2. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) is the current state assessment program that began in spring 2012. For students in grades 3-8, STAAR replaced the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) that had been in place since 2003. STAAR was created to fulfill the requirements of the 81 st Texas Legislature

4. Elementary School Tests STAAR includes the following elementary school assessments: 3 rd grade Mathematics and Reading 4 th grade Mathematics, Reading and Writing 5 th grade Mathematics, Reading and Science

5. Tests contain a greater number of items that have a higher cognitive complexity level. In reading, greater emphasis is given to critical analysis than to literal understanding. In writing, students are required to write two essays rather than one. In science and mathematics, the number of open-ended (griddable) items has increased to allow students more opportunity to derive an answer independently. STAAR Rigorous Design

6. Aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Two days writing (4th grade) Four hour time limit for each test 3rd- 5th grade marks on answer sheet More questions More non-multiple-choice (griddable) questions STAAR Additional Features

7. What does increased rigor look like? Includes more than 1 TEK Multi-step problem solving Student needs to sort relevant information 5th grade Math 5.3(B) and 5.14(B)

8. What does increased rigor look like? Student needs to sort relevant information 3rd grade Reading Different genres Inference

9. What does increased rigor look like? 4th grade Writing Day One: Expository Composition Editing Concise language

10. What does increased rigor look like? 4th grade Writing Day Two: Personal Narrative Composition Editing Appropriate placement

11. What does increased rigor look like? 5th grade Science Application

12. Spring 2014 Testing Schedule Students in grades 3-8 take STAAR Students in grades 3-8 take STAAR exams in the Spring of the school year. exams in the Spring of the school year. Week of March 31 – 4 & 7 Writing (2 days) 5th Math and Reading 5th Math and Reading (7 th PACE Math takes 8 th Math test) (7 th PACE Math takes 8 th Math test) Week of April 21 – 3 & 4 Math and Reading (5 th PACE Math students take 6 th Math test) (5 th PACE Math students take 6 th Math test) 5th Science 5th Science Week of May 12– 5th retest for Math and Reading

13. Testing for PACE Math PACE Math students in grades 3 and 4 are receiving instruction at next grade level; however, it is not 100% of the next grade level math curriculum; therefore, they take their grade level test. Beginning in grade 5, PACE Math students are receiving 100% of next grade level instruction. Therefore; beginning in 5 th grade, PACE Math students will take the 6 th grade STAAR Math test. 6 - 8 th grade PACE Math students will also take the next grade level Math test. Eighth grade students who are in PACE Math taking the above grade level Math test are not subject to Student Success Initiative (SSI) requirements if they do not pass.

14. How does STAAR affect promotion to the next grade level? The Student Success Initiative (SSI) requires that students in grades 5 and 8 pass both the reading and math exams to be promoted to the next grade. Students in grades 5 and 8 will have 3 opportunities to pass the STAAR test in Reading and Mathematics: April, May, and June.

15. Tests for Special Populations STAAR includes additional test formats to accommodate special formats to accommodate special education students and English Language Learners: Language Learners:  STAAR Modified (English only) – 2014 will be the last year this assessment is administered  STAAR Alternate  STAAR L (linguistically accommodated) STAAR allows for approved accommodations documented in a 504 plan or IEP. These accommodations should be used routinely in the classroom.

16. How does LISD prepare students for their STAAR tests? The Leander ISD Curriculum is aligned to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) STAAR is aligned with the TEKS Curriculum Specialists and teachers conducted a thorough study of the curriculum to ensure that standards assessed on STAAR are taught prior to assessment dates. All 3-5 teachers participate in an in- depth study of STAAR and the relationship to the LISD curriculum Additional learning with teachers is provided throughout the year and summer months. Specialists and teachers regularly review assessment data to determine instructional needs

17. STAAR and Accountability Each campus and district received one of two possible ratings for 2013: Met Standard or Improvement Required. The rating awarded is based on STAAR scores in four index targets which include: Student Achievement, Student Progress, Closing the Achievement Gaps, and Post Secondary Readiness. Distinction Designations may be awarded to campuses who receive a Met Standard rating and meet criteria based upon a state-designated comparison group. The comparison group varies for each campus.

18. Where can I go for additional information? STAAR http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/ http://www5.esc13.net/staar/ Accountability http://www.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/resources/index.html

19. ISD Where can I go for additional information in Leander ISD? Brenda Cruz, Director of Student Information Systems, Assessment, and Accountability 512-570-0259 Jennifer Freeman, Coordinator of State Assessment 512-570-0262 Melanie Mather, State Assessment Specialist 512-570-0261