STAAR Intermediate Testing Dates & Information

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• 2012-2013 STAAR Testing Dates for Intermediate

  • Testing Calendar

• What’s different about STAAR?

  performance. Assessments have increased in length at most grades and subjects. For reading, greater emphasis is placed on critical analysis of passages rather than literal understanding. The 7th grade writing test includes two compositions: personal narrative that has a clearly defined focus and communicates the importance of or reasons for actions and/or consequences and multi-paragraph essay to convey information about a topic (also referred to as expository).  

  On the science and mathematics tests, STAAR includes a type of open-ended question known as a griddable item. The purpose of griddable items is to allow students to develop answers independently without being influenced by answer choices provided with the questions (commonly known as multiple-choice). Most science and mathematics assessments include three to five griddable items. Illustrations of the test design for grades 3-8 and further explanation about griddable items are available at www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/.

  Performance standards for STAAR at grades 3–8 were set in fall 2012, after the first spring administration of STAAR. 

  
  

• How does STAAR affect intermediate school students enrolled in a high-school level course (e.g. Algebra I)?

  Students in grades 3–8 who are also enrolled in a high school course will take that STAAR EOC assessment as required for graduation. They will not take more than one STAAR test in a particular subject.

• How does STAAR affect promotion to the next grade level?

  For the 2011-2012 school year only, the Student Success Initiative (SSI) promotion requirements for grades 5 and 8 did not include STAAR results. Students were assessed for promotion to the next grade by other academic information, such as grades and teacher recommendations. This transition between the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years was necessary since performance standards for STAAR at grades 3-8 were not set until fall 2012. 

  Grade promotion for grades 4, 6 and 7 is not tied to passing STAAR.

  Districts are required to provide remediation to any student who fails a STAAR assessment, whether in grades 3-8 or high school.