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Testing Resources
This page will provide an overview of our state’s student assessment programs. This page will be updated as new information from TEA (Texas Education Agency) becomes available. Access tabs below for more detailed information about the assessment programs.
STAAR will include the following elementary school assessments:
- 3rd grade Mathematics and Reading
- 4th grade Mathematics and Reading
- 5th grade Mathematics, Reading and Science
STAAR Spanish Grades 3-5 is available for students in grades 3-5 for whom a Spanish version of STAAR most appropriately measures their academic progress
For specific testing dates, see the Testing Calendar.
STAAR Performance Standards:
Students will score in one of the four categories below:
- Masters Grade Level
- Meets Grade Level
- Approaches Grade Level
- Does Not Meet Grade Level
STAAR will include the following middle school assessments:
- 6th grade Mathematics and Reading
- 7th grade Mathematics and Reading
- 8th grade Mathematics, Reading, Social Studies and Science
- Students who are in Algebra I will be required to take the STAAR Algebra I EOC instead of the grade level STAAR mathematics assessment.
For specific testing dates, see the Testing Calendar.
STAAR Performance Standards:
Students will score in one of the four categories below:
- Masters Grade Level
- Meets Grade Level
- Approaches Grade Level
- Does Not Meet Grade Level
STAAR End-of-Course Exams
Students enrolled in high school credit course in a Texas public high school must take and pass certain required courses and the end-of-course exams for those courses. The assessments are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, the state curriculum standards. The end-of-course exams are designed to ensure that students are learning the specific course material and are prepared to succeed in college and/or careers.
Who is required to STAAR End-Of-Course (EOC) exams?
Students enrolled in an end of course (English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and US History) in either in middle school or high school must test. Students must pass five STAAR end-of-course tests to graduate from a Texas public high school. Those students’ end-of-course tests are:
- English I
- English II
- Algebra I
- Biology
- US History
How are the tests administered?
Tests are administered online or on paper. Students have four hours to complete the Algebra I, Biology and U.S. History tests. They have five hours each to complete the English I and II exams, which are combined reading and writing tests. Accommodations are available to students who meet eligibility criteria.
How often are the end-of-course tests administered?
Each test is given three times a year (December, Spring, and June) to provide for multiple testing opportunities for those who don’t pass an assessment on the initial attempt.
Will a student who has a disability take the STAAR EOC?
All students enrolled and attending public education in the state of Texas are required to participate in STAAR. The admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee for a student who receives special education services or a 504 committee for students eligible for 504 services will determine which level of STAAR a student will need and if any testing accommodations are needed.
What happens if a student passes a high school course, but course but does not pass the STAAR EOC?
If a student passes the course but does not pass the STAAR EOC, the student may take the test again. The student is not required to retake the course. A school is required to provide accelerated instruction to each student who does not show satisfactory performance on STAAR.
What if a student took one of these courses with a required end-of-course assessment in middle school?
If a student took an end-of-course assessment in grade 8 or below and passed, then the student is not required to retake the test in high school. For example, if an eighth-grade student took Algebra I in middle school, took the Algebra I end-of-course exam and passed both the course and the test, they do not retake the test in high school. The end-of-course exam(s) taken and passed in middle school will count towards the student’s state testing requirement for graduation.
Student Performance Standards:
Students will score in one of the four categories below:
- Masters Grade Level
- Meets Grade Level
- Approaches Grade Level
- Did Not Meet Grade Level
STAAR EOC Accelerated Instruction Program:
Students who score “Did Not Meet Grade Level” will be offered an Accelerated Instruction Program prior to the next test administration.
STAAR ALTERNATE 2
STAAR Alternate 2 is an assessment based on alternate academic standards and is designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities receiving special education services. Additionally, the students must meet participation requirements. STAAR Alternate 2 was developed to meet federal requirements of both the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). ESEA requires that all students be assessed in specific grades and subjects throughout their academic career, whereas IDEA requires that students with disabilities have access to the same standards as their non-disabled peers and be included in statewide assessments. STAAR Alternate 2, which was redesigned as a result of state legislation passed in 2013, is a standardized assessment administered individually to each eligible student. Students must meet specific requirements to take STAAR Alternate 2, which is available for the same grades and subjects assessed in the general STAAR program.
Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS)
TELPAS is an assessment program for students in Texas public schools who are learning the English language. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) developed TELPAS to meet state and federal testing requirements. Texas assesses English learners (ELs) annually in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students learning the English language begin participating in TELPAS in kindergarten and stop participating when their language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC) determines that they are proficient in the English language, and no longer qualify for services.
For students in kindergarten through grade 1, TELPAS consists of holistically rated assessments in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The holistically rated assessments use classroom observations to measure students’ progress in listening, speaking, and writing in English.
For students in grades 2-12, students who are learning the English language are holistically rated on writing. Each student completes a minimum of 5 writing samples which are then rated by classroom teachers. The reading, listening and speaking tests are administered online to measure annual progress in learning to read, listen and speak in English.
TELPAS Alternate
TELPAS Alternate is an assessment program for English Learners (ELs) with the most significant cognitive disabilities who cannot participate in the general TELPAS assessment, even with allowable accommodations in grades 2-12 (must meet participation requirements).
How can I access my child’s state assessment scores online?
Parents and students may access scores online through the student portal.
What is the Student Portal?
The Student Portal provides parents and students with online access to scores from the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) as well as the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), and the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) assessments.
Specific Features of the Portal:
- Viewing student assessment results over the course of a student’s academic career.
- Comparing individual student STAAR assessment results to campus, district, and state averages.
- Examining student performance on STAAR, including individual student scale scores and objective scores.
- Examining TELPAS examinee proficiency ratings, comprehension scores and composite score/rating.
Access to the Student Portal
Click here to access to the Student Portal.
You will see a screen like this:
Select “Log in to Student Portal”
If you have your access code, enter the code and your child’s birthdate to view scores.
If you do not have your access code, click on “Lookup Access Code.” You will see this screen:
Enter your child’s first name only and his or her social security number, and then your child’s birthdate. Once the code appears, click “go.”
View your child’s state assessment results
What is Credit by Exam Without Prior Instruction?
Credit by Exam/Exam for Acceleration provides an opportunity to earn grade level or course credit in which no prior formal instruction was completed.
Contact your child’s school to learn more about Credit by Exam without prior instruction.