Category 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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State Releases 2011-2012 STAAR Exam Results for Grades 3-8

New exams measure whether students are on track for college and career readiness

Most Houston ISD students who took the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) in grades 3-8 for the first time in 2011-2012 met the tougher academic challenge.

The Texas Education Agency released the STAAR passing rates by grade level and subject nearly a year after students took the tests during the 2011-2012 school year.  Because this was the first time students were tested under the new STAAR system, the state will not use these scores to rate schools and they were not used for student grade-level promotion decisions last summer.
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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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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
    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB7ax2i73Rk?wmode=transparent&showinfo=0]
    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.