1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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 = = 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 , as long no score is below 50 and all three of them add to more than 180. 18

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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!

23. Need more information? Birdville ISD Accountability Department
Texas Education Agency
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.