STAAR Test FAQ: Resources, Dates & Results - TestPrep-Online (2024)

• How to Check Your STAAR Test Scores
• STAAR Test Results
• What Happens If You Miss the STAAR Test?
• What Happens If You Fail the STAAR Test?
• How to Pass the STAAR Test
• STAAR Test Practice - Online

What Happens If You Miss the STAAR Test?

Students may make up the STAAR tests they missed on the Friday of the testing week. For students in grades 3–8, this is their final chance to pass the STAAR test. Students in high school taking the STAAR EOC exams have three chances each school year to pass the test.

These testing opportunities are spread out throughout the year—spring, summer, or fall administrations. For example, if a student took Algebra I in his or her freshman year, the student will have ten chances to pass the STAAR Algebra I test. If, however, he or she took the course in his or her junior year, he or she will have only four testing opportunities.

What Happens If You Fail the STAAR Test?

If a student fails the STAAR Assessment, the school district provides the student with accelerated instruction to help him or her catch up to his or her peers. If the student fails the STAAR again, the Grade Placement Committee (GPC) will try to provide a dorm of instruction tailored to the student's needs. If the student fails a third time, he or she may not be promoted to the next grade.

The situation is different, however, in the 5th and 8th grades. If a student fails the Reading and/or Math STAAR Tests, s/he given two additional opportunities to pass and be promoted to the next year's grade. Districts may decide to give students an alternative assessment on the third try. Students cannot be promoted to the next grade without passing the alternative assessment.

Students who are promoted to the next grade through alternative testing may still be required to take all foundation curriculum subjects, in addition to the current grade's material.

STAAR Test Dates

Please see the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness Website here for the full testing calendar.

How to Check Your STAAR Test Scores

All students receive a copy of their scores on the STAAR exams in addition to other statistical data about their performance. This is called the Confidential Student Report (CSR). In addition to the paper copy, students and parents can access the scores via the student data portal using the code listed at the bottom of the Confidential Student Report.

STAAR Test Results

The Confidential Student Report (CSR) contains valuable information regarding the student's performance:

• STAAR Performance Standards – A student's scale score falls into one of the three possible performance standards on the STAAR:
  
  • Level III: Advanced Academic Performance – Students in this category exhibit a high level of preparation for the next grade or course. Since they demonstrate the ability to think critically and apply the assessed knowledge and skills in varied contexts, both familiar and unfamiliar, they are likely to succeed in the next grade or course with little or no academic intervention.
  • Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance – Students in this category indicate that they are sufficiently prepared for the next grade or course. Since they generally demonstrate the ability to think critically and apply the assessed knowledge and skills in familiar contexts, they are likely to succeed in the next grade or course, although they may need short-term, targeted academic intervention.
  • Level I: Unsatisfactory – Students in this category are unprepared for the next grade or course and are unlikely to pass it without intervention. Since they do not demonstrate a sufficient understanding of the assessed knowledge and skills in their current grade or course, they require significant, ongoing academic intervention.
• Scale Score – The STAAR scale score compares a student’s score with the Satisfactory and Advanced performance levels. It indicates how far above or below these performance levels your child’s achievement is. There are two types of scale scores used by the STAAR test:
  
  • Horizontal Scale Score – This scale score is used to measure a student's performance on grades 4 and 7 Writing, grades 5 and 8 Science, and grade 8 Social Studies. The scale is used to determine performance levels and to compare the student's score to that of his or her peers. However, the horizontal scale cannot be used to measure the student's progress throughout the years.
  • Vertical Scale Score – This scale score is used to measure a student's performance on STAAR grades 3–8 Reading and Mathematics. Unlike the horizontal scale score, it can evaluate a student’s progress across grades in a particular subject. The vertical scale score is also used to determine performance levels and to compare the student's score to that of his or her peers, but it cannot be compared across subject areas within the same assessment program.

• Progress Measure – This section, which is located right underneath the name of each section, contains information about a student's improvement in a specific subject area. This measure helps demonstrate whether the student is making reasonable progress in acquiring the academic skills necessary for his or her grade level.
• Items Correct and Items Tested – The columns to the left of each STAAR test list the number of items the student answered correctly as well as the total number of questions tested for each STAAR test. This is the student's raw score. The percent of correct answers is shown next to the columns.
• Writing Performance Results – If a student took the STAAR Writing Test, he or she can find the score of the composition next to the score of the multiple-choice section. This section lists the student's score as well as the total possible score he or she could have earned. The final column describes the level of writing performance the student demonstrated on the composition. The written composition score ratings are shown below:
  • 0 = Non-scorable
  • 2 = Very Limited
  • 3 = Between Very Limited and Basic
  • 4 = Basic
  • 5 = Between Basic and Satisfactory
  • 6 = Satisfactory
  • 7 = Between Satisfactory and Accomplished
  • 8 = Accomplished

Learn more about the STAAR Writing Test here. Short Answer Rating – These ratings are similar to those of the written composition, but not identical:

• 0 = Insufficient
• 1 = Partially Sufficient
• 2 = Sufficient
• 3 = Exemplary

How to Pass the STAAR Test

It can be tough knowing where to start in your preparation process. Luckily, TestPrep-Online has collected some valuable tips to help you and your child prepare:

• Keep past school material. All STAAR Tests are grade-specific and are based on the knowledge your child should have accumulated throughout his or her previous school years. Past notes, assignments, and tests serve as a great way to review this material.
• Consult with your child’s teacher. Before embarking on your child’s preparation process, have a chat with your child’s homeroom teacher. Ask about strengths and weaknesses. This will help you when structuring a proper preparation plan.
• Make studying a fun experience. At some point, your child will get bored. There’s no avoiding this. However, you can stop your child from getting too bored by making the process a little more fun. Before a study session, take the extra care to create some sort of game for your child, be it a timed quiz, or a treasure hunt.
• Schedule in small breaks. The average attention span ranges between 10-20 minutes. To adjust your studying process to a child’s wandering mind, take short breaks every 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your child’s focusing abilities. Breaks can include short walks, coloring and drawing, or even a computer game.
• Keep your child healthy. Sleep, exercise, and nutrition are crucial to maintain the ability to focus and process new information effectively. Make sure your child sleeps enough, moves enough, and receives the nutrients s/he needs to succeed.
• Use sample tests and questions. Using STAAR based material in your preparation tactics is a great way to ensure your child feels more comfortable with the testing conditions and the phrasing of the questions on the test. If your child is about to take the 3rd Grade STAAR Tests, we recommend TestPrep-Online’s 3rd Grade STAAR Practice Pack. Otherwise, you can try our MAP 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Practice Packs, available now and similar in content. Read more about the MAP Test.

STAAR Test Practice - Online

The STAAR is an important test that can influence and shape your child's future academic development. Make sure your child is ready for the test by preparing with TestPrep-Online’s STAAR test practice pack. TestPrep-Online’s child-friendly and comprehensive practice packs will help your child prepare for test day. The STAAR test practice pack includes realistic practice tests, in-depth answer explanations, and helpful study guides, allowing your child to become familiar with the test structure and providing him or her with the confidence needed to succeed.