State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)

 

With the new accountability system in place, we don't expect to receive student scores as quickly as we have in past years.

 

The following website is a good resource for families and includes:

 

• Math, annually in grades 3 through 8;
• Reading, annually in grades 3 through 8;
• Writing, including spelling and grammar, in grades 4 and 7;
• Social Studies in grade 8
• Science in grades 5 and 8; and
• End-of-course assessments for English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology and U.S History

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) publishes detailed information about STAAR testing. (Texas Education Code chapter 39 and 19; Texas Administrative Code chapter 101)

If a parent has concerns regarding his/her child taking a STAAR exam, what should he/she do first?

If parents have concerns about their child taking a STAAR exam(s), their first step should be to meet with the campus principal to discuss their concerns. In most cases, concerns regarding testing can be resolved based upon a conversation. We can often provide information that alleviates some concerns and addresses possible misconceptions. We strongly encourage this conversation to happen as early in the school year as possible so that we have the opportunity to work together to put the best possible plan in place for each of our students.

I'm hearing a great deal about movements to opt out of testing. Do parents have the right to opt out of standardized tests in Texas public schools?

No, this is not the case. 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. (a) A parent is entitled to remove the parent’s child temporarily from a class or other school activity that conflicts with the parent’s religious or moral beliefs if the parent presents or delivers to the teacher of the parent’s child a written statement authorizing the removal of the child from the class or other school activity. A parent is not entitled to remove the parent’s child from a class or other school activity to avoid a test or to prevent the child from taking a subject for an entire semester.

(b) This section does not exempt a child from satisfying grade level or graduation requirements in a manner acceptable to the school district and the agency.