STAAR Testing Information
This section is dedicated to providing information regarding the changes occurring in the Texas mandated assessment process. Various pieces of information have been provided; however, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) continues to refine the new test process. We will provide those updates as they occur! We have included testing calendars, grade level specific information, links and resources along with information regarding testing for special population students.
STAAR testing promises to be more rigorous, present more questions, require a four hour time limit, and include 12 course specific high school end-of-course assessments. Check out the tabs to answer your STAAR testing questions and feel free to contact your campus counselor for information regarding campus testing procedures.
Texas Assessment Program for 2012-2013
| Enrolled Grade | Assessment Program | Subjects Assessed |
Grade 3 (English and Spanish) | STAAR | Reading and Mathematics |
| Grade 4 (English and Spanish) | STAAR | Reading, Mathematics, and Writing |
| Grade 5 (English and Spanish) | STAAR | Reading, Mathematics, and Science |
| Grade 6 | STAAR | Reading and Mathematics |
| Grade 7 | STAAR | Reading, Mathematics, and Writing |
| Grade 8* | STAAR | Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies |
| Grade 9 | STAAR End-of-Course(EOC) | Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English I, English II, English III, World Geography, World History, and U.S. History - Subject area of assessment is based on which class the student is enrolled. |
| Grade 10 | STAAR End-of-Course(EOC) | Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English I, English II, English III, World Geography, World History, and U.S. History - Subject area of assessment is based on which class the student is enrolled. |
| Grade 11 | TAKS Exit Level | English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies |
| Grade 12 | TAKS Exit Level Retests | English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies - as needed |
| Out-of-School | TAKS Exit Level Retests | English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies as needed |
*If a student enrolled in grade 8 or below is taking a course for which there is a STAAR end-of-course assessment, the student will take the applicable EOC assessment.
Assessments for Students Receiving Special Education Services
The STAAR program will include assessments for students receiving special education services. STAAR Modified (similar to TAKS–M) and STAAR Alternate (similar to TAKS–Alt) assessments will be available, just as they were with the TAKS program. Beginning this fall for the 2011–2012 school year, STAAR Alternate will be the only alternate assessment offered for students with significant cognitive disabilities rather than continuing TAKS–Alt only for students in grades 10 and 11. STAAR Modified will cover all grades 3-8 and EOC with the exception of Algebra II, Chemistry or Physics. The new STAAR Modified assessments will reflect the same increased rigor and focus of the general assessments and now will include more rigorous item types. STAAR Alternate will incorporate a vertical alignment in the program's assessment tasks, and the high school assessment will move from grade-level assessments to course-based assessments.
For more information, refer to the special education assessments webpage.
Assessments for English Language Learners
With the development of the new STAAR program, all aspects of linguistic accommodations are being reviewed, including student eligibility criteria, grades and subjects included in the linguistically accommodated version of STAAR, known as STAAR L, and the types of accommodations that will be provided. Plans are being made for the development of a computer-based linguistically accommodated version of STAAR for grades 3-8 and high school for the year 2013. Until then, STAAR L tests will be administered in paper mode only.
Please note that there are no changes to the current TELPAS program and associated policies for the 2011–2012 school year.
Dyslexia Accommodations
TEA is expanding testing policies to include high school students with dyslexia and other similar reading disabilities. Students will be allowed to take the STAAR English I, II, and III assessments as well as the grades 3-8 reading assessments with accommodations, such as the oral reading of item stems/answer options and extended time. These accommodations represent two of the three accommodations in the current dyslexia bundle. The only accommodation that will no longer be provided is the proper-nouns lists.
