Welcome to our State of Texas Assessments of Academic

Readiness Parent Information Night

STAAR Tests • Grade 3 : Reading and Math

• Grade 4 : Reading, Math, and Writing

• Grade 5: Reading, Math, and Science

5th grade students must pass reading and math STAAR to be promoted to 6th grade. Only 5th grade students have the opportunity to retest.

Student Success Initiative (SSI)SSI promotion requirements apply to student taking STAAR (including STAAR Spanish, STAAR L, and STAAR A) grade 5 or 8 mathematics and/or reading assessments if – The students are enrolled in grade 5 or 8 and – Are receiving on-grade-level instruction in mathematics and/or reading.

Testing DatesMarch 29th : 4th Grade Writing & 5th Grade MathMarch 30th : 5th Grade Reading May 9th : 3rd and 4th Grade Math 5th Grade Math (2nd Admin) May 10th : 3rd and 4th Grade Reading & 5th Grade Reading (2nd Admin)May 11th : 5th Grade Science

Each testing session is 4 hours. Please try to have your child at school during testing, however, make-up testing will be held during this week.

READING STAAR

STAAR is Rigorous!The students are required to read, comprehend , and analyze lengthy passages in 4 hours.Questions are complex and require deep thinking.For success on STAAR reading across all genres, students must be able to – apply the academic vocabulary associated with

literary and informational reading make connections within and across texts identify text evidence to support ideas identify the “tools” an author uses to craft a piece

and how these affect meaning (in both literary and informational texts)

It is imperative that author’s craft be taught as part of the informational genres. Our current TEKS require students to go beyond the “what” and analyze the “how” and the “why.”

Students must be able to…• analyze a variety of texts, their organizational patterns, and make

connections between texts in a logical way.• draw conclusions about the interaction of characters and the

changes they undergo throughout the text.• make complex inferences within and between a variety of text

using text evidence.• recognize how the structure of the text affects meaning.• determine the meaning of unfamiliar and multiple-meaning words

using context, prefixes, suffixes, and roots.• understand how the author uses sensory language to create

imagery and how figurative language contributes to the meaning.• identify the theme, determine the order and importance of the

plot’s main events.• summarize the plot and describe the interaction of characters.• identify the author’s purpose.• use text features to locate information that supports meaning.

MATH STAAR

STAAR MATH GRADES 3, 4, & 5

Uses complex questioning that requires analysis and logical reasoning to understand the task.

Multiple-step problems with fewer key word indicators to help determine appropriate strategies.

More fill-in griddable questions without answer choices. Computation errors can go undetected.

Test is limited to 4 hours

STAAR Math Griddables

STAAR MATH GRADES 3, 4, & 5What is being tested and what are the expectations?

The 3-5 Math Reporting Categories and Student Expectations

Numbers and Operations: The student will demonstrate an understanding of numbers, operations, and quantitative reasoning.

Patterns and Relationships: The student will demonstrate an understanding of patterns, relationships, and algebraic reasoning.

Geometry: The student will demonstrate an understanding of geometry and spatial reasoning.

Measurement: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and uses of measurement.

Probability and Statistics (graphs): The student will demonstrate an understanding of probability and statistics.

* Underlying Processes and Mathematical Tools concepts are embedded within multi-step problem solving. The students will need to read carefully to identify the appropriate steps.

WRITING STAAR

4th Grade STAAR Writing

One day writing test with 18 multiple choice questions and a written composition.

Students will write a one-page composition addressing expository writing.

• Expository:Create a brief composition that establishes a

central idea in a topic sentence, contains a concluding statement, and includes supporting sentences with simple facts, details, and explanations.

SCIENCE STAAR

STAAR Science Multiple Choice Questions Extensive use of content

vocabularyApplication of scientific

knowledge

STAAR Science • Science

–Scientific Investigation and Reasoning

–Matter and Energy–Force, Motion and Energy–Earth and Space–Organisms and Environments

What we are doing to prepare our studentsDaily instruction on Texas Essential

Knowledge and Skills or TEKS..Mathletics, Think Through Math, Istation(Can be done at home also)Learning Academy• 4 days a week (M-TH)

• 3rd Grade LA: 2:30• 4th Grade LA: 12:45• 5th Grade LA: 8:00

• Small group instruction • Kids grouped based on academic

need • Intensive Review Lessons• Lessons focus on strengths and

weaknesses of most current data

How can parents help?• Help your child get to school on time each day. Try to limit early

checkouts and unnecessary school absences.

• Check your child’s backpack/folder and planner every day. The graded work will help you know if your child is struggling in an area.

• Read with your children, have conversations about what they are reading and ask questions. Include questions such as “Why would the author include that sentence?” and “What message is the author trying to convey?”

• “Think out loud” to help your child understand how to logically think through the information.

• Make sure that your child does their homework and that they show all work clearly. Help them when necessary.

• Make sure that your child reads at least 30 minutes daily!

How Parents Can Help? (cont.)Ask Your Child Higher Level Questions• How would you explain ….?• Why does this work/not work …?• How could you verify…?• How would you prove… or disprove…?• What can you conclude about…?• What information lead you to draw

this conclusion?• Where else could you apply this

thinking?

STAAR MATH GRADES 3, 4, & 5How Parents Can Help?

Help your child memorize multiplication facts- practice with flashcards

Encourage your child to show all their work and explain it to you

Model your thinking aloud to solve problems and then have your child solve a similar problem

Use math vocabulary with your child Make connections to every day math Make your child read EVERYDAY. Good reading

skills are essential to understanding STAAR math problems.

How Can Parents Help? Practice science vocabulary at home.

Have kids draw diagrams or demonstrate.

Encourage discovery. “How do you think that happened?” “What if we changed this?”

Get on the computer! TONS of science websites.

The Night Before  Visualization: Have a

conversation with your child about what the day will look like.

  Get a good night's sleep.

Kids need a full 8-10 hours of sleep.

  Self-Talk: give your child a

few phrases that can motivate him/her "I just need to do my best!" "I can do it." "Stay cool."

  Answer any fears or

questions your child might have.

  Prepare your child’s

snacks, comfortable clothes, etc. the night before.

 

On STAAR Testing Day  Eat a good, healthy

breakfast.  

Treat this day as a normal day.

  Arrive on-time to school.  Feel free to leave cell

phones, backpacks, hand-held games at home.

  Wear layers so your child is

comfortable in any temperature.

  Remain calm and positive.

WHAT PARENTS CAN DO TO HELP:

Thank you for what you already do and what you will do. Your child will be successful with a strong home-school partnership!

Questions

Please visit the Texas Education Agency website below or contact one of us if you have any questions.

http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/staar/School Phone (830)798-3675

Susan CoxCathy Ellis

Sonya SmithJodi Fruge

Courtney WebbVonda Orton

Katherine HardawayAshley CrouseAudrey Beltran

Thanks for attending!