What tests will students have to take?

2. What tests will students have to take? The high school level STAAR tests are END OF COURSE tests, NOT grade level tests.

3. Performance Labels PERFORMANCE Minimum score Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance (met standard) Level III: Advanced Academic Performance (commended)

4. Performance Labels Level III Advanced – performed at level well above passing; indicates student is well prepared for the next course and is highly likely to be successful in that course Level II Satisfactory – performed at a level that was at or above passing; indicates student is sufficiently prepared for the next course and is likely to be successful in that course; students in this category may need some additional instruction focused on content and skills that were difficult for them Minimum Score – score is below passing, but the score will count toward student’s cumulative score; students can take this test again if students want to try and earn a higher score; score indicates student is not prepared for the next course and is not likely to succeed in that course without significant and ongoing instructional support Scores below Minimum – do not count towards cumulative score

5. Testing Requirements for Graduation (for grade 9 students who entered 2011-2012) • Must meet specific level of performance on end-of-course assessments. The number of assessments that must be taken depends on student’s graduation plan. • Must achieve a cumulative score, an overall total score in each of the four content areas

6. Minimum Graduation Plan • Take at least 11 EOC assessments • English I, II, & III reading and writing with cumulative score of 11250 (6 x 1875) • Algebra I & Geometry with a cumulative score of 7000 (2 x 3500) • Biology with a cumulative score of 3500 (1 x 3500) • U.S. History & either World Geography or World History with a cumulative score of 7000 (2 x 3500) • If a student takes any EOC-Modified test, the student may only graduate on the Minimum Plan

7. Recommended Graduation Plan • Take 15 EOC assessments • English I, II, & III reading and writing with cumulative score of 11250 (6 x 1875) • Algebra I, Geometry, & Algebra II with a cumulative score of 10500 (3 x 3500) • Biology, Chemistry, & Physics with a cumulative score of 10500 (3 x 3500) • World Geography, World History, & U.S. History with a cumulative score of 10500 (3 x 3500) • Student must also meet or exceed Level II Satisfactory scores on English III Reading (1875), English III Writing (1875), & Algebra II (3500)

8. Distinguished Graduation Plan • Take 15 EOC assessments • English I, II, & III reading and writing with cumulative score of 11250 (6 x 1875) • Algebra I, Geometry, & Algebra II with a cumulative score of 10500 (3 x 3500) • Biology, Chemistry, & Physics with a cumulative score of 10500 (3 x 3500) • World Geography, World History, & U.S. History with a cumulative score of 10500 (3 x 3500) • Student must also meet or exceed Level III Advanced scores on English III Reading (2135), English III Writing (2155), & Algebra II (4080)

9. Algebra I Scores • Minimum cut score = 3371 • Satisfactory score = 3500 • Advanced score = 4333 • Student would need a cumulative total of 10,500 on the three tests in the math core area for the Recommended Graduation Plan

10. Biology Scores • Minimum cut score = 3367 • Satisfactory score = 3500 • Advanced score = 4576 • Student would need a cumulative total of 10,500 on the three tests in the science core area for the Recommended Graduation Plan

11. English I Reading Scores • Minimum cut score = 1813 • Satisfactory score = 1875 • Advanced score = 2304 • Student would need a cumulative total of 5,625 on the three tests in the English reading core area for the Recommended Graduation Plan

12. English I Writing Scores • Minimum cut score = 1798 • Satisfactory score = 1875 • Advanced score = 2476 • Student would need a cumulative total of 5,625 on the three tests in the English writing core area for the Recommended Graduation Plan

13. World Geography Scores • Minimum cut score = 3383 • Satisfactory score = 3500 • Advanced score = 4404 • Student would need a cumulative total of 10,500 on the three tests in the social studies core area for the Recommended Graduation Plan

14. Hypothetical Scores on W.G. EOCs • A student scores: • 3300 on World Geography • 4000 on World History • 3500 on U.S. History • (3383 = minimum, 3500 = satisfactory, 4404 = advanced) • The student’s cumulative score is 10800. Does this student graduate? • No, the cumulative is greater than 10500, but 3300 is below the minimum score so that score does not count toward the cumulative score.

15. EOC Retakes • Students may retake an EOC for any reason. Students who have not achieved the satisfactory score will retest in December. • Retesting opportunities: • December 3 English I Writing Retest • December 4 English I Reading Retest • December 5 Algebra I and Geometry Retest • December 6 Biology Retest • December 7 World Geography Retest

16. EOC Primary Testing Dates April 1 English III Writing April 2 English III Reading April 3 English II Writing April 4 English II Reading May 6 World History May 8 Geometry and Algebra II May 13 Chemistry

17. STAAR Website More information is available at: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/