Is the STAAR test really necessary?

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.

Does the STAAR test really matter?

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.

What happens if you don't take the STAAR test?

At least 95% of students in a school district have to take the test, or the state could penalize the district. But students and parents face no consequences for opting out of the test. Both federal and state laws require eligible students to take the STAAR test, according to TEA.

Can I still graduate if I fail the STAAR test?

Most students have already completed courses that have corresponding EOC assessments before their senior year. 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.

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.

Texas STAAR Test is being redesigned — what you need to know

Can you refuse to take the STAAR test in Texas?

The state of Texas requires that students pass (or substitute criteria) 5 STAAR exams (3 in 9th, Eng II in 10th and US History in 11th) in order to graduate. A high school student can opt out of STAAR and still graduate if they qualify for a combination of substitute assessments, IGC and other options.

Can parents refuse STAAR test in Texas?

If you simply intend to refuse the assessment, you do not. However, if you want to preserve the argument that Texas law permits you to Opt Out, you must give notice as described in the Opt Out letters. We also encourage notice so that the school understands that the assessment system is being protested by the parents.

What happens if my child fails the STAAR test 2023?

If a student fails the STAAR Assessment, the school district provides the student with accelerated instruction to help him or her catch up to his or her peers. If the student fails the STAAR again, the Grade Placement Committee (GPC) will try to provide a dorm of instruction tailored to the student's needs.

Can you graduate without passing 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.

What percent of students 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.

Why are parents opting out of STAAR testing?

Standardized tests measure little of what parents and others want children to learn and experience in schools. They do not measure creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, leadership or empathy. Many schools narrow their focus to the tested subjects of math and reading. Other important subjects are sidelined.

How do I refuse a STAAR test?

Check specifics with your school district, but generally, parents write a letter to the superintendent or school principal letting them know that their child will not take part in the specific test (name the test) this year, and ask that the school make arrangements for a productive educational experience for their ...

Why are people against STAAR testing?

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.

Is STAAR optional?

The STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) are required for students in grades 3-8 and are a graduation requirement for students taking high school level courses in Algebra I, English I, English II, U.S. history, and biology.

Can parents opt out of STAAR testing in Texas 2023?

"There is no parental opt-out for STAAR assessments. Federal and state laws require that all eligible students participate in STAAR.

Who created STAAR test?

The test used to be developed by Pearson Education every school year, although the most recent contract gave Educational Testing Service a role in creating some of the tests, under the close supervision of the Texas Education Agency.

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

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.

Is the STAAR test only in Texas?

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.

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

Students in fifth and eighth grade who fail the first administration of STAAR in March and must retest in May should plan to attend summer school until results from the state indicate that they have passed the retest.

How do I opt out of the STAAR test in Texas 2023?

State law makes it clear that students may not opt-out of tests, including standardized tests. The complete Texas Education Code section 26.010 states: EXEMPTION FROM INSTRUCTION.

What happens if a child fails the STAAR test?

There is no requirement under state law that students who fail any STAAR grades 3–8 assessment repeat a grade, instead allowing STAAR results solely to serve as information on how best to support students moving forward. More changes to STAAR are coming in the 2022-23 school year.

Why does Texas still have STAAR test?

To ensure that students are on pace to graduate at this standard, the STAAR and EOC exams, the state academic standards (the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills or TEKS), have been aligned so that educators, students, and parents know if a student is making acceptable progress from grade to grade.

What state does not have a STAAR test?

Nebraska is the only state that does not have a standardized test.

Why does Texas take STAAR test?

Why? STAAR tests are designed to measure what students are learning in each grade and whether or not they are ready for the next grade. The goal is to ensure that all students receive what they need to be academically successful.