DISTRICT TESTING COORDINATOR

Lissa (Lizabeth) Peters, KISD Testing Coordinator
Office: B.T. Wilson Sixth Grade School, 605 Tivy Street
Phone: (830)257-2207, x. 241

WHAT IS STAAR?

In order to fulfill the requirements of House Bill 3 passed by the 81st Texas Legislature and incorporated into Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapter 39, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has developed the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). STAAR is a more rigorous assessment program that will provide the foundation for a new accountability system for Texas public education.

WHO TAKES STAAR?

The STAAR program at grades 3–8 will assess the same subjects and grades that are currently assessed on TAKS. At high school, however, grade-specific assessments will be replaced with 12 End-Of-Course (EOC) assessments: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English I, English II, English III, World Geography, World History, and U.S. History. STAAR EOC’s begin with the new ninth graders for 2011-2012.

HOW WILL STAAR BE DIFFERENT?

STAAR testing promises to be more rigorous, present more questions, and it requires a four-hour time limit. The rationale for time limits aligns Texas testing practices with other timed state and national assessments, i.e. SAT, ACT and AP examinations. Extended time accommodations for students with unique learning needs will continue to be offered.

WHICH TEST(S) WILL MY STUDENT TAKE THIS YEAR?

Use the link below to access the table to see which test(s) your student will take.
Click here

WHEN ARE THE STATE-MANDATED TESTS?

2011-2012 TEA Student Assessment Testing Calendars
Use the link below to access the 4-page state calendar where you can locate your student's test dates by content area, grade level, and test type.
Click here

HOW WILL STAAR BE SCORED?

Students will receive a score indicating their performance using one of the three categories below:

Level III: Advanced Academic Performance
Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance
Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance

The Student Success Initiative (SSI) requires that students in grades 5 and 8 pass both the reading and math exams to be promoted to the next grade. For one year, 2011-2012, this requirement will not apply since cut scores will not be established until the start of the 2012 school year. The requirement will return in the 2012-2013 school year. Students in grades 5 and 8 will once again be required to pass STAAR just like TAKS, before being promoted to the next grade level.

High school students may continue to take the exams until they meet the passing standards.

WHAT ABOUT TESTS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS, ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, AND ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DYSLEXIA AND OTHER SITUATIONS?

Use the link below for answers to questions about testing special populations.
Click here

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

TEA Brochures STAAR brochures and Graduation brochures

TEA's Frequently Asked Questions

ESC Region XIII STAAR Resources

Texas Education Agency, State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Resources Scroll down to the table of "Grades 3-8 Assessments" and click on the far right column to access sample STAAR test questions

ESC Region XIII Parent Resources

Also, feel free to contact your student’s School Campus Test Coordinator for information regarding specific KISD campus testing procedures.

WHAT ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS STILL TAKING TAKS?

Released TAKS Tests - Click here (NOTE: Upon opening link at left, scroll down to select the year, grade and content area of interest for the test you wish to view.)
TAKS-M (Modified) - Click here (NOTE: Upon opening link at left, scroll down to select the year, grade and content area of interest for the test you wish to view.)

WHERE CAN I ACCESS MY STUDENT'S TAKS, TELPAS, OR STAAR SCORES?

To access scores online from the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) a new Student Portal has been created. Click here to get started.

WHAT IS THE STATE-MANDATED CURRICULM (TEKS=Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills)

After opening the link below, scroll down mid-page to the section "Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills by Chapter." Content area and Subject can be selected. On the next page, select between Elementary, Middle School, or High School. The page you selected will open and you can scroll down to find the grade level of interest. Clck here to visit this section

WHAT DOES THE TRANSITION FROM TAKS TO STAAR LOOK LIKE FOR 2012-2016?

Transition Calendar TAKS to STAAR 2010-2016

It is the policy of the Kerrville Independent School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its employment or in providing education or access to benefits of educational services, activities, and programs. The following persons are designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title II, Section 504: Director of Special Education Laurie Gagne, (830) 257-2203 Title IX and Age Act of 1975: Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Wade Ivy, (830) 257-2200 Wade Ivy is officed at KISD Central Administration, 1009 Barnett St., Kerrville, TX, 78028. Laurie Gagne is officed at the Special Education Center, 729 Tivy St., Kerrville, TX, 78028. Es norma pol ítica de Kerrville ISD no discriminar por motivos de raza, color de la piel, origen nacional, género sexual, por ser minusválido fí sico o edad en sus programas, servicios o actividades vocacionales.