1. STATE OF TEXAS ASSESSMENTS OF ACADEMIC READINESS (STAAR) STAAR Reading and Writing

2. What is STAAR?  The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) program beginning in spring 2012.  The STAAR program at grades 3–8 will assess the same grades and subjects as were assessed on TAKS.  3 rd Grade – Reading and Math  4 th Grade – Reading, Math and Writing  5 th Grade – Reading, Math and Science

3. What are the most significant differences between the STAAR assessments and the TAKS assessments?  The rigor of items has been increased by assessing skills at a greater depth and level of cognitive complexity. In this way the tests will be better able to measure a greater range of student achievement and establish stronger links to postsecondary readiness.  The total number of test items for the STAAR assessments has been increased for most grades, subjects, and courses.  A four-hour time limit has been established for STAAR assessments, as opposed to TAKS, which was untimed.  STAAR writing assessments at grades 4 and 7 will be extended to two days.  Grade 4 Writing will now have make-up testing.

4. What are the most significant differences between the STAAR assessments and the TAKS assessments?  The test designs for STAAR grade 4 will require students to write two essays addressing different purposes for writing rather than one longer personal essay, which TAKS required.  In reading assessments for STAAR, greater emphasis will be given to critical analysis rather than literal understanding.  STAAR grade 3 assessments will have separate answer documents instead of scoreable test booklets.

5. How will student performance be described on STAAR?  Level III: Advanced Academic Performance (Previously Commended)  Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance (Previously Passed)  Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance (Previously Failed)

6. What is the timeline for establishing student performance standards for the STAAR program?  Timeline Grade 3-8 STAAR: October 2012  Will include growth measures (student progress)  Raw score information will be available in late spring 2012  First reports with performance standards applied will be available in late fall 2012  There will not be retest opportunities for SSI grades and subjects in 2011-2012

7. Writing Test Design Grade 4 Assessment split evenly over two days Day 1–First half of multiple-choice questions and 1 prompt Day 2–Second half of multiple-choice questions and 1 prompt Students will write two one-page essays (26 lines maximum) addressing different types of writing Grade 4—personal narrative and expository Essays will be weighted equally No “gatekeeper” (automatic fail of the writing test for a 1)

8. Dates of STAAR Testing  Grade 3 Math: April 24  Grade 3 Reading: April 25  Grade 4 Writing: March 27 Day 1 March 28 Day 2  Grade 4 Math: April 24  Grade 4 Reading: April 25  Grade 5 Math: March 27  Grade 5 Reading: March 28  Grade 5 Science: April 26

9. Student Portal of the Texas Assessment Management System Texas Assessment Student Portal