If you live in the United States, or more specifically in Texas, you must be familiar with the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academics Readiness) test.
It is a standardized test that takes place in schools. It tests students’ abilities between grades 3 to 12 and checks whether a particular student will get promoted to the next grade or not. Around 85% of eligible students from grades 3 to 8 participated in the STAAR test in 2021. If you’re planning to appear for the STAAR test, you should know a few things about it.
- What is the test based on?
The STAAR test is based on the Texas state’s curriculum standards in essential subjects like reading, writing, science, mathematics, and social sciences.
It was started in 2011 and is now held across public, primary and secondary schools in Texas to test students’ learning in a particular grade and their achievements. The exam duration is 4 hours (except for the end-of-course English test, which has a time of 5 hours).
- Difference between the TAKS and STAAR tests
Many students often get confused between the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test and the STAAR test. While they have some similarities, they are also quite different from each other.
For one, the TAKS test was not timed, so students got an entire day to write their test. On the other hand, STAAR has a specific schedule that every student must follow.
Secondly, in the TAKS test, high school students were required to take four papers and pass all of them. In the STAAR test, they need to take five papers, known as end-of-course tests.
- When does the exam take place?
Grades 3-8 STAAR tests are the most common, taking place during spring. End-of-course assessments are given throughout the year so that a student can take them at their convenience. The number of tests that a student needs to take depends on their current grade. However, most school students take two to four tests in a year.
- Where does the test occur?
Fortunately, the test will take place in your own classroom in your school so that it’s easier for you to focus on your exam paper. If a student has any special needs or requires special assistance, they might be relocated to a different place to take their exam comfortably.
- Criteria for Taking the Test
Now, let’s come to the different ages and subjects based on which the students are required to appear for the test. It is done based on which grade a certain student is in. There are three broad divisions- elementary school, middle school, and high school.
1. In elementary school
The elementary school comprises students from grades 3 to 5. They are placed in different groups based on their performance in school and how well they can score in a particular subject.
In grade 3, for example, a student has to take a math and reading exam. In grade 4, students must sit for writing, reading, and math tests.
In grade 5, there are tests based on math, science, and reading. Here, the math and reading tests are crucial because they will determine if a student is eligible to be promoted to the next grade or not. The first test takes place in March; if a student does not clear it, he/she can retake the test in May.
2. Middle school
The middle school consists of grades 6 to 8. In grade 6, reading and math are tested, whereas in grade 7, reading, writing, and math are tested. In grade 8, new subjects like social science are introduced in addition to the existing tests.
This will test if a student can be promoted to grade 9 or not. Students who show exceptional academic talent are allowed to take algebra papers in grades 7 and 8.
3. High school
Here, the required papers are Algebra I, English I and II, US History, and biology. Schools have the authority to decide if they wish to introduce Algebra II and English III or not. If a student wishes, they can reappear for these tests during the summer. If they still fail, they will not be promoted.
Over to you…
The STAAR test is essential, not just because it tests a student’s academic abilities but also because it prepares them for upcoming standardized exams later in life. The goal here is to ensure that every student can understand and grasp the concepts being taught in class. Meeting the requirements to ace the test take the collective efforts of teachers, parents, the community, and the students themselves.