STAAR PARENT PRESENTATION

1. STAAR PARENT PRESENTATION Bray Elementary February 10, 2014

2. What is the STAAR? • State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness • Will assess the content standards at a greater depth and at a higher level of complexity than TAKS • Ultimate goal is to graduate students who are college and career ready .

3. A more rigorous test… • Let’s take a look at the progression of the Texas test over time… • What do you notice about the questions over time? • How has the difficulty level changed over time?

4. TABS Exit Level Math Started in 1980 • One Step: • Fewest barrels

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

6. 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%

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

8. STAAR Algebra II (2012) Four Steps: 1. For this problem, what values of t are appropriate? Since t is time, t can only be ≥ 0. So the domain is t ≥ 0. 2. Determine f(t) for the lowest value of t. That is, determine f(0) = 100. 3. Determine the behavior of f (t) as t increases. Note that f(t) has a horizontal asymptote, y=0. 4. Conclude that the range is 0<f(t)≤100.

9. What will the STAAR actually assess? • The STAAR will assess mastery of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) • Readiness Standards - these are essential for success in the current grade or are important for preparedness for the next grade. - support college and career readiness • Supporting Standards - although introduced and/or reinforced in the current grade or course, they may be emphasized in a subsequent year. - They play a role in preparing students for the next grade or course but not a central role • Process Standards – problem solving, critical thinking

10. How is the test “more rigorous?” • More of the test will assess the Readiness Standards • Many of the STAAR items are “dual coded” – they assess more than one of the TEKS • The test is longer • The test is timed

11. Writing STAAR Test • Day One – April 1st- there will be 14 multiple choice editing questions on CONVENTIONS - students will write an original PERSONAL NARRATIVE not to exceed 26 lines • Day Two – April 2nd- there will be 14 multiple choice editing questions on CONTENT- students will write an original EXPOSITORY PROMPT not to exceed 26 lines

12. Writing Prompts • Personal narrative is meant to entertain. It has characters, setting, problem and a solution. • Expository (informational) text includes facts to explain, describe, persuade, instruct, or retell. The author’s purpose is mainly to inform the reader rather than entertain.

13. Reading STAAR Test • April 23rd • Students will be reading a variety of genres, including fiction and non-fiction text. • There is a greater emphasis on critical analysis (inferences) than to literal understanding. • 3rd grade will have 40 questions • 4th grade will have 44 questions

14. Math STAAR Test • April 22nd • Student will have to use a variety of problem solving strategies to solve real world problems. • Multiple choice as well as griddable items • Problems are “dual coded” covering more than one math objective. • 3rd grade will have 46 questions • 4th grade will have 48 questions

15. TAKS Items Target a Single Standard… Content Standard 3.1. Number, operation, and quantitative reasoning. The student uses place value to communicate about increasingly large whole numbers in verbal and written form, including money. The student is expected to: (C) determine the value of a collection of coins and bills.

16. 3rd Grade TAKS Item, 3.1C

17. At least 75% of STAAR/EOC items will assess both content and process standards… Content Standard 3.1. Number, operation, and quantitative reasoning. The student uses place value to communicate about increasingly large whole numbers in verbal and written form, including money. The student is expected to: (C) determine the value of a collection of coins and bills. Process Standard 3.14. Underlying processes and mathematical tools. The student applies Grade 3 mathematics to solve problems connected to everyday experiences and activities in and outside of school. The student is expected to: (A) Identify the mathematics in everyday situations.

18. 3rd Grade STAAR Item, 3.1C and 3.14A

19. How you can help • Make sure students are doing their homework. • Review and question your child’s class work and have them explain their reasoning. • Many students lack reading stamina. The nightly reading really helps with fluency, stamina, vocabulary, comprehension, etc.  • Encourage your child to read a variety of all kinds (genres) of text: books of all kinds, magazines, plays, poetry, newspapers, etc. • Math facts!!!! Students need to know their addition and multiplication facts.

20. What can you do? • Communicate regularly with your child’s teacher. Ask if there are exercises that can be done at home to help reinforce what your child is learning in preparation for the STAAR test. • Familiarize yourself with the test and go over sample questions with your child. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/parents/ • Emphasize the importance of participating in school daily.

21. What can you do? • Know the STAAR testing schedule and avoid making appointments on that day. • Make sure your students are at school AND here on time. • Monitor grades through family access. • Encourage your child to do his or her best. Express confidence that he or she will do well.

22. Time limits: • There is a strict 4 hour time limit on all STAAR tests. • The time does not stop if the child needs a bathroom or water break. • It is imperative that our children build their stamina up to work for increased amounts of time. • It is also imperative that students are at school on time.

23. QUESTIONS? • COMMENTS? • CONCERNS?