Transcript Overview of STAAR State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness Academic Achievement Distinction Designation Committee (AADDC) April 16, 2012

Overview of STAAR
State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness
Academic Achievement Distinction Designation
Committee (AADDC)
April 16, 2012
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The STAAR Program

For elementary and middle school
 grades
3–8 mathematics
 grades 3–8 reading
 grades 4 and 7 writing
 grades 5 and 8 science
 grade 8 social studies

For high school
 Algebra
I, geometry, and Algebra II
 English I, English II, and English III
 biology, chemistry, and physics
 world geography, world history, and U.S. history
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STAAR Graduation Requirements

To graduate on the Distinguished Achievement
Program, a student must
 take all 12 STAAR EOC assessments
 meet the cumulative score requirement for
each of the four core content areas
 achieve Level III: Advanced Academic
Performance on
 English III
 Algebra II
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STAAR Graduation Requirements

To graduate on the Recommended High School
Program, a student must
 take all 12 STAAR EOC assessments
 meet the cumulative score requirement in
each of the four core content areas
 achieve Level II: Satisfactory Academic
Performance on
 English III
 Algebra II
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STAAR Graduation Requirements

To graduate on the Minimum High School
Program, a student must
 take STAAR EOC assessments for courses in
which they are enrolled and for which an EOC
assessment exists (8–12 tests)
 meet the cumulative score requirement for
each of the four core content areas for
courses specifically required on the MHSP
(could be as few as 8 tests)
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STAAR vs. TAKS

Compared to TAKS, the STAAR program will
 have a stronger emphasis on rigor
 be a more comprehensive system with
standards aligned from elementary to high
school
 have performance standards that are more
fully supported by empirical studies
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STAAR vs. TAKS

The process for setting performance standards
for STAAR will differ from the process used for
TAKS.
 An empirical link will exist between
performance on a STAAR assessment and
performance on other assessments in the
same content area.
 Standards will be externally validated.
 Standards will be reviewed every three years.
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Legislative Requirements


Federal
 Three achievement levels are required for accountability (AYP)
purposes.
State
 Performance levels must indicate
 satisfactory performance
 advanced-course readiness
 postsecondary readiness (STAAR Algebra II and English III)
 Feasibility of establishing postsecondary-readiness performance
standards for science and social studies STAAR EOC
assessments must be explored
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Postsecondary Readiness



Texas’s goal is to be in the top 10 states in
terms of postsecondary readiness by 2019–
2020.
Comparisons of Texas performance standards
to national and international standards are
important in meeting this goal.
Studies will be conducted at least every three
years to potentially update the standards as
additional data become available.
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Performance Labels and Policy
Definitions




Were developed by a committee convened in
September 2010
Describe the general level of knowledge and
skills evident at each performance level
Describe students in the middle of each
performance level
Apply to all assessments
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STAAR Performance Labels

There will be two cut scores identifying
three performance categories
 Level
III: Advanced Academic Performance*
 Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance
 Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance
* For Algebra II and English III, this level of performance also
indicates students’ postsecondary readiness.
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Preliminary Phase-in Plan for
Level II Standard



There will be a phase-in standard and a
recommended standard established.
The phase-in standard for Level II would apply
to the first three school years of STAAR (2011–
2012, 2012–2013, 2013–2014).
Entering freshmen in 2014–2015 would be the
first cohort of students required to meet the
recommended standard for Level II.
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Implementation of Performance
Standards


STAAR EOC assessments are scheduled to be
administered in March and May 2012.
 This will be the first high-stakes administration
for first-time 9th graders.
New standards are expected to be used in state
and federal accountability systems beginning in
2013.
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Other STAAR Standard Settings

Additional STAAR standard-setting committees
will be convened.
 STAAR EOC Modified—August 2012
 STAAR Alternate—September 2012
 STAAR 3–8—October 2012
 STAAR 3–8 Modified—November 2012
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