1. STAAR English I Reading
How to prepare for the Reading EOC

2. Reading Blueprint
Reporting Category 1: Understanding/Analysis Across Genres (Reading)
8 multiple choice questions
2 short answer questions (1 single selection and 1 connecting selections)

3. Reading Blueprint
Reporting Category 2: Understanding/Analysis of Literary Texts (Reading)
16 multiple choice questions
These deal with comprehension questions from the “short story” or fictional piece

4. Reading Blueprint
Reporting Category 3: Understanding/Analysis of Informational Texts (Reading)
14 multiple choice questions
These deal with recall and interpret questions from the “article” piece or nonfiction segment

5. Reading Blueprint 38 multiple choice questions
2 short answer questions
…but wait…there’s more!

6. The magic of field questions
Field questions are questions placed on the test by the state
Texas Education Agency (TEA) uses these questions as “survey” questions, to test their degree of difficulty
These questions do not count toward your overall score…but wait…there’s more!

7. The magic continues…
You do not know which questions on the test are field questions
Approach EVERY question on the test as if it counts
There will be 3 short answer questions on the Reading test, however only 2 will count

9. What’s really on the test?
2-3 single selections
1 paired selection
38 multiple choice questions
2 short answer (1 single, 1 connecting)
Field questions = single selection plus multiple choice plus 1 short answer OR paired selection plus multiple choice plus 1 short answer

10. How do you prepare?
Eat a good meal the night BEFORE the test (make it a sensible dinner)
Get plenty of rest the night before the test
Hydrate yourself the DAY before the test
Dress comfortably (layers usually help)
Eat a good, sensible breakfast

11. Taking the test Plan your work, work your plan
You know how you usually work on tests, so pace yourself and have a plan for how much time you spend on each section
Remember that problem evaluation is half the solution (once you understand the what the question is asking you to do, you are half way to solving it correctly)

12. Still taking the test You have 4 hours to complete the test
There is no reward for finishing early, so use your time wisely
Read the questions BEFORE you start reading the selections—now you are reading with a PURPOSE
Relax…it’s just a test and you have been well-prepared for it all year

13. Short Answer Questions
Remember the A,B,Cs of short answers
A—Answer the question being asked (and do it in the first sentence)
B—Back up what you claim with relevant evidence from text (it doesn’t have to be a quote…just reference the story)
C—Conclude and connect to real life (demonstrating your ability to think beyond the immediate question)

14. Short Answer Rubric-Single Selection
Score Point 0 — Insufficient Response to the Question Insufficient responses indicate a very limited reading performance.
These responses have one of the following problems.
The idea is not an answer to the question asked. The idea is incorrect because it is not based on the text.
The idea is too general, vague, or unclear to determine whether it is reasonable.
No idea is present. Sometimes the response contains only text evidence. At other times there appears to be an idea; however, this idea cannot be considered an answer to the question because it merely repeats verbatim, or “echoes,” the text evidence.

15. Short Answer Rubric-Single Selection
Score Point 1 — Partially Sufficient Response to the Question
Partially sufficient responses indicate a basic reading performance.
These responses have one of the following characteristics.
The idea is reasonable, but the response contains no text evidence. The idea is reasonable, but the text evidence is flawed and does not adequately support the idea. Text evidence is considered inadequate when it is
only a general reference to the text, too partial to support the idea, weakly linked to the idea, or used inappropriately because it wrongly manipulates the meaning of the text.
The idea needs more explanation or specificity even though it is supported with text evidence.
The idea represents only a literal reading of the text, with or without text evidence.

16. Short Answer Rubric-Single Selection
Score Point 2 — Sufficient Response to the Question Sufficient responses indicate a satisfactory reading performance.
These responses have the following characteristics.
The idea is reasonable and goes beyond a literal reading of the text. It is explained specifically enough to show that the student can make appropriate connections across the text and draw valid conclusions.
The text evidence used to support the idea is accurate and relevant.
The idea and text evidence used to support it are clearly linked.
The combination of the idea and the text evidence demonstrates a good understanding of the text.

17. Short Answer Rubric-Single Selection
Score Point 3 — Exemplary Response to the Question Exemplary responses indicate an accomplished reading performance.
These responses have the following characteristics.
The idea is perceptive and reflects an awareness of the complexities of the text. The student is able to develop a coherent explanation of the idea by making discerning connections across the text.
The text evidence used to support the idea is specific and well chosen.
Overall, the evidence strongly supports the validity of the idea.
The combination of the idea and the text evidence demonstrates a deep understanding of the text.

18. Short Answer Rubric-Connecting Selection
Score Point 0—Insufficient Response to the Question
Insufficient responses indicate a very limited reading performance.
These responses have one of the following problems.
For one or both selections, the idea is not an answer to the question asked. The idea is incorrect because it is not based on one or both selections.
For one or both selections, the idea is too general, vague, or unclear to determine whether it is reasonable.
No idea is present from either selection. Sometimes the response contains only text evidence from one or both selections. At other times there appears to be an idea; however, this idea cannot be considered an answer to the question because it merely repeats verbatim, or “echoes,” the text evidence.
Texas Education Agency Student Assessment Division Fall

19. Short Answer Rubric-Connecting Selection
Score Point 1—Partially Sufficient Response to the Question
Partially sufficient responses indicate a basic reading performance.
These responses have one of the following characteristics.
The idea is reasonable for both selections, but the response contains no text evidence (from one or both selections).
The idea is reasonable for both selections, but the text evidence (from one or both selections) is flawed and does not adequately support the idea. Text evidence is considered inadequate when it is
Only a general reference to the text, too partial to support the idea, weakly linked to the idea, or used inappropriately because it wrongly manipulates the meaning of the text.
For one or both selections, the idea needs more explanation or specificity even though it is supported with text evidence from both selections.
For one or both selections, the idea represents only a literal reading of the text, with or without text evidence (from one or both selections).
The response contains relevant textual evidence from both selections, but the student offers an idea that is reasonable for only one selection.
The response contains an idea and relevant text evidence for both selections, but the idea for one selection contains an inaccuracy.

20. Short Answer Rubric-Connecting Selection
Score Point 2—Sufficient Response to the Question
Sufficient responses indicate a satisfactory reading performance.
These responses have the following characteristics.
For both selections, the idea is reasonable and goes beyond a literal reading of the text. It is explained specifically enough to show that the student can make appropriate connections across the selections and draw valid conclusions. For both selections, the text evidence that is used to support the idea is accurate and relevant.
For both selections, the idea and text evidence used to support it are clearly linked.
For both selections, the combination of the idea and the text evidence demonstrates a good understanding of the text.

21. Short Answer Rubric-Connecting Selection
Score Point 3—Exemplary Response to the Question
Exemplary responses indicate an accomplished reading performance.
These responses have the following characteristics.
For both selections, the idea is perceptive and reflects an awareness of the complexities of the text. The student is able to develop a coherent explanation of the idea by making discerning connections across both selections. For both selections, the text evidence that is used to support the idea is specific and well chosen. Overall, the evidence strongly supports the validity of the idea.
For both selections, the combination of the idea and the text evidence demonstrates a deep understanding of the text.