State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, known as STAAR (/stɑːr/ STAR), is a set of standardized tests used in public primary and secondary schools in Texas. These tests check what students have learned and their skills at each grade level. While teachers help create some parts of the tests, the Educational Testing Service also helps make some under the guidance of the Texas Education Agency.

STAAR started after the older test, called the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (or TAKS), was stopped in 2007. The new law wanted students in higher grades to take tests at the end of each class they finished, instead of just general subject tests. STAAR fully replaced TAKS in spring 2012, but some students kept taking TAKS until 2015.

All public schools in Texas must give these tests to their students. Private schools, charter schools, and homeschooled students do not have to take STAAR unless they choose to.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the STAAR tests were cancelled for that school year. In 2019, new rules were passed to change STAAR, moving from paper tests to digital ones, which started in the 2022–2023 school year.

History

In spring 2007, a law was passed to replace an older test called TAKS with a new one. In 2010, the new test, called STAAR, was introduced. This test was made more challenging and had special tests for each subject.

Because of school closures in 2020 due to the coronavirus, the STAAR test was stopped for that year. Later, in 2021, some tests were delayed because of technical problems. In 2019, a plan was approved to change the STAAR test to a digital format, which started in the 2022-2023 school year.

The STAAR Redesign

The STAAR Redesign happened because of a law called House Bill 3906, which the Texas Legislature passed in 2019. Before the 2021-2022 school year, schools gave the STAAR test on paper. But now, the test is given on computers.

Another law, House Bill 3261, passed in 2021, said that by the 2022-2023 school year, most students must take the test online. Some students, like those who need special help or are taking a different test, can still use paper.

The redesign also changed the test questions. Now, no more than 75% of the points can come from multiple-choice questions. The test also includes more passages that talk about topics from different school subjects, but these don’t affect a student’s score.

Starting in 2022-2023, the Reading Language Arts tests include both reading and writing, with a longer written response for every grade. The test also began using computer programs to check some written answers. These programs help make scoring faster, but some people worry they might not be fair or accurate. The Texas Education Agency says that even when a computer checks an answer first, a teacher still looks at any questions the computer flags.

Structure

The STAAR tests are like older tests but have some new ways of asking questions, especially for older students. Students in grades 9 to 11 have special tests at the end of certain classes, such as English, Algebra, Biology, and U.S. History.

If a student in grade 8 or lower takes advanced math classes like Algebra I before grade 9, they must take both the related STAAR test and their regular STAAR tests. Each school district decides if the student also takes the regular STAAR Math test. Sometimes, scores from other tests can be used instead.

Testing procedure

When students take the test, a teacher reads special instructions to them. They have a whole school day or another day to finish. They can take short breaks, like for lunch or to use the restroom, but they must stay quiet and not talk. Teachers watch to make sure everyone follows the rules.

Once a student finishes, they should stay seated quietly. The teacher can’t help with the answers but can explain the instructions if needed. All electronic devices must be turned off before testing starts. The test questions are private and belong to the state, and keeping them safe is very important.

Versions

The STAAR test does not have a special version for students who receive modified instruction or learn through bilingual or English-as-a-Second-Language programs. However, students who regularly use certain supports may be allowed to use them during the test if they meet the rules set by the Texas Education Agency.

The test can be taken either on paper or online. The online version of the STAAR test was introduced by a law passed in 2019. While most students now take the test online, those who need special supports can still choose to take it on paper. Some studies have shown that students often score a bit lower on online tests compared to paper tests, likely because they find the online format more challenging.

Test development

The Texas Education Agency works with Pearson Education and teachers across Texas to create the STAAR tests. Teachers look at the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills to decide what skills to test each year. Some skills are tested every year, called readiness standards. Others might be tested only sometimes, called supporting standards.

After deciding what to test, teachers share their ideas for questions with Pearson Education. Pearson makes the questions, which are then checked by the Texas Education Agency. Teachers in Austin also review the questions. Finally, some students take a practice version of the test to help make sure the questions are fair and clear before the real STAAR test is made.

Differences between predecessors

STAAR tests, like TAKS before it, check what students know in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. The Texas Education Agency says STAAR tests are tougher than TAKS tests. They are made to see if students are ready for college and jobs, starting from elementary school.

For grades 3 to 8, STAAR tests the same subjects as TAKS. But in high school, there are 12 big tests at the end of certain courses. These include math, science, and English classes, as well as world geography, world history, and U.S. history. STAAR tests are required every year, unlike older tests that only tested students once. STAAR gives students 4 hours to finish most tests, but English tests have a 5-hour limit. Students can also use dictionaries during reading and English tests starting in grade 6.

Scoring

The new tests have different levels for students: Advanced Academic Performance for those who are very ready, Satisfactory Academic Performance for those who are ready but not at the top, and Unsatisfactory Academic Performance for those who are not ready for the next grade. But in the 2011–2012 school year, the way these scores were used was stopped. No new rules for grades 3 to 8 have been shared yet.

Controversies

Since it started, many people have had concerns about the STAAR test. One big worry is that it might push teachers to focus only on what will be tested. This can make school feel very stressful for both students and teachers, especially in schools that don’t have many resources.

Some groups, like the Texas American Federation of Teachers, say the test can be harder for students who are still learning English, those with special needs, and kids from families with less money. While some believe the test helps check how well students are learning, there is still a lot of discussion about how fair the test is. Many feel that the pressure of these tests can make students feel anxious.