STAAR

STAAR stands for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, which is the state’s student testing program. The assessments are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, which are the state curriculum standards. Beginning in grade 3 through high school graduation, students will be tested in the core subject areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies.

What is the purpose behind STAAR or the standardized testing of my child?
STAAR tests show whether a student has mastered specific knowledge of a core subject at a certain grade level. Test results should provide parents assurance that their child is prepared to enter the next grade level within their school district or any Texas district. Finally, the results provide educators and administrators with uniform information about where to focus resources – especially in the core subjects being taught.

How many STAAR tests are there each year in elementary and middle school?
The number of tests taken each year will vary, depending on the grade level:

• Grade 3 – Mathematics, Reading
• Grade 4 – Mathematics, Reading, Writing
• Grade 5 – Mathematics, Reading, Science
• Grade 6 – Mathematics, Reading
• Grade 7 – Mathematics, Reading, Writing
• Grade 8 – Mathematics, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies

What are the five tests required in high school?
In order to graduate from a Texas public high school, students must pass five end-of-course tests:

• English I
• English II
• Algebra I
• Biology
• U.S. History

Unless a student is eligible for an accommodation, each student will have four hours to complete each assessment – except for the high school English I and English II end-of-course exams which have a five-hour time limit.

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