STAAR test set to move online, grade-advancement requirement waived for this year
The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) was designed to determine how much knowledge students have learned and their ability to apply the knowledge and skills. However, with COVID-19 affecting the learning environment changes had to be made.
“The state legislature, TEA, and school districts have been planning for the online-assessment transition for several years.” Dr. Karen Kidd said, “Remote learning and the STAAR’s minimized impact on grade advancement and district accountability ratings during the 2020- 2021 school year. It has allowed school districts to expedite their online testing initiatives, something of a practice, without a potentially adverse effect on students and the district as a whole.”
The State of Texas and the Texas Education Agency are transitioning STAAR tests to be online completely by the 2022-2023 school year. This will come with many benefits for not only students but also for the TEA by making it easier for students with accommodations to take the test, reducing the cost, allowing for faster results, and opening up the opportunity for more changes in the future.
“The STAAR assessments will help students, parents, and educators understand student learning and acquisition of curricular concepts.” Dr. Kidd said, “Specifically, it will provide insight into students’ mastery of grade-level skills and helps guide students’ pathways for instruction and/or academic support.”
High school students will still be required to take and pass the STAAR test in order to graduate. However, this is not the case for some lower elementary and middle school level students.
“Fifth- and eighthgrade students typically are required to pass their grade-level reading and math STAAR assessments to advance to the next grade level.” Dr. Kidd said, “The advancement also may be determined by a grade placement committee if a student’s STAAR performance does not meet the required passing criteria and it is determined that the student is likely to perform at grade level after additional instruction. These grade-advancement requirements, however, have been waived for the 2020-2021 school year.”