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In the world of STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) testing, growth is becoming a key focus for parents, students, and educators alike. While achieving high scores on the STAAR test is important, tracking and improving a student's growth from the previous year often paints a more complete picture of their progress.

This emphasis on growth aligns with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) accountability framework, which evaluates not just proficiency but also year-over-year improvement. Growth demonstrates how much a student has learned, regardless of whether they’ve reached the “meets” or “masters” standard. Here’s why focusing on STAAR growth matters and how you can help your child achieve it.

1. Understanding STAAR Growth and Its Impact

The TEA uses STAAR growth measures to assess how students improve between test administrations. This is critical for understanding whether schools and districts are effectively supporting all students—not just high achievers but also those who may be below grade level.

• Growth Measure: STAAR growth tracks whether a student has met or exceeded their expected progress from the previous year.

• TEA Accountability Ratings: Schools and districts are evaluated on their ability to grow students academically, contributing significantly to their overall accountability ratings.

• Individual Impact: For students who may struggle to reach “Approaches Grade Level,” showing growth demonstrates they’re on the path to success.

Takeaway: Growth matters as much as, if not more than, proficiency when evaluating student achievement. Parents should celebrate improvements in performance, no matter how small.

2. Why Growth is More Important Than Overall Scores

While a high STAAR score is an achievement, it doesn’t tell the full story. A focus on growth provides more meaningful insights into your child’s learning journey.

• Equity in Learning: Growth measures help identify how all students, regardless of their starting point, are advancing.

• Closing Learning Gaps: For students who are behind, growth reflects progress toward meeting grade-level standards, even if they haven’t reached “Meets Grade Level” yet.

• Sustained Progress: Students already performing at high levels can show growth by advancing to “Masters Grade Level” or improving within their proficiency range.

Pro Tip: Look beyond scores and focus on year-over-year improvement when discussing your child’s performance with teachers.

3. How to Help Your Child Achieve STAAR Growth

Improving STAAR growth requires a strategic approach that builds on prior knowledge while addressing weak areas. Here’s how you can support your child:

Use STAAR Performance Data Effectively

• Access Prior Scores: Use the TEA Student Portal to review your child’s previous STAAR performance, including growth data and specific areas of strength and weakness.

• Identify Key Areas: Look for trends in the data—are they consistently struggling with reading comprehension or multi-step math problems? Target these areas for improvement.

• Collaborate with Teachers: Request a breakdown of how your child performed on specific TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) standards. Teachers often use Lead4Ward’s tools to analyze this data and can offer tailored advice.

Set Growth-Oriented Goals

• Focus on Improvement: Set goals like “increase correct answers in math by 5%” or “move from Approaches to Meets in reading.”

• Celebrate Small Wins: Even small improvements show progress and build confidence.

4. Use Lead4Ward Strategies to Drive Growth

Lead4Ward provides educators and parents with actionable strategies to promote STAAR success. Many of these strategies can be adapted for use at home.

• TEKS Clusters: Lead4Ward organizes TEKS into related clusters, making it easier to focus on interconnected skills. Use this framework to target key learning objectives in a logical sequence.

• STAAR Frequency Data: Lead4Ward’s “Snapshot” documents highlight the most commonly tested standards. Prioritize these areas during your child’s study sessions.

• Quick Checks: Use Lead4Ward-style “quick checks” to review material in short, focused sessions, emphasizing retention and application.

Tip: Download Lead4Ward resources or ask your child’s teacher to share them with you.

5. Practice with Growth in Mind

Effective practice involves more than repeating what your child already knows—it means pushing their boundaries to achieve growth.

Simulate STAAR Testing Conditions

• Take practice tests in a quiet environment and under timed conditions.

• Use released STAAR tests from the TEA to ensure your child is familiar with the question format and rigor.

Analyze Mistakes

• Review incorrect answers to identify patterns in errors, such as rushing through questions or misunderstanding key concepts.

• Focus on areas where growth is most achievable, like improving partial understanding of a TEKS standard.

Challenge High Achievers

• For students already scoring at the Meets or Masters level, focus on higher-order thinking skills and more complex questions to show continued growth.

6. Build Skills That Foster Growth

STAAR tests measure more than rote memorization—they assess critical thinking, problem-solving, and application of knowledge. Focus on these skills:

• Reading: Teach your child to annotate texts, summarize main ideas, and use evidence to support their answers.

• Math: Emphasize multi-step problem-solving and using formulas strategically.

• Writing: Practice organizing ideas clearly in essays, using STAAR-aligned prompts for guidance.

• Science and Social Studies: Help your child connect concepts to real-world applications through experiments, discussions, and primary source analysis.

7. Celebrate Growth to Build Confidence

Encourage a growth mindset by shifting the focus from “How high is my score?” to “How much have I improved?”

• Highlight Achievements: Even modest improvements deserve recognition.

• Reframe Mistakes: Teach your child to view mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures.

• Track Progress Visually: Use charts or graphs to show how their scores and skills have developed over time.

Motivational Tip: Remind your child that consistent effort leads to long-term success, regardless of their starting point.

Conclusion

When it comes to STAAR testing, growth matters. Improving on prior year scores not only reflects your child’s hard work but also demonstrates their ability to learn and adapt. By focusing on growth rather than perfection, you can help your child gain confidence, close learning gaps, and achieve meaningful progress.

With tools like TEA’s performance data, Lead4Ward strategies, and targeted practice, growth is always within reach. As April approaches, celebrate the journey and the steps forward—because every bit of growth counts!