Tag Archives: STAAR

STAAR Results Begin To Arrive

HISD parents of students in select grades will be receiving a portion of their child’s STAAR exam results over the next week. The Texas Education Agency has released STAAR reading and math scores for students in the fifth and eighth grades only.

HISD elementary and middle schools are now currently distributing the scores to parents and students as well as informing them about the accelerated instruction and intervention resources that will be made available to those who failed one or both subjects. Fifth and eighth grade students who failed the reading and/or math portions of STAAR will retake one or both STAAR exams on May 14 and 15.

The TEA is making results for fifth and eighth graders available earlier than others because students in those grades must pass the math and reading sections to be promoted. All other STAAR subject results for student in grades 3-8 will be released by the TEA and distributed by HISD to students and parents on or before May 31. Ninth and tenth grade students will take STAAR end of course exams from May 6-17. EOC scores will be released to the TEA and distributed to HISD students and parents on or before June 14.

This is the second year students in grades 3-10 are taking the STAAR exam, and unlike last year STAAR scores in certain subjects can determine whether or not a child is promoted to the next grade. See below for a full list of promotion standards for the 2012-2013 school year. 

Grade Level Promotion Standards
1 and 2
  • Students must pass High Frequency Word Test – Recognizing and reading words that appear very often in written and spoken language.
  • State requirement of overall yearly average of 70 or above and local requirement of an average of 70 or above in reading, other language arts, mathematics, and science or social studies.
  • Students must have sufficient attendance*

 
3, 4 and 5
  • Students must pass STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) in reading and math.
  • State requirement of overall yearly average of 70 or above and local requirement of an average of 70 or above in reading, other language arts, mathematics, and science or social studies.
  • Students must have sufficient attendance*

 
6, 7 and 8
  • Students must pass STAAR in reading and math.
  • State requirement of overall yearly average of 70 or above and a local requirement of an average of 70 or above in three of the four core courses: Language arts (average of reading and English), mathematics, science, and social studies.
  • Students must have sufficient attendance*

 
9 – 12
  • Students are promoted based on their total accumulated course credits prior to the beginning of the next school year.
  • Individual course credit is earned through a passing grade of 70% or above and sufficient attendance*

 

*Sufficient attendance: A student’s total number of unexcused absences cannot exceed 10% of class meetings.

For English Language Learners, the Grade Placement Committee (GPC) in consultation with the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) will determine promotion standards.
For students with disabilities, the campus ARD/IEP committee will determine the promotion status based on mastery of IEP goals and objectives and /or course requirements.

If your child does not meet Promotion Standards, your school will contact you for further opportunities to receive additional instruction.

HISD Schools Add Some Pep to STAAR Prep

HISD schools across the district are doing their part to get students prepared and pumped up for the upcoming STAAR exam. At Neff Elementary, Principal Rupak Gandhi and his teachers have been practicing their dance moves for an upcoming STAAR pep rally that they hope will encourage students to do their best. Over the past few weeks, members of the school’s fine arts team have spent their ancillary periods and after-school hours creating a fun “Gangnam Style” video that they will show at the campus rally on Monday, April 22, 2013. Students in grades three through eight will take STAAR April 23–26.

“We wanted to do something fun that would not only motivate our students to do well, but would involve the entire staff,” said Gandhi. In the video, entitled “Neff STAAR Style,” Gandhi breaks out his best dance moves and so do the school’s custodians, food services workers, and students.
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Students and Staff Gearing up for STAAR

Schools holding tutorials and competitions to prepare for exam 

Westside High School students prepare for STAAR testing. Click photo to see Austin High School's STAAR efforts.

HISD students and teachers across the district are getting the word out about the upcoming STAAR exam, and some are using their creative and artistic side. Over at Austin High School students and staff formed teams to compete in a hallway decorating contest to see who could create and design the best STAAR display. Some of the themes included Godzilla, Mario Brothers and even Hollywood.

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2012-2013 School Year Ushers in Year Two of STAAR

The 2012-2013 school year is the second year for the new state assessment known as STAAR, which requires high school students to take End of Course exams or EOCs rather than grade-based assessments under TAKS. Last year, only high school freshmen were required to take STAAR End of Course exams. This year, all ninth- and tenth-graders in the state of Texas will take STAAR EOCs.

Under STAAR, a student’s score on an EOC would normally count toward 15 percent of their final course grade. However, the Texas Education Agency has deferred implementation of the 15 percent grading requirement for the 2012-2013 school year.

Westside High School freshmen and their parents wanting more information on STAAR recently came out to a special campus workshop. The informational session was held to help parents understand how the new EOC exams could impact their child’s course grades and GPAs, as well as their ability to graduate.

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HISD Wins National School Public Relations Association ‘Gold Medallion’ Award

The Houston Independent School District has been selected as the winner of the 2012 National School Public Relations Association ‘Gold Medallion’ Award for its exemplary communication plan to create awareness on the new state-mandated STAAR exams implemented during the 2011-2012 academic year.

NSPRA’s Gold Medallion Award is the top national competition recognizing superior education public relations programs, and HISD was selected from a field of 54 public relations programs throughout the United States and Canada.

This award recognizes the district for the multilingual, multimedia, communication plan it implemented to inform parents, students and the community about the new state-mandated STAAR exams and their implications on students. 

This communication plan included various strategies ranging from traditional mail outs, TV and radio interviews and public meetings, to internally produced live TV forums, social media campaigns, phone banks and interactive web events. 

In addition, HISD established partnerships with local media such as Univision to help reach out to the community through various live interviews, weekly educational segments and a live phone bank during prime time. 

The entries submitted were evaluated on the ability to successfully execute the following: research, analysis and planning, communication and implementation, and evaluation.

TEA commissioner to approve STAAR EOC performance standards in mid-April

On April 5, the Texas Education Agency posted a revised timeline showing the commissioner approving STAAR end-of-course exam standards in mid-April:

March 26-29 STAAR Testing (grades 3-8 and EOC)
   Mid April EOC Standards Approved by Commissioner
   April 16 First meeting of the Academic Achievement Distinction Designation Committee (AADDC)
   April 24-27 STAAR Testing (grades 3-8)
   May 7-18 STAAR Testing (EOC)
   May Second meeting of the ATAC
   Early June EOC results available with standards

Click here to view the entire 2013 Accountability System Development Timeline.

See what they’re saying about STAAR

The first administration of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exam began today, and students and parents took to social media sites to talk about the test. Here’s what some of them had to say:

  1. Share
    “
    For the freshmen taking STAAR, may the be force be with you.

     

    Johnny TaylorDefiningMatter

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 08:00:14
     
     
  2. Share
    HISD Answers Frequently Asked Questions about STAAR

     

    thehisd

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 15:26:50
     
     
  3. Share
    “
    STAAR testing was way more fun than I thought it would be!

     

    Ty SnopekTy Snopek

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 11:05:15
     
     
  4. Share
    “
    I think I’m going to like STAAR. It was pretty easy

     

    Aleaahh ;D_IbreakNeckss

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:23:40
     
     
  5. Share
    “
    Good luck to both my boys this week on the STAAR testing I love you both bunches, n good luck to all the other kids who are testing as well

     

    Chavella PicasoChavella Picaso

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 11:00:47
     
     
  6. Share
    Texas Education Agency – STAAR™ Resources

    STAAR logo Beginning in spring 2012, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR™) will replace the Texas Assessment of…
    State
     
     
  7. Share
    “
    #BelieveItOrNot i like STAAR better than taks

     

    CINDOO ♥OBEY__BEE

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 16:48:32
     
     
  8. Share
    “
    RT @jewduhrob: I’m just a normal boy most days, but today I’m a STAAR.

     

    KJ Stewart KJStewy

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:05:22
     
     
  9. Share
    “
    STAAR is great.

     

    Max Rand.maximusrand

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:14:02
     
     
  10. Share
    STAAR – HISD Connect -

    What is STAAR? For years, students have been taking the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) to determine whether they have …
    Houstonisd
     
     
  11. Share
    “
    That awkward moment when someone’s phone goes off in the middle of the STAAR test and its an eminem song… #totesawk

     

    Claire StowellHeyCweezy

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:13:40
     
     
  12. Share
    “
    Good Luck my dear friends that have to take the STAAR TEST. I know you will do great

     

    Kelsey-Ray PassafumaKelsey-Ray Passafuma

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 09:49:55
     
     
  13. Share
    “
    Me: u ready for your writing test? Student: yes sir Mr. O’Neil, I know how to write stories. He’s ready for STAAR! #edchat

     

    TheCollinsPrincipalONeilCMSPrincip

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:28:45
     
     
  14. Share
    “
    Happy #STAAR testing today to all Texas 9th graders. Write like you’ve never written before! Wait, no…

     

    Hillari Hhillarih

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:26:27
     
     
  15. Share
    “
    Happy STAAR testing, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

     

    Christina MoenChristina Moen

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 10:00:18
     
     
  16. Share
    “
    New questions from HISD parents answered on STAAR Q&A site: hisdstaar.wordpress.com

     

    HISDSTAARHISDSTAAR

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:17:53
     
     
  17. Share
     
  18. Share
    “
    Shout Out!! to the DHS Freshman Campus…. in Taking the STAAR Test Today.

     

    Tselane Candi McdonaldTselane Candi Mcdonald

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 09:51:12
     
     
  19. Share
    “
    Good Luck Kids!

     

    Amber Parker-CollinsAmber Parker-Collins

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 11:36:31
     
     
  20. Share
    “
    iWonder how my little brother doing on the STAAR Test.
    This morning I told him if he didn’t know the answer to just choose C.
    #BestBigSister

     

    Hi&&Bye.✌HomeIGuess

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:13:57
     
     
  21. Share
    “
    Good luck today on the STAAR, Freshman.!(:
    #So happy to be a 1996 baby<3

     

    Sattyn Justice WarnkeSattyn Justice Warnke

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 10:10:45
     
     
  22. Share
    “
    Staar test was too easy!

     

    (● ω ● )caatado

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:23:02
     
     
  23. Share
    “
    Just finished my STAAR test , it was really easy I’m ready for the second part now!!!!!

     

    101410 thoo♡ ツ !Reree_3badd

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:25:35
     
     
  24. Share
    “
    First day of new TX state assessment, #STAAR . Less multiple choice, two types of essays, timed. Best of luck to all those testing!

     

    Sarah Jensenltf_sarah

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:18:59
     
     

STAAR testing begins today (w/ video)

As students in Houston ISD begin taking the new State Assessments of Academic Readiness, HISD’s Richard Blair talks about some of the chief differences between TAKS and STAAR, and how parents can help their children get ready for the tests. For a complete schedule of testing dates, click here.

Click image above for video.

Transcript from today’s live chat on STAAR

 
11:54
HISD: 

Thank you for joining us for a live chat about STAAR. Our panelists are ready to take your questions. We have with us Mark Shenker (High School Office), Richard Blair (Middle School Office), Angela Borzon (High School Office) and Angela Miller (Curriculum). We will make every effort to answer your questions today – if we experience technical difficulties, we will switch to Twitter and replace the chat window with a live feed.
 
11:59
 
[Comment From HISD parentHISD parent: ] 

Is it better to guess on a question or leave it blank if you don’t know the answer?
 
11:59
HISD: 

Wrong answers are not counted against a student; they simply do not get credit for the question. The raw score for multiple choice items reflects the total number of correct responses. There is no downside to guessing if a student does not have time to review answer choices.
 

HISD reaches out to Hispanic community with live STAAR forum in Spanish

Panelists will be taking questions from studio audience and callers

The Houston Independent School District is reaching out to its Spanish-speaking community and familiarizing them with the new state-mandated STAAR exam by broadcasting a live STAAR Forum in Spanish on Tuesday, March 6, from 7 to 8 p.m. on HISD TV.

This live Spanish forum will provide parents and students the opportunity to ask questions and share their concerns about STAAR with a panel of bilingual experts, including administrators and school principals. The panelists will also outline the chief differences between the previous state exam, TAKS, and STAAR, and discuss the state’s recent decision giving school districts the option of deferring implementation of the requirement that high school students’ scores on STAAR end-of-course exams count toward their class grades

Viewers can participate by submitting questions through HISD’s Twitter and Facebook accounts, via e-mail to STAAR@houstonisd.org or by calling during the forum to 713-556-8901. 

What:         Live STAAR Forum in Spanish

Who:          HISD parents, students and STAAR panelists

When:        Tuesday, March 6, from 7 to 8 p.m.

Where:       HISD-TV (Comcast, Ch. 18 and AT&T U-Verse, Ch. 99) and online at www.houstonisd.org/HISDTV.

Join HISD for noontime chat on STAAR – March 7 on houstonisd.org

Parents, teachers and community members can visit houstonisd.org for an interactive web chat on STAAR on Wednesday, March 7, from noon to 1.

A chat window will display a running feed of questions and answers during the live event. Viewers can simply watch, or actively participate by typing questions into the chat window. Selected questions will appear along with a response from HISD’s panel of STAAR experts.

On the Q&A panel: Curriculum Director Nancy Gregory, Director of High School Office Mark Shenker, and Middle School Accountability Manager Richard Blair.

See who came out to the live STAAR information session

 More than 100 people crowded the main studio and two overflow areas  to learn more about the new state end-of-course examinations  at HISD’s live STAAR forum. Parents, students, educators and other members of the community engaged a panel of experts in a question and answer session covering a variety of issues related to STAAR.

Click through the photos below to see who came out to the event.

[Gallery not found]

Calls, emails pour in during live STAAR session at HISD-TV studio

The calls poured in as HISD hosted a live forum on the state’s new accountability test: STAAR. More than 100 people crowded the HISD-TV studio and two overflow areas to watch the forum, and viewers at home called in and emailed their questions throughout the show. More than 75 phone calls were received during the event.

Students in the live studio audience.

Host Denisse Cantu fielded questions from the live studio audience, callers, and email. A common theme emerged from the students who participated: “Why the change to STAAR?” (Answer: To measure students’ college readiness.)

“STAAR will prepare students for high school and beyond,” said Chief Middle Schools Officer Dallas Dance.

Other students and parents asked about preparations for STAAR. Some expressed concern about whether tutorials would be enough, and what the district was expecting  performance-wise in the first year of a new accountability system.

“It’s our expectation that you will do very well,” said Mark Shenker, director of the High Schools Office. He emphasized the Grad Labs, tutorials, after-school resources, and weekend sessions that continue to be available to students in HISD.

Several viewers called in to ask about the district’s plans for delaying the 15 percent requirement for high schoolers’ end-of-course exams. Based on the Texas Education Agency’s  move to defer the rule, HISD administration will recommend to the school board that the requirement be delayed a year.

A complete report of the questions and answers from this event will be posted here and on houstonisd.org in coming days. If you have a question about STAAR, please email STAAR@houstonisd.org.

Another opportunity to learn about STAAR: live forum Tuesday, Feb. 28, on HISD-TV

 HISD will be hosting a live STAAR forum (in English) for parents, students, and staff on Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 7 to 8 p.m. A panel of experts will answer questions from a studio audience and viewers at home.

Westside High School student Khadijah Ray promotes the Feb. 28 STAAR forum.

Viewers can watch it live on HISD-TV (Comcast, Ch. 18 and AT&T U-Verse, Ch. 99) or online at www.houstonisd.org/HISDTV. To submit questions, simply call 713-556-8901 or email STAAR@houstonisd.org.

You can also follow the forum and ask your questions via Twitter – follow @HoustonISD.

A similar forum will be held on March 6 for Spanish-speakers.

The show will air again at 10 p.m. on Feb. 28, and throughout the months of February and March on the following days and times:

  • Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
  • Thursdays at 8:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays at 2 p.m. 

To find out more about STAAR, click here or visit the HISD STAAR Q&A blog.

Parents bring questions to HISD’s STAAR info session

School Improvement Officer Anastasia Lindo speaks to parents about the STAAR test.

HISD parents attended an information session Thursday night, hearing directly from a panel of experts representing elementary, middle and high schools; curriculum; and special education. After viewing an overview presentation outlining the differences between TAKS and STAAR and the new requirements high schoolers will face, the session opened up to questions.

Presenters Anastasia Lindo and Richard Barajas, both school improvement officers, emphasized the importance of preparing for the new, more rigorous accountability test.

“STAAR does count,” Lindo said.  HISD will receive a raw score this year, and some students may be required to take summer school as a result of their performance.

Members of the audience asked questions about the new discussion around delaying the 15 percent requirement – which would affect this year’s ninth-graders. Barajas acknowledged there is growing support around an effort to postpone that requirement until next school year.

Questions were also submitted via email and the STAAR Q&A blog.

Several parents asked about provisions for students in special education. Assistant Superintendent Sowmya Kumar spoke to those concerns, emphasizing that accommodations are made on an individual basis. Kumar also emphasized the importance of students working toward the recommended graduation plan.

“Students who take anything but regular STAAR are working toward a minimum high school diploma,” Kumar said. That can limit a student’s choices in the future.

Kumar encouraged parents to contact HISD staff members directly with any questions: “We’ll be happy to talk to you directly.”

House letter to TEA: 15% requirement in first year of STAAR “not fair or good policy”

The Chair of the House Committee on Public Education, Rep. Rob Eissler, has invited House members to co-sign the following letter formally requesting the commissioner to defer implementation of the 15% rule.

Letter to TEA

The letter says the suspension of ratings for districts during the first year - while students are held accountable - is “not fair or good policy.”

For the 2011-2012 school year, districts will not receive an accountability rating as we transition into the new system, but unfortunately our students are being held accountable for all provisions immediately. This is not fair or good policy.

Current law requires that an end-of-course assessment be counted as 15% of a students final grade in a course. We would like to formally request that you defer the 15% provision for the 2011-2012 school year. ……. We strongly believe this action is in the best interest of our ninth grade students.

 

All HISD parents invited to attend STAAR info session this Thursday

Get the latest on STAAR – including new developments on when the “15 percent rule” will take effect

The STAAR test made headlines this week as state officials supported the delay of a controversial requirement surrounding end-of-course (EOC) exams. The rule, which requires that EOC exams count for 15 percent of a student’s final grade in a course, is to take effect this year for first-time ninth-graders.

In recent weeks, Texas lawmakers have voiced their support for delaying the 15 percent requirement until the 2012-2013 school year.

HISD and other Texas school districts are awaiting guidance from TEA regarding any potential changes to STAAR, including EOCs impacting final course grades. As testing dates approach, it’s important for parents to understand the latest changes and be familiar with the format of the test. Students will begin taking the STAAR test in late March.

All HISD parents are invited to attend an informational session this Thursday, Feb. 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. STAAR experts will give an overview of the changes for elementary, middle and high school students. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters as well as a panel of district officials representing multiple areas, including special education.

Continue reading →

In the news: Senators’ letter on deferral of STAAR requirement

Following are links to news stories about yesterday’s letter from four state senators regarding the requirement that STAAR end-of-course exams count for 15 percent of a student’s final course grade:

Shapiro says TEA can waive STAAR requirement (Texas Tribune)

Senators support deferral of end-of-course exams’ effect on final grades (Dallas Morning News)

Central Texas districts vary on handling of new end-of-course exams (Austin American-Statesman)

Shapiro back delay on STAAR grade provision (Austin American-Statesman)

Don’t like the effects of STAAR tests on education? Opt out (Austin American-Statesman)

 

 

Senators send letter to education commissioner on delaying “15 percent rule” for STAAR end-of-course exams

Today, Senators Florence Shapiro, Royce West, Kel Seliger, and Dan Patrick sent the following letter to Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott regarding the end-of-course (EOC) examinations/STAAR:

Shapiro Letter of Intent

The letter gives the commissioner authority to delay the requirement that an end-of-course assessment count as 15% of a student’s final grade.  Although no official response to the letter has been issued by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), we expect the agency to move in this direction.

HISD will keep students, parents and teachers updated as school officials receive more information from TEA. If you have questions about STAAR, please attend HISD’s informational session this Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th St.