1. Curington Elementary School March 5, 2012

2. WHAT WE WANT STUDENTS TO BECOME… Life Long Learners, Problem-Solvers, & Decision Makers! IT IS ABOUT PREPARING OUR KIDS TO COMPETE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY OF THE 21 ST CENTURY! RIGOR…RELEVANCE…AND SKILLS!

3. 3  STAAR is the name of the testing program for students in Texas public schools. The letters stand for: S State of T Texas A Assessment of A Academic R Readiness

4.  The STAAR test is a ‘Criterion Referenced’ test. Questions are based on this curriculum, the TEKS — in other words, the test is based on what students are being taught in school. Therefore, the STAAR tests are a way to measure what students are learning.  Another type of commonly used test is a ‘Norm Referenced’ test. Questions are based on general knowledge of the test takers at a particular age and scores determine what percentile of the normal population the student would fall based on a curve. Students may or may not have been exposed to the learning being assessed. (ITBS, CAT, SAT, etc.) 4

5. 5  FOCUS IS TO INCREASE POSTSECONDARY READINESS OF GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOLS STUDENTS  COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER STUDENTS NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY

6.  This changes our approach to instruction. In the past, we measured academic gains short term…they often “leveled off” if they were not accompanied with deeper levels of learning. A vertical system measures skills overtime helping us to see if students are transferring skills. When we are preparing students, we have to begin with the “end in mind”…thinking about college readiness. TAKS WAS A HORIZONTAL ALIGNED SYSTEM STAAR IS A VERTICAL ALIGNED SYSTEM TAKS VS. STAAR

7. It is essential for every student to master milestones at every grade level…everything builds from previous experiences! Stake holders are in a “relay race” where the baton is passed from one grade level to the next. If there is a blunder, the next person (teacher) must pick up the baton and run faster or (work harder). It is about the transfer and “anchoring” of skills overtime!

8. Not a “One Time Shot” but rather thinking about instructional practices differently. Educators must look behind and forward to the next grade level so that kids can “anchor” on what they have learned! It is about a relationship of skills and standards overtime! 8

9. TEKS Students LEARN STAAR ASSESSES Leaders MONITOR Teachers TEACH Curriculum ORGANIZES The STAAR is not just about testing…it is about learning! Our focus is on learning and making sure that every teacher teaches the curriculum well!

10. 10  3 rd Grade: Reading and Math  4 th Grade: Reading, Math, and Writing  5 th Grade: Reading, Math, and Science  6 th Grade: Reading and Math

11. 11 3 rd, 4 th and 6 th Grade: The STAAR Assessment is given one time during the school year. It will be the only time your child can take the STAAR test.

12. 12 5 th Grade: The STAAR Assessment is given one time this school year. It will be the only time this school year a 5 th grade student can take the Reading, Math, and Science test. Beginning 2012-2013 school year, 5 th graders will be given 3 opportunities to pass the Reading Test and Math Test

13.  Grades 3-8 Performance standards will be set in October 2012.  Two cut scores will identify three performance categories: *Level III: Advanced Academic Performance *Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance *Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance NO SSI REQUIREMENTS THIS YEAR.

14. 14 March 27, 2012: 5 th Grade Math, 4 th Grade Writing (day 1) March 28, 2012: 5 th Grade Reading, 4 th Grade Writing (day 2) April 24, 2012; 3 rd, 4 th and 6 th Grade Math April 25, 2012; 3 rd, 4th and 6 th Grade Reading April 26, 2012; 5 th Grade Science

15.  Four Hour Time limit has been established as opposed to TAKS which was untimed.  4 th Grade Writing will have two writing passages over 2 days  4 th Grade Writing passages will be limited to 26 lines  Total number of test items for the STAAR Assessments have been increased for most grades, subjects, and courses.  3 rd grade will answer on separate answer document

16. RIGOR requires us to provide challenging instruction along with the necessary support for every student to reach a high level of learning. We know this is present when students are actively engaged and are using critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem solving. They become proficient in communication, both written and verbal!

17. 17  Any item may include application context and extraneous information.  Most items will be in a multiple-choice format with four answer choices.  “Not here” or a variation of this phrase may be used as the fourth answer choice when appropriate.

18.  Read with your child every night  Ask questions about the reading and any other homework they are doing  Reduce television, video game, Nintendo, PSP, Wii, and cell phone time. Plan family learning activities that will support your child's learning  Talk, ask questions, and keep in touch with your child's teacher  Ask your child to summarize and explain their daily assignments  Most importantly emphasize: “ YOU CAN DO IT!” 18

19. 19 Curington Elementary Contact:  830.357.4000  Marcie Warner, Counselor  Georgia Franks, Asst. Principal  Jean Perry, Principal Informational Websites:  www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/. www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/