STAAR
Supporting educators on the implementation of the STAAR Test
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STAAR Stuff
The STAAR test can be confusing and complicated, that's why we're here to break down all you need to know about STAAR without boring you to sleep.
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STAAR FAQs
Our ESC Region 13 STAAR Team answers the questions you’ve asked about STAAR.
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STAAR Stuff 101 Inbox PD
Get familiar with STAAR components in simple, straightforward emails delivered to your inbox.
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STAAR Blueprint Breakdowns and Response Rubrics
These Blueprint Breakdowns provide insight into the construction of STAAR tests. Each Breakdown lists the number of questions, possible points, number of assessed standards, and a student expectation performance snapshot from the 2024 STAAR test results. Math
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STAAR Writing ASE Misconceptions and Facts Chart
Welcome to ESC Region 13's guide on the STAAR Automated Scoring Engine (ASE) for Constructed Response Scoring.
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STAAR Tools for Success
In need of some tools to support students with STAAR?
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New Science TEKS Inbox PD
Explore Science TEKS Updates and learn about the new Science TEKS.
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Video
New Science TEKS Video Series
The Science TEKS are changing in 2024-2025. Learn about the changes with our informative video series.
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Workshop
CPR for the ECR and SCR
Essential strategies in crafting extended and short constructed responses specifically tailored for the STAAR assessment in grades 6-8 as well as EOC I and EOC II.
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Event
DMAC Community Canvas Course
This self-directed online course will guide you through how to create the interactive, technology-based STAAR item types for online assessment. Modules will include a journey from the creation of an assessment to online proctoring and analysis of the results.
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Article
6 Supplemental Aids Allowed on Math STAAR Tests
Supporting students during the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness or STAAR testing starts long before the actual test day. This includes understanding what supplemental aids are allowed for math. If you’re teaching students who receive Special Education or 504 services, you may be able to provide paper-based tools to support their success. Let’s […]
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STAAR: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) & Answers
Each year, Texas requires students to take the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). The STAAR is based on state curriculum standards in the core subject areas of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. Testing starts in the spring, and the number of tests students take depends on their grade level. This […]
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Optional Assessment Resources for Texas Educators
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) Student Assessment offers districts and campuses optional assessment resources. These free resources provide tools to create a balanced assessment system. Resources allow students to practice with the same online platform used in the operational State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests. Learn more about the Texas Formative Assessment […]
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State Test Reporting Updates 2024-2025
The state of Texas has provided updates for the State Test Report for 2024-2025. The article includes information on the 2025 TELPAS, Centralized Reporting System (CRS), and Research Portal updates. Read more for specific dates and details. 2025 TELPAS Reporting The spring 2025 TELPAS test will be released, so more data will be available for […]
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Workshop
Science: New TEKS K-2
Self-paced course helping educators understand and apply the latest TEKS updates for grades K-2 science.
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Workshop
Science: New TEKS 3-5
Self-paced course helping educators understand and apply the latest TEKS updates for grades 3-5 science.
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Science: New TEKS 6-8
Self-paced course helping educators understand and apply the latest TEKS updates for grades 6-8 science.
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Science: New TEKS High School
Self-paced course helping educators understand and apply the latest TEKS updates for High School science.
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Article
STAAR Accommodations 2024-25 Updates
Each year, Student Assessment considers recommendations from stakeholders on updates to state testing accommodations. This helps “level the playing field” for students needing extra assistance accessing test questions. These are the STAAR accommodations 2024-2025 updates. Emergent Bilingual Students In previous years, students identified as Emergent Bilingual (EB) and whose parents had refused program participation were […]
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Article
STAAR Testing Dates 2024-2025
As we enter the 2024-25 school year, students, educators, and parents alike are keenly interested in the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness schedule, commonly known as STAAR. STAAR is crucial in gauging students’ academic progress and ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead. This article examines the STAAR testing dates for the […]
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Article
3 Reasons to Pay Attention to the Science TEKS Introduction
The new Science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Kindergarten through 12th grade will be implemented for the 2024-2025 school year. All grade-level TEKS have an Introduction followed by the standards. The Introduction can often be overlooked, yet it can contain valuable information. Let’s look at a few items that can be found in […]
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Content within the New Science TEKS
Content within the new Science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) starts in the 2024-25 school year. The new TEKS affects Kindergarten through 12th grade. In our previous blog, we looked at the tools recommended within the new TEKS. Now, let’s examine a few changes within the content portion for some of the grade levels. […]
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Article
STAAR and AI: Is AI Used to Grade the STAAR Test?
Sorting Misconceptions vs. Reality for STAAR Automated Scoring The Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) announcement regarding the use of an Automated Scoring Engine (ASE) to score constructed response items on STAAR assessments has created many questions. Maybe you’ve heard about the ASE but aren’t sure what to make of it. Or, you are questioning how automated […]
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Science Tools Within the New Science TEKS
The new Science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for grades Kindergarten through 12th will be implemented in the 2024-2025 school year. In our previous blog, we outlined three key areas of change in the new Science TEKS. Another area worth highlighing is how the science tools were updated within each grade level. Let’s break […]
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Article
How can I Support Multilingual Students with STAAR?
Multilingual students can feel overwhelmed when taking a standardized test because English is not their native language. This feeling may impact their confidence and performance on the test. If you are one of the many educators asking yourself, how can I support Multilingual students with STAAR? you are not alone. We will go over some […]
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STAAR: What Parents and Guardians Need to Know
You may be familiar with the STAAR test. But what is it, and why is it important? STAAR is short for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. The test is important because it shows what your student has learned and is a part of their school’s rating. It’s just one way to measure […]
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STAAR Item Types
HB 3906 (2019) and HB 3261 (2021) required that new item types be developed for the STAAR tests. HB 3261 changed §39.023 (c-8) to read, “Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, no more than 75 percent of the available points on an assessment developed under Subsection (a) or (c) may be attributable to questions presented […]
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Article
STAAR Redesign
As a result of House Bill (HB) 3906, passed by the 86th Texas Legislature in 2019, the STAAR tests are undergoing a major redesign that will affect how students are assessed on the summative assessment. This redesign should align the STAAR test with instructional best practices that teachers are using in their classrooms. It should […]
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Article
STAAR Redesign – Testing Calendar
The STAAR redesign required by HB 3261 (2021) has implications for many aspects of STAAR administration beyond new item types, writing assessments, and online testing. The testing calendar itself is but one thing that has been changed to bring about other required changes to the STAAR test administrations. Not only have testing windows been moved, […]
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Video
TEI - STAAR Question Types Video Series
Familiarize yourself with each New Question Type through this series of short videos. Each video demonstrates the new question and how it functions for students during the STAAR test.
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Resource
TEI - STAAR Question Types Guidance Document
Familiarize yourself with each New Question Type through this short and easy to read guidance document. Each new question type has a link to a demonstration video, short description, and lists the subject area and grade level for each item.
View Resource Details: TEI - STAAR Question Types Guidance Document -
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Article
STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) Special Circumstances
In general, the STAAR EOC participation requirements state that a student “should take the STAAR EOC assessments—Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, and U.S. History—as they are completing the corresponding courses”. Students are required to pass each STAAR EOC at the Approaches achievement level as a graduation requirement. Texas Education Code (TEC) §39.025 allows […]
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![Computer screen with a preview of the downloadable PDF for the Science STAAR Power: Grade 8 product.]()
Product
Science STAAR Power: Grade 8 - Transition Year Updates (Downloadable PDF)
New for Spring 2025: Science STAAR Power – Transition Year Edition This updated edition bridges the gap between the previously adopted Science TEKS and the newly adopted standards. Designed for the transition year, it clearly indicates TEKS aligned to the current assessment while highlighting concepts that will be tested in future years. Does preparing students for the STAAR test have to be an endless stream of worksheets and released questions? Absolutely not! We know that the Science STAAR tests cover a multitude of disciplines and can cause students to struggle as they work toward mastery of the content. To help students and teachers conquer this task, we have created a set of engaging, interactive activities that can be used to help students activate prior knowledge. The activities can be completed individually, with a partner, or in small groups. This digital download includes: TEKS-aligned activities created for each reporting category based on regional STAAR data. An activity overview to help the teacher with set-up and facilitation. A student sheet that guides students through the activity. Corresponding resources for each activity. A teacher answer key that can be used to assess student mastery. As your students take on the challenge of completing these activities, they will build confidence, reinforce prior learning, and work toward mastery. As the teacher, you will be able to conduct informal assessments and determine areas where students may need additional support. Note: This collection of activities is not intended to cover all of the standards that are assessed on the Science STAAR test. ESF ALIGNMENT Supports Lever 4.1 - Daily use of high-quality instructional materials aligned to instructional planning calendars and interim and formative assessments
Read Article: Science STAAR Power: Grade 8 - Transition Year Updates (Downloadable PDF) -
![Computer screen with a preview of the downloadable PDF for the Science STAAR Power: Grade 5 product.]()
Product
Science STAAR Power: Grade 5 - Transition Year Updates (Downloadable PDF)
New for Spring 2025: Science STAAR Power – Transition Year Edition This updated edition bridges the gap between the previously adopted Science TEKS and the newly adopted standards. Designed for the transition year, it clearly indicates TEKS aligned to the current assessment while highlighting concepts that will be tested in future years. Does preparing students for the STAAR test have to be an endless stream of worksheets and released questions? Absolutely not! We know that the Science STAAR tests cover a multitude of disciplines and can cause students to struggle as they work toward mastery of the content. To help students and teachers conquer this task, we have created a set of engaging, interactive activities that can be used to help students activate prior knowledge. The activities can be completed individually, with a partner, or in small groups. This digital download includes: TEKS-aligned activities created for each reporting category based on regional STAAR data. An activity overview to help the teacher with set-up and facilitation. A student sheet that guides students through the activity. Corresponding resources for each activity. A teacher answer key that can be used to assess student mastery. As your students take on the challenge of completing these activities, they will build confidence, reinforce prior learning, and work toward mastery. As the teacher, you will be able to conduct informal assessments and determine areas where students may need additional support. Note: This collection of activities is not intended to cover all of the standards that are assessed on the Science STAAR test. ESF ALIGNMENT Supports Lever 4.1 - Daily use of high-quality instructional materials aligned to instructional planning calendars and interim and formative assessments
Read Article: Science STAAR Power: Grade 5 - Transition Year Updates (Downloadable PDF) -
Program Support
Accountability Measures Assistance: CTE
Our CTE specialists understand the Results Driven Accountability system and collaborate with campuses and districts, providing strategies and assistance to improve student performance on STAAR for any districts involved in any level of intervention.
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Consultations
Occupational and Physical Therapy (OT/PT) Consultation Services
Our experienced specialists offer consultation and support to OTs/PTs who have student-specific questions/needs or program and procedural questions.
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Article
6 Supplemental Aids Allowed on Your Math STAAR Tests
Read Article: 6 Supplemental Aids Allowed on Your Math STAAR Tests
Supplemental aids are paper-based resources that assist a student in recalling information. Here are 6 supplemental aids your student can use on the STAAR math tests. Blank Graphic Organizers Mnemonic Devices Number Charts Place Value Charts Pictorial Models of Fraction Bars or Fraction Circles Pictorial Models of 2D or 3D Figures 1. Blank Graphic Organizer […] -
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4 Types of Supplemental Aids For Social Studies
We’ve previously written about supplemental aids in relationship to the STAAR test, but only generally. In this post, we’ll be offering you 4 types of aids you can use specifically for the 8th Grade Social Studies and U.S. History tests: Blank Graphic Organizers Mnemonic Devices Blank Maps Timelines with Dates 1. Blank Graphic Organizer Graphic […]
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4 Supplemental Aids for Science
We’ve already written about supplemental aids generally, however this time we’re being more specific by giving you four supplemental aids you can use on the Science STAAR: Blank Graphic Organizers Mnemonic Devices Graphics of Scientific Concepts Formula Triangles 1. A Blank Graphic Organizer Like A Punnett Square Why choose the Punnett Square? Because the mechanisms […]
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What is the STAAR Test?
Each year Texas students are required to take the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, aka STAAR. The STAAR test assesses student achievement and knowledge learned by grade level through a series of standardized tests.
STAAR is based on state curriculum standards in the core subject areas of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. Testing starts in the spring, and the number of tests students have to take depends on their grade level.
Our specialists support the STAAR test year-round through the teaching of curriculum standards, the improvement of teaching strategies through professional development, or by providing instruction on the use of and availability of accommodations and supports to students who qualify. We help all educators prepare their students and campuses for the STAAR test to ensure that all of their students achieve success.
Need to get in touch?
Contact a member of our team for more information.
STAAR Redesign
The STAAR redesign required by HB 3261 (2021) changed the test in many ways. The STAAR assessment is used to assess our student's level of proficiency and understanding of the TEKS.
The redesign was developed to make the STAAR test better, more efficient, and more effective. TEA held a focus group with over 600 educators. Based on focus group feedback, STAAR is now more tightly aligned to the classroom experience. Questions reflect actual units of study, less multiple-choice questions, and writing components are more familiar to students.
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