Students may bring in their own packed lunch in the morning if they will not be taking a lunch tray provided)
Testing Materials:
Test Booklets
Answer Document
Mathematics chart
Graph paper
Extra paper
Pencils
Highlighters
Snack (provided by school)

22. WHAT PARENTS CAN DO TO HELP:
The Night Before
Visualization: Have a conversation with your child about what the day will look like.
Get a good night's sleep. Kids need a full 8 hours of sleep.
Self-Talk: give your child a few phrases that can motivate him/her "I just need to do my best!" "I can do it." "Stay cool."
Answer any fears or questions your child might have.
On STAAR Testing Day
Eat a good, healthy breakfast (at home or in school).
Do relaxing activities like taking deep breaths, tensing muscles and then relaxing them, talking about something unrelated to STAAR.
Arrive early or ON-TIME to school. (7:30)
Please leave cell phones, backpacks, or IPADS at home.
Bring a light jacket/sweater so your child is comfortable in any temperature.
Remain calm and positive.

23. We will be available for any remaining questions. Thanks for attending
We will be available for any remaining questions. Thanks for attending! 3rd Grade Teachers 