OVERVIEW OF STATE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM Fall 2011

1. OVERVIEW OF STATE ASSESSMENT PROGRAMFall 2011 Round Rock ISD With slides and excerpts from TEA, Region XIII and lead4ward

2. Previous Assessment Program

3. Texas Assessment of knowledge and skills (TAKS) • Grades 3 – 11 Reading/ELA • Grades 3 – 11 Math • Grades 4 & 7 Writing • Grades 5, 8, 10, & 11 Science • Grades 8, 10, & 11 Social Studies • Required to pass four exit-level (grade 11) exams in order to graduate • Spanish test versions available in grades 3 – 5 • Special test versions available for students served in special education and English language learners

4. New Assessment Program

5. State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) • STAAR 3−8 • Tests are in same grades and subjects as TAKS • STAAR EOC • Twelve end-of-course (EOC) tests in the four foundation content areas replace the current high school TAKS tests • STAAR Modified & STAAR Alternate • Special Education students • STAAR L • English Language Learners

6. . . . the tests

7. STAAR Assessment design • Will be significantly more rigorous than TAKS • More questions per test, more steps per question • More complex questions requiring students to write in responses rather than selecting from responses provided • Will measure student performance and academic growth • Aligned to college and career readiness

8. To Illustrate: TAKS TAKS Exit-Level Math Question

9. To Illustrate: STAAR STAAR Algebra II EOC Example

10. STAAR Performance Labels • Level III: Advanced Academic Performance • Students are well prepared for next grade or course. • Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance • Students are sufficiently prepared for next grade or course. • Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance • Students are not adequately prepared for next grade or course.

11. EOCs and Graduation

12. EOC Requirements for Graduation • This Year’s Entering 9th Graders Will Be the First Group Using EOCs to Meet Graduation Requirements

13. EOC Requirements for Graduation • To graduate, a student must achieve a cumulative score in each of the four subject areas. • The cumulative score is calculated as the number of tests multiplied by the score that indicates “Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance” • However, the student must meet a minimumscore in order for the results to be eligible for the cumulative score requirement

14. EOC Cumulative Score - Hypothetical 900 – minimum passing score 1000- satisfactory academic performance 1200- college readiness 3000 - Cumulative score requirement

15. EOC Cumulative Score and Graduation Requirements

16. EOC Requirements for Graduation • Students must reach at least the minimum score in order for the points to count towards the “cumulative” graduation requirement • But, reaching just the minimum score on all 12 EOCs will not allow a student to graduate PERFORMANCE Minimum Score UNSATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY ADVANCED

17. EOC and Course Scenarios

18. STAAR End-of-CourseAssessments • Student’s score on the EOC assessment must count 15% of the student’s final grade for that course • If, after inclusion of the 15% EOC score, the student’s course grade is less than 70, the student cannot be awarded credit for the course • Once course credit has been awarded, the District is not required to recalculate the course grade based on EOC retest scores

19. Graduation Plan Options • Option 1 – Minimum Graduation Plan Requires students to meet the cumulative score requirement on EOC tests taken • Option 2 – Recommended High School ProgramRequires students to meet cumulative score requirements and score at “Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance” on the Algebra II and English III EOC assessments • Option 3 – Distinguished Achievement ProgramRequires students to meet cumulative score requirements and score at “Level III: Advanced Academic Performance” on the Algebra II and English III EOC assessments

20. EOC Requirements for Graduation • A student may also choose to retest in order to meet the requirements of the Recommended or Distinguished graduation program (Algebra II and ELA III standards) • The EOC score will be used to calculate GPA or Rank in Class. • Students will have multiple opportunities to retake the EOC test if they are unsuccessful or if they would like to improve their test score • Tests will be given in the spring, summer and fall

21. STAAR Implementation

22. STAAR Process Changes • Beginning this year, there will be a 4-hour time limit for both STAAR EOC and STAAR grades 3 – 8 assessments • There will be make-up opportunities for allgrades and subjects for students who are absent • The district will primarily use paper testing for math, science, and ELA EOCs. Social Studies EOC will be tested online. • STAAR Writing (grades 4 and 7) and STAAR EOCs in ELA I, ELA II, and ELA III will be two-day tests • ELA I, II, III will receive twodistinct scores for the reading and writing components. Students who do not pass will only re-take the section(s) missed.

23. STAAR Process Changes • Incoming 9th graders who have already completed an EOC-tested course (such as Algebra I, Geometry) in middle school • Are not required to take the EOC, and their cumulative score requirements will be reduced • But are permitted to take the EOC, and cumulative score use is optional • Credit by exam students • Will still be required to take EOC test

24. STAAR Process Changes • Back-graded 9th graders in 2011-12 will be graduating under TAKS, but no 9th grade TAKS test will be available • Repeat 9th graders cannot take EOCs • The District will be exploring other assessment options so that these students are prepared for the exit-level TAKS in 2014

25. Timeline for Standard Setting • For STAAR EOC assessments, the state will set passing standards in February 2012 so that scores can be reported for first high-stakes administration in spring 2012 • STAAR EOC: First reports will be available on June 8, 2012; first retest will be offered in July 2012

26. Questions?