The STAAR exam will replace the TAKS exam beginning in the 2011-2012 school year and will assess students in a more rigorous way to show college readiness; it will have increased test items, more complex math problems, and longer writing tests, with scores categorized into three levels to align with high school graduation requirements.

1. The Differences Between TAKS
and STAAR for Elementary
Del Valle ISD

2. New STAAR Exams for 2011-2012
• In the 2011-12 school year, the Texas Education Agency(TEA) will
be launching STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic
Readiness) which will begin replacing the current TAKS test
and will include new graduation requirements for the Class of
2015 and beyond.
• STAAR will assess the same standards in a deeper, more
rigorous way. DVISD continues to focus on preparing our
students and teachers to be successful during this transition.
• Students in grades 3-8 will take the same subject tests for
each grade level:

3. New STAAR Exams for 2011-2012
• Students entering 9th grade in 2011-12 will take
STAAR/EOC (End-of-Course).
– Learn more during the following secondary meetings:
• Dailey Middle School 9/8/2011 6:00-8:00 PM
• Del Valle High School 9/8/2011 6:30-8:00 PM
• Del Valle Middle School 9/22/2011 5:30-7:30 PM
• Ojeda Middle School 9/21/2011 5:00-7:30 PM
• Opportunity Center 9/14/2011 2:00-4:30 PM
• Currently enrolled 10th-12th grade students will
continue to take TAKS.

4. What are the major differences ?
• The rigor of items has been increased by testing
skills at a greater depth and level of thinking. The
results will be used to show college readiness.
• The total number of test items for the STAAR
assessments has been increased for most grades,
subjects and courses.
•More steps are needed to solve math problems.
• The writing tests at grades 4 and 7 will take 2
days; two essays will be required as opposed to one.

5. What are the major differences ? (cont’d)
• A four hour time limit has been established for
STAAR assessments. TAKS was untimed. The state
is aligning testing with college prep (ACT/SAT).
• Accommodations for extra time or an extra day will be
available for students who meet eligibility criteria.
• The four hour time is to include:
• Breaks for water or snacks
• Bathroom breaks
• Breaks for physical activity
• Routine medical breaks to take medicine

6. How do elementary scores align with
EOCs/graduation requirements?
Level III: Advanced Academic Performance
Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance
Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance
• Students will receive scores in three levels starting in
elementary. The state goal is for students to earn the Level
III: Advanced Academic Performance score in all subject
areas. This level of score is meant to give a positive indication
that a student is academically college and career ready.
• In high school STAAR EOC test results must be included
as 15% of the student’s final grade for the course.

7. How do elementary scores align with
EOCs/graduation requirements?
Level III: Advanced Academic Performance
Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance
Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance
• A Satisfactory score for the Recommended Graduation
Plan & an Advanced Academic Performance Score for the
Distinguished Plan will be required on Eng III & Algebra II
EOCs.
• Colleges and universities will prefer the Level III score
and may help students avoid taking developmental level
college courses which cost money but credits from these
courses do not count toward a degree.

8. Questions and
Answers

9. Questions and Answers
1. Can my child be retained because of performance on
STAAR?
• There will be no retentions based on STAAR results for this school
year. Students will only be given one opportunity to take each test-
STAAR retake tests will not be available this year. Districts are
required to make promotion/retention decisions based on academic
achievement.
2. What options will Special Education students have?
• TEA is eliminating the separate accommodated form and building in
specific accommodations to the general STAAR assessments.
• STAAR Modified and STAAR Alternate will be options for most
courses, but not all higher level courses.

10. Questions and Answers
3. What can I do as a parent?
• Make sure your child reads 30 minutes everyday to help
reading fluency for timed test purposes
• Have your child work on math facts to help math fluency
for timed test purposes (math flash cards)
• Help with and check homework nightly
• Keep in contact with your child’s teacher
• Be sure to sign-up for Family Access (new grade book
system)

11. Questions and Answers
4. What is DVISD doing to prepare my child?
• Teachers are teaching in deeper and more rigorous ways.
• Asking more questions
• Requiring students to do more thinking
• Taking concepts from the concrete level to the abstract
• All teachers in DVISD are trained using the Model Classroom
Project.
• Lessons include different teaching strategies which are relevant and
meaningful in order to reach all types of learners
• Effective questioning strategies are used
• Encourages students to participate using higher level thinking skills
• Creates a collaborative learning environment
• Fosters an environment where learners become responsible learners