STAAR – State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness
The STAAR test is the new state-mandated assessment that will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills beginning in spring 2012. STAAR includes grades 3-8 as well as 12 end-of-course (EOC) assessments for high school students. Click here for more information about STAAR.
TAKS – Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills
The TAKS test is a state-mandated assessment used to determine how well students have mastered the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which is the state curriculum in reading, math, writing, science and social studies. TAKS is administered to students yearly beginning in 3rd grade. Meeting the passing standard in English/language arts, math, science and social studies is a graduation requirement in the State of Texas. Since 2003, students in grade 3 must pass the TAKS reading in order to be promoted. In 2005, students in grade 5 had to pass both the reading and math portions of TAKS to meet promotion requirements. Beginning in 2008, students in grade 8 must meet the same promotion requirements. Note: Beginning with the 2011-12 school year, only students currently in grades 10 & 11 will participate in TAKS testing. These students will continue to participate in TAKS testing until they meet expectations on exit-level tests required for graduation.
The TAKS test is a criterion-referenced instrument. A criterion-referenced (CRT) test is a measurement that relates test items to specific learning objectives which students have been taught. Since a criterion-referenced test measures a student’s performance on each objective, the results are particularly useful in instructional planning. Areas of high and low student performance are easily identifiable, and remedial programs focusing on deficit areas can be devised.
Click here to view prior year's TAKS Scores. TAKS-A - Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (Accommodated): The TAKS-A assesses special education students who are receiving instruction in the Texas Essential Knowledge and skills (TEKS), but for whom the TAKS test is considered an inappropriate measure of their academic progress. Students are assessed at their enrolled grade levels.
- TAKS-M - Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (Modified): The TAKS-M assesses special education students who access the grade-level or course Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) through modifications; and as a result, the TAKS and TAKS-A tests are considered inappropriate measures of their academic progress.
TPRI - Texas Primary Reading Inventory
The TPRI is a state-approved instrument which is used to measure the reading development of young students in kindergarten through third grdae. The measurement provides for early identification of reading skills and comprehension development; thereby giving teachers useful information for targeted instructional assistance. The assessment is administered individually in September, January, and May to students in grades 1 and 2; in September to students in grade 3; and in October, January, and May to students in kindergarten.
TELPAS - Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System
TELPAS was developed by the Texas Education Agency in response to federal testing requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). Under NCLB, Texas must assess English language learners annually in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students in grades K-12 participate until their Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) determines that they are proficient in the English language.
- Grades K-1: TELPAS includes holistically rated listening, speaking, reading, and writing assessments based on ongoing classroom observations and student interactions.
- Grades 2-12: TELPAS includes online multiple-choice reading tests, holistically rated student writing collections, and holistically rated listening and speaking assessments. The listening and speaking assessments are based on ongoing classroom observations and student interactions.
Last Modified on Saturday, May 25, 2013.
