STAAR/STAAR Alt

Answers to Parents’ Frequently Asked Questions about STAAR 2021

General

1. Why is STAAR important?

STAAR measures key grade level concepts and skills that students need to learn to stay on track from year to year. It is a cumulative test that happens at the end of the year to allow teachers to see how much a student has learned over the past year and where they may still need support. STAAR measures how well students met the grade level expectations determined by the Texas State Board of Education in partnership with educators, in each subject. It shows how prepared a student is for the next grade level, and where they may need additional support to accelerate learning.

STAAR is only one way to measure learning, and it isn’t meant to tell the whole story. It’s meant to be combined with report card grades, teacher input and classwork, to give families and teachers a more complete picture of student learning.

2. Why are students taking the test this year?

The results of the STAAR test will be used to identify or “diagnose” the gaps in learning so that teachers, families and students can focus on those specific areas where students need more support to accelerate learning both at home and at school.

This has been an incredibly difficult year for students, families and teachers. The disruptions to academic instruction have been unavoidable as schools transitioned to remote and hybrid and now back to in-person. This year, more than ever before, the information from STAAR is needed along with other measures to create a plan for students to recover from the disruptions to learning caused by COVID-19.

3. How will the results be used in 2021?

This year, STAAR results are for learning and recovery only. They will not be used to rate schools or districts or to evaluate teachers. They also won’t affect promotion for students in any grades. Graduating students, if affected, will have other options to meet the graduation requirements.

Teachers can use STAAR scores in combination with other measures such as report card grades, quizzes and their own observations, to co-create learning recovery plans with families to accelerate learning in the areas where students have missed important instruction to get them back on track.

4. Can STAAR be taken remotely?

We are unfortunately not able to deliver the STAAR test remotely. In order to ensure that every student has the same technology and experience when taking the test, we are asking that all students, including those learning remotely, return to a building identified by their school to take the test. Only students who are receiving homebound instruction can take STAAR at home. This allows us to be confident in the results.

5. What are schools doing to make sure it’s safe for students to come back?

Our schools are working hard to follow all of the safety guidelines that are proven to be effective in reducing the transmission of COVID-19, including (INSERT DISTRICT-SPECIFIC DETAILS). They are also using additional spaces such as cafeterias and gyms to ensure that students are socially distanced during testing. Many schools are making plans to test students learning remotely separately from those in hybrid learning or in-person.

6. Are students able to opt out?

While students are not permitted to officially “opt out”, we recognize that many of our students continue to face challenges and circumstances that makes it difficult, if not impossible to return to a school building. Those students will not be forced to come into school to take the test. We do encourage families to send their children back to school for the benefits of in-person learning, not just for the STAAR test.

Scoring and Results

1. When will families receive their child’s STAAR scores?

Beginning on June 28th, parents will be able to access their child’s results in the district’s parent portal, or by entering their child’s information at TexasAssessment.Gov. As in previous years, families can access detailed breakdowns in each subject to identify where there may be strengths or gaps. They will also be able to see which questions their child got incorrect, and resources tailored to their child’s performance they can use to support learning at home.

2. What are the passing scores for each test?

For information about passing scores for each test visit the Raw Score Conversion Tables webpage and select the test and year you would like to view. To learn more about understanding your child’s score visit TexasAssessment.gov.

Access to Results

1. What is the unique access code?

The first time a student takes a STAAR test, they receive a unique access code, which stays the same throughout the student’s time in a Texas public school. It is different from the district or school-issued student ID, and is only used to access your child’s information at TexasAssessment.gov or through your district’s parent portal.

2. How do I find my child’s unique access code?

[paper version] or To find out your child’s code, contact your principal. But you don’t need your child’s access code to get their results online. You can visit TexasAssessment.gov, and click “Find my access code”. On the next screen, enter your child’s date of birth and social security or s-number to access your child’s STAAR results.

3. What is an “S” number?

An S number is a state-approved alternate ID number assigned to a child either because a Social Security number is not available, or the parent chose not to release a Social Security number.

4. Is the information available in Spanish? STAAR performance information available in Spanish?

Yes. When families log in, there is a button at the top of the website to translate the information into Spanish. The STAAR paper report is also available in Spanish to students who qualify.

5. Are teachers and principals able to log in and see the same information as families?

Yes. Teachers and principals can access this information using the student’s unique access code.