End of Course Assessments - STAAR EOC
Description: In high school students take the English I, English II, Algebra I (if not taken while in 8th grade), and U.S History EOC tests. The STAAR test for each subject assesses students proficiency on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) which are the standards that are taught for each course. Students will take their EOC when they take each respective course.
Purpose: The STAAR test designed to ensure students are meeting state curriculum standards and are prepared for the next grade level.
Frequency: The EOC tests are administered at the end-of-the-year online within a two week window for each subject. Each test is designed to be completed within 4 hour, however student have until the end of the school day to complete the test. Students that do not pass their EOC assessment will retake the assessment, typically in December of the next school year.
Source of Requirement: In Texas, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test is mandated by law, specifically the Texas Education Code (TEC) §39.023(a). Federal and state laws require all students to take STAAR EOC assessments at least once for federal accountability purposes in reading and math.
Results: Families can view the results online via the parent portal as soon as the State makes them available, typically mid/late June.
Purpose: The purpose of the MAP Growth test is to measure a student’s academic progress and growth over time in subjects like reading and math. It provides teachers with detailed, individualized data to identify each student's strengths and areas for growth, helping to inform instruction, set goals, and track progress throughout the school year.
Description: MAP Growth Reading and Math Assessments are adaptive, meaning that questions get more difficult when students answer correctly and less difficult when answered incorrectly. This adaptiveness helps determine whether students are at, on, or above grade level. In Kindergarten the assessment is given on a tablet. It is designed to measure what students know and what they are ready to learn next.
MAP Growth Reading assesses skills such as vocabulary, word recognition, reading comprehension, and literary and informational text analysis.
MAP Growth Language evaluates a student's understanding and application of foundational language skills such as grammar and usage, mechanics, writing strategies, and editing skills.
MAP Growth Math evaluates number sense, computation, algebraic thinking, geometry, and data analysis.
Because the test adapts to each student's responses, it provides a personalized assessment experience, giving educators detailed insight into student learning levels in both subjects. This data helps guide instruction and monitor academic growth throughout the year.
Frequency: MAP growth assessments are given at the beginning of the year, at the start of the second semester, and at the end of the year. Each subject is untimed but takes on average 30-45 minutes to complete.
Source of Requirement: This assessment is not state required. MAP Growth assessment is given in addition to TX-KEA to gain a more detailed, nationally normed measure of student performance and growth in reading and math. While TX-KEA provides a snapshot of school readiness and early foundational skills, MAP Growth offers ongoing, in-depth data to track progress throughout the year and tailor instruction to meet each student’s individual needs.
Results: Results are available to teachers within 24 hours. Student assessment results are printed and sent home with students within 30 days of administration along with any recommendations for interventions.
Unit, Module, or Course Assessments
Purpose: A module or unit test is to evaluate student learning, identify areas where reteaching may be needed, and guide future instruction. It also helps teachers monitor progress toward grade-level goals and provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the content.
Description: These assessments measure how well students have understood and can apply the knowledge and skills taught during that particular module/unit.
Frequency: A module or unit test is an assessment given at the end of a specific set of lessons focused on a particular topic or standard. These are determined by the specific teacher and course.
Source of Requirement: The school district requires that each course assesses students knowledge of what is taught in that particular class.
Results: Unit or module assessment results grades and information will be made available by the teacher via the ParentPortal Gradebook and printed information may be sent home with students.