1. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)

2. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, replaced the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) assessment program during the Spring of 2012. At grades 3-8, students will continue to be tested in mathematics and reading. Students will also be tested in writing at grades 4 and 7, science at grades 5 and 8, and social studies at grade 8.

3. In general, the STAAR assessment program has some significant differences from TAKS: Increased rigor of both the assessments and the performance standards for all grades and subjects a four-hour time limit for each assessment Assessments have been designed to focus on “readiness standards”- skills that are essential for success in the current grade and next grade.

4. STAAR writing assessments at grades 4 and 7 have been extended to two days (4 hours each day). Students will write an expository one day and a personal narrative one day.

5. There are three performance categories: Level I – Unsatisfactory Academic Performance This performance category indicates that students are inadequately prepared for the next grade and that the student does not demonstrate a sufficient understanding of the assessed curriculum. Also, the student is unlikely to succeed in the next grade without significant, ongoing academic intervention.

6. Level II- Satisfactory Academic Performance This performance category indicates that students are sufficiently prepared for the next grade level and can generally demonstrate the ability to think critically and can also demonstrate the ability to apply the assessed curriculum in familiar contexts. This student has a reasonable likelihood of success in the next grade and may need short-term, targeted academic intervention.

7. Level III- Advanced Academic Performance This performance category indicates that students are well prepared for the next grade and are able to demonstrate the ability to think critically. These students are able to demonstrate the ability to apply the assessed curriculum in varied contexts, both familiar and unfamiliar. These students have a high likelihood of success in the next grade with little or no academic intervention.

9.  MARCH 30: 4 TH Grade WRITING DAY 1  MARCH 31: 4 TH Grade WRITING DAY 2 5 TH Grade READING  APRIL 20: 5 TH Grade MATH  APRIL 21: 3 RD AND 4 TH Grade MATH  APRIL 22: 3 RD AND 4 TH Grade READING 5 TH Grade SCIENCE

10.  Second Administration:  MAY 12: 5 TH Grade READING No summer school prior to the third administration.  Third Administration:  June 23: 5 th Grade READING