Does the STAAR test really matter?

STAAR's stated purpose is to hold students to a higher level of accountabilities and set the standard for what is expected from teachers, schools, and districts. In practice, what it's used for is punishment. There is no evidence that STAAR data is being used to make any curriculum changes whatsoever.

Is the STAAR test really important?

The STAAR test is used not just to evaluate student progress; the scores have also been used to evaluate teachers, individual schools and principals, school districts, and, by extension, the entire enterprise of public education in Texas.

Do colleges care about STAAR tests?

Well, yes and no. It depends on your goals. If your desired outcome is for your child simply to attend college, then your child is on the right track. If, however, you have more ambitious goals for your child, such as an elite college or a UC school, you'll need to give further consideration to the STAR test results.

Does it matter if you fail the STAAR test?

Students who fail are required by the state to be provided with accelerated instruction, which usually occurs during the summer. They will have to retake the test, but they will not have to retake the course before retaking the test.

Can you graduate if you don't pass the STAAR test?

Normally, a student who has not passed up to two of his or her required STAAR EOC assessments may graduate through the individual graduation committee (IGC) process.

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What happens if you fail the STAAR test but pass the class?

If a student passes the course but does not pass the end-of-course assessment, the student may take the test again. However, a student is not required to retake a course just because he or she failed the assessment.

Does STAAR test affect GPA?

The more important truths are these: Contrary to myth, STAAR scores are not reported on a student's TEA grades. School districts are not allowed to use STAAR scores to calculate GPA, weighted average GPA or class rank. No college admissions committee asks you for a STAAR score like it would for the SAT or ACT.

What happens if a kid fails the STAAR test?

If a student fails the Reading and/or Math STAAR Tests, s/he given two additional opportunities to pass and be promoted to the next year's grade. Districts may decide to give students an alternative assessment on the third try. Students cannot be promoted to the next grade without passing the alternative assessment.

Do you go to summer school if you fail the STAAR test?

Note, however, that this year Grades 3-8 are not receiving STAAR results until August. Some schools are attempting to “require” summer school based on predictive results. This is not allowed. Only actual failure to meet standards can result in “required” summer school (you can still opt out).

What is the lowest passing grade on STAAR?

The scores mentioned in the red band is the failing scores in STAAR tests. The students need a minimum of 25% to 35% in order to pass the tests.

Can parents refuse STAAR test in Texas?

Editor's note: This is part of an occasional series exploring the STAAR test and its impact on Texas education. Parents who do not want their children to take the test may opt to keep them home. According to the Texas Education Agency, no law specifically allows parents to keep children from testing.

Is the STAAR test only a Texas thing?

STAAR stands for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, which is the state's student testing program. The assessments are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, which are the state curriculum standards.

What are the cons of the STAAR test?

Part of the stress it causes for students and its inadequacy as a diagnostic tool is simple: STAAR is too hard. In some cases, reading passages have been judged to be two to three years ahead of the tested grade level based on independent readability tests, including the Lexile scale.

Why are people against STAAR?

STAAR tests are disproportionately damaging to Black and Brown children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. In the past, STAAR test scores have been used to shut down schools in Black and Brown communities.

Is the STAAR test hard?

State-ordered study finds STAAR not too hard for young readers. Questions about the reading and writing tests arose after some education advocates pointed to studies showing passages were written above elementary and middle schoolers' grade levels.

How many kids fail the STAAR test?

Elementary and middle-school students across Texas are preparing to take state exams in early May, which will mark their progress after a tough two years of COVID-19 disruptions. Last year's STAAR results detailed significant learning loss, with roughly 37% of students failing math tests and 33% failing reading exams.

Does the STAAR test affect your grade?

A student can pass the STAAR test, but still need academic intervention to succeed in the next grade. Unfortunately, the mandated academic interventions crafted after the pandemic — HB 4545 (87-R) and HB 1416 (88-R) — only require intervention if a student scores Did Not Meet (in other words they failed) the STAAR.

Can you skip the STAAR test in Texas?

While there's no specific opt-out provision within the Texas Education Code, you can still approach your child's school district with your decision to opt out. Federal law plays a role in standardized testing as well.

What happens if my kid doesn't go to summer school?

Depending on the school, you may also be required to pay back any tuition or other fees associated with the program. Additionally, not attending summer school may affect your academic record, and could lead to a lower GPA or other consequences.

How many kids fail the STAAR test every year?

The year before the pandemic hit, 78% of elementary and middle school students passed their math STAAR tests. Roughly 42% met grade-level standards. At least one-fifth of students failed the math exam across all elementary and middle school grades. This year's batch of data reflects a redesigned STAAR test.

What happens if my child doesn t pass the STAAR test in Texas?

For any student who does not pass the STAAR test in grade 3, 5, or 8 in math or reading, a LEA is required to establish an accelerated learning committee to develop an individual educational plan for the student and monitor progress. Questions may be emailed to [email protected].

How do I know if I passed my STAAR test?

1. Visit https://www.texasassessment.gov/families.html. 2. Enter your student's Access Code, Date of Birth, and Legal First Name then click "Search."

What grade levels must pass STAAR test?

Third grade students must pass STAAR reading in order to be promoted to 4th grade. In fifth and eighth grades, students must pass both STAAR reading and STAAR math to be promoted to the next grade. Students have three opportunities to retake test(s) and receive remedial help if they don't pass.

How long do STAAR test results take?

Raw scores will be available on May 22 for STAAR end-of-course (EOC) assessments and STAAR grades 3—8 assessments. Scale scores and performance level information will be available on May 31 for STAAR EOC assessments and on August 11 for STAAR grades 3–8 assessments.

Who grades the STAAR test?

The STAAR test is administered on paper or online. All student essays, whether submitted on paper or online, are scored by a group of trained individuals called raters. Raters score the essays in ETS's online scoring system.