1. Ready for STAAR Victoria Independent School District 1

2. Who Am I? District Coordinator of Assessment Campus Administrator Curriculum Facilitator Classroom Teacher Most Importantly – I’m a PARENT of a VISD Student 2

3. New Test – New Opportunities 3

4. We have been down this path before! Each time we needed a little time to learn the new system. Each test added a new set of expectations for our students and for our teachers. Each time we have succeeded! And we will again… 4

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6. 6 TABS TEAMS TAAS TAKS STAAR Pathway to STAAR

7. One Step: 1.Fewest barrels TABS Exit Level Math Started in 1980 7

8. Two Steps: 1.Find point on graph 2.Multiply 30 pupils x $300 = $9,000 TEAMS Exit Level Math (started in 1986) 8

9. Three Steps: 1.Find paper on pie chart 2.Divide tons of paper by total tons: 72/180 3.Convert to 40% TAAS Exit Level Math (started in 1999) 9

10. Five Steps: 1.Add all votes 240 + 420 + 180 + 300 + 60 = 1,200 2.Determine which student finished 3 rd (Bridget: 240 votes) 3.Determine Bridget’s %age of votes 240 / 1,200 = 20% 4.Know that a pie chart has 360 total degrees 5.Determine 20% of 360 degrees:.20 x 360 = 72 TAKS Exit Level Math (Started in 2003) 10

11. Five Steps: 1.The student must know how to apply the quadratic formula to find the value of the discrimant 2.Find quadratic equation on formula chart: 3.If there are two real number roots of the equation and the graph of the parabola crosses the x-axis at those roots 4.If 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 the roots of the equation are imaginary numbers and the graph of the parabola does not intersect the x-axis STAAR Exit Level Math? (2012) 11

12. What do we know about STAAR? Will begin in 2011-12 – Grades 3 through 8 – First year 9 th graders – 10 th and 11 th graders will still take TAKS 12

13. Grades 3-8 Reading – Gr. 3-8 Math – Gr. 3-8 Writing – Gr. 4 & 7 Science – Gr. 5 & 8 Soc. Studies – Gr. 8 13 High School COURSES MathEnglishScienceSoc Studies Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Eng I Engl II Eng III Biology Chemistry Physics World Geo. World Hist. U.S. History The high school level STAAR tests are COURSE tests, NOT grade level tests What tests will students have to take?

14. 14 STAAR is an assessment of ACADEMIC READINESS

15. 15 What does it mean to be an assessment of academic readiness?

16. Within the TAKS program, the question was: Did our students learn what they were supposed to learn in their current grade or course? 16

17. Within the STAAR program, the questions will be: Did our students learn what they were supposed to learn in their current grade or course? Are they ready for the next grade or course? And the one after that? 17

18. 18 And ultimately… ARE OUR STUDENTS READY FOR COLLEGE OR A CAREER?

19. 19 What’s tested on STAAR? The TEKS Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (our state curriculum) – Readiness standards – Address broad and deep issues AND necessitate in-depth instruction. – Supporting standards – Supporting standards – Address more narrowly defined ideas AND play a role in preparing for the next grade or course, but not a central role. – Process Standards – the skills assessed with other standards that cannot be tested independently via paper/pencil test

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21. 21 Readiness vs. Supporting Standards % of eligible assessable TEKS % actually assessed on STAAR

22. 22 Algebra I Distribution of Standards Compared TAKS STAAR

23. What does rigor mean? 23 STAAR will be significantly more rigorous” than TAKS

24. “more rigorous” What does “more rigorous” mean? The questions will be more complex and require more thinking. The questions will require students to be able apply knowledge to a variety of scenarios. The test will be longer. There will be less time to complete the test. 24

25. STAAR is a longer test… Math Gr. 3 -8 = +6 questions Reading 3-8 = +4 questions Writing = +1 additional composition Science= +4 questions Social Studies Gr 8 = +4 questions EOC = +2 to 13 questions 25

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27. 27 Grade 8 MathTAKSSTAAR Number of scored items5056 Average steps to solve (Hypothetical) 34 TOTAL STEPS (Hypothetical) 150224

28. STAAR... some changes NEW – Time Limits EOCs: 4 hours Grades 3-8: 4 hours – Elimination of Accommodated form of test – Upon full implementation: # of testing days will increase from 25 to 45. – 3 rd grade students will use an answer document instead of answering in the test booklet. 28

29. 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 Modified will be available for students who meet the criteria. STAAR Alternate will be available for students who have significant cognitive disabilities. A student’s ARD committee shall determine the type of assessment to be administered and how the score on an EOC assessment shall be used for final course grades, credit decisions, and graduation requirements. A student’s ARD committee shall determine the type of assessment to be administered and how the score on an EOC assessment shall be used for final course grades, credit decisions, and graduation requirements. 29

30. What about tests for students who are English Language Learners? Spanish version for grades 3-5 Linguistic accommodations for most tests – No STAAR L for Reading or Writing 30

31. 31 Cumulative Scores? 15% Graduation and Grading Graduation Plans? Credit Recovery? HUH?

32. Graduation Requirements 2011-20122012-20132013-20142014-2015 Grade 9EOC Grade 10TAKSEOC Grade 11TAKS EOC Grade 12TAKS *TAKS (or EOC) 32 *Out-of-school testers and 12 th grade retesters

33. STAAR Performance Categories 33 TAKS Commended Performance Met Standard Did Not Meet Standard STAAR Level III: Advanced Academic Performance* Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance (will be phased in) Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance** * Accomplished Academic Performance for STAAR Alternate ** Additional Minimum Score to be applicable to Cumulative Score Requirements for Graduation Minimum Score

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35. What will it take to pass STAAR? Students will have to get more items correct than on TAKS. Students will have to meet specific criteria to obtain satisfactory results. (criteria not yet released by TEA) The passing standard will first be established for English III and Algebra II – Linked to college readiness – Linked by grade level down to 3 rd grade 35 College/Career English III and Algebra II Middle School 3 rd Grade

36. Performance Standards: Each STAAR EOC will have a satisfactory cut score and an advanced cut score. Each STAAR EOC’s score will be included in a student’s cumulative score for each core content area. There will also be EOC minimum scores set below, but within a reasonable range of, the satisfactory scores that will be used to determine whether a student’s score on a particular EOC assessment may count toward his or her cumulative score in that content area. 36

37. STAAR End-of-Course High School Assessments To graduate, a student must achieve a cumulative score at least equal to the product of the number of assessments taken in that content area and the scale score that indicates satisfactory performance. – Cumulative Score ≥ # of content area scores X satisfactory scale score CONFUSED YET? 37

38. 38 Minimum Graduation Plan (24 credits required) Cumulative score is based on the number of courses taken for which an end-of-course assessment exists. Remember, cumulative score requirements may vary by subject. Students graduating under the Minimum Plan are not immediately eligible for entrance into a 4 year university. (Junior college or technical school eligible)

39. Cumulative Scores: 39 Hypothetical scenario 11 th grade student has taken English I, II, and III over the last three years. His EOC scores were: English I: 1000 English II: 975 English III: 1100 ELAR Cumulative score = 3,075 Congratulations! You met graduation criteria for ELAR! Remember: TEA has not set cut scores for any of the performance levels. < 975< 1000 ≥ 1100 975 - 999

40. Cumulative Scores: Level III: Advanced score ≥ 1100 Level II: Satisfactory score 1000 (minimum cut score 975) Level I: Unsatisfactory score ˂ 975 ***ELAR Cumulative score ≥ 3000 to graduate 40 Hypothetical scenario 11 th grade student has taken English I, II, and III over the last three years. His EOC scores were: English I: 1050 English II: 1000 English III: 950 ELAR Cumulative score = 3,000 I’m sorry. You did not meet the minimum cut score for English III, therefore, not meeting the cumulative score requirement. You did not meet the graduation criteria for ELAR. Remember: TEA has not set cut scores for any of the performance levels. < 975< 1000 ≥ 1100 975 - 999

41. Recommended High School Program (26 credits) In addition to meeting cumulative score requirements in each of four core content areas, students on the recommended high school program have to perform satisfactorily on- – Algebra II EOC assessment – English III EOC assessment 41

42. Cumulative Scores: 42 Hypothetical scenario 11 th grade student has taken English I, II, and III over the last three years. His EOC scores were: English I: 1050 English II: 1000 English III: 975 ELAR Cumulative score = 3,025 Remember: TEA has not set cut scores for any of the performance levels. You met the cumulative score requirement, BUT you did not score satisfactorily on English III which is a criteria for graduation with a recommended diploma. < 975< 1000 ≥ 1100 975 - 999

43. Distinguished Achievement Program (26 credits) 43 In addition to meeting the cumulative score requirement in each of four content areas, students on the distinguished achievement program have to perform satisfactorily on the college-readiness component of- – Algebra II EOC Assessment – English III EOC Assessment

44. Cumulative Scores: 44 Hypothetical scenario 11 th grade student has taken English I, II, and III over the last three years. His EOC scores were: English I: 1000 English II: 1000 English III: 1000 ELAR Cumulative score = 3,000 Remember: TEA has not set cut scores for any of the performance level. You met the cumulative score requirement, BUT you did not meet the Level III (advanced) scale score on English III which is a criteria for graduation with a distinguished diploma. Therefore you did not meet graduation requirement in ELAR under Distinguished plan. < 975< 1000 ≥ 1100 975 - 999

45. STAAR EOC Retest guidelines... Students are not required to retake a course as a condition of retaking the assessment for that course. If a student retakes an EOC assessment, the District will use the retest score for credit decisions only if the retest score allows a student to gain credit for the course. If a student retakes an EOC assessment, the District will use the retest score for credit decisions only if the retest score allows a student to gain credit for the course. After a student earns credit for a course, subsequent retake scores will not be included in the calculation of the final course grade. First retest opportunity for EOC assessments will be in July of 2012. First retest opportunity for EOC assessments will be in July of 2012. 45

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47. Grading Policy MUST 15% A student’s score on the assessment MUST be worth 15% of the student’s final grade for that course as reported on the student’s transcript. An EOC assessment score shall be a factor in determining whether the student receives credit for the course. 47

48. Class Rank calculation policy The initial EOC assessment score shall be included in class rank calculations. Students who opt to retake an EOC exam to increase their cumulative score will do so with the understanding that an increased EOC score will not impact class rank. 48

49. Timeline for STANDARD SETTING For STAAR EOC assessments, standards will be set in the fall of 2011 so that scores can be reported for first high-stakes administration in the spring of 2012. (Anticipated February 2012) For STAAR EOC assessments, standards will be set in the fall of 2011 so that scores can be reported for first high-stakes administration in the spring of 2012. (Anticipated February 2012) For STAAR grade 3-8 assessments, standards will not be set until the fall of 2012 so reports for the first administration in the spring of 2012 will be delayed. (district will receive a raw score only - # of items correct) For STAAR grade 3-8 assessments, standards will not be set until the fall of 2012 so reports for the first administration in the spring of 2012 will be delayed. (district will receive a raw score only - # of items correct) 49

50. What our district is doing to prepare? CURRICULUM Focus Implementing CSCOPE as our district curriculum. – A curricular framework with more rigor – Higher Level thinking skills – Application learning – Aligned with STAAR Standards – A curriculum that is being utilized 19 of the 20 regions in Texas in over 1,000 school districts 50

51. What our district is doing to prepare? PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEA training opportunities Partnership with Region III and other Regions in the state in accessing quality training in Instructional Strategies. Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners Curriculum Training grouped by: – Grade level – Content Area – Vertical Teams (meaning K-12 teacher collaboration) 51

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53. Parent Portal  Texas Assessment Management System Parent Portal www.texasassessment.com “Families” tab Unique access code can be found on most recent Confidential Student Report Access to student assessment history 53

54. Questions 54 Dionne Loughman Coordinator of Assessment & Accountability Victoria Independent School District 102 Profit Drive, Victoria, TX 361.788.9262 dionne.loughman@visd.net