O

VERVIEW OF THE

S

TATE OF

T

EXAS

A

SSESSMENTS OF

A

CADEMIC

R

EADINESS

(STAAR) P

ROGRAM

We have been down this path before!

•And each time we needed a little time to learn the new system.

•And each test added a new layer of rigor and a new set of expectations for our students and for our teachers.

•And each time we have succeeded!

•And we will again…

Let’s look at the tests our kids took before STAAR.

TABS Exit Level Math

Started in 1980

One Step: 1.

Fewest barrels

TEAMS Exit Level Math

(started in 1986)

Two Steps: 1.

Find point on graph 2.

Multiply 30 pupils x $300 = $9,000

TAAS Exit Level Math

(started in 1999)

Three Steps: 1.

Find paper on pie chart 2.

Divide tons of paper by total 3.

tons: 72/180 Convert to 40%

TAKS Exit Level Math

(Started in 2003)

Five Steps: 1.

Add all votes 240 + 420 + 180 + 300 + 60 = 1,200 2.

Determine which student finished 3 rd (Bridget: 240 votes) 3.

240 / 1,200 = 20% 4.

Determine Bridget’s %age of votes Know that a pie chart has 360 total degrees 5.

Determine 20% of 360 degrees: .20 x 360 = 72

Five Steps: 1.

2.

The student must know how to apply the quadratic formula to find the value of the discrimant

b

2  4

ac

Find quadratic equation on formula chart:

STAAR Exit Level Math?

3.

If

b

2   0 4

ac

(2012)

there are two real number roots of the equation and the graph of the parabola crosses the x-axis at those roots 4.

If

b

2  4

ac

 0 there is a “multiple” or repeated root of the equation and the vertex of the graph of the parabola touches the x-axis at that root.

5.

If

b

2  4

ac

 0 the roots of the equation are imaginary numbers and the graph of the parabola does not intersect the x-axis

State of Texas Assessments of Academic

• Includes – STAAR – STAAR L

Readiness (STAAR)

• New assessment program for elementary, middle, and high school – STAAR Spanish – STAAR Modified – STAAR Alternate

What tests will students have to take?

Grades 3-8

Reading – Gr. 3-8 Math – Gr. 3-8 Writing – Gr. 4 & 7 Science – Gr. 5 & 8 Soc. Studies – Gr. 8 Math Algebra I Geometry Algebra II

High School COURSES

English Eng I Eng II Eng III Science Biology Chemistry Physics Soc Studies World Geo.

World Hist.

U.S. History The high school level STAAR tests are COURSE tests, NOT grade level tests

The Building Blocks of our Work

The TEKS

What does “more rigorous” mean?

•The questions are more complex and require more thinking.

•What is most important for a student to learn in a grade level will have more questions on the test.

•The test will be longer.

STAAR is a longer test…

•Math (Gr. 3-8) = +6 questions •Reading (Gr. 3-8) = +4 questions •Writing (Gr. 4) = 2 compositions •Writing (Gr. 7/EOC) = 3 compositions (2 scored, 1 embedded field test) •Science = +4 questions •Social Studies (Gr. 8) = +4 questions •EOC = +2 to 13 questions

STAAR . . . some changes

Time Limits – EOCs: 4 hours NEW Grades 3-8: 4 hours

What about tests for students served in special education?

• Accommodations will be allowed on STAAR.

• STAAR Modified will be available for students who meet the criteria.

• STAAR Alternate will be available for students who have significant cognitive disabilities.

What about tests for students who are English Language Learners?

• Spanish version for grades 3-5 • Linguistic accommodations for most tests

Grade 8 Math

Number of scored items Average steps to solve (Hypothetical) TOTAL STEPS (Hypothetical)

TAKS

50 3 150 18

STAAR

56 4 224

Performance Standards

• Performance Labels PERFORMANCE

Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance Level III: Advanced Academic Performance

STAAR E ND OF -C OURSE A SSESSMENT R EQUIREMENTS

Performance Standards

• STAAR EOC Assessments – Standards will be set in February 2012 prior to first high stakes administration in spring 2012.

– First retests will be offered in July 2012.

Who is required to test?

Any student enrolled in grades 3 –9* who is enrolled in and completing a high school course that has a related assessment including – Students who are earning credit through • Correspondence courses • Dual credit courses • AP/IB courses • Credit by exam – Students on the Minimum High School Program *First enrolled in grade 9 in the 2011-12 school year

How does the 15% grading requirement apply?

The 15% grading requirement must apply to the final course grade which is used to award course credit.

When does the 15% grading requirement apply?

The 15% grading requirement applies to the final course grade as students are earning course credit including – Students in grades 3–8 who are earning high school credit – Students who earn credit by semester – Students receiving special education services who take the general assessment – Students on the Minimum High School Program – Students enrolled in dual credit courses – Students enrolled in correspondence courses – Students who repeat a course The 15% grading requirement does not apply to students taking STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate.

What are the cumulative score requirements?

A student must achieve a cumulative score that is at least equal to the product of the number of EOC assessments taken in that content area and a scale score that indicates satisfactory performance (Level II).

For each of the four core content areas, the cumulative score ≥

n

x passing scale score, where

n

= number of assessments taken.

A student must achieve a minimum score for the score to count towards the student ’s cumulative score.

What tests will students have to take?

Grades 3-8

Reading – Gr. 3-8 Math – Gr. 3-8 Writing – Gr. 4 & 7 Science – Gr. 5 & 8 Soc. Studies – Gr. 8 Math Algebra I Geometry Algebra II

High School COURSES

English Eng I Eng II Eng III Science Biology Chemistry Physics Soc Studies World Geo.

World Hist.

U.S. History The high school level STAAR tests are COURSE tests, NOT grade level tests

What are the cumulative score requirements?

Cumulative score requirements will vary by student depending on – Graduation plan (RHSP and DAP versus MHSP) – Whether course credit was earned prior to spring 2012 – Whether course credit was earned outside of Texas public schools – Whether he or she is receiving special education services Cumulative score requirements do not apply to students taking STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate.

Who is required to achieve specific performance levels?

Students graduating on the Distinguished Achievement Program must meet Level III: Advanced Academic Performance (postsecondary readiness) on – English III – Algebra II Students graduating on the Recommended High School Program must meet Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance on – English III – Algebra II

STAAR T ESTING IN S PRING 2012

Testing in Spring 2012 Plan for phase-out of TAKS and phase-in of STAAR Gr. 3-8 Gr. 9 Gr. 10 Gr. 11 Gr 12 & Out-of-School Students

2011-2012

STAAR STAAR TAKS TAKS TAKS

2012-2013

STAAR STAAR STAAR TAKS TAKS

2013-2014

STAAR STAAR STAAR STAAR TAKS

2014-2015

STAAR STAAR STAAR STAAR STAAR or TAKS

2015-2016

STAAR STAAR STAAR STAAR STAAR or TAKS

What our district is doing to prepare?

•Concept-based curriculum planning, development and implementation – ongoing •Training for campus teams and curriculum staff •Training for campus teams and curriculum staff (after legislative decisions)

For More Information… •Go to the STAAR Resources Webpage http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/ •Read the updated STAAR Questions & Answers http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/

Points to remember

• STAAR development is still a fluid process • All info subject to change • Check TEA website often for updates or contact campus for specific questions