What Every Parent Needs To Know:

How to help in the transition to STAAR

A new vertical state system

• Legislation requires a system of performance standards that are linked from grade to grade, starting with postsecondary-readiness performance standards down through grade 3

2

New Test – New Opportunities3

We have been down this path before!

• And each time we needed a little time to learn the new system.

• And each test added a new layer of rigor and a new set of expectations for our students and for our teachers.

• And each time we have succeeded!• And we will again…

4

5

Let’s look at the tests our kids took before STAAR.

One Step:1. Fewest barrels

TABS Exit Level MathTexas Assessment of Basic Skills

1980 - 1985

6

Two Steps:1. Find point on graph2. Multiply

30 pupils x $300 = $9,000

TEAMS Exit Level MathTexas Educational Assessment of Minimum Skills

1986-1990

7

Three Steps:1. Find paper

on pie chart2. Divide tons of

paper by total tons:

72/1803. Convert to 40%

TAAS Exit Level MathTexas Assessment of Academic Skills

1990-2002

8

Five Steps:1. Add all votes

240 + 420 + 180 + 300 + 60 = 1,2002. Determine which student finished 3rd

(Bridget: 240 votes)3. Determine Bridget’s %age of votes

240 / 1,200 = 20%4. Know that a pie chart has 360 total degrees5. Determine 20% of 360 degrees:

.20 x 360 = 72

TAKS Exit Level MathTexas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills

2003-2011

9

Five Steps:

1. The student must know how to apply the quadratic formula to find the value of thediscrimant b²-4ac

2. Find quadratic equation on formula chart:

3. If b² - 4ac > 0there are two real number roots of the equationand the graph of the parabola crosses the x-axis at those roots

4. If b² - 4ac = 0there is a “multiple” or repeated root of the equation and the vertex of the graph of theparabola touches the x-axis at that root.

5. If b² - 4ac < 0the roots of the equation are imaginary numbersand the graph of the parabola does notintersect the x-axis

STAAR Exit Level Math?State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness

2012-?

10

a

acbbx

2

42

What do we know about STAAR?

• Will begin in 2011-12– Grades 3 through 8– First year 9th graders– 10th and 11th graders will still take TAKS

11

Grades 3-8

Reading – Gr. 3-8Math – Gr. 3-8Writing – Gr. 4 & 7Science – Gr. 5 & 8Soc. Studies – Gr. 8

High School COURSES

Math English Science Soc StudiesAlgebra IGeometry Algebra II

Eng IEngl IIEng III

BiologyChemistryPhysics

World Geo.World Hist.U.S. History

The high school level STAAR tests are COURSE tests, NOT grade level tests

What tests will students have to take?

STAAR IS AN ASSESSMENT OF

ACADEMIC READINESS

13

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN ASSESSMENT OF ACADEMIC READINESS?

14

What did TAKS ask?

Did our students learn what they were supposed to learn in their current grade or course?15

What does STAAR ask?

–Did our students learn what they were supposed to learn in their current grade or course?

–Are they ready for the next grade or course?

–And the one after that?16

AND ULTIMATELY…ARE OUR STUDENTS READY FOR COLLEGE

OR A CAREER?

17

What’s tested on STAAR?

• The TEKS - the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills– Readiness standards:

– 30-35% of the assessed curriculum / 60-65% of the STAAR test– Supporting standards

– 60-65% of the assessed curriculum / 30-35% of the STAAR test– Process Standards – the skills – assessed with other standards (Ex: map skills, math tools, problem-solving)

What does rigor mean?

19

STAAR will be significantly more “rigorous” than TAKS

What does “more rigorous” mean?

• The questions are more complex and require more thinking.

• What is most important for a student to learn in a grade level will have more questions on the test.

• The test will be longer.

STAAR is a longer test…

• Math Gr. 3 -8 = +6 questions• Reading 3-8 = +4 questions• Writing = +1 additional composition• Science= +4 questions• Social Studies Gr 8 = +4 questions• EOC = +2 to 13 questions

21

STAAR REQUIRES

MORE THINKING!

23

1. 23 - -12 = 352. Bubble in “D”

1. 60 x 70 = 42002. 4200 ÷ 175 = 243. 24 x 7 = 1684. Bubble in “G”

STAAR Item

Will there really be a difference?

TAKS Item

Grade 5 Math TAKS STAAR

Number of scored items 44 50

Average steps to solve(Hypothetical) 3 4

TOTAL STEPS (Hypothetical) 132 200

Comparison of Processing Skills

Reading Schematic Grade 5

Reading Schematic Grade 6

Science

TAKS 2009- 5.6B

STAAR Sample

What will it take to pass STAAR?

• Students will have to get more items correct than on TAKS.

• The passing standard will first be established for English III and Algebra II–Linked to college readiness–Linked by grade level down to 3rd grade

28

STAAR . . . some changes

Time limits– All STAAR assessments Grade 3 through EOC will have a four hour time limitAccommodations for dyslexia- There is no longer a bundle: students served as dyslexic will be eligible for extended time (until the end of the school day) and to have questions and answers read aloud

29

What about tests for students served in special education?

• Accommodations will be allowed on STAAR, but have not yet been defined or clarified.

• STAAR Modified will be available for students who meet the criteria.

• STAAR Alternate will be available for students who have significant cognitive disabilities.

30

When will I know how my student did?

• Standards will be set after the students are tested for the first time in the Spring of 2012.

• Raw scores will be the only information provided to schools, students, and parents.– Ex: Hannah got 40 out of 50 correct on 5th grade math.

• Pass/fail performance will not be released until the Fall of 2012.

What about the SSI requirement for 5th grade?

• Because there will be no performance standards in place for grades 3–8 in the 2011–2012 school year, students cannot be held subject to state assessment SSI requirements.

• Each school district will be required however to determine criteria to use in place of state assessments (grades, teacher recommendation, local assessments, raw score).

How can I help?

• Vocabulary – help your student practice the key vocabulary of each content area, it is vital to their ability to be successful.

• Study skills – make sure your student is developing skills that will help them be successful on the STAAR and in their classes (Ex: homework, review of foundational skills, reading regularly).

• Communication – with your student and their teacher.– Make sure you know what they are expected to be learning – support the teacher with activities at home and keeping students accountable for their learning.

How can I help?

• Attendance – the curriculum is more rigorous and at a faster pace than ever before, being absent puts your student at a serious disadvantage

• Monitor homework completion – remember this is a timed test – students need to be practicing on completing assignments in a reasonable amount of time – work completed at school will be timed as well and may affect grades.

Where can I find more information?

• GPISD Website:Departments – Curriculum and Assessment

www.g-pisd.org • TEA Website

www.tea.state.tx.us • Teacher Websites

Questions???