STAAR

1. STAAR Student Testing

2. Courtesy of Lead4ward

3. The STAAR test replaced the TAKS test in the spring of 2012. • The STAAR testing at grades 3-8 will assess the same grades and subjects as were assessed on the old TAKS, although differently. • STAAR ASSESSMENTS TESTED • per GRADE LEVEL

4. To get a better understanding of student expectations for the new STAAR,Let’s look back at the history of state testing in Texas.

5. TABS Exit Level Math Started in 1980 • One Step: • Fewest barrels Courtesy of Lead4ward Courtesy of Lead4ward

6. TEAMS Exit Level Math (started in 1986) • Two Steps: • Find point on graph • Multiply • 30 pupils x $300 = $9,000 Courtesy of Lead4ward

7. TAAS Exit Level Math (started in 1999) • Three Steps: • Find paper • on pie chart • Divide tons of • paper by total • tons: • 72/180 • 3. Convert to 40% Courtesy of Lead4ward

8. Five Steps: • The student must know how to apply the • quadratic formula to find the value of the • discrimant • Find quadratic equation on formula chart: • If • there are two real number roots of the equation • and the graph of the parabola crosses the • x-axis at those roots • 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. • 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) Courtesy of Lead4ward

9. How might this change of questioning look on a sixth grade math STAAR test?

10. TAKS Item STAAR Item • 23 - -12 = 35 • Bubble in “D” • 60 x 70 = 4200 • 4200 ÷ 175 = 24 • 24 x 7 = 168 • Bubble in “G” Courtesy of Lead4ward

11. Fifth Grade Math TAKS STAAR Distribution of Standards Compared Courtesy of Lead4ward

12. STAAR is significantly more “rigorous”than TAKS. What does rigor mean? Courtesy of Lead4ward

13. What does “more rigorous” mean? • The questions are more complex and require more thinking. Many are multi-step and no longer have key words. Students must analyze problems and logically reason to find answers. • What is most important for a student to learn in a grade level will have more questions on the test, however, concepts which are important as a foundation for future grade levels are also tested. • The test is longer and has a four hour time limit as opposed to TAKS which was not timed. STAAR requires more THINKING and REASONING!

14. STAAR assessments have been designed to focus on “readiness” standards, which are defined as those TEKS, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, which students should have mastered by the end of that particular grade level. Student expectations that are not only essential for success in the current grade or course but also important for preparedness in the next grade or course. By focusing on the student expectations that are most critical to assess, STAAR will better measure the academic performance of students as they progress from elementary to middle school to high school. • Supporting Standards will also be tested but will have fewer test questions • than readiness standards. These are foundational standards and will be • tested for mastery in future grade levels.

15. Most STAAR mathematics and science assessments will have an increased number of open-ended (griddable) items to allow students the opportunity to derive an answer independently without being influenced by the answer choices provided with the questions. • STAAR Grade 3 Assessments will have separate answer documents, scantrons, which will be bubbled by the students rather than answer booklets like previous years.

16. This increase in rigor will be embedded in all subject areas tested, not just in math.. Examples might include: Reading: Grade 5 Example: “a greater emphasis must be placed on critical analysis rather than a literal understanding of texts” Paul’s main argument is that — A video games have educational value B young people like video games C video games help develop skills useful in sports D most young people play video games daily (Grade 5) Texas Education Agency Student Assessment Division November 2012 23

19. Student Success on STAAR Reading: Example of Grade 5 Paul uses the information in paragraphs 2, 3, and 6 to show that A playing video games encourages people to be active in their daily lives B video games can help students strengthen their skills in a variety of areas C students tend to play video games that relate to what they are learning in school D playing video games helps people develop their creativity (Grade 5) Texas Education Agency Student Assessment Division November 2012 24

20. Student Success on STAAR Reading: Grade 3 Example The poet titled this poem “The Well-Worn Path” most likely because A the poem describes the way the path looks after many years B the dog and the speaker have walked on the same path for many years C the dog gets tired when it goes for walks D the poem describes the place where the speaker found her dog Texas Education Agency Student Assessment Division November 2012 15

24. Fourth Grade Writing • Students will take the Writing test in both 4th and 7th Grades. The writing test will be extended over two days. • Our fourth graders will be required to write two essays, personal narrative and expository.

25. Let’s compare… TAKS Writing STAAR Writing Two compositions: Students must respond with a Personal Narrative and Expository. Students’ writing responses will be limited to 26 lines. Two days for testing: Students will do half of the multiple choice questions and write to one prompt on each day. Each section weighted equally 4 hours each session • One composition: Students could write in any genre (except poetry) in response to the prompt. • Students’ writing responses could span two pages. • One day for testing • Passing score dependent upon revising/editing score and composition score • No time limit

28. Scoring Model for STAAR

29. Scoring Model for STAAR

30. STAAR Grade 5 Science 2011 Release Question Some students attach a balloon to a straw and then tape the straw to the top of a toy car. The students inflate the balloon and release the car. The car travels 40 centimeters across the floor. What should the students do to determine whether the force of the air from a balloon is enough to push the car 40 centimeters across the same floor in repeated trials? A Test the car several times using an identical balloon filled with different amounts of air B Test the car several times using different-sized balloons filled with the same amount of air C Test the car several times using an identical balloon filled with the same amount of air D Test the car several times using different-sized balloons filled with different amounts of air. TEA STAAR released test questions Once again, increase in rigor will be embedded in all subject areas tested, including science. Students are expected to use logical thinking, reasoning, and problem solving.

31. Sample Test Question: 5th Grade Science 8 A student observed the apparent shape of the moon every night for a period of 60 days. On Day 10 the student observed a full moon. On which other day did the student most likely observe a full moon? A Day 20 B Day 30 C Day 40 D Day 50 TEA STAAR released test questions

32. 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 Alternate will be available for students who have significant cognitive disabilities.

33. Example: 5th Modified Reading Read this line from paragraph 12. “I am as lonely as a single star in the night sky.” The author’s use of figurative language emphasizes that — A Little Bird feels hopeless about his situation B Little Bird turns to the night sky for help C Little Bird is confused about where his friends have gone.TEA STAAR released test questions

34. STAAR TESTING DATES Tuesday, April 2, 2013 – 4th grade Writing Day 1 and 5th Grade Math Wednesday, April 3, 2013 – 4th grade Writing Day 2 and 5th Grade Reading Tuesday, April 23, 2013 – 3rd and 4th Grade Math Wednesday, April 24, 2013 – 3rd and 4th grade Reading and 5th Grade Science

35. The state of Texas has very strict guidelines for the administration of state testing. • The building will be closed on testing days to all visitors. • Cell Phone and Electronic Device Statement: • Students are not permitted to have cell phones or electronic • devices on their person or within reach during testing. If they • have a cell phone, it should be turned off during testing and the • teacher will lock it in a filing cabinet or desk drawer for safety. • Cell phone use and/or electronic device usage during testing is • serious violation and will be considered cheating. Just a Reminder!

36. When will scores be released? • The Oaks is still waiting for all 3 grade level scores to arrive. A copy of each student’s scores will be mailed to their home address as soon as we receive all three grade levels. Parent Portal: Included with your student’s scores are directions to access their scores on the State website, along with their student number. This number will follow the student throughout their educational years, giving parents access from year to year to past scores as well as present year scores. Parents will be able to compare scores from year to year and will have easy access to scores. Parent Resource Center: If families do not have computer access at home, we now have a Parent Resource Center here at the Oaks. This center has a computer available with internet access as well as pamphlets regarding educational and community resources.

37. Questions

38. For more information: Internet resources: Lead4ward Texas Education Agency - TEA Google: STAAR Release Test Questions ( will refer you to TEA)