STAAR

The STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) is a standardized test used in Texas public schools to assess students’ academic achievement and progress in core subject areas aligned with state curriculum. It’s designed to measure how well students have learned and can apply the Texas Education Agency’s Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in mathematics, reading language arts, science and social studies. The test is administered in grades 3-8 and high school, with specific subjects tested at different grade levels. Grades 3-8 STAAR tests are given in the spring. End-of-course assessments (EOC) are given throughout the year.

The STAAR provides parents with confidence that their children are meeting the necessary benchmarks for academic success and are ready for the next level of education.

The 2024-2025 Student Assessment Testing Calendar has specific testing dates and information on when results will be available.

For more information, see the Texas Education Agency’s brief video titled What is STAAR and Why Do We Have It?

• Tracks Your Child’s Academic Progress
  • STAAR shows how well your child is learning key skills in reading/language arts, math, science, and social studies based on Texas curriculum standards.
• Helps Identify Learning Needs Early
  • Results highlight areas where your child is doing well and where they may need extra help or support.
• Supports Better Teaching
  • Teachers use STAAR results to improve classroom instruction and tailor lessons to meet students’ individual needs.
• Ensures Your Child is on Track and Ready for the Future
  • STAAR helps make sure your child is building the knowledge and skills needed for the next grade level and beyond. Furthermore, it is designed to build readiness for college, career, military, and real-world problem-solving.
• Helps You Stay Involved
  • STAAR results give you clear information about your child’s academic strengths and areas for growth, so you can partner with teachers more effectively.
• Supports School Accountability
  • STAAR helps ensure schools are providing a high-quality education while meeting state and federal standards, providing transparency in the education your child is receiving.

Elementary & Middle School (Grades 3-8)

High School End-of-Course (EOC) Exams*

*Students take the End-of-Course (EOC) exams when they complete the related course, regardless of the enrolled grade level. All five EOC exams must be passed to graduate from a Texas public high school.

When you receive your child’s STAAR results, you’ll see more than just a number. The scores are designed to help you understand how well your child is meeting grade-level expectations in each assessed subject. The results help you and your child’s teacher understand strengths and areas for improvement. Here’s what the key parts mean:

Performance Levels
Your child will receive one of four performance levels on each test:

• Did Not Meet Grade Level – Your child did not show enough understanding of the subject.

• Approaches Grade Level – Your child is close to meeting grade-level expectations.

• Meets Grade Level – Your child is on track and showing a solid understanding of the material.

• Masters Grade Level – Your child has a strong understanding of the subject.

Raw Scores and Scaled Scores
Your child’s score report will indicate a raw score and a scaled score. Here’s the difference:

• Raw Score

  • The basic score on any test, simply the number of points earned.

  • Based on the specific set of test questions on each test.

• Scaled Score

  • The conversion of the raw score onto a scale that is common to all test forms.

  • Takes into account the difficulty level of the questions, allowing for more meaningful comparisons across different test administrations.

  • Allows for comparisons of student performance across different test forms and administrations, even if the questions are different.

Both raw and scaled scores support placement into one of the four performance levels mentioned above.

Wondering how your child did on the STAAR test? Great news – you can view their scores, detailed performance reports, and much more online in just a few easy steps!

Access Scores Through the Fort Worth ISD Parent Portal

Your Parent Portal with Fort Worth ISD is a convenient way to quickly access your student’s state scores and test history. Once logged in to either the parent or student account:

• Locate and click the Portal tab under the FWISD logo in the top left corner
• Select the Texas Assessment logo in the right-side window

Access Scores Through the TEA Family Portal

A cumulative record of your child’s state assessment scores is available through the Family Portal at www.texasassessment.gov . For a detailed look at what’s inside the Family Portal and how to use it, the Texas Education Agency has published a helpful video here. We strongly encourage you to watch this video first.

To access these scores:

• Visit TexasAssessment.gov
• Enter the information requested in the Family Portal access window

• Select How do I look up my access code? If you do not know you 6-Character Unique Code
• Enter the following student information:
  TSDS ID (10-digit unique ID assigned by the state) OR the PEIMS ID (your child’s social security number or state issued S-number)
  Date of Birth
  Legal First Name
• Click Search
• This will locate the 6-Character Unique Code, allowing you to login to the portal.

Once logged in, you will see:

• STAAR test scores
• A breakdown of how your child performed on each subject
• Tools and tips to help them grow and improve

What you will learn from the report:

• How your child is progressing academically
• What they are ready to learn next
• Personalized tools to support learning at home

A Walkthrough of the STAAR Student Report Card

No matter what grade your child is in, this grade 5 sample report will help you read the report, understand your child’s STAAR results, and see his or her progress from the previous year. You can access this resource here.
TEA has also published a short video explaining the STAAR Student Report Card for a detailed look at what’s inside and how to use it.

Your child’s school is an excellent resource. Contact your child’s teacher or counselor. They will be happy to guide you through reports and provide further insight into your child’s progress. Remember, your child is not defined by one test. Your child’s teacher can review many points of information such as report card grades, NWEA MAP scores, district assessments, and many more; giving you a well-rounded view of your student’s achievement and progress.