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 ensure 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.

For additional support or questions, contact your campus office or the FWISD assessment at 817-814-1630.

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.

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.