A STAAR is Born The TAKS to STAAR Transition A star is born. Texas schools are beginning the transition from TAKS to STAAR, the new assessment for students in the state of Texas.

Texas State Testing TABS TAAS TAKS TEAMS In 1984, Texas Education Agency began their state testing program with TABS – the Texas Assessment of Basic Skills. Since then, the state has come a long way – from basic skills to academic skills, and now with the STAAR , or the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, the test measures the readiness of students to enter college or careers.

TAKS to STAAR Transition School Year 2011 – 2012 2012 – 2013 2013 – 2014 2014 – 2015 Grades 3-9 STAAR Grade 10 TAKS Grade 11 Grade 12 STAAR or TAKS STAAR testing will be implemented in Grades 3-9 in the spring of 2012. This year’s sophomores, juniors and seniors (and repeating freshmen) will continue with the TAKS plan. Therefore, students who began with the TAKS test in ninth grade will continue to test with TAKS as their graduation requirement. Students who begin with the STAAR test this year in ninth grade will test with STAAR as their graduation requirement.

Changes with STAAR Greater rigor and depth Focus on college and career readiness Four-hour time limit Two days for ELA Performance tied to grades and diploma type Hitch your wagon to a STAAR, because the STAAR test has high expectations. The questions will be more rigorous than TAKS and will require a deeper understanding of the curriculum to prepare students for college and careers. The test is now timed with a four-hour limit for each subject. English Language Arts will require a four-hour period on two separate days. Performance on the STAAR test is tied to grades and the type of diploma that may be earned.

TAKS vs STAAR Question (Math) TAKS 9th Grade STAAR Algebra I eoc A quadratic function is given below. f(x) = 3x 2 − x + 6 What is f(2)? F. 40 G. 28 H. 16 J. 4 In the quadratic equation x² − x + c = 0, c represents an unknown constant. If x = −3 is one of the solutions to this equation, what is the value of c? Record your answer and fill in the bubbles on your answer document.

TAKS vs STAAR Question (Science) TAKS 10th Grade STAAR BIOLOGY eoc Fungi are different from plants in that fungi — A. secrete enzymes B. decompose organic waste C. contain DNA D. have cell walls Methanogens, thermophiles, and halophiles are some of the most primitive life-forms found on Earth and thrive in very harsh environments. These unicellular, prokaryotic organisms most likely belong to which of the following kingdoms? A. Fungi B. Eubacteria C. Protista D. Archaebacteria

Changes with STAAR TAKS tests STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) tests Grade-level tests. Example: Math Grade 9 Only exit-level (11th grade) tests counted toward graduation STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) tests Course-specific tests. Example: Algebra I May take tests for up to 12 different courses Scores from all EOCs count toward graduation All previous Texas assessments, including TAKS, have been named by the subject and grade, for example, “Math Grade 9.” Only exit level TAKS scores counted toward graduation. The TAKS tests have covered material that may have been learned during the current year, or in previous years. The new STAAR test is named like the course names of the classes at school, for example, “Algebra I.” No matter what grade you are in when you take Algebra I, you will take the Algebra I STAAR test near the end of the second semester in that course. All STAAR end-of-course (or EOC) tests will become a part of the score required for graduation.

Which courses have tests? ELA Math Science Social Studies English I Algebra I Biology World Geography English II Geometry Chemistry World History English III Algebra II Physics U S History Take a look at the four core subjects and which courses have STAAR End Of Course tests.

Cumulative Scores Test scores on all EOCs will count toward graduation. A cumulative score will be determined for each subject. A student’s scores in each subject area (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies) must equal or exceed a minimum cumulative score in order to be eligible to graduate. Because all EOC test scores will count toward graduation, the state will designate a “cumulative score” for each subject. When the EOC scores are added within each subject area, the total must meet the set cumulative score to be eligible for graduation.

EOC Performance Standards Minimum Performance Satisfactory Performance “Passing” Readiness Three performance standards will be set for each EOC in February 2012 Minimum performance standard Satisfactory performance (passing) standard Readiness standard This chart may help to clarify the performance standards. On this bar that represents the STAAR EOC scores, three standards will be set: The Minimum Performance Standard The Satisfactory Performance Standard, which represents “passing” And the Readiness Standard 10

EOC Performance Standards Minimum Performance Satisfactory Performance “Passing” Readiness Unsatisfactory Gray area Satisfactory Advanced Student performance will fall into four categories Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory “gray area” above minimum Satisfactory Advanced These standards divide the bar into four categories: Unsatisfactory “The Gray Area” Satisfactory and Advanced 11

EOC Performance Standards Minimum Performance Unsatisfactory Gray area Satisfactory Advanced Students scoring below the minimum standard May not count score toward the overall cumulative score Are required to retest Will receive accelerated instruction The scores of students that fall below the minimum standard are considered unsatisfactory. These scores may not count toward the overall cumulative score and the test must be taken again. These students will receive accelerated instruction for remediation. 12

EOC Performance Standards Minimum Performance Satisfactory Performance “Passing” Unsatisfactory Gray area Satisfactory Advanced Students scoring in the “gray area” between the minimum and satisfactory standards May count score toward the overall cumulative score May choose to retest May receive accelerated instruction The gray area represents a score that may count in the overall cumulative score, but is still not considered passing. Students may choose to take the test again to help raise the cumulative score. These students will also receive accelerated instruction. 13

EOC Performance Standards Minimum Performance Satisfactory Performance “Passing” Unsatisfactory Gray area Satisfactory Advanced Students scoring above the satisfactory standard May count the score toward the overall cumulative score May choose to retest Students meeting the satisfactory standard in Algebra II and English III may qualify for the recommended program Students scoring above the Satisfactory Performance Standard have passed the test. Their score will count toward the overall cumulative score. Meeting the satisfactory standard in Algebra II and English III may qualify the student for the recommended graduation program. 14

EOC Performance Standards Minimum Performance Satisfactory Performance “Passing” Readiness Unsatisfactory Gray area Satisfactory Advanced Students meeting the readiness standard in Algebra II and English III may qualify for the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) Students meeting the readiness standard in Algebra II and English III may qualify for the Distinguished Achievement Program. Students with scores in the satisfactory range may choose to retest as they seek a college readiness standard or fulfill requirements for the distinguished achievement program. 15

An example Suppose the state sets the following standards Minimum = 50 Minimum Performance Satisfactory Performance “Passing” Readiness Unsatisfactory Gray area Satisfactory Advanced 50 60 90 Suppose the state sets the following standards Minimum = 50 Satisfactory = 60 Readiness = 90 (Please keep in mind that this is an example and we do not know what the actual standards will be) Let’s look at an example, but please keep in mind that we do not know what the actual standards will be. Suppose the state sets minimum performance at 50, satisfactory performance at 60, and readiness at 90. 16

An example Minimum Performance Satisfactory Performance “Passing” Readiness Unsatisfactory Gray area Satisfactory Advanced 50 60 90 In this case a student would need a cumulative score of 180 to meet the graduation requirement in a subject area (math) 60 points x 3 tests = 180 points A student would need a cumulative score of 180 to meet the graduation requirement. The student might have three tests with 60 points each to barely reach the 180-point requirement. 17

An example Suppose Johnny had these scores in math Minimum Performance Satisfactory Performance “Passing” Readiness Unsatisfactory Gray area Satisfactory Advanced 50 60 90 Suppose Johnny had these scores in math Algebra I – 50 points Geometry – 75 points Algebra II – 60 points Cumulative = 50 + 75 + 60 = 185 Since his overall score was greater than 180, Johnny met the requirements for graduation in math Or a student could have another combination, like 50 + 75 + 60, as long no score is below 50 and all three of them add to more than 180. 18

EOC grade requirements State law requirements Students will receive a final grade for courses with EOCs Performance on the EOC will count as 15% of the final grade Approval has not yet been given in regards to what that 15% constitutes For courses with EOCs, students will now receive a “final grade,” according to state law. The law also states that performance on the EOC will count as 15% of the final grade.

STAAR Calendar March 26-29, 2012 – English Language Arts One day for reading One day for writing May 7-18, 2012 – Math, Science, and Social Studies One day for each subject June 8, 2012– Results arrive for all tests In March of next year, the English Language Arts tests will be given. One day will be for Reading and another day will be for Writing. The rest of the subjects – math, science, and social studies – will be given during the second and third weeks of May. This year the results for the tests will not arrive in the district until June 8, well after school is out for the summer.

STAAR Retest Opportunities July 9-13, 2012 December 2012 May 2013 Retests will be offered statewide three times each year. Summer retests are already scheduled for July 9-13 of 2012. December 2012 and May 2013 dates will be announced at a later time.

Prepare for success! Set goals for success Organize your studies Use your time wisely to avoid getting behind Ask for help when needed Don’t be afraid of the test Take this testing opportunity to show others what you know! It is time to get started by setting goals for success! Try to organize your assignments and study time. Avoid getting behind in your classes. Ask your teachers for help when you need it. Don’t be afraid of the test, but think of it as an opportunity to show others what you know!

Need more information? Birdville ISD Accountability Department 817-547-5891 www.birdvilleschools.net/accountability Texas Education Agency www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/ Please feel free to call the Birdville ISD Accountability Department if you have additional questions. Or check the websites for Birdville ISD and the Texas Education Agency.