State of Texas Assessments Academic Readiness The Next Generation, A parent's guide to the high school testing program Page: 2

                                
STAAR - The Next Generation
A new testing journey begins with the
launch of the State of Texas Assessments
of Academic Readiness or STAARTM in the
2011-2012 school year. The standardized
testing program includes tests for students
in grades 3-12.
The new rigorous program will focus on
readiness for success in subsequent
grades and courses and, ultimately, for
college and career.
What is STAAR?
STAAR is the state's student testing
program. Over the course of their public
school career, students will be tested in
the core subject areas-reading, writing,
mathematics, science, and social studies.
The number of tests taken each year will
vary from two to four, depending on the
grade level.
The STAAR tests for elementary and
middle school grades will cover the same
subjects and grades as the previous

testing program, the Texas Assessment of
Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). At the high
school level, 12 (EOC) assessments will
replace grade-specific tests.
How does STAAR differ from TAKS?
The STAAR will be more rigorous than
previous state tests. It will contain more
test questions at most grade levels. The
majority of new STAAR assessments will
test material students studied that year.
In contrast, TAKS high-school level tests
were required by law to test content
studied over multiple years.
Also, for the first time since the state
began its standardized testing program,
the tests will have a time limit. Unless a
student is eligible for an accommodation,
each student will have four hours to
complete each assessment.
What's different about the high
school testing program?
The changes in the testing program are
most apparent at the high school level.
Under the TAKS program, students took
two tests in ninth grade and four tests in
both 10th and 11th grade. A student was
required to pass the four exit-level tests
given at 11th grade in order to graduate.
This system will be replaced with 12 EOC
assessments, which students will take
whenever they take the corresponding

course. The STAAR EOC scores will
account for 15 percent of a student's final
grade in the associated course.
What tests must you take in
high school?
Students entering the ninth grade in
the 2011-2012 school year will be the
first class required to take STAAR EOC
assessments.
The 12 EOC assessments are:
* English I, English II, English III
* Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II
* Biology, Chemistry, Physics
* World Geography, World History, and
U.S. History
If a student is enrolled in grade 8 or below
and is taking a course for which there is a
STAAR EOC assessment, that student will
be required to take the applicable STAAR
EOC assessment.
Phase-Out Plan for TAKS and
Phase-In of STAAR
2-11-2 12  0I2-01   03-20014T 2014-2015

Grades
3-8
Grade 9
Grade O0
Grade II
Grade R

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ICAKt~eS              IAK oCottleSG ~
TealmsnR        ivESVae