State Assessments

  • The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) is a standardized academic achievement test designed to measure the extent to which a student has learned and is able to apply the defined knowledge and skills in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) at each tested grade, subject, and course. Every STAAR question is directly aligned to the TEKS currently in effect for the grade and subject or course being assessed.

    STAAR helps to ensure that Texas students are competitive with other students both nationally and internationally. Another important function of STAAR is gauging how well schools and teachers prepare their students academically. In addition, STAAR fulfills the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, which requires that all students be assessed in specific grades and subjects throughout their academic careers.

    STAAR is an online assessment in mathematics, reading language arts (RLA), science, and social studies for students in grades 3–8 and online tests in Spanish for students in grades 3–5.  STAAR EOC (End-of-Course) for high school students in Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II and US History.  For more information, click here.

  • The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System, is a statewide assessment designed to evaluate how well emergent bilingual students in Texas are learning English. It assesses students' English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The assessment results help educators understand a student's current English proficiency level and tailor support to help them progress. 

    Key aspects of TELPAS:

    • Purpose: TELPAS measures a student's progress in English language acquisition, specifically in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 

    • Target Audience: It is administered to emergent bilingual students in grades K-12 in Texas. 

    • Proficiency Levels: Students are assigned a proficiency level (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, or Advanced High) for each language domain, according to Austin Independent School District and the Texas Education Agency. 

    • Assessment Components:

      • Grades K-1: TELPAS utilizes holistic, teacher-based assessments of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 

      • Grades 2-12: Students in these grades take online assessments for listening and speaking, and reading and writing, according to the Texas Education Agency. 

    More information click here.

  • The STAAR Alternate 2 is an alternate assessment in Texas designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities receiving special education services. It's based on alternate academic achievement standards and measures a student's grasp of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Key Aspects:

    • Purpose: To fulfill federal requirements (Every Student Succeeds Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) by assessing students who may not be able to participate in the standard STAAR assessment.

    • Administration: A standardized, individually administered paper assessment given once a year in the spring.

    • Eligibility: Determined by a student's Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee based on participation requirements.

    • Subjects Assessed: Mathematics, Reading Language Arts (RLA), Science, and Social Studies in grades 3-8, and End-of-Course (EOC) assessments for high school.

    • Design: Items are based on alternate academic standards, with built-in accommodations and accessibility features.

    • Scoring and Reporting: Includes individual performance level ratings, scale scores, and category performance. The STAAR Alternate 2 on-track measure provides information about a student's potential for future progress. 

    • More information click here.