STAAR

What is STAAR?
• https://www.texasassessment.com/families/all-about-the-staar-test/
Understanding the STAAR Report Card
https://www.texasassessment.com/families/all-about-the-staar-
test/
How to help your child succeed
https://www.texasassessment.com/families/how-to-help-my-child-
prepare/
 STAAR test dates
• April 9th
• 4th Grade Writing
• 5th Grade Math
• April 10th
• 5th Grade Reading
• May 13th
• 3rd and 4th Grade Math
• 5th Grade Math Retest
• May 14th
• 3rd and 4th Grade Reading
• 5th Grade Reading Retest
• May 15th
• 5th Grade Science
• June 25th
• 5th Math Retest
• June 26th
• 5th Grade Reading Retest
 Meets Grade Level
Masters Grade Level
The student has strong knowledge of grade
The student mastered grade level content. They
content. They are prepared for the next
are on track for college. This is the ultimate goal for
grade level. This is the passing goal for all
all students.
students.

Approaches Grade Level

Did Not Meet Grade Level
The student has some knowledge of grade level
The student did not pass the test. They show a lack
content but is still missing critical skills. The
of basic understanding of course content. The
student passed the test at below grade level
student needs significant support in the coming
standards. They will need additional support in
year.
the content area.
Test Length
Test Number of
Questions

3rd Math 32

3rd Reading 34

4th Math 34

4th Reading 36

4th Writing 32

5th Math 36

5th Reading 38

5th Science 36
• Students will have 4 hours to complete the test.

• All answers must be marked on the answer document within the 4 hour time
period.

• Any answers not marked within the 4 hours will count against the student.
 • Students in grades 5 and 8 have three opportunities to
pass the STAAR mathematics test and three
opportunities to pass the STAAR reading test.

• If a student does not pass one or both tests, the school

5th Grade SSI must give the student additional instruction after each
Math and Reading testing opportunity, and the student must participate in
that instruction.

• Parents will be notified if their child does not pass one of

these STAAR tests that are required for promotion.

• If a student has not passed after the second testing

opportunity, a grade placement committee (GPC) is
formed.
• The GPC, which consists of the principal, teacher, and parent
or guardian, will create an instructional plan based on the
individual needs of the student.
• A student who does not pass the STAAR mathematics or reading test after the third testing
opportunity will be automatically retained.

• The student’s parents may appeal the decision to have their child repeat the grade by submitting a
request to the GPC within five working days of receiving the retention notice.

• The GPC may decide to promote a student to the next grade, but only if everyone on the committee
agrees that the student is likely to succeed in the next grade.

• Even if the GPC decides to promote the student, the student must participate in the required
additional instruction in order to be promoted.

• Parents may request a waiver of the third testing opportunity if they do not want their child to test.

• If the waiver is approved, the student is automatically retained, but the parents may still appeal the
retention.

• A student must participate in all additional instruction required by the GPC, even if the third testing
opportunity is waived.

• Please keep in mind that students still need to pass on the final report card
to be promoted to 6th grade.
Additional Resources

• https://www.texasassessment.com/
• Select for families
• This site gives access to all the information discussed in this power point

Math At Home:

• https://math-tools.quantiles.com/math-at-home/

Find-a-book

• https://www.texasassessment.com/families/literacy-and-lexiles/find-a-book
READING STAAR
STAAR is Rigorous!
• The reading passages are long.
• Questions are complex and require deep thinking.

• 3rd grade students read 4 selections.

• Possible 34 questions

• 3rd grade students are required to read, comprehend, and

analyze up to a maximum 3,400 words in 4 hours.
STAAR is Rigorous!

• 4th and 5th grade students read 3 or 4 single selections

and a paired selection.
– Possible 36 questions in 4th grade.
– Possible 38 questions in 5th grade.

• 4th and 5th grade students are required to read,

comprehend , and analyze up to 4,000 words in 4 hours.
Genres Assessed- Literary

Students in 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade are assessed using:

• Fiction
• Literary Nonfiction
• Poetry
• Drama is added in 4th grade
• Media literacy (technology) is embedded
throughout the test.
 Genres Assessed- Informational
 Students in 3rd , 4th, & 5th grade are assessed using:
• Expository
• Procedural
• Persuasive is added in 5th grade
• Media literacy (technology) is embedded throughout
the test.
 Paired Selections
Strands and genres can be mixed!

Literary-Literary
• Fiction-poetry
• Literary nonfiction-drama
• Fiction-literary nonfiction

Informational- Informational
• Expository- expository
• Expository-persuasive

Literary- Informational
• Fiction-expository
• Poetry-expository
• Literary nonfiction-persuasive
Students must be able to…
• analyze a variety of texts, their organizational patterns, and make
connections between texts in a logical way.
• draw conclusions about the interaction of characters and the
changes they undergo throughout the text.
• make complex inferences within and between a variety of text
using text evidence.
• recognize how the structure of the text affects meaning.
• determine the meaning of unfamiliar and multiple-meaning
words using context, prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
Students must be able to…
• understand how the author uses sensory language to create
imagery and how figurative language contributes to the meaning.
• identify the theme, determine the order and importance of the
plot’s main events.
• summarize the plot and describe the interaction of characters.
• identify the author’s purpose.
• use text features to locate information that supports meaning.
How can parents help?
• Make sure that students read at least 30 minutes daily!

• Read with your children, have conversations about what they are reading and ask questions.

• A list of question stems is available to help start reading conversations.

• “Think out loud” to help your child understand how to logically think through the information.

• Make sure that your child does their homework and that they show all work clearly.

• Make sure your child’s work shows clear thinking, as well as the depth of their thinking.
MATH STAAR
STAAR MATH GRADES 3, 4, & 5
More Rigorous? What does that mean?
 Uses complex questioning that requires analysis and logical
reasoning to understand the task.

 Multiple-step problems with fewer key word indicators to help

determine appropriate strategies.

 More fill-in griddable questions without answer choices.

Computation errors can go undetected.

 Test is longer and time is limited to 4 hours

3rd Grade - 32 questions

4th Grade - 34 questions

5th Grade - 36 questions

STAAR Math
Griddables
 STAAR MATH GRADES 3, 4, & 5
What does the test look like?
• 3rd Grade Question:

Luther waited 50 minutes in line to buy tickets to a play. While waiting, Luther played his video
game for 12 minutes and read a book for 25 minutes. The rest of the time, Luther talked to
his best friend Chuck. How much time did Luther spend talking to Chuck?

A. 38 minutes B. 25 minutes C. 37 minutes D. 13 minutes

Multistep problem – must add 12 + 25, then subtract from 50.

Complex question – missing an addend, not a sum (12 + 25+ ___ = 50)

Logical reasoning - must recognize choices A, B, and C are too large based on context of the
problem. If you misunderstand the question, answer A or B could seem reasonable.
STAAR MATH GRADES 3, 4, & 5
What is being tested and what are the
expectations?

The 3-5 Math Reporting Categories and Student Expectations

 Numbers and Operations: The student will demonstrate an understanding of
numbers, operations, and quantitative reasoning.

 Patterns and Relationships: The student will demonstrate an understanding of

patterns, relationships, and algebraic reasoning.

 Geometry: The student will demonstrate an understanding of geometry and spatial reasoning.

 Measurement: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and uses of
measurement.

 Probability and Statistics (graphs): The student will demonstrate an

understanding of probability and statistics.

* Underlying Processes and Mathematical Tools concepts are embedded within multi-step problem
solving. The students will need to read carefully to identify the appropriate steps.
STAAR MATH GRADES 3, 4, & 5
How Parents Can Help?

 Help your child memorize multiplication facts- practice with flashcards

 Encourage your child to show all their work and explain it to you

 Model your thinking aloud to solve problems and then have your child
solve a similar problem
 Use math vocabulary with your child

 Make connections to every day math

 Find online resources (Google specific skills to locate practice)

 Make your child read EVERYDAY. Good reading skills are essential to
understanding STAAR math problems.
How Parents Can Help? (cont.)
Ask Your Child Higher Level Questions
• How would you explain ….?
• Why does this work/not work …?
• How could you verify…?
• How would you prove… or disprove…?
• What can you conclude about…?
• What information lead you to draw this conclusion?
• Where else could you apply this thinking?
WRITING STAAR
STAAR Writing – 4th Grade

• Test Components
1. Composition -Expository
2. Revising and Editing - 24 questions
• 8 revision questions
• 16 editing questions
STAAR Writing -Revising

• Revision Focus (8 items multiple choice)

• Effectiveness
• Introduction and conclusion
• Organization
• Progression
• Development
• Language/Word Choice
• Sentences
STAAR Writing – Editing

• Editing Focus (16 items multiple choice)

– Correctness
– Conventions (Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation)
STAAR Writing - Composition
• Expository:

Create a brief composition that establishes a central idea in a topic

sentence, contains a concluding statement, and includes supporting sentences
with simple facts, details, and explanations.
STAAR Writing

• After completing the multiple choice questions for that

day’s test, and within the four-hour time limit, a student
will be expected to brainstorm his topic, make a graphic
organizer for the piece of writing, write the actual
composition, then revise and edit his work.
STAAR Writing
Composition Scoring
Organization and Progression
– Is the paper written to the prompt?
– Does the paper maintain focus?
– Does the writer establish relationships among ideas
Development of Ideas
-Are examples detailed and well-chosen?
-Is the piece engaging and does the writer demonstrate
understanding of the task?
Use of Language/Conventions
-Is the word choice thoughtful, appropriate, and purposeful?
-Are the sentences varied and purposeful?
-Does the writer demonstrate the use of conventions and is the piece
fluent and clear?
SCIENCE STAAR
STAAR Science

• 36 Multiple Choice Questions

• Extensive use of content vocabulary
• Application of scientific knowledge
STAAR Science

• Science
– Scientific Investigation and Reasoning
– Matter and Energy
– Force, Motion and Energy
– Earth and Space
– Organisms and Environments
How Can Parents Help?

• Practice science vocabulary at home. Have kids draw

diagrams or demonstrate.
• Encourage discovery. “How do you think that
happened?” “What if we changed this?”
• Get on the computer! TONS of science websites.
It’s all about
ATTITUDE!
 HOW THE STAAR TESTING WILL
GO:
Details: Testing Materials:
 We will provide breakfast  Test Booklets
as usual.  Answer Document
 Testing begins ASAP  Mathematics chart
 4 hours to test  Graph paper
 Clock stops for lunch,  Scratch
medical breaks,  Pencils
emergencies
 Bathroom Monitor
 Lunch Monitor
 WHAT PARENTS CAN DO TO HELP:
The Night Before
 Visualization: Have a
conversation with your child
about what the day will look like. 
 Get a good night's sleep. Kids
need a full 8 hours of sleep.
 Self-Talk: give your child a few
phrases that can motivate
him/her "I just need to do my
best!" "I can do it." "Stay cool."
 Answer any fears or questions
your child might have.
 Prepare your child’s snacks,
pencils, clothes, etc. the night
before.
On STAAR Testing Day
 Eat a good, healthy breakfast.
Do a relaxing activities like
taking deep breaths, tensing
muscles and then relaxing them,
talking about something
unrelated to STAAR.
 Arrive early or on-time to school.
 Feel free to leave cell phones,
backpacks
 Wear layers so your child is
comfortable in any temperature.
 Remain calm and positive.