Assessment

State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR)

Students entering 9th grade in 2011-12 and beyond must take an End-of-Course (EOC) test for the courses in which they are enrolled.

EOC Subject Areas

• English 1

• English 2

• Algebra 1

• Biology

• U.S. History

Assessment for All Students

STAAR:

» Serves the needs of students in Special Education

» Serves the needs of English Language Learners

EOC Student Performance Levels

» Masters Grade Level

» Meets Grade Level

» Approaches Grade Level

» Did Not Meet Grade Level

EOC Re-takes/Intervention

Retake tests will be administered 3 three times a year:

» End of fall semester

» End of spring Semester

» Summer

The student must retake an EOC test that does not meet a Level 2 Satisfactory Score of Approaches Grade Level.

Intervention

» Course(s) provided for any student who fails an EOC test.

» Course(s) provided for a student who requires additional academic support, by committee placement (ARD, 504, LPAC, etc.).

EOC Courses Taken in Middle School

» Middle school students are required to take the EOC for the high school course in which they are enrolled (Algebra I).

Transfer Students

» Student transfers include students who have transferred to MVISD from:

· Home schools

· Out-of-District Schools

· Out-of-State Schools

· Out-of-Country Schools

» Student transfers must take EOC tests for the courses in which they are enrolled for each core subject area.

Student/Parent Action Plans

Student Action Plan

» Stay informed about EOC practices and changes.

» Learn the grading policies and know your grades.

» Commit to making the highest 6 weeks’ grade possible.

» Attend class every day.

» Determine your need for EOC Re-takes.

» Re-take EOC tests As Soon As Possible.

» Communicate: Have ongong conversations with your counselor, parents, and teachers.

Parent / Guardian Action Plan

» Stay informed about graduation requirements.

» Learn the grading policies and how to apply them to your child’s grades.

» Use Skyward Family Access to keep track of your child’s grades and attendance.

» Encourage your child to excel in all courses and attend class every day.

» Communicate: Have ongoing conversations with your child, your child’s counselor, and teachers.

STAAR/EOC Resources

» Texas Education Agency

TEA - Student Assessment

TEA - STAAR

TEA - STAAR ALT 2

» Education Service Center Region 20

Region 20 - Student Assessment

» Medina Valley District Testing Coordinator—Bridget Ayala

bridget.ayala@mvisd.org

830-931-2243 extension 1245

Placement Test For World Languages

If a student wishes to be placed in a higher level of a language, the student may take a placement test prior to the end of the current school year. New students may be given the test within the first two weeks of the new school year. Students may test to be placed from a Level I to a Level II or a Level II to a Level III. In order to be placed in the next level, the student must earn a minimum grade of 80 on the exam. Credit will only be awarded for both classes if the student passes the class in which he/she was placed. This is ONLY a placement test. If a student wishes to earn CREDIT-BY-EXAM, please request information from the Counseling Center.

Credit-By-Exam (CBE)

CREDIT BY EXAM—If a Student Has Taken the Course

A student who has previously taken a course or subject—but did not receive credit for it—may, in circumstances determined by the principal or attendance committee, be permitted to earn credit by passing an exam on the essential knowledge and skills defined for that course or subject. Prior instruction may include, for example, incomplete coursework due to a failed course or excessive absences, homeschooling, or coursework by a student transferring from a non-accredited school. The counselor or principal would determine if the student could take an exam for this purpose. If approval is granted, the student must score at least 70 on the exam to receive credit for the course or subject. When taking an examination to earn credit for a failed course, a student must have received a grade of at least 60 in the course failed. The attendance review committee may also offer a student with excessive absences an opportunity to earn credit for a course by passing an exam. In all instances, the district will determine whether any opportunity for credit by exam will be offered. [For further information, see the counselor and policy EHDB(LOCAL).]

CREDIT BY EXAM—If a Student Has Not Taken the Course

A student will be permitted to take an exam to earn credit for an academic course for which the student has had no prior instruction or to accelerate to the next grade level. A student will earn course credit with a passing score of at least 80 on the exam. Depending on the student’s grade level and course for which the student seeks to earn credit by exam, an end-of-course assessment (EOC) may be required for graduation. If a student plans to take an exam, the student (or parent) must register with the principal no later than 30 days prior to the scheduled testing date. The district will not honor a request by a parent to administer a test on a date other than the published dates. If the district agrees to administer a test other than the one chosen by the district (Texas Tech University), the student’s parent will be responsible for the cost of the exam. [For further information, see policy EHDC(LOCAL).]

Note: grades achieved from CBE are not included in GPA calculation.

SAT and ACT

High school students should take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) with writing at the end of their sophomore year or in the fall of their junior year. It is recommended that juniors planning to attend college take the SAT or ACT at least twice prior to their senior year. Scores are forwarded directly to the college admissions office of your choice. Students unable to pay the testing fee may request a waiver provided by The College Board or American College Testing Program from the Counseling Center.

TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE

The Texas Success Initiative is a state-legislated program designed to improve student success in college. Students entering college must meet the College Readiness Standards to be eligible for college-level courses in math, reading, and writing. Students must take developmental courses when they enter college in any subject(s) where they do not meet the standard as defined below.